House approves rule for healthcare, NDAA, Patriot Act

The House Tuesday afternoon approved a rule allowing consideration of three bills, all of which are expected to be taken up this week. The rule was approved in a 238-181 vote; only six Democrats supported it, and one Republican opposed it.

The rule covers H.R. 1216, which would reduce federal funding for graduate-level medical education that was provided for in last year's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The House immediately moved to debate on this bill and is expected to approve it later Tuesday.

The rule also covers the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which the House is expected to take up Tuesday and Wednesday. And it allows the House to immediately take up an extension of Patriot Act surveillance authorities, which the Senate will vote on first this week.