Name: U.S. hits three more alleged drug boats in the Pacific, killing eight
Uploaded: 2025-12-17T00:11:51.392Z
Duration: 3 min 49 s
Description: The U.S. military says it has conducted another series of deadly strikes on three alleged drug boats in the Eastern Pacific, killing eight people. CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion reports on that and more from Capitol Hill.

The U.S. military says it has conducted another series of deadly strikes on three alleged drug boats in the Eastern Pacific, killing eight people. CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion reports on that and more from Capitol Hill.

Washington

The U.S. military has carried out strikes on three alleged drug boats in the eastern Pacific, resulting in eight fatalities. The operation, directed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is part of ongoing efforts to counter drug trafficking and terrorist organizations. Lawmakers were briefed on the mission, with Republicans generally supporting the administration's authority and Democrats calling for greater transparency, particularly regarding a controversial previous strike.

Additionally, the article reports on congressional debates over the future of Affordable Care Act subsidies. While House Republican leaders are proposing reforms without extending the subsidies, some moderate Republicans are advocating for a bipartisan extension. Congress faces a limited timeframe to address the expiring subsidies before recess.

U.S. hits three more alleged drug boats in the Pacific, killing eight

The U.S. military says it has conducted new deadly strikes on three alleged drug boats in the eastern Pacific killing eight people. U.S. Southern Command posted video of the strike saying the operation was carried out at the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This comes as the Defense Secretary and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were on Capitol Hill this morning to brief House members about the ongoing military strikes. This has been a highly successful mission that's ongoing and continued and we're pleased to be here today to update Congress on how that's developing and how that's moving forward. It is the 22nd bipartisan briefing we've had on a highly successful mission to counter designated terrorist organizations, cartels, bringing weapons, weapons meaning drugs, to the American people and poisoning the American people for far too long. CBS News congressional correspondent Nicole Killian is on Capitol Hill with more. Nicole, how are lawmakers responding to this briefing? Yeah, well, obviously we were there for the secretary's statement as well as for the debrief from many lawmakers who shared differing takeaways. You know, Republicans, of course, by and large defended the administration feel that they continue to have the authority to carry out these strikes in the Caribbean, even as some questioned what the end goal is as far as a strategy here. But many Democrats were certainly more critical. They still believe that lawmakers at the very least should have access to that unedited video of that boat strike, that controversial boat strike back in September, where we saw a group of survivors kind of clinging to a boat and then a subsequent attack, what's known as a double tap strike. So take a listen to what Leader Schumer had to say about that. Their policies in the Caribbean are unclear. We don't know what the limits are. We don't know where they'll stop. We don't know what the ultimate goal is. The president says different things at different times and contradicts himself. That's why we need full transparency. Now, we do understand that there will be yet another briefing tomorrow here on Capitol Hill, this time with Admiral Frank Bradley, who has been here to the Hill before, but who oversaw that controversial September 2nd boat strike. He is expected to brief members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee, where those committee members are potentially expected to see that video in question. At least the committees of jurisdiction are likely being provided access to it. So whether or not that quells concerns going forward remains to be seen. But certainly there is a continuation of these types of briefings to try to get lawmakers the answers that they need, whether or not lawmakers are satisfied with them or not. Nicole, what is the latest with the health care debate? We know the Democrats want to continue these Affordable Care Act subsidies. What is the GOP saying? Well, obviously, we will see House Republican leaders put forth a series of proposals on the floor this week that don't include an extension of those enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies. Instead, these are kind of GOP friendly proposals, things like allowing small businesses to pull together on these association health care plans, as they are known. It also includes some cost reductions and some additional reforms. But there is a group of moderate Republicans that has been pushing for a bipartisan fix here, some type of extension of these subsidies, whether that's one year or two, coupled with reforms to the Affordable Care Act. So far, the speaker says that he is not going to allow an amendment vote on one of those plans. But moderates are hopeful maybe that he will change his posture on that. Of course, Congress is due to recess at the end of the week, so not much time left to address the issue of these expiring subsidies. All right, Nicole Killian, thank you.

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