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By Joshua Scheer
Four centrist Republican members of the U.S. House broke with Speaker Mike Johnson and joined Democrats in signing a discharge petition that will compel a floor vote on extending pandemic‑era Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits for three more years. The enhanced subsidies, which help reduce monthly insurance costs for millions of Americans, are set to expire at the end of the year unless Congress acts. The move highlights growing divisions within the GOP between leadership and moderates from competitive districts concerned about rising premiums for constituents. The Republican leadership’s own healthcare bill does not include an extension of these subsidies, prompting the procedural maneuver by the bipartisan group. A vote on the subsidy extension could take place in January when Congress returns from recess, though its prospects remain uncertain, especially in the Senate.
The centrists, led by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Mike Lawler, are privately pressuring Speaker Mike Johnson to change his approach on the expiring enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. In a bold move, a bloc of House GOP centrists agreed to help Democrats force a vote on their own bill addressing the looming ACA subsidy deadline.
The surprising maneuver comes after weeks of tense infighting among GOP leaders, moderates, and hardliners, which failed to produce a Republican solution before the month-end subsidy cliff. In an unusual protest even for a fractious and unruly House, four moderate Republicans effectively delivered a major floor win for the leader of the House Democratic caucus.
By a vote of 204 to 203, the House ultimately blocked the last-minute Democratic attempt—backed by the four Republicans—to force quick votes on a three-year extension of the ACA subsidies.
Democrats loudly protested, accusing Republican leadership of prematurely ending the vote while some members were still trying to cast their ballots.
“That’s outrageous,” Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts shouted at Republican leadership.
However, as reported by PBS, none of these changes actually reduce healthcare costs—they simply shift the money around, offering only a quick fix.
From our friends at Breaking Points, earlier in the day, Speaker Mike Johnson had indicated that a vote was unlikely.
Here’s the Speaker taking what Forbes calls a “victory lap”—definitely an unusual character
In this television appearance, House Speaker Mike Johnson earlier before the vote discusses the Republican strategy and outlook ahead of a critical health care vote in the U.S. House of Representatives. The interview focuses on the GOP’s plans and priorities around health policy and the ongoing debate over extending or reforming Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions, including premium subsidies that are set to expire. Johnson outlines the Republican leadership’s approach, signaling reluctance toward certain Democratic‑led proposals and emphasizing the need for a conservative alternative. The segment reflects the broader legislative tensions within Congress as members negotiate the future of health care support and address internal party divisions over how best to proceed on coverage and costs.
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