Four Republicans force vote on tax credit extension
Four moderate Republicans in the House of Representatives rose up against House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday and joined Democrats to vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year.
If approved, the measure would extend ACA tax credits for three years.
If these benefits expire as planned, the price of Obamacare health insurance premiums that millions of Americans personally pay will skyrocket.
The stunning departures from the quartet of Republicans came a day after Johnson, R-La., said GOP leaders would not allow a vote under normal procedures on keeping the enhanced ACA tax credits alive through 2026.
Early Wednesday morning, Johnson urged members of the GOP caucus not to join Democrats in the final phase of the procedure around him.
Lacking enough Republican support to expand the credits, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (DY) drafted a so-called discharge petition in November that would force a vote on the extension after receiving signatures from 218 House members.
Democrats have only 214 members, so they needed four Republicans to make this measure work.
On Wednesday, Johnson was asked about the termination petition on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “Making a final judgment around the majority party, the speaker, or the regular process is not the best way to make legislation,” he said.
But about two hours later, four moderate Republicans signed the petition: Brian Fitzpatrick, Rob Bresnahan and Ryan Mackenzie of all of Pennsylvania and Mike Lawler of New York signed the petition.
“When leadership completely blocks action, Congress has a responsibility to act,” Lawler said in a statement after signing the petition. he said. “My priority is to ensure that Hudson Valley families are not left stranded.”
The vote on extending ACA subsidies is critical for vulnerable House Republicans who are up for re-election in 2026 as the GOP tries to maintain its razor-thin majority. Lawler said Tuesday that not holding a vote on subsidies would be “political malpractice.”
If the measure is approved by the House, it would still need to be approved by the Senate. Senate last week rejected A similar measure that would extend subsidies for three years.
“Under this proposal, people making more than $500,000 a year would continue to benefit from temporary Covid-era subsidies,” said Ryan Wrasse, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader John Thune. social media post on Wednesday.
Johnson and GOP leadership are working on a separate health care bill that would not expand the increased subsidies. The House will vote Wednesday on a bill that would provide cost-sharing assistance to consumers.
Johnson told “Squawk Box” that GOP caucus members will be able to afford health insurance as early as 2026.
“For example, in the first quarter of next year, we’re looking at another compromise package that will include a number of other revisions and reforms to the system, all again geared towards reducing premiums, increasing access to care and improving the quality of care,” the speaker said. he said.
