Four Moderate Republicans Join Democrats to Force Vote on Obamacare Subsidies
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a rare display of bipartisan defiance, four moderate House Republicans have joined forces with Democratic leaders to push for a vote on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, directly challenging the opposition of House Speaker Mike Johnson. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pa.), Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.), and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) signed onto a discharge petition led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), a procedural move designed to force a floor vote on legislation that would extend enhanced Obamacare subsidies set to expire at the end of this year.
The discharge petition, which requires the support of a majority of House members to succeed, reached the critical threshold of 218 signatures with the addition of these four Republicans. This bipartisan coalition signals growing frustration among moderate GOP lawmakers with their party’s leadership, which has refused to bring any extension bills to the floor.
“I’ve always supported bipartisan solutions that would bring about healthcare affordability in this country,” Representative Mackenzie told Fox News Digital. “Leader Jeffries and the Democrats have refused to sign onto either of those bipartisan solutions. And so at this point, our leadership is not calling up a bill to extend the [Obamacare] tax credits.” He urged the House to consider not only the Democrat-led proposal but also two bipartisan bills offering one- and two-year extensions with reforms.
Speaker Johnson has publicly warned Republicans against supporting the discharge petition, arguing that circumventing the majority party’s leadership and the traditional legislative process is not the appropriate way to make law. In an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box, Johnson characterized the move as an “end-run around the majority party, the speaker or the regular process,” and emphasized that Republicans plan to advance their own healthcare plan aimed at reducing costs without extending the subsidies, which they view as part of a flawed public healthcare system.
The dispute comes as the House prepares to vote on a GOP-backed healthcare bill that does not include an extension of ACA subsidies. Moderate Republicans have attempted to amend that legislation to include extensions but were unsuccessful during a House Rules Committee meeting, where their proposals were rejected by fellow GOP members.
The Affordable Care Act subsidies, which help millions of Americans afford health insurance, are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025. The proposed Democratic extension would maintain these subsidies for three more years, a move supporters say is critical to preserving healthcare access for many families. The Republicans pushing the discharge petition argue that failing to act risks destabilizing the insurance markets and increasing costs for consumers.
This bipartisan effort reflects broader tensions within the Republican Party between its moderate and conservative wings, especially on high-profile issues like healthcare. The four Republicans’ decision to join Democrats in this maneuver underscores their willingness to break ranks in pursuit of pragmatic solutions.
For context, the discharge petition is a rarely used parliamentary tool that allows a majority of House members to bring a bill directly to the floor, bypassing leadership control. Its success would force a vote on the ACA subsidy extension despite Speaker Johnson’s objections.
The U.S. Congress faces a tightening calendar as the year-end approaches, with lawmakers under pressure to resolve the healthcare subsidy issue before the holidays. Failure to extend the subsidies could lead to increased premiums and reduced coverage for millions of Americans next year.
As the political standoff continues, the bipartisan coalition’s move may set the stage for a critical vote early next year, testing the resolve of both parties and the leadership of Speaker Johnson. The outcome will have significant implications for the future of the Affordable Care Act and healthcare affordability nationwide.
For further information on the legislative process and healthcare policy, visit the Department of Health and Human Services and the Congressional Budget Office websites.
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