WASHINGTON – Four House Republicans rebelled against Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) on Wednesday. The members backed a Democratic aim to force a vote to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies expiring on Dec. 31st.
Rep Mike Lawler (R., N.Y.) and Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Rob Bresnahan, and Ryan Mackenzie, all from Pennsylvania, signed a “discharge petition.” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.) led the effort to force a vote on a three-year extension of the tax credits. The signatures gave Democrats the 218 signatures needed to achieve their goal.
The move came on the same day that GOP leaders attempted to pass a healthcare bill that does not address the increased monthly premiums recipients will face. The lawmakers defended their actions by emphasizing the urgency of their voters' needs.
“Unfortunately, it is House leadership themselves that have forced this outcome,” Fitzpatrick shared in a statement.
In 2021, Democrats passed the enhanced ACA subsidies without GOP support. Today, the GOP is divided over the tax credits.
Speaker Johnson spoke with reporters on Wednesday, informing them that “I have not lost control of the House.”
Johnson additionally recognized the razor-thin majority within the Republican Party. The majority allows a select number of members to circumvent leadership successfully in rare instances.
“These are not normal times,” expressed Johnson.
The healthcare bill proposed by the Republican Party aimed to expand access to association health plans. Small employers could band together and provide healthcare through the expansion. Additionally, the bill would allow plans to appropriate funds to cover cost-sharing reductions. The reductions would decrease out-of-pocket expenses for lower-income ACA members.
The new plan did not include the health savings accounts proposed weeks prior, which Republicans supported.
“I didn’t think it would be fair to just rip the rug out from the people in northeastern Pennsylvania,” Bresnahan voiced.
