In a surprising move that could reshape the House’s health-care agenda, four moderate Republicans signed a Democratic-led petition that will compel a floor vote on extending the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies for three years. The action, which reached the critical threshold of 218 signatures, directly challenges Speaker Mike Johnson’s leadership.
Disruption in House Health-Care Vote
The petition arrives the same day House Republicans pushed a health-care package that excluded the subsidies. The 100-plus-page bill, which focused on expanding coverage options for small businesses and the self-employed, passed on a 216-211 party-line vote. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., joined Democrats in voting against the measure.
Republican Moderates Break from Leadership
Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Robert Bresnahan, Ryan Mackenzie, and Mike Lawler signed the petition in the early morning, forcing the number of signatures to the magic figure of 218. Fitzpatrick said in a statement, “Unfortunately, it is House leadership themselves that have forced this outcome.” Lawler posted that “the failure of leadership” to permit a vote left him with “no choice” but to sign.
Leadership Response
Johnson told reporters that “I have not lost control of the House” and added, “These are not normal times.” He noted that Republicans hold a razor-thin majority of 220-213, which allows a small group to employ procedures that would normally be blocked. Johnson also remarked on the discharge petitions, saying, “It’s not the way it’s supposed to work.”
Fitzpatrick elaborated on the moderates’ frustration: “Our only request was a floor vote on this compromise, so that the American People’s voice could be heard on this issue. That request was rejected. Then, at the request of House leadership I, along with my colleagues, filed multiple amendments, and testified at length to those amendments.” He continued, “House leadership then decided to reject every single one of these amendments.” Fitzpatrick added, “As I’ve stated many times before, the only policy that is worse than a clean three-year extension without any reforms, is a policy of complete expiration without any bridge.”
Democratic Push and Bipartisan Coalition
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York has been urging Republicans in competitive districts to sign the petition. Jeffries said, “Our position from the very beginning was that we are standing on the right side of the American people who want to see the Affordable Care Act tax credits extended, and we’re appreciative that we now have the bipartisan coalition to get that done.” The petition’s 218 signatures demonstrate that demand for an extension is undeniable.
Senate Implications
In the Senate, Republicans last week voted down a three-year extension of the subsidies and proposed an alternative that also failed. Four Republican senators crossed party lines to support the Democratic proposal. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., criticized the extension as “an attempt to disguise the real impact of Obamacare’s spiraling health-care costs.” Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said, “If we’re not talking, we’re not making progress. This continues the discussion.” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York remarked, “Because at this point, Republicans have made it impossible to prevent many Americans from paying more on their monthly premiums on January 1st. And Republicans can’t even say they tried to stop it.”
Path Ahead
Even if the Democrats’ subsidy bill passes the House in January, it faces an arduous climb in the Republican-led Senate. The current House majority of 220-213 means that defections from even a sliver of the conference can upend leadership’s plans. The moderates who revolted represent districts targeted by Democrats in their bid to retake the majority, with health-insurance costs as a central issue in next year’s midterms.
Key Takeaways
- Four moderate Republicans signed a petition that forces a House vote on extending ACA subsidies for three years.
- The petition reached the critical 218-signature threshold, challenging Speaker Mike Johnson’s leadership.
- The move sets the stage for a renewed intra-party clash over health-care policy in January.
The development underscores how a small group of dissenting members can alter the legislative trajectory, potentially forcing a vote that could change the health-care landscape for millions of Americans.
