The Affordable Care Act subsidies that keep millions of Americans on affordable plans are set to expire on Dec. 31, leaving Republicans with a tight two‑week window to craft a replacement before a federal recess begins.
ACA subsidies expire and GOP scramble
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is pushing a partisan GOP health‑care package to the floor that notably omits an extension of the ACA subsidies. The package faces steep odds in the Senate, where Republicans would need Democratic support to move it forward.
GOP health‑care package details
With a two‑week recess starting Dec. 22, House members have only this week to resolve the issue. Johnson’s plan would appropriate funds for cost‑sharing reductions in ObamaCare, make it easier for businesses to fund their own plans, and expand association health plans.
Discharge petitions: Fitzpatrick‑Golden and Kiggans‑Gottheimer
Rank‑and‑file lawmakers have filed dueling discharge petitions to force votes on bipartisan bills that would temporarily extend the subsidies. A petition requires 218 signatures, meaning it can only succeed with significant Democratic backing.
One bill, Fitzpatrick‑Golden
One bill, introduced by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R‑Pa.) and Jared Golden (D‑Me.) would renew tax credits for two years and implement subsidy reforms, including new income eligibility limits, the removal of no‑premium plans, and expanded access to health savings accounts.
Another bill, Kiggans‑Gottheimer
Another bill, introduced by Reps. Jen Kiggans (R‑Va.) and Josh Gottheimer (D‑N.J.) would extend subsidies for one year and include more modest adjustments to eligibility.
Jeffries’ review and stance
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D‑Ny) hasn’t yet endorsed either petition, but said last week that he was “actively reviewing” both and that he’ll have more to say about it early this week. “We’re going to evaluate every single good faith proposal, but it has to meaningfully provide certainty to the American people who are at risk of having their health care ripped away from them,” he said.
Jeffries’ criticism of the GOP package
Jeffries also told MS NOW on Friday that “Their health care package, as I understand it, is likely to be a disaster and actually not enhance the health care of the American people. It will take away from it. So it’s not clear to me that, even if it’s amended … that it will actually solve the problem of addressing the Republican health crisis.”
Hard‑line conservatives and amendment odds
Hard‑line conservatives, steadfast in their opposition to extending the subsidies, will likely grumble about the package as well if the amendment is added. The House Republican leadership aides said the process for considering the bill will allow for an amendment on extending the ACA subsidies, but even if added, the package will likely not get any Democratic support.
Stock‑trading ban initiative heats up
Meanwhile, stock‑trading ban initiative heats up. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s (R‑Fla.) discharge petition to force a vote on a congressional stock‑trading ban is getting more signatures each day. As of Friday afternoon, 15 Republicans and 46 Democrats had signed, but it’s still uncertain whether she will reach the 218‑signature mark.
Bipartisan stock‑trading ban bill
The bipartisan bill, introduced by Reps. Chip Roy (R‑Tex.) and Seth Magaziner (D‑Ri.), would prohibit lawmakers, their spouses, dependent children and trustees from owning, buying or selling individual stocks. Luna’s petition is a discharge petition aimed at forcing a floor vote.
Jeffries blocks the ban
Jeffries has been a key blocker, arguing that any stock‑trading ban should also extend to the executive branch. “This is the most corrupt president since Richard Nixon. In fact, more corrupt than Richard Nixon. And the idea that we’re not going to have any checks and balances on this White House in particular, I think is, you know, it’s troublesome to me,” Rep. Jim McGovern (D‑Mass.) said.
Roy’s stance on the ban
Roy told The Hill that conversations with leadership were “moving forward pretty well.” “Republican leadership is working on a product based on the conversations across the conference. … We’re waiting to see exactly where that lands,” he added. He also said, “Why don’t we look in the mirror, solve our own problem, and then try to look at whatever needs to be improved across government?” and “Do I think we need to have better accountability on all of this across all of government? Sure. Do I think … executive, legislative, judicial should be treated the same or similarly? Yes. But should Congress focus on ourselves first and get our own house in order? Yes.”
Senate odds remain steep
The Senate odds remain steep. Even with an amendment, the GOP package will likely fail without Democratic votes, and hard‑line conservatives will oppose it.
Epstein files dump
Epstein files dump: Reps. Thomas Massie (R‑Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D‑Calif.) secured a win last month when President Trump signed their bill to release the Epstein files. The legislation, known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act, mandates the files be released within 30 days of enactment, with certain exemptions to protect victims’ personal information. That sets the deadline for Dec. 19 — this Friday.
Deadline pressing
The deadline is pressing. Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released 19 pictures from Epstein’s estate, some featuring Trump. “These disturbing images raise even more questions about Epstein and his relationships with some of the most powerful men in the world. Time to end this White House cover‑up. Release the files!” the committee wrote on social media.
Greene’s stance
Greene said she would only believe the files when she sees them. “I’ll only believe it when I see it, and that’s how I feel about government in every capacity. And I think that’s where Americans are too.” She added, “They no longer trust what they are told in some meme or some red meat rant speech or some ad they see from a … candidate or a politician. I’ll believe it when I see it, and I really hope the Trump administration does the right thing.”
Burchett’s reaction
Burchett, who voted for the bill, said he would be disappointed if the Justice Department didn’t release the files by Friday. “I think they’re moving in the right direction. But, yeah, I’d be disappointed. Like I said, this whole town’s crooked and broke, and both parties are involved in it,” he told reporters.
House leadership and amendment process
House leadership and the amendment process: Republican leadership aides said the process for considering the GOP package will allow for an amendment on extending the ACA subsidies, but the package will likely not receive Democratic support. Jeffries said the package would be a disaster and not enhance health care for Americans.
Key Takeaways
- ACA subsidies expire Dec. 31, forcing a rushed GOP health‑care package.
- Discharge petitions aim to extend subsidies, but need 218 signatures.
- The stock‑trading ban debate hinges on whether the executive branch is included.
- The Epstein files must be released by Dec. 19, with Republicans and Democrats split on the timing.
Closing
With the House set to debate these issues before the recess, the week will decide whether Americans keep their current subsidies, see a new GOP‑backed plan, or face a legislative stalemate.
