WASHINGTON (AP) — Four centrist Republicans broke with Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday and signed onto a Democratic-led petition that will force a House vote on extending for three years an enhanced pandemic-era subsidy that lowers health insurance costs for millions of Americans. The move comes after House Republican leaders pushed ahead with a GOP health care bill that does not address the soaring monthly premiums that millions of people will soon endure as the tax credits for those who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act expire at year’s end. Democrats needed 218 signatures to force a floor vote on their bill, which would extend the subsides for three years. Republican Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Robert Bresnahan and Ryan Mackenzie, all from Pennsylvania, and Mike Lawler of New York signed on Wednesday morning, pushing it to the magic number of 218.
Centrist Republicans Join Democrats to Extend Health Insurance Subsidies
Centrist Republicans Join Democrats to Extend Health Insurance Subsidies
In a surprising bipartisan move, four centrist Republicans have aligned with Democrats to extend pandemic-era health insurance subsidies, setting the stage for a pivotal House vote.
In a significant political shift, four centrist Republicans have sided with Democrats to support a petition that will force a House vote to extend enhanced pandemic-era health insurance subsidies for three years. This decision comes as House Republican leaders push a separate bill that fails to address the mounting health care costs millions may face once current tax credits expire at year’s end. The support from Republican Reps. Fitzpatrick, Bresnahan, Mackenzie, and Lawler pushes the petition to the requisite 218 signatures needed for a vote.
