Four Republicans join Democrats to force vote on bill that would extend Obamacare subsidies

"In a major setback for Mike Johnson and the House GOP, four Republicans have joined with the Democrats to sign a petition forcing a vote on legislation that will extend for three years premium tax credits for Affordable Care Act healthcare plans. The rebellion underscores the nervousness among Republicans over an increase in healthcare costs before the 2026 midterm elections, in which the party will be defending its slim control of the House."

"We have worked for months to craft a two-party solution to address these expiring healthcare credits. We've worked for months with both parties, in both chambers, and with the White House, all in good faith, to balance all equities and offer a responsible bridge that successfully threaded the needle, said Pennsylvania congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, the first Republican to sign the petition."

"Democrats have for months united around extending the subsidies, but Donald Trump and Congress's Republican leaders have refused, citing their longstanding opposition to the Affordable Care Act. But the party's moderates have argued that allowing the credits to expire will betray the promise of lower costs they made to their constituents last year. After failing to negotiate a compromise with GOP leaders, the four Republican opted to sign a discharge petition sponsored by House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries that will compel a vote on the Democrats' bill."

Four Republicans crossed party lines to sign a discharge petition that forces a House vote to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits for three years. Moderate Republicans cited concerns about rising healthcare costs and campaign promises of lower costs ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Democrats remained united for the extension, while Donald Trump and Republican leaders continued to oppose the Affordable Care Act. Pennsylvania congressman Brian Fitzpatrick said bipartisan talks produced a proposed bridge, that leadership rejected, and argued expiration would be worse than a clean three-year extension. Signatures reached the 218 threshold needed to compel the vote.

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