House Republicans on Wednesday passed a partisan package of health care policies designed to provide a conservative alternative to extending the expiring ObamaCare subsidies. The legislation has little chance of passing through the Senate, however, and it does not address the cost cliff that’s expected to hit 22 million Americans when the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits sunset on December 31st — a dynamic that’s infuriated centrist Republicans who’ve clamored for months to extend the benefits. In response, four moderate GOP Members in swing districts, Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania), Mike Lawler (R-New York), Robert Bresnahan (R-Pennsylvania) and Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pennsylvania) crossed the aisle to sign a discharge petition led by Democratic leadership to force a vote to extend the enhanced subsidies for three years. Afterward, the frustrated Republicans pinned the blame on House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) and Republican leaders, saying they had given them no choice.
The 216-211 vote on the legislation also capped a dramatic day for Speaker Johnson, who can hardly call the measure’s passage a victory after spending the balance of the day managing an open revolt by his moderate flank. Ultimately, the bill is dead on arrival in the Senate and will do little to quell a major intraparty split over the future of the subsidies, with many House Republicans vowing to continue to negotiate a compromise in 2026. The Democrats’ discharge petition has now reached the necessary signature threshold to compel a vote on the bill in January —though it, too, is doomed to die in the Senate, Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) has said.
For today, the Senate will convene at 10:00 A.M. and is expected to take a number of votes including Passage of Cal. #203 S.J.Res.82, disapproving the rule submitted by the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to “Policy on Adhering to the Text of the Administrative Procedure Act” and a package of En bloc nominations listed in S.Res.532.
The House will meet at 9:00 A.M. for legislative business with first and last votes expected at 2:00 P.M. The House is expected to take up the following legislation Considered Pursuant to a Rule: H.R. 4776 – SPEED Act, H.R. 1366 – Mining Regulatory Clarity Act, H.R. 845 – Pet and Livestock Protection Act and H.R. 498 – Do No Harm in Medicaid Act.
