On Wednesday, four moderate House Republicans rebelled against House Speaker Mike Johnson, forcing a vote on extending key ACA subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year.
Earlier Wednesday, Johnson urged his fellow Republicans not to join Democrats in a last-ditch effort to extend key tax credits from the Affordable Care Act that expire at the end of this year.
“Having an end run around the majority party, around the speaker, around the normal process is not the best way to pass legislation,” Johnson told CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”
The comment came a day after the speaker blocked moderate Republicans from voting to extend enhanced ACA subsidies that are set to expire at the end of December. Once the tax credits expire, Obamacare health insurance premiums for millions of Americans will skyrocket.
Mr. Johnson and Republican leaders are pushing a separate health care bill that does not extend the expanded subsidies. The House is scheduled to vote on a bill Wednesday that would provide cost-sharing assistance to consumers.
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Democrats encouraged moderate Republicans to sign a so-called expulsion petition pushed by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (DN.Y.).
The petition would force a vote to extend the subsidy for three years.
Only four Republicans would need to oppose Johnson to force this vote.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania became the first Republican lawmaker to sign a discharge petition Wednesday morning. There are only three signatures left to force a vote on subsidies. He was soon joined by three other Republicans.
Johnson said the Republican caucus could tackle health care costs in early 2026.
“We’re looking at another settlement package, for example, in the first quarter of next year, which will include a number of other changes and reforms, all of which are still aimed at lowering premiums and improving access to care and quality of care,” Johnson said.
