House Republicans are split after several moderates joined Democrats on a discharge petition aimed at extending expiring Affordable Care Act premium subsidies for three more years. The move underscores a widening internal fight over how to deal with looming premium hikes — and whether lawmakers should use procedural workarounds to force action when leadership won’t.
House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) said he tried to create a path for a floor vote that would allow members to show they support affordability measures, but couldn’t secure the votes or agreement needed to make it happen.
“I tried very hard over the last several weeks and even through the weekend and as late as yesterday trying to engineer a way for them to have a vote on the floor so they could show that priority,” Johnson said. “But it was not to be.”
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) said the group felt boxed in after internal talks went nowhere, leaving the discharge petition as their only remaining option.
“We were really left with no choice,” Lawler said. “We exhausted every effort to find an agreement within our conference. If they don’t want that to pass, then they should be working to find an alternative vehicle now.”
Democrats seized on the division, arguing the urgency is obvious and that Congress should act before premiums jump. Some Republicans, however, say extending the subsidies would only prolong what they see as a flawed system.
Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) framed the GOP break as proof the issue has broad public pressure behind it.
“It shows that the demand by the American people for Congress, the House, and the Senate to extend the ACA and premium tax credits is undeniable,” Schumer said.
House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX) pushed back, arguing Republicans shouldn’t reinforce the current framework.
“We’re not interested in perpetuating a failed Obamacare that’s just made costs skyrocket,” Arrington said.
