WASHINGTON — In a direct challenge to House leadership, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers successfully forced a floor vote this week on a measure to revive expired Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. The move comes as millions of Americans face a “sticker shock” crisis following the New Year’s Day expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, which had previously kept health insurance costs at record lows.
The effort was solidified when four centrist Republicans—Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Robert Bresnahan (R-Pa.), and Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pa.)—joined House Democrats to sign a discharge petition. This procedural maneuver bypasses Speaker Mike Johnson’s control over the legislative calendar, requiring a vote on legislation to extend the enhanced subsidies for an additional 3 years.
A Growing Affordability Crisis
The enhanced subsidies, originally part of pandemic-era relief, officially lapsed on December 31, 2025. Without them, the non-partisan Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that many enrollees in the ACA marketplace will see their monthly premiums double or even triple in 2026.
“Our constituents are waking up to bills they simply cannot afford,” said Representative Brian Fitzpatrick in a statement. “We requested a floor vote on a compromise for months. When that was rejected, we were left with no choice but to use the tools available to us to ensure the American people’s voices are heard.”
The bipartisan push, which includes the 35-member “CommonGround 2025” framework led by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), seeks to find a middle path. Their proposal aims to extend the credits while potentially introducing new oversight measures and income caps to appease fiscal conservatives.
Leadership Under Pressure
Speaker Mike Johnson has criticized the move, arguing that the subsidies are a “waste of taxpayer money” and that the House should focus on GOP-led alternatives. Just before the new year, the House passed the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, which focused on expanding small business options but notably omitted the premium tax credits.
However, the discharge petition garnered the necessary 218 signatures, signaling that a “majority of the majority” is no longer required to move health care policy. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised the bipartisan coalition, stating, “We are standing on the right side of the American people who want to see these tax credits extended.”
The Road Ahead
While the House is now poised to pass the extension, the measure faces a steep climb in the Republican-controlled Senate. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has remained skeptical, though a separate bipartisan group of senators has begun meeting to discuss a two-year compromise that includes expansions of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
As the January 31 open enrollment deadline approaches in many states, health officials are watching Washington closely. If a deal is reached within the next two weeks, states like Connecticut have already indicated they may extend enrollment periods to allow residents to re-shop for plans with the restored subsidies.
Sources
- AP News: 4 Republicans defy Speaker Johnson to force House vote on extending ACA subsidies
- Bloomberg Law: House Backs Renewing Obamacare Subsidies, Defying GOP Leaders
- WHYY News: Pa. Rep. Fitzpatrick among Republicans to defy Speaker Johnson
- Office of Rep. Lauren Underwood: Press Release on ACA Tax Credit Vote
- AAMC Advocacy: House Passes Health Care Bill Without Extending Enhanced ACA Subsidies
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