The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on extending key Obamacare subsidies after four moderate Republicans defied party leadership and joined Democrats to force the measure onto the floor.
The vote centers on enhanced tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that are scheduled to expire at the end of December. If allowed to lapse, millions of Americans could face sharply higher health insurance premiums.
House Speaker Mike Johnson failed to stop the internal rebellion after four GOP lawmakers — Brian Fitzpatrick, Rob Bresnahan, and Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania, along with Mike Lawler of New York — signed a discharge petition alongside Democrats. The procedural move compels a vote once it reaches 218 signatures, bypassing House leadership.
Democrats initiated the petition last month, but needed Republican support to succeed. Johnson had previously made clear that he would not allow a vote on extending the subsidies through normal legislative procedures.
“Doing an end-run around the majority party and the speaker is not the best way to make law,” Johnson said, urging Republicans not to support the maneuver.
Supporters of the extension argue that failing to act would cause premium costs to surge for ACA enrollees nationwide. The bill would extend the enhanced subsidies for three years, through 2026.
Lawler defended his decision, saying Congress has a responsibility to act when leadership blocks legislation entirely. “My priority is making sure families in my district aren’t harmed by gridlock in Washington,” he said.
The vote could be politically significant for House Republicans facing competitive reelection races in 2026. The GOP currently holds a narrow majority in the chamber.
If the measure passes the House, it would still require approval in the Senate, where Republicans also hold the majority. A similar proposal was rejected by the Senate last week, with GOP leaders arguing that the subsidies were meant to be temporary and benefit higher-income earners.
Still, momentum is building in the Senate for a compromise. A bipartisan group of lawmakers is working on legislation that would both extend the subsidies and introduce reforms to the Affordable Care Act.
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said discussions are advancing, while Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio described negotiations as being “in field goal range,” though he ruled out backing a clean three-year extension.
Other proposals under consideration include restructuring how subsidies are delivered and expanding enrollment periods. However, key details remain unresolved, and lawmakers acknowledge uncertainty over whether any final deal would receive a vote or the president’s approval.
House GOP leaders are instead pushing a separate health care bill that does not extend the enhanced subsidies. That measure, which focuses on cost-sharing assistance, is also expected to receive a vote.
The outcome of the subsidy debate could have major implications for health care costs — and for the political landscape — heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
