A group of Republicans in swing districts plan to defy House Speaker Mike Johnson and the Senate and try to force a vote on an extension of Affordable Care Act health care subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the month.
Johnson, meanwhile, has largely opposed an independent vote on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or Obamacare subsidies. The Senate also rejected legislation introduced by Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy and Mike Crapo that would have transferred funds to health savings accounts.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., filed a discharge petition for his legislation that would extend the enhanced tax credit through 2027 and include some minor changes to eligibility. Several Republicans and Democrats in swing districts facing tough re-election prospects have already signed the petition.
“We hope this legislation will pass and we hope the Senate will take it up,” Fitzpatrick said. independent. “But what you’re seeing here is rank-and-file members of the House taking the lead on this.”
The 2021 American Rescue Plan Act legislation provides relief during the Covid-19 pandemic, expanding tax credits for people who buy insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act signed by Joe Biden extended subsidies through the end of 2025.
Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) (R) joins a handful of Republicans in trying to expand tax credits for the Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplaces, which are set to expire at the end of the year. (Getty Images)
Fitzpatrick’s district is one of only three to elect a Republican and vote for Kamala Harris in 2024. Two other Republicans in those districts — Reps. Mike Lawler of New York and Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska — signed his petition.
Bacon, who is retiring at the end of next year, said that despite his opposition to the Affordable Care Act, Republicans need to avoid a crisis of soaring premiums at the end of the year.
“Our push will incentivize the Senate to reach some kind of compromise, which feels more realistic because we have to get 60 votes,” Bacon said. independent. “At some point they’re going to realize that everyone’s premiums are going up and they’re going to say, we’re not doing anything, and that’s not a good answer.”
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 21.4 million people signed up for the health insurance marketplace during the last open enrollment period. Bacon noted that his fellow Republicans often say they didn’t vote for the Affordable Care Act or enhanced credits 15 years ago.
“There’s some truth to that, but the ACA is falling apart, but we’re in charge and our constituents are going to pay more for premiums,” Bacon said. Many customers in the market are at risk of doubling or even tripling their premiums.
Any individual member may file a petition for removal to force legislation into effect. But before that happens, a lawmaker must get 218 signatures, then the petition must remain on the calendar for seven legislative days, and then the speaker must set a time and place for the vote within two legislative days.
Recently, Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Kana (D-Calif.) succeeded in winning enough signatures to force a near-unanimous vote to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., is gathering signatures to gain enough support to force a vote to ban individual members from trading stocks.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., is spearheading a vote to extend the enhanced tax credit for two years. (Getty Images)
Another discharge petition on health care, led by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.). Fitzpatrick also signed the agreement. The recall petition also was a way for rank-and-file Republicans dissatisfied with the way Johnson ran the House to express their dissatisfaction.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who signed Fitzpatrick’s petition, criticized Republicans for not offering a plan to stop premium increases. Additionally, Rep. Kevin Kelly, who criticized Johnson for shutting down the House of Representatives during the government shutdown, signed the petition.
“I actually proposed to him yesterday, why don’t you put the bill on the floor,” Kelly told independent. Since Donald Trump returned to the White House, the House has largely taken a backseat when it comes to legislation compared to the president’s whims.
“I really don’t know what their plan is, but ultimately, this is something Congress needs to take the lead on,” Kelly said. “As much as we need legislation, I think this is a great opportunity for the House to get back into the driver’s seat after being absent in so many ways in recent months.”
But Fitzpatrick also said he understood the impossible situation Johnson faced.
“You have to let him answer that question. I mean, he’s going to say he represents the will of the conference,” Fitzpatrick said. “We represent our constituents. So we all have a job to do.”