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House Democrats’ legislation to extend enhanced Obamacare premium subsidies for three years will receive a vote after four swing-district Republicans joined a discharge petition, reaching the 218 signatures needed to force floor action. The Republicans—Pennsylvania Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Rob Bresnahan, Ryan Mackenzie, and New York Rep. Mike Lawler—signed the petition despite opposing the Democratic bill itself, citing frustration that GOP leadership blocked votes on bipartisan compromise proposals.
The lawmakers argued that inaction left them no choice but to support the discharge petition to protect their constituents from significant premium increases. Bresnahan stated that 28,000 people in his district face higher costs without action, while Fitzpatrick emphasized that for the 7% of Americans on Obamacare, “this is everything to them.”
All 214 House Democrats had already signed the discharge petition for a clean three-year extension. The four Republican signatures Wednesday met the majority threshold, though the timing—two days before Congress adjourns for the year—means the vote likely won’t occur until January unless GOP leaders schedule it sooner.
The enhanced subsidies, expanded during COVID-era legislation, made Affordable Care Act premium subsidies more generous and extended them to all income levels. These enhancements expire December 31. Without extension, 22 million Americans on subsidized Obamacare plans will see their premiums double on average for 2026. A three-year extension would cost taxpayers $83 billion.
The swing-district Republicans had attempted multiple compromise approaches. Fitzpatrick launched a separate discharge petition for a two-year extension with an income cap at 700% of the federal poverty level, fraud prevention measures, and Health Savings Account options. This received support from a dozen Republicans and Democrats but lacked sufficient backing from Democratic leadership. Another bipartisan petition led by Rep. Josh Gottheimer proposed a one-year extension with similar safeguards, but also fell short.
The House Rules Committee rejected Republican amendments to add subsidy extensions to a Wednesday health care package vote. GOP leaders argued their legislation would reduce health care costs for all Americans, not just Obamacare enrollees.
The Senate already rejected a companion version of the Democratic bill last week. Senators are negotiating potential compromise legislation after partisan proposals failed to reach the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster. If the House passes the clean extension, senators could amend it with compromise language if agreement emerges.
Congress’s holiday adjournment this week ensures the subsidies will lapse temporarily, with any resolution delayed until January at the earliest.
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