WASHINGTON — It’s official: House Speaker Mike Johnson says he won’t call a vote to extend enhanced subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, effectively guaranteeing they will expire at the end of this month.
That means higher insurance premiums will go into effect for millions of Americans who get coverage through Obamacare next year.
The speaker made the announcement Tuesday after a closed-door Republican caucus meeting, saying that leadership failed to reach a deal with centrist members to bring up an ACA amendment on a health care bill slated for a vote on Wednesday.
“There’s about a dozen members in the conference that are in these swing districts who are fighting hard to make sure they reduce costs for all of their constituents. And many of them did want to vote on this Obamacare Covid-era subsidy that Democrats created,” Johnson, R-La., told reporters. “We looked for a way to try to allow for that pressure release valve, and it just was not to be. We worked on it all the way through the weekend, in fact. And in the end there was not an agreement — it wasn’t made.”
As Johnson’s office rolled out the bill Friday, GOP leadership aides said they were working with lawmakers on a path forward for a vote on an amendment to keep the ACA funds flowing.
“I certainly appreciate the views and the opinions of every member of this conference,” Johnson said. “But I will tell you: one thing they will all join in unity on is voting for this bill that we’ve been discussing this morning.”
The centrist Republicans who have been pushing for an ACA funding extension include Reps. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Mike Lawler, R-N.Y. — all of them represent competitive districts that could make or break the Republican majority in the 2026 midterms.
“I am pissed for the American people. This is absolute bulls—, and it’s absurd,” Lawler said Tuesday. “Everybody has a responsibility to serve their district, to serve their constituents. You know what’s funny? Three-quarters of people on Obamacare are in states Donald Trump won. So maybe, just maybe, everybody should look at this and say, how do we actually fix the healthcare system?”
He faulted the leaders of both parties on the issue.
“You have two leaders that are not serious about solving this problem,” Lawler said, adding that it would be “idiotic” to not hold a vote on the expiring subsidies.
Some moderate GOP members, have not ruled out signing onto a “discharge petition” by Democrats to end-run Johnson and force a vote on a clean 3-year extension of ACA subsidies.
“All options are on the table,” Lawler said.
But even if such a petition secures the votes, which is far from certain, it would take time to reach the House floor. That effectively guarantees it’ll be pushed into next year, with Republicans hoping to adjourn after this week.
Asked if he’s worried that moderate Republicans may sign onto Democrats’ discharge petition, Johnson told NBC News, “I don’t worry about anything.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
