Moderate US House Republicans join Dems to force vote on extension of health care subsidies

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 1, 2025. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House could vote to approve a Democratic bill that would extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits for three more years, after a handful of moderate Republicans backed the effort on Wednesday. 

Pennsylvania Republican Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Rob Bresnahan and Ryan Mackenzie, along with New York GOP Rep. Mike Lawler, delivered the remaining signatures to get to 218.

The discharge petition, introduced last month by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, has sat just below the 218 signatures needed for weeks, but centrist GOP lawmakers began signing on Wednesday morning. 

The move comes after Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., blocked any amendments from being considered alongside the House Republicans’ health care bill. The GOP bill would not extend the enhanced tax credits.

The effort to prevent floor debate infuriated moderate Republicans who have been negotiating with centrist Democrats for weeks on a bipartisan solution to the expiring ACA marketplace tax credits. 

The discharge petition reaching the minimum number of signatures needed would force a House floor vote, but any legislation must move through the Senate as well and gain President Donald Trump’s signature. 

Without a law to extend the enhanced ACA marketplace subsidies, roughly 22 million Americans will see their health insurance premiums spike by thousands of dollars next year, if they can fit the rise in costs into their budgets.