House Republican leaders ditch vote on ACA funding, all but ensuring premiums will rise

WASHINGTON — It’s official: House Speaker Mike Johnson said he won’t seek a vote to extend enhanced subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, ensuring they expire at the end of this month.

That means higher insurance premiums will go into effect for the millions of Americans who will get coverage through Obamacare next year.

The speaker made the announcement Tuesday after a closed-door Republican caucus meeting, saying leaders had not reached an agreement with centrist members to propose an ACA amendment to a health care bill that was expected to be voted on Wednesday.

“There are about a dozen conference members that are in these swing districts that are fighting hard to make sure that they lower costs for all of their constituents. And a lot of them wanted to vote on this Obamacare Covid-era subsidy that the Democrats created,” Johnson, R-La., told reporters. “We looked for a way to allow this relief valve, but it just wasn’t possible. In fact, we worked on it all weekend. And in the end, there was no agreement, it didn’t get done.”

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 ACA funds flowing.

“I certainly appreciate the views and opinions of every member of this conference,” Johnson said. “But I will tell you: One thing they will all come together on is to vote for this bill that we discussed this morning.”

Centrist Republicans who have pushed for an extension of ACA funding include Reps. Jen Kiggans of Virginia, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Mike Lawler of New York — all of whom represent competitive districts that could make or break the Republican majority in the 2026 midterms.

“I’m angry for the American people. This is absolutely absurd,” Lawler said Tuesday. “Everyone has a responsibility to serve their district, to serve their constituents. You know what’s funny? Three-quarters of the people on Obamacare are in states won by Donald Trump. So maybe, just maybe, everyone should look at this and ask, ‘How can we actually fix health care?’

He criticized leaders of both parties on the issue.

“You have two leaders who don’t really want to solve this problem,” Lawler said, adding that it would be “silly” not to hold a vote on the expiration of the grants.

Asked about Lawler’s criticism, Johnson called him “a dear friend and close colleague of mine.”

But, he added, other Republicans come from different districts with “different priorities and ideas.” Many Republicans want the funds to expire on schedule.

Another reason the negotiations broke down is that leaders told centrist Republicans they would have to find spending cuts to finance an extension of ACA funding, which is expected to cost about $35 billion a year. It’s a tall order, and one that has been unwelcome among GOP members, especially since party leaders are routinely willing to waive “pay” rules on policies they favor.

Some Republicans who want to extend the subsidies have not ruled out signing a “discharge petition” from Democrats to terminate Johnson and force a vote on a three-year extension of the ACA subsidies.

“All options are on the table,” Lawler said.

Asked if he was willing to sign the Democrats’ discharge petition, Fitzpatrick said, “We’ll talk about it after today.” »

The GOP divisions are likely to strengthen House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who is insisting on a clean three-year extension with the support of all Democrats. Some Democrats have supported a shorter-term extension with some reforms to win GOP votes, but Jeffries is holding firm.

“There are 214 Democrats who have signed a discharge petition that would force an up or down vote on expanding the Affordable Care Act tax credits – to ensure that tens of millions of Americans don’t experience increased health insurance premiums that would prevent them from being able to see a doctor when they need it,” Jeffries said Monday. “All we need is four House Republicans to join us.”

Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., who represents a solidly red district, said members like Lawler should remember that other Republicans also have bills they won’t bring to a vote.

“You can’t have it all every time,” Burchett said. “Even though he’s in a district won by Kamala Harris, we can’t just hand all committees and bills to the most liberal members of the party.”

Even if a discharge petition passed the votes, which is far from certain, it would take time to reach the House. This effectively guarantees the meeting will be postponed until next year, with Republicans hoping to adjourn it after this week.

Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., who was just re-elected chairman of the House Freedom Caucus for another year, said he isn’t worried about his colleagues signing a discharge petition or even passing a bill to expand ACA funds in the House.

“It’s their right as a member to sign a discharge petition. I’m not afraid of a vote on a discharge petition. Those will pass the House and then they’ll be killed in the Senate,” Harris said. “The Senate has already taken a position on expanding the Affordable Care Act to improve subsidies, and it rejected it.”

Harris added that “it’s possible we’ll put together a package in January or February” addressing health care, but he said it needs to be broader than just addressing ACA enrollees in order to secure his vote.

Asked if he was concerned that moderate Republicans would sign the Democrats’ discharge petition, Johnson told NBC News: “I’m not worried about anything. »