Four Republicans Defect From Mike Johnson to Force Health Care Vote

Four House Republicans rejected the party line to give more weight to Obamacare.

In a major act of defiance against House Speaker Mike Johnson, GOP Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Lawler, Robert Bresnahan and Ryan Mackenzie signed Democrats’ discharge petition under the Affordable Care Act on Wednesday morning.

They are joining all House Democrats to do so, bringing the petition total to the 218 signatures needed to force a vote on whether to extend the ACA’s enhanced subsidies for three more years.

Last week, Johnson granted Fitzpatrick and Rep. Jen Kiggans the chance to vote on an amendment to extend the subsidies. But divergent opinions on the text of the amendment have blocked efforts to reach an agreement.

Kiggans is not expected to sign the petition, his relatives said. The Hill.

This story has been updated.