A splinter group of House Republicans has signed on to a discharge petition aimed at forcing a vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies that expire at the end of the month.
The bill, proposed by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), would extend enhanced subsidies for two years with new income limits and anti-fraud measures, similar to other plans introduced in both chambers.
The measure has garnered support from Republicans including Don Bacon of Nebraska, Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania, and Nicole Malliotakis of New York. Additional Republican signatories include Reps. Kevin Kiley (Calif.), Mike Lawler (N.Y.) and Ryan Mackenzie (Pa.). Rep. Nick Lalota (R-N.Y.) stated he plans to join the petition.
Fitzpatrick described the matter as “a time-sensitive, existential issue,” noting that attempts to navigate the process through regular committee procedures have been exhausted.
House Republicans have expressed alarm that GOP leadership might allow the tax credits to expire without replacement, warning this could cost them in next year’s midterms.
Rep. John Rutherford (R-Fla.) cautioned: “If we fumble this healthcare ball, nothing else is going to matter.” He added, “If we don’t win the majority in the midterms, then none of this matters. We can’t do anything good then.”
Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) called lapsing tax credits a “bad move,” pointing out many colleagues could be defeated by narrow margins. “There are a lot of good people who by one, two, three, or four votes,” he said. “Do I think this issue is worth a couple points in an election? Yeah, I do.”
If all House Democrats sign the petition, it would compel a vote. However, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) is pushing for a bill that extends subsidies for three years.
The discharge petition requires 218 signatures to trigger a vote before the credits expire on December 31.
