A group of 4 moderate Republicans, led by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Mike Lawler, have joined forces with Democrats to force a vote on their own bill extending Obamacare subsidies. This move is seen as an act of protest against Speaker Mike Johnson’s refusal to consider their compromise legislation. The centrists are urging Johnson to change his strategy or allow the Democrats to secure a major victory on the floor in January.
The House is set to vote on a separate health care proposal from GOP leadership, which does not address the expiring subsidies and will likely result in premiums spiking for tens of millions of Americans next year. The bipartisan group of senators working on a parallel track has also announced their own health care agreement.
In a tense huddle with Johnson, multiple GOP moderates warned that if he doesn’t allow a vote on the centrists’ compromise plan, Republicans will face an embarrassing prospect: the Democrats’ bill passing the House. Pennsylvania Rep. Ryan Mackenzie said, “We have to have a conversation on something.” The centrists are using leverage to force the conversation and secure a vote.
However, not all centrist lawmakers support the Democratic position, which they argue does nothing to rein in the program’s costs. GOP leaders have been criticized for their approach, with some calling it “short-sighted” and “inflicting internal pain.” Johnson has defended his leadership, blaming the House’s thin margin for the chaos.
The House has little time to decide its next steps, and it remains unclear what Johnson will do. Democrats are urging him to bring up the vote this week rather than waiting until January. The story has been updated with additional details as multiple GOP lawmakers have weighed in on the situation.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/17/politics/obamacare-subsidies-discharge-petition-johnson-healthcare