WASHINGTON, D.C. — A group of centrist House Republicans on Wednesday joined Democrats to trigger a floor vote on extending ObamaCare subsidies, handing supporters the 218 signatures needed to advance a discharge petition over the objections of GOP leadership.
Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Mike Lawler of New York, Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania, and Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania signed the petition led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, marking a rare and public rebuke of Republican leadership on health care policy. The move forces a vote on legislation that would extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies for three years.
The last-minute push followed weeks of internal negotiations, after GOP leaders rejected moderates’ requests to allow a vote on extending the subsidies as part of a broader Republican health care package. Lawler said leadership’s refusal left centrists with no alternative, arguing that allowing the subsidies to expire would harm constituents who rely on lower premiums.
The discharge petition represents a significant procedural victory for Democrats and highlights ongoing divisions within the GOP over health care, particularly as lawmakers weigh affordability concerns heading into the 2026 election cycle.
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