• House voted 221-205 Wednesday to advance three-year extension of ACA subsidies that expired December 31
• Nine swing-district Republicans joined all Democrats using rare discharge petition to force floor vote
• More than 20 million Americans facing average 114% premium increases after subsidies lapsed

WASHINGTON, DC (TDR) — Nine House Republicans defied party leadership Wednesday to join Democrats in advancing legislation that would revive expired Obamacare subsidies for three years, delivering a striking rebuke to Speaker Mike Johnson while highlighting the political risks facing the GOP majority heading into 2026 midterm elections.

The House voted 221-205 on a procedural motion to push forward a measure reviving enhanced pandemic-era subsidies that lowered health insurance costs for roughly 22 million people before expiring December 31. The final passage vote is expected Thursday.

The bipartisan coalition emerged through a rare discharge petition — a parliamentary maneuver allowing 218 or more rank-and-file members to sidestep the speaker and force a floor vote. The tool, seldom deployed in recent decades, has seen a dramatic surge under Johnson’s speakership, with seven petitions reaching the threshold since 2023, matching the total from the previous four decades combined.

Swing-District Republicans Break Ranks

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Four moderate Republicans initially signed the Democratic discharge petition in mid-December: Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Mike Lawler of New York, Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania, and Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania.

By Wednesday’s procedural vote, five additional Republicans joined them, bringing the total to nine GOP members willing to buck leadership on the critical healthcare issue.

“No matter the issue, if the House puts forward relatively strong, bipartisan support, it makes it easier for the senators to get there,” Lawler explained after the vote, portraying the measure as a vehicle senators could use to reach compromise.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who led Democrats’ effort, particularly challenged Republicans in competitive congressional districts to join if they genuinely wanted to prevent steep premium increases for constituents.

“Address the health care crisis in this country and make sure that tens of millions of people have the ability to go see a doctor when they need one,” Jeffries urged colleagues before Wednesday’s vote.

Premium Costs Soar After Subsidy Expiration

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The enhanced ACA subsidies, originally expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic to make coverage more affordable, expired December 31 after Congress failed to reach agreement during last year’s record 43-day government shutdown.

Starting January 1, subsidized ACA enrollees saw premium costs rise by an average of 114%, according to analysis by health care research nonprofit KFF. Some individual enrollees reported monthly premiums jumping from $85 to nearly $750, or from $350 to $500.

Arkansas is projected to see the highest percentage increase at 69% for its benchmark plan, followed by Washington state at 41%, Tennessee and Mississippi. The Urban Institute and Commonwealth Fund projected the higher premiums would prompt approximately 4.8 million Americans to drop coverage in 2026.

The change affects a diverse cross-section of Americans who don’t receive employer-provided insurance and don’t qualify for Medicaid or Medicare — including many self-employed workers, small business owners, farmers and ranchers.

Johnson Loses Control Despite Narrow Majority

Speaker Johnson had refused to allow a vote on extending the subsidies through normal procedures, insisting Republicans would address health insurance costs through a reconciliation package in early 2026.

“Doing an end-run around the majority party, the speaker or the regular process is not the best way to make law,” Johnson told CNBC after the discharge petition obtained required signatures in December.

But Republicans face a razor-thin 218-213 House majority following the death of California Rep. Doug LaMalfa and resignation of Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, leaving Johnson able to afford just two defections on party-line votes when all members are present.

Fitzpatrick defended the extraordinary maneuver as a last resort after leadership blocked all attempts at compromise.

“You cannot not put bills on the floor because you’re afraid they’re going to pass. That’s not how this place should operate,” Fitzpatrick told reporters, calling on leadership to “let the House work its will.”

Lawler, representing New York’s Hudson Valley, described the leadership blockade as leaving moderates with no alternative.

“When leadership blocks action entirely, Congress has a responsibility to act. My priority is ensuring Hudson Valley families aren’t caught in the gridlock,” Lawler posted on social media.

Senate Prospects Uncertain

While the measure appears likely to pass the House on Thursday, its fate in the Republican-controlled Senate remains uncertain. The chamber already rejected a three-year extension in December by voting down competing Democratic and Republican healthcare bills.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) suggested Republican support would require income caps, expansion of health savings accounts, and stipulations preventing taxpayer dollars from funding abortions.

Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) said a bipartisan group of senators held talks Tuesday exploring possible compromises, but emphasized any deal would require President Trump’s blessing.

“It would require that President Trump play a major role in this, because he has such influence over the Republican majority in the House and even in the Senate,” Welch stated.

Nationwide open enrollment for 2026 federal marketplace policies ends January 15, though KFF noted subsidies could be made retroactive if extended after that deadline, allowing affected enrollees to file for refunds with their taxes.

Will Senate Republicans accept a compromise to restore subsidies before millions more Americans drop coverage, or will partisan divisions leave families facing unaffordable premium increases through the 2026 election year?

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