Republicans defy Speaker Johnson with vote to extend Obamacare subsidies
More than a dozen Republicans joined Democrats to extend Obamacare subsidies, defying House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. The speaker had urged Republicans to vote against it, saying the federal health care system was riddled with fraud.
The vote, which passed with 230-196, extended the Affordable Care Act subsidies for three years.
Seventeen moderate Republicans voted to extend the health care subsidies. Many Republicans in contested districts, like in New York or California, worried that rising costs linked to the expiring subsidies would put their seats at risk.
What does the bill do?
The COVID-19 pandemic-era subsidies expired at the end of last year, driving up health care prices for millions who buy health insurance on the ACA marketplace and qualify for the assistance.
The bill would continue providing the enhanced premium tax credits through the end of 2028.
The 17 Republican lawmakers who voted in favor of the bill were: Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., Rob Bresnahan, R-Pa., Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., Mike Carey, R-Ohio, Dave Joyce, R-Ohio, Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas, Jeff Hurd, R-Colo., Tom Kean, R-N.J., Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., Max Miller, R-Ohio, Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., David Valadao, R- Calif., Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., and Robert Wittman, R-Va.
The government shutdown in October 2025 was a result of stalled negotiations to extend ACA subsidies.
Despite passage in the House, the bill’s future in the Senate is unclear. Republican senators voted down a similar proposal last year. However, a bipartisan group of senators is working to find a compromise that could gain traction, according to NPR.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
