While the Senate rejected legislation to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of 2025, and many analysts say would trigger steep premium hikes for many marketplace enrollees, several House Republicans are still pressing to extend the tax credits.
Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican, introduced a discharge petition.
Why It Matters
Premium tax credits established by the ACA and expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic are set to expire at the end of the year without congressional action. The subsidies have been at the heart of several political fights, including the government’s 43-day shutdown that began in October.
About 24 million Americans rely on the health care tax credit. If the credit expires, enrollees could lose the subsidy entirely or qualify only for a smaller tax credit. More than 9 million Republicans and Republican-leaning independents depend on Obamacare for their health insurance, the KFF found.
The Senate rejected a Democratic bill to extend the ACA tax credits for three years on Thursday, as well as a Republican bill on the matter. Republicans have said that the ACA plans are too costly and should be revamped, while Democrats have supported their continuation, at least temporarily, as they are set to expire on January 1.
What To Know
On Wednesday, Fitzpatrick introduced a discharge petition, a fairly rare move, to force a vote on extending ACA subsidies. At least six Republicans have signed the petition, which was co-authored by Fitzpatrick and Representative Jared Golden, a Maine Democrat, to extend expiring credits for two years and to institute new eligibility requirements.
Fitzpatrick said in a statement following the filing of his discharge petition, “Congress cannot sit idle while American families face a preventable crisis. Our job is to protect the people we serve, and that responsibility demands immediate action. If these protections expire, millions of Americans will be hit with premium increases they simply cannot afford, forcing impossible choices about their health, their finances, and their futures. They deserve a concrete solution now — not promises of one later.”
Over two dozen House members have signed onto their discharge petition, including 11 Republicans:
- Representative Brian Fitzpatrick
- Representative Michel Lawler
- Representative Robert Bresnahan
- Representative Ryan Mackenzie
- Representative Kevin Kiley
- Representative Don Bacon
- Representative Nick LaLota
- Representative David Valadao
- Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene
- Representative Jefferson Van Drew
- Representative Jennifer Kiggans
The move comes as Representative Josh Gottheimer, a New Jersey Democrat, filed another discharge petition pushing for a vote on a one-year extension. Thirty-three House members have signed on, including over 10 Republicans:
- Representative Jennifer Kiggans
- Representative Michael Lawler
- Representative David Valadao
- Representative Ryan Mackenzie
- Representative Brian Fitzpatrick
- Representative Nick LaLota
- Representative Kevin Kiley
- Representative Jefferson Van Drew
- Representative Robert Bresnahan
- Representative Don Bacon
- Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene
Historically, there have been very few discharge petitions that have actually moved forward and forced a bill to a vote, with the release of Jeffrey Epstein files as the most recent example. They require 218 House signatures and are often considered the last resort, showing a crack in political support for the Speaker and the majority party.
Another discharge petition has been filed by Representative Anna Paulina Luna related to banning stock trading for congressional members.
What People Are Saying
Representative Brian Fitzpatrick told reporters after filing the petition on Wednesday: “It’s a time-sensitive matter, and it’s an existential matter. You try to do things through the normal course. You try to do things through regular order. You know, [when] all those remedies are exhausted, then you’ve got to go this route, unfortunately.”
Representative Vicente Gonzalez, a Texas Democrat, said in an X post on Thursday: “If Republican leadership refuses to give House members the opportunity to protect ACA tax credits for millions of Americans, then we will force their hand. I signed a bipartisan House discharge petition to immediately bring legislation to the floor that will prevent nearly 142,000 South Texans from seeing their health insurance premiums skyrocket. We need 218 signatures. Let’s get it done.”
Representative Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, said in an X post on Wednesday: “I just signed a discharge petition to advance forward bipartisan legislation to extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits for 2-years, inclusive of significant insurance reforms, income limits, PBA reforms, and HSA expansion. This is the only bill that has a chance of becoming law. It’s time for everyone to put party aside and get this done. This discharge petition already has enough Republicans signed on, if every single Democrat would join us — and the vote could happen immediately. Let’s get it done.”
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, said in an X post on Wednesday: “Tonight, I signed two discharge petitions: Rep. Fitzpatrick’s healthcare petition and Rep. Luna’s stock trading petition. At this time, I am considering signing every discharge petition – whether I support the bill or not. As a duly elected Member of Congress, I believe my colleagues should have the ability to bring legislation to the floor for a vote. Every Member deserves the right to represent their district and receive a recorded vote on their bills. This is a result of House leadership blocking Members from governing.”
What Happens Next
If the discharge petitions get enough votes, they will force a vote.
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