Seventeen House Republicans break with speaker to extend ACA marketplace tax credits

Independent.co reports that 17 House Republicans broke with House Speaker Mike Johnson and joined Democrats on Thursday as the House voted 230-196 to pass a three-year extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act marketplace tax credits. The tax credits, which expired at the end of December, affect at least 20 million Americans who receive insurance through the marketplaces.

Four Republicans — Mike Lawler, Brian Fitzpatrick, Rob Bresnahan and Ryan Mackenzie — signed a discharge petition pushed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to force the vote; any member can force a vote if a majority of members sign such a petition. The House broke into applause as the vote closed, and Democratic Rep.

Maggie Goodlander said, "It's about damn time." Supporters said the extension would lower costs for millions, and Bresnahan said he had heard from independent and small business owners seeing increases in their insurance costs. Democrats had earlier tried and failed to pass a clean three-year extension before the end of the year.

Key Topics

Politics, Affordable Care Act, Hakeem Jeffries, Mike Johnson, Discharge Petition, Tax Credits