By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The necessary 218 signatures have been secured on a petition to force a vote on extending enhanced ACA subsidies for another three years, thanks to the support of all House Democrats. Despite Speaker Johnson offering a vote on an amendment, differing views on the amendment’s language stalled progress. While the vote on an amendment was offered last week, Representative Kiggans is not expected to sign the petition.
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Four Republicans Defect From Mike Johnson to Force Health Care Vote | Members of Mike Johnson’s own party are trying to force his hand on Obamacare.
It appears the political landscape has shifted yet again, with the focus squarely on health care and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The big news is that four Republican representatives have defected from Speaker Mike Johnson’s side, using a discharge petition to force a vote on extending ACA subsidies. It’s a bold move, and it immediately raises questions about the power dynamics within the Republican party and the potential impact on millions of Americans.
Speaker Johnson, prior to the defection, seemed dismissive of the issue, framing the impact of the subsidies on a small percentage of the population, specifically seven percent. To many, that felt like an admission that he was willing to negatively impact millions of people. It’s a stark contrast to how Democrats often discuss policies impacting a similar number of people. It’s easy to see how this could be perceived as callous, especially given the potential consequences of allowing these subsidies to expire.
This move to force a vote is happening because the current ACA subsidies are set to expire. Without an extension, many individuals could see their healthcare costs skyrocket, which would be a huge problem for many families. However, even if the House passes an extension, the bill still faces an uphill battle in the Senate, where it could be blocked by a filibuster. This means that at least nine Republican senators would need to change their minds and vote in favor of the extension. It’s a long shot, but the fact that a vote is even being forced is a significant event.
The motivations behind these four Republican defectors are complex. Some believe they’re acting to serve their constituents and get re-elected. They likely understand the political repercussions of allowing these subsidies to lapse and the potential blowback they could face from voters. It’s also likely that they are looking towards the upcoming midterms, aiming to soften the ground for their party. Others view this as purely performative, an attempt to make it look like they are fighting for their constituents without actually changing anything. Ultimately, this vote is a reflection of the challenges the Republican party is facing.
There are also the broader implications of this situation. The fact that the House is forced to vote on a healthcare measure due to defection highlights the weakness of the current Speaker. This situation also underscores the power of a few dissenting voices within a party, especially when the margins are thin. It’s a reminder that bipartisanship can sometimes be forged when there’s a genuine desire to serve the needs of the electorate.
It seems like there’s a sense that the situation has become so untenable that these representatives felt they had to take a stand. They may also be concerned about the potential electoral consequences of being seen as obstructionist on healthcare, especially with the expiration date looming and the possibility of a large number of people seeing their healthcare costs increase.
The Hastert rule, an informal practice where the House speaker will only bring a bill to the floor if supported by a majority of the Republican caucus, is the primary reason why we are seeing these attempts to force votes. The Hastert rule does not allow any popular legislation pass with most/all Democrats and a handful of Republicans, so it is easier to see the effects of this policy in motion.
In the end, it is possible that we are witnessing the start of a larger break within the Republican party. The fact that these four representatives are willing to defy the Speaker is a clear sign that things are not business as usual. It remains to be seen how this situation will play out, but it’s clear that the battle over healthcare is far from over and that Mike Johnson is going to need to work even harder to maintain control of his caucus.