HOUSE GOP MODERATES FILE PETITION TO PRESS LEADERSHIP AS AFFORDABLE CARE ACT TAX CREDITS NEAR EXPIRATION
A group of Republican lawmakers is attempting to force a floor vote on legislation extending Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) premium tax credits as the subsidies near their December 31 deadline, intensifying healthcare policy clashes ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
In Washington, a bipartisan group of House members led by Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick has filed a discharge petition aimed at compelling a vote on a bill to extend Obamacare’s enhanced premium subsidies before they lapse at the end of the year. The maneuver comes amid growing concern that allowing the tax credits to expire could sharply increase health insurance costs for millions of Americans.
The petition, which requires more than 218 signatures to succeed, is a direct challenge to the House GOP leadership, which has resisted including the subsidy extension in its own negotiations. Moderates say failing to act could harm Republicans politically in competitive districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Republicans are currently divided over the right approach. Some are unified around alternative Republican proposals intended to address Obamacare affordability through Health Savings Accounts and capped funding rather than extending the current enhanced credits. Meanwhile, Democrats support a clean extension of the tax credits for up to three years.
The Senate is also poised to vote on competing healthcare plans, with neither side expected to secure enough support to pass before the year-end deadline. That raises the likelihood that millions of Americans could see their insurance costs rise in 2026 if no compromise is reached.
With limited legislative days remaining and key elections approaching, the healthcare debate has become a central political flashpoint, shaping campaigns and sparking high-stakes messaging from both parties about the future of premium support and overall U.S. health policy.
