US: GOP Moderate Signs Dem Petition As Healthcare Battle Dominates Congress

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) has signed a discharge petition put forward by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) that seeks to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA, 'Obamacare') tax credit subsidies for another three years. Fitzpatrick's signature, the first among Republicans, gives the petition the backing of 215 representatives, three votes short of the 218 required to circumvent Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and put the measure to a vote on the House floor. 

• Fitzpatrick, whose 1st congressional district is seen as a bellwether district in a bellwether state, said in a statement that GOP moderates had made 'good faith' efforts with both parties to reach a deal on the expiring credits. After the House Rules Committee, under the effective control of Johnson, rejected three amendments from moderates on 16 Dec, Fitpatrick said, "the only policy that is worse than a clean three-year extension without any reforms, is a policy of complete expiration without any bridge. Unfortunately, it is House leadership themselves that have forced this outcome."
• The House is currently debating the rule on the GOP Healthcare bill, approved by the leadership and not containing any ACA extensions, before a vote. If this vote succeeds, a full floor vote takes place later on this afternoon.
• With the Obamacare subsidies expiring at year's end, pushing up premiums for millions, the political ramifications of the internal Republican battle over healthcare look set to dominate the early part of 2026, alongside the looming federal gov't funding cliff at end-Jan.