3 Pa. Republicans defy Speaker Johnson to force House vote on extending ACA subsidies

WASHINGTON — Four centrists Republicans — three of which are from Pennsylvania — broke with Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday and signed onto a Democratic-led petition that will force a House vole on extending for three years an enhanced pandemic-era subsidy that lowers health insurance costs for millions of Americans.

The move comes after House Republican leaders pushed ahead with a GOP health care bill that does not address the soaring monthly premiums that millions of people will soon endure as the tax credits for those who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act expire at year’s end.

Democrats needed 218 signatures to force a floor vote on their bill, which would extend the subsides for three years.

Republican Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Robert Bresnahan and Ryan Mackenzie, all from Pennsylvania, and Mike Lawler of New York signed on Wednesday morning, pushing it to the magic number of 218.

About them:

• Fitzpatrick, Pennsylvania: He has been part of several bipartisan pushes this year, amassed bipartisan signatures for his own discharge petition related to ACA subsidy extension.

• Bresnahan, Pennsylvania: He and Mackenzie won in November by some of the smallest margins in all of Congress.

• Mackenzie, Pennsylvania: He drew a Democratic opponent barely 48 hours after voting for the House budget bill earlier this year.

• Lawler, New York: His district has been considered a crucial swing seat in recent elections, and Democrats are expected to again dedicate heavy resources to flip it next year.