After failing to reach an agreement within the Republican Party on extending the expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies, four moderate Republican congressmen publicly challenged House Speaker Johnson and joined forces with Democrats to push for a procedural vote. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Mike Lawler of New York, Ryan Mackenzie and Rob Bresnahan from New York signed a discharge petition led by House Minority Leader Jeffries, demanding a vote on a three-year extension of the subsidy. The subsidy concerns the health insurance affordability for millions of Americans, and the controversy has persisted for months, amplifying concerns among Republican grassroots about internal conflicts potentially harming the midterm election prospects. Fitzpatrick stated that his decision to support the petition was entirely based on district interests, emphasizing that members "are accountable to voters, not to any individual or party," and described the issue as "time-sensitive and vital to livelihoods." Lawler bluntly stated that he was "angry on behalf of the American people," calling the current stalemate "absurd." However, even if the petition succeeds, it is more likely viewed as a political statement in the short term. According to procedure, the bill needs a seven-day buffer period before being brought to a vote, and the House will be in recess this weekend, meaning that the ACA subsidies will expire on December 31st when it reconvenes, leaving the actual policy impact highly uncertain.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1851822770330827/
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