WASHINGTON (AP) — Four centrist Republicans broke with Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday and signed a Democratic-led petition that will force the House to extend for three years an expanded pandemic-era subsidy that would lower health insurance costs for millions of Americans.
The move comes as House Republican leaders came up with a GOP health care bill that doesn't address the rising monthly premiums that millions of people will soon have to endure as tax breaks for those who buy insurance under the Affordable Care Act expire at the end of the year.
Democrats needed 218 signatures to force a vote on the bill, which would extend the subsidies for three years.
GOP Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Robert Bresnahan and Ryan McKenzie, all of Pennsylvania, and Mike Lawler of New York signed the agreement Wednesday morning, bringing it to the magic number of 218.
