House passes bill extending health care subsidies, bucking GOP leaders
Source: Washington Post
January 8, 2026 at 5:14 p.m. EST
More than a dozen House Republicans joined every Democrat on Thursday to pass a bill to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies for three years the sharpest rejection by GOP members of the partys leadership yet.
The pandemic-era subsidies expired at the end of last year, driving up costs for millions of Americans who buy health insurance on the ACA marketplace and qualified for the assistance. GOP leaders made no attempt to address the issue as the deadline neared, despite warnings from members in swing districts that higher prices could threaten their chances in this falls midterm elections. The party has been trying unsuccessfully to dismantle the ACA since it became law in 2010.
Prospects for passage in the Senate are unclear, though, as the chamber has already blocked attempts to extend the subsidies.
The lack of action in the House led four House Republicans to join Democrats in December to force a vote on legislation backed by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York). The vote Thursday over the objections of House Republican leaders was the result of that maneuver. The bill passed by a 230-196 vote, with 17 Republicans supporting it.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/01/08/house-passes-aca-subsidies-bill/
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Skittles
(169,638 posts)sheshe2
(95,945 posts)About dayum time! Fingers crossed that the Senate R's will care enough for their constituents to pass it.
mysteryowl
(8,092 posts)Rebl2
(17,416 posts)will agree to it though.
AllyCat
(18,538 posts)But its the principle of the thing.
70sEraVet
(5,250 posts)Like with the Epstein files, he doesn't want the blame to fall on him. He will pressure the HELL out of Republican Senators to shoot it down -- but if it lands on his desk, he will give it his 'blessing'. And the Republicans are starting to see that!
SergeStorms
(20,002 posts)Trumpublican Senators get great, free healthcare. Their constituents should just pull themselves up by their bootstraps.
Sorry, I haven't used the "bootstraps" talking point in ages. I felt compelled to resurrect it. 😉
BumRushDaShow
(165,872 posts)so it could be that they do some "horse trading".
progressoid
(52,599 posts)Oh wait. That's probably what will happen.
BumRushDaShow
(165,872 posts)It'll be the best plan. A plan that NO ONE HAS EVER SEEN OR COULD POSSIBLE DO. Bigly. Covfefe.
SergeStorms
(20,002 posts)who rely on ACA for healthcare, I certainly hope so. Some republicans may have reached the tipping point when they finally realize TrumpCo. is a liability. We can only hope. 🤞
QueerDuck
(1,033 posts)or to acknowledge this accomplishment. Pity.