Speaker Mike Johnson said Thursday he understands the “dilemma” facing House Republicans who have launched or joined discharge petitions that would force a vote to extend expiring Obamacare subsidies. But he gave no indication he would change his current course of letting the tax credits expire.
“Leadership’s never in favor of discharges,” Johnson said in a brief interview Thursday. “I understand the dilemma they see themselves in. But, I mean, I don’t endorse it.”
GOP leaders are planning to put several health care bills up for a vote next week before lawmakers leave Washington for the holidays. But they still have no intention of including a subsidy extension, according to three people granted anonymity to discuss internal GOP plans.
The two GOP-led petitions — one put forward by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), another by Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) — picked up several more Republican signatures Thursday. But neither can trigger a floor vote on an Obamacare subsidy extension this month.
That’s due both to a waiting period for discharged bills under House rules, as well as the fact that massive support from Democrats will be needed to reach the necessary 218 signatures. Democratic leaders are still deciding whether to support either bill.
Republican leaders don’t plan to stand in the way if any petition reaches 218 signatures, but they are skeptical that will happen. They face serious challenges in rallying their party around any extension of the subsidies, including the GOP’s long opposition to Obamacare as well as abortion-related divisions within their conference.