The House will take up Democrats’ proposal to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies for three years in January after frustrated moderate Republicans helped force a vote.
Supporters hope the revolt, which sparked GOP criticism of Speaker Mike Johnson, could shake loose a Senate health care deal.
“It won’t pass the Senate as it is,” said Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who recently voted for the same plan. “But it could be a vehicle … that gives us an opportunity to work on something — get onto it, have an open amendment process.”
Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins, R-Maine, called it “certainly a boost.”
Odds of House passage are high: Four Republicans were able to sign the discharge petition and more signaled their support.
“People were thinking [they] had their fingers crossed under the table that they could get that vote,” Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Wis., said.
Bicameral talks are already happening: Senators attended a Problem Solvers Caucus meeting Wednesday.