House Democrats on Dec. 18 demanded that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) bring legislation extending Affordable Care Act tax credits to the House floor before lawmakers leave Washington for the holidays, saying that a discharge petition has now secured the votes to force action after four Republicans joined the Democratic effort.
The push comes a day after the House passed a GOP health care package, the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, in a 216–211 vote. Johnson said after the vote that the bill’s market reforms would cut premiums by 11 percent, which he contrasted with a smaller reduction he said would come from extending the exchange subsidies.
