TL/DR –
The amendments proposed by moderate Republicans to the House GOP health care bill for extending enhanced Obamacare subsidies were blocked from receiving a vote. The amendments aimed to extend subsidies for 22 million people, with moderate Republicans arguing that failing to do so would carry consequences. Now, members of Congress only have the option of rallying around a discharge petition to force a vote on extending the expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the month if Congress does not act.
Moderate GOP’s Obamacare Amendments Blocked
The House GOP health care bill will not include amendments by moderate Republicans that sought to extend Obamacare’s enhanced subsidies, according to recent reports.
In a House Rules Committee meeting, amendments were blocked from a vote, despite arguments from moderate Republicans on the potential consequences of not extending subsidies for 22 million people.
“There will be consequences if these amendments are not approved,” Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., warned before the amendments were blocked.
Without these amendments, members of Congress only have one alternative to extend Obamacare subsidies: rallying around a discharge petition that forces a vote on the House floor. The subsidies are at risk of expiring at the end of the month if no action is taken by Congress.
Democrats on the Rules Committee encouraged moderate Republicans to vote against the rule on the House floor, which would halt the GOP health care bill, or join their discharge petition for a clean three-year extension of the subsidies.
“My Republican colleagues, including Mr. Fitzpatrick, should understand that negotiating with this committee under the current circumstances is not a prudent way forward,” Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo., remarked at the hearing.
The Democrats’ three-year extension of the enhanced subsidies failed in the Senate, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., stated it would be rejected if returned from the House. Nonetheless, Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts believes that if the bill passes in the House, it could force the Senate’s hand.
“If the three-year extension passes here, the pressure on the Senate would be so enormous that I think the winds will change,” McGovern said.
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