Breaking ranks with GOP leaders, Brian Fitzpatrick reps (R-01), Ryan Mackenzie (R-07) i Rob Bresnahan (R-08) signed a discharge petition aimed at forcing a vote in the House of Representatives on extending Obamacare tax breaks.
A petition spearheaded by the leader of the Democratic Party Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (DN.Y.) calls for a basic three-year extension of the enhanced subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that benefit more than 20 million Americans.
Fitzpatrick became the first Republican to sign the petition, with Mackenzie and Bresnahan submitting 217 and 218 signatures. This trio is among the weakest in the House as the 2026 elections approach. According to the Cook Political ReportMackenzie’s race is a toss-up, while Bresnahan and Fitzpatrick’s contests are “slim” and “likely” Republican, respectively.
This move comes later announcer Mike Johnson (R-La.) and other House leaders rejected Fitzpatrick’s attempts, Representative Mike Lawler (R.N.Y.) and other GOP moderates to seek the majority vote. Lawler provided the 216th signature, clearing the way for two Keystone State Republicans to seal the deal.
Under House rules, no vote can take place until next month – after the grant expires – even if the petition is completed on Wednesday.
“We have been working for months to develop a bipartisan solution to the problem of expiring health care funding,” Fitzpatrick said in a statement Wednesday. “Our only request was for a floor vote on this compromise so that the voice of the American people could be heard on this matter. This request was denied. … Unfortunately, it was the House leadership themselves who forced this outcome.”
“If this isn’t an indictment of the Speaker, I don’t know what is. He has failed this institution and its members,” said one Republican in the House of Representatives Jake Sherman On Punchbowl News.
“Despite our months-long call to action, leaders on both sides of the aisle have failed to work together to reach any bipartisan compromise, leaving this as the only way to protect the 28,000 residents of my district from higher costs,” Bresnahan said. “Families in NEPA cannot afford to have the rug pulled out from under them. Doing nothing was not an option, and while I never intended to support this bill, it is the only remaining option.”
The US Senate does has already rejected what the discharge petition demands: extension of ACA subsidies for 3 years. Senator John Fetterman voted “yes” to extend the tightening of the health premium tax credit, while Senator Dave McCormick voted “no”.
Since the amended bill is unlikely to pass the Senate, it allows vulnerable Republicans to gain a voice and give them the opportunity to push back against political attacks that cause the subsidies to expire. Although it’s worth noting that Fitzpatrick, Mackenzie and Bresnahan joined the other seven members of the state’s GOP congressional delegation in voting for one massive lovely bill that did not extend ACA subsidies.
House Democrats are urging Johnson to introduce the petition immediately.
“I am here and I am ready to vote on the discharge petition today,” the Congresswoman said Chrissy Houlahan (D-06). “The House should not adjourn until we take this vote.”
Outgoing Representative Dwight Evans (D-03) said on social media: “Don’t delay the inevitable – and don’t make 24 million Americans wait until January or longer – let’s do it NOW to save their health insurance and prevent gaps!”
This story is current and will be updated.
