Democratic efforts to keep Obamacare premiums affordable got a major boost on Wednesday when four Republican House members signed a discharge petition to force a vote to extend the premium subsidies for three years. The New York Times called it a “striking rebellion” against Speaker Mike Johnson.
Then, as Democrats and the four Republicans tried to force a quick vote on the discharge petition – in order to keep health insurance premiums from skyrocketing on January 1 – Republicans stopped the vote once it reached 204-203. “Twenty-six House members had not yet voted – and some were actively trying to do so – when the House Republican leadership gaveled the vote closed on Wednesday,” Reuters reported. “Democratic Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut said Democrats were trying to vote before the vote was closed.”
In other words, the MAGA Republicans obviously thought they’d lose so they stopped the vote while their killer cruelty was still ahead. It is unclear whether there are other options for Democrats and the four Republicans to try again before the end of the year, Reuters said.
