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House Republicans Defect, Forcing Vote on Healthcare Tax Credit Extension

Four House Republicans broke with party leadership on Wednesday to join Democrats in⁤ overriding the GOP majority and forcing a vote on extending healthcare tax⁤ credits – a defection that underscores the party’s growing vulnerability on economic issues ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

The healthcare tax credits, which ⁣were central to the fight that led to the longest goverment shutdown in U.S. history, are ⁤set to expire at the end of the year unless Congress takes⁣ action.

Democrats, and a ⁢small but increasingly vocal group of Republicans,⁤ warned that allowing the‍ tax credits to lapse would⁤ lead to sharp healthcare premium⁣ increases for millions of Americans, which could prove a politically perilous outcome in competitive districts.

House Republicans,⁣ including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), have resisted extending⁤ the tax credits, arguing instead for an⁢ alternative approach⁤ to lowering healthcare costs. But that stance on Wednesday showed that they were at odds with members who say the issue would hurt constituents.

“I’m pissed for the American people,” Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) told reporters.

His remarks came after he joined republican Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Robert Bresnahan and Ryan Mackenzie, all from Pennsylvania, in signing⁤ a Democrat-led petition that needed 218 signatures to force a floor vote on a bill to extend the ⁣healthcare subsidies for ⁢three years. The four Republicans were the ‍final votes needed.

California Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin), who represents a swing district, was not among the Republicans to sign the petition, but he told reporters it is crucial for leadership ⁣to ‍take up the matter ‍sooner than later. otherwise, he said, it would be a “failure of leadership.”

“We have members on both sides who⁣ believe this is an urgent issue and it is for all of our members in terms of what their constituents are going to have to deal with at the end