Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania said Wednesday he is the first Republican to join a Democratic effort to force a House vote on a straight three-year extension of the enhanced Obamacare tax credits that will expire Dec. 31.
The move comes after House GOP leaders rejected attempts by Fitzpatrick and other Republican moderates to seek a floor vote on extending the subsidies used by more than 20 million Americans. Fitzpatrick said in a late-night House Rules Committee meeting Tuesday that “the only thing worse than a clean extension … would be expiration, and I would make that decision.”
The discharge petition filed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries currently has 214 signatures, all from Democrats. Three other Republicans besides Fitzpatrick would need to sign to push it forward. Under House rules, no vote could happen until next year even if the petition is completed Wednesday.
“We have worked for months to craft a two-party solution to address these expiring healthcare credits,” Fitzpatrick said in a statement Wednesday. “Our only request was a Floor vote on this compromise, so that the American People’s voice could be heard on this issue. That request was rejected. … Unfortunately, it is House leadership themselves that have forced this outcome.”
