Johnson Noncommittal on House Vote to Extend ACA Tax Credits

Speaker Mike Johnson indicated today he is unwilling to commit to a House vote on extending health care tax credits tied to the Affordable Care Act, stating the issue requires further deliberation among members.

During a press conference at the Capitol, Johnson addressed a reporter’s question regarding an offer from Senate Majority Leader John Thune to provide Democrats with a vote on a one-year extension of the ACA subsidies. Johnson explained that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer rejected Thune’s offer “because they wanted a guaranteed outcome.” He emphasized the December 31 expiration date of the current subsidies and asserted that debate was already scheduled for October and November. “We have 535 members between the House and Senate…That’s a very complicated issue. It’s not something that four people can go into a back room and guarantee an outcome on,” Johnson stated.

Johnson further clarified that Thune’s inability to guarantee Schumer a specific result led to the offer being declined, adding, “When Leader Thune offered a vote on the ACA, on the subsidy, without guaranteeing an outcome, Schumer said, nope, no thanks, we’ll keep it closed.” The potential lapse in these tax credits could impact health insurance affordability for millions of Americans who receive coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. The debate over extending these credits is part of a larger ongoing discussion about the future of the ACA, originally passed in 2010.

When pressed for a commitment to bring the tax credits up for a vote, Johnson reiterated his position, stating, “None of us can guarantee an outcome on that. I have said consistently all along, this is part of the deliberative process. We’re going to debate and discuss that.” He indicated that further discussions and a member-driven consensus are necessary before any action can be taken.