House Speaker Mike Johnson is already backing away from a key Republican promise — holding a vote to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire soon. When pressed Monday, Johnson dodged the commitment entirely, saying instead the House would need “to find a consensus” before moving forward.
“We’re going to do in the House what we always do and that is a deliberative process. We’re going to have to find consensus on whatever, whatever the proposal is,” Johnson told CNN.
He went on to make it clear he wouldn’t guarantee anything, not even a timeline. “As you know, I do not guarantee the outcome of legislation or dates or deadlines or anything,” he added.
Those remarks came right after eight Democrats joined Republicans to pass a federal funding measure — a move that was supposed to pave the way for a future vote on extending enhanced Obamacare subsidies. That agreement was billed as a breakthrough to reopen the government after a painful month-long shutdown. But with Johnson now hedging, that promise is already on shaky ground.
President Donald Trump said he supports the Senate deal, though his endorsement may not matter much if House Republicans can’t agree on what comes next.
Democrats are calling foul.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer didn’t hold back, accusing Republicans of driving up health care costs and warning that they will “own this health care crisis.” Schumer’s frustration also extended to the eight Democrats who broke ranks to help push the funding bill through without locking in protections for the ACA subsidies.
Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona described the situation as “rough,” acknowledging the strain it’s caused within the Democratic caucus.
Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats in the House will continue to oppose the spending bill that passed the Senate and stood by Schumer’s leadership. On the Democrats who sided with Republicans, Jeffries said, “that’s their explanation to offer to the American people.”
The result: what was pitched as a bipartisan fix to reopen the government now looks like a political bait-and-switch. The shutdown may be over, but Johnson’s refusal to guarantee a vote on Obamacare subsidies raises real doubts about whether Republicans plan to follow through — or if working families will once again be left footing the bill for Washington’s broken promises.
Watch the video below from CNN:
