The House moved to approve a three-year extension of expired ACA premium tax credits after a bipartisan push that included nine Republicans joining Democrats to advance the measure. Leaders used a discharge petition to force a vote amid concerns premiums could spike without the subsidies. The bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where negotiations continue over a shorter extension, targeted reforms, HSAs and Hyde amendment language.
House Nears Passage of Three-Year Extension for ACA Premium Tax Credits After Bipartisan Push
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 5, 2026. / Credit: Al Drago / Bloomberg via Getty Images
The House of Representatives was positioned Thursday to approve a three-year extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits that expired at the end of last year, with an increasing number of Republicans joining Democrats to advance the measure.
What’s at Stake
The enhanced tax credits subsidize premiums for millions of Americans who buy coverage through state exchanges. Analysts warned that, without the extension, many consumers could face sharply higher premiums, copays and deductibles — in some cases premiums were projected to double.
How the Measure Reached the Floor
House Democrats, backed by a small but growing group of Republican members, used a discharge petition to force a floor vote after the credits were left out of a deal that ended the government shutdown. "Later on today, House Democrats, joined by some of our Republican colleagues in a bipartisan coalition, will advance legislation to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits to prevent millions of everyday Americans from experiencing dramatically increased premiums, copays and deductibles," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said at a Thursday news conference.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, walks into his office at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 5, 2026. / Credit: Al Drago / Bloomberg via Getty Images
In a procedural vote on Wednesday, nine Republicans joined all Democrats to move the measure forward — up from four GOP members who signed the petition last month. Those four included Reps. Mike Lawler (N.Y.), Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.), Ryan Mackenzie (Pa.) and Rob Bresnahan (Pa.). Lawler said moderates sought a compromise that paired an extension with reforms but ultimately signed the discharge when a compromise could not be taken up before the holidays.
Senate Outlook and Remaining Roadblocks
The House bill is unlikely to pass the Senate in its current form. Senators continue negotiating a compromise that could include a shorter extension and targeted reforms, such as a gradual transition to health savings accounts (HSAs) or other market changes. Republican Sen. Susan Collins (Maine) and Sen. Bernie Moreno (Ohio) have discussed a two-year plan with phased reforms, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune characterized bipartisan talks as constructive but without a clear "landing spot" yet.
Contentious issues include the scope and timing of reforms, any bridge to HSAs, and whether Hyde amendment language restricting federal funding for abortion will apply to exchange coverage. President Trump encouraged flexibility on Hyde to help reach a deal, but conservative lawmakers pushed back, saying they were unlikely to relax the restriction.
Next Steps
If the House approves the three-year extension, supporters hope the measure can serve as a vehicle for Senate negotiations. Lawmakers on both sides say they want to avoid sudden premium spikes for consumers while working toward bipartisan policy changes. For now, final resolution depends on the Senate finding enough bipartisan support to reconcile extension length and reform provisions.
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