Speaker Mike Johnson downplayed the sharp criticism from GOP Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene regarding the GOP leadership’s lack of a plan to tackle the expiration of federal health insurance subsidies. After Greene accused top Republicans of not having a strategy to address the potential doubling of health insurance premiums, Johnson responded by saying she wasn’t informed about the ongoing discussions on the Affordable Care Act tax credits. The subsidies, which are set to expire on December 31, could lead to significant price hikes for insurance plans available through federal exchanges in under three weeks.
Johnson noted that Greene doesn’t serve on the committees with jurisdiction over these specialized issues, hence her lack of awareness. He also mentioned that House Republicans would continue discussing the matter upon their return to Washington, though they kept the chamber out of session this week to pressure Senate Democrats to end the government shutdown. Greene’s comments are seen as one of the most significant fractures in GOP unity during the shutdown, with Democrats viewing her post as undermining Republican leadership’s stance on keeping health care negotiations out of the shutdown fight.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer echoed Greene’s sentiments, quoting her on the Senate floor. Democratic leaders are pushing for a deal on the expiring subsidies as a condition of reopening government, and some aides are privately viewing Greene’s post as a strategic move to weaken Republican positions. While the situation remains tense, the financial implications of the expired subsidies could affect millions of Americans, leading to potential market shifts and increased scrutiny on the political landscape ahead of upcoming elections.