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WASHINGTON, December 9, 2026: With the help of three Republican lawmakers, on a vote of 230 to 196, the House passed legislation extending health care subsidies that had expired<\/a> at the end of the year for the Affordable Care Act. The so-called \u201cclean\u201d bill brings back the expired health care benefits without the changes the Republicans were requiring last year.<\/p>\n The GOP has opposed the subsidies, arguing that they are wasteful and only benefit the insurance companies.<\/p>\n However, the Senate is likely to reject the House bill when it comes to the Senate floor.<\/p>\n The enhanced subsidies expired on December 31 leaving many families facing higher health care insurance premium costs. According to KFF, health insurance costs have risen by 26%<\/a> in 2026 putting pressure on struggling Americans.<\/p>\n Yesterday\u2019s vote was taken after the House bypassed House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) with a discharge petition to force the vote on the House floor. Discharge petitions allow 218 or more House members to vote to bring a matter to a floor vote by passing the House Speaker. Johnson has not allowed a vote on legislation extending the health care subsidies. The Democrats needed nine Republicans to force the vote. On Wednesday the vote for the discharge petition was 221-205, including nine Republicans.<\/p>\n The House has used an unprecedented 14 discharge petitions<\/a>, including yesterdays, to force votes on legislation opposed by Johnson and the majority of the Republicans.<\/p>\n Extending health care benefits was the key issue for the Democrats in last year\u2019s longest running federal shutdown. Seven Senate Democrats voted to end<\/a> the shutdown in November without the health care subsidies.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/civis_polls_1.png\")
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