Senate Health Subsidy Extension Bill Fails Vote, Leaving Millions at Risk

By Michael Katz | Thursday, December 11, 2025

A Democrat-backed Senate bill aimed at extending Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at year’s end received support from four Republicans on Thursday but fell short of the 60-vote threshold required for advancement.

Democrats secured a promise of a Senate vote this month to extend the expiring subsidies as part of an agreement to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. However, their proposal failed 51-48.

A related Republican bill designed to address rising health insurance premiums also failed 51-48, receiving no support from Democrats.

The Democratic bill, sponsored by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., would have extended the subsidies for three years. These subsidies were introduced during the pandemic and initially set to expire in 2022 but were extended through December 31.

The four Republicans who broke ranks to support the Democrat bill are Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Dan Sullivan of Alaska, and Josh Hawley of Missouri, all of whom also backed the Republican proposal.

Collins, who has signaled her intent to seek a sixth term, is the only Republican running in a state won by Kamala Harris in 2024. Analysts note that Sullivan’s seat may be vulnerable, though Alaska has been a reliably Republican state. Collins, however, has long proven difficult for Democrats.

Collins introduced a bill on Monday with Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, to extend the subsidies for two years while limiting them to households earning less than $200,000 annually and requiring lower-income Americans on the federal healthcare marketplace to pay at least $25 in monthly premiums.

Hawley described his support as part of an “all-of-the-above” approach, stating he would back measures to address rising health insurance costs. He emphasized that many Americans are facing uncontrolled healthcare expenses.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., indicated Republicans plan to bring several healthcare proposals to the floor next week that do not include extending subsidies.

Some lawmakers view extending the subsidies as the only way to prevent widespread financial hardship for millions ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and position a GOP-led Congress for more sweeping changes.