Senate Republicans Stand Firm Against Extended Obamacare Subsidy Plan Amid Fraud Revelations

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., declared Thursday that Senate Republicans made the right decision to reject Democrats’ push for extending enhanced Obamacare subsidies, warning such a move would amount to endorsing tens of billions in annual waste and abuse.

Johnson appeared on “The Chris Salcedo Show” hours after Senate Republicans voted down a bill to extend expanded Affordable Care Act subsidies. The measure was defeated 51-48, with four Republicans voting alongside Democrats.

“The Government Accountability Office report was extremely helpful,” Johnson stated during the interview. “They signed up 24 fraudulent applicants in Obamacare and 23 were enrolled — 18 were still receiving subsidies as of September 2025. The outcome, he said, was shocking even to longtime critics of the ACA.”

Johnson praised Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., for steering Republican discussions on the issue. “It’s actually good news,” Johnson added. “I give Sen. Rick Scott a great deal of credit for using his steering committee lunch to bring healthcare experts and discuss all the fraud.”

According to Johnson, the findings reveal systemic vulnerabilities in the ACA subsidy program that could cost taxpayers tens of billions annually if unaddressed. He described the situation as “massive fraud,” adding that extending enhanced subsidies would perpetuate approximately $27 billion in annual waste.

“Give the GOP credit,” Johnson emphasized. “As much political pressure, as much as the Democrats are lying, and as much as the media was backing them up, we simply cannot vote to perpetuate that fraud.”