House Republicans’ ACA Vote Undermines Conservative Priorities, Steube Claims

House Republican Greg Steube, R-Fla., said Friday that members of his party who supported a vote to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies are undermining the group’s earlier opposition and signaling a shift away from conservative principles amid pressure over healthcare and expiring tax credits.

“This is even more unconscionable,” Steube stated in an interview, “because I believe two of the four Republicans who voted for this extension were here two years ago when we all—every Republican—voted against extending the COVID-era Obama ACA tax subsidies.”

He identified Rep. Mike Lawler and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick as part of that group.

“So now all of a sudden,” Steube added, “the Democrats have made healthcare an issue and shut down the government this year because of the ACA tax credits, which is horrible policy.”

Steube noted that ACA tax credits for individuals on Obamacare have increased by 55% since 2014, stating, “This is not a healthcare policy good for Americans. And that’s if you can even find a doctor covered by Obamacare.”

He criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson, saying, “Ever since the speaker has become speaker, we’ve moved to the center instead of cozying up to the right—and conservatives who got us elected.”

The remarks followed a procedural move by four Republicans—Fitzpatrick, Rep. Robert Bresnahan, Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, and Lawler—to force a vote on extending ACA subsidies set to expire at year’s end. Under House rules, this maneuver clears the threshold for floor consideration, though no vote is expected before January 1 when the credits expire.

The four Republicans joined Democrats to reach the 218 signatures required under procedural rules. Republicans currently hold a slim majority in the House.

The subsidies, expanded during the pandemic, were intended to lower insurance premiums for millions enrolled in ACA plans. Democrats warned that allowing the credits to expire would sharply increase consumer costs, while many Republicans opposed extension, citing federal spending and rising insurance premiums.