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Mar 13, 2026

Several GOP Senators Support Democratic Extension Of ObamaCare Subsidies...pss

Senate Vote Reveals GOP Divisions Over Obamacare Subsidy Extension

 

A recent vote in the U.S. Senate exposed divisions within the Republican Party after four GOP senators joined Democrats in supporting an extension of enhanced health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The proposal, introduced by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, sought to extend the subsidies for three additional years to help Americans afford health insurance premiums.

Despite the bipartisan support from a small group of Republicans, the measure ultimately failed to move forward. The motion received 51 votes in favor and 47 against, falling short of the 60 votes required to advance legislation in the Senate. While every Democrat supported the proposal, the overwhelming majority of Republican senators voted against it.

 

Four Republicans Break With Party

The four Republicans who voted alongside Democrats were:

 

Susan Collins

Lisa Murkowski

 

Dan Sullivan

Josh Hawley

 

Two of these senators—Collins and Sullivan—are considered politically vulnerable as they prepare for reelection campaigns in 2026, making the vote especially significant as Democrats attempt to regain control of the Senate.

Before the vote, Collins had declined to reveal her position, telling reporters she wanted her staff to carefully analyze the Democratic proposal before deciding how to vote.

 

Alternative Republican Proposal

Earlier in the week, Collins teamed up with Bernie Moreno to introduce a separate bill that would extend the ACA’s enhanced premium subsidies for two additional years, but only for households earning less than $200,000 annually.

 

Their proposal also included a provision requiring lower-income Americans who obtain coverage through the ACA marketplace to pay at least $25 per month in premiums.

Meanwhile, Hawley and Murkowski have publicly supported broader reforms to the health insurance marketplace in an effort to lower costs.

 

Competing Republican Plan Also Fails

Earlier on Thursday, all four of the same Republican senators supported another alternative proposal developed by:

 

Mike Crapo, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee

Bill Cassidy, Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

 

That plan would have redirected funding for the enhanced ACA subsidies into health savings accounts (HSAs). The idea was to help people purchasing insurance through the ACA marketplace pay their out-of-pocket medical costs.

However, that proposal also failed to advance in the Senate.

 

Speaking to reporters after the votes, Hawley said lawmakers should consider multiple approaches to address rising insurance costs.

“I’m really an all-of-the-above-approach kind of guy. At this point, I think we need to do everything possible to bring down the cost of premiums,” Hawley said.

He added that voters across the country are increasingly concerned about the rising cost of health coverage.

“If you talk to people, what they’re going to say is their health care costs are out of control.”

 

Heated Media Exchange Over Obamacare Subsidies

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