During a routine press briefing at the Capitol, Speaker Mike Johnson addressed inquiries about the potential for a House vote on extending health care tax credits. He indicated that any decision would emerge through a “deliberative process” involving House members.

In response to a question highlighting that Senate Majority Leader John Thune had proposed a one-year extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies to Democrats, Johnson was pressed on whether the House would follow suit with a vote. Johnson pointed out that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer had rejected Thune’s proposal, citing a demand for a guaranteed outcome as the reason for the refusal.

Johnson elaborated, “Let me be clear on this. The issue of the Obamacare subsidies is not the pressing matter today. These subsidies are set to expire on December 31. Our plan has always been to address and discuss this issue further in October and November. Ironically, it is the Democrats who are using up the valuable time needed for this discussion.”

He further explained the complexity of the situation by stating, “With 535 members involved between the House and the Senate, this is a complex issue that demands a comprehensive approach. It’s not something that a small group can decide behind closed doors with a guaranteed outcome. Including it in the current continuing resolution (CR) was not feasible or appropriate. What is required is a consensus-driven process among members, and that is what we are committed to pursuing.”

He continued: “We have 535 members between the House and Senate. There’s a lot of people in this deliberative body here. That’s a very complicated issue. It’s not something that four people can go into a back room and guarantee an outcome on. It can’t be done. It was not possible to be part of this CR, and it’s not feasible. It’s not appropriate to be on this CR. We require the member-driven consensus process here, and that’s what’s necessary.”

Johnson said “it’s not possible for Leader Thune to guarantee to Chuck Schumer some outcome on that, because we haven’t finished those deliberations. That’s just as simple as it is.”

“When Leader Thune offered a vote on the ACA, on the subsidy, without guaranteeing an outcome, Schumer said, nope, no thanks, we’ll keep it closed,” he added. 

Pushed on whether he would commit to bringing up the tax credits for a vote, Johnson reiterated that he couldn’t guarantee how the process would play out.

“None of us can guarantee an outcome on that. I have said consistently all along, this is part of the deliberative process. We’re going to debate and discuss that,” he said.