In a move to avert the political fallout from allowing tax credits to lapse, four Republican lawmakers joined forces with Democrats to back a discharge petition aimed at bringing a three-year extension to a vote. The Democratic proposal does not incorporate the reforms advocated by Republicans, but some moderate members view sustaining the current system as preferable to letting the credits expire, which would result in soaring premiums for their voters.

Here are the four Republicans who endorsed the discharge petition:

• Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania
• Mike Lawler of New York
• Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania
• Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania

“While the system isn’t perfect and could benefit from reforms and income limits, allowing these credits to expire would be far more detrimental,” stated Fitzpatrick on Tuesday evening. He had been advocating for an amendment to extend the subsidies with some reforms but was unsuccessful in securing a vote.

Lawler described last week’s unsuccessful Senate vote on the Democrats’ three-year extension as merely a “messaging exercise.” Nonetheless, he chose to support the petition.

“If we acknowledge the necessity of extending these credits and recognize that their expiration would lead to increased premiums, then a bipartisan effort is essential,” Lawler remarked to the House Rules Committee on Tuesday night.

On Wednesday, Lawler said his signature was not an endorsement of Democrats’ bill, “but when leadership blocks action entirely, Congress has a responsibility to act.” 

Bresnahan said Democrats’ discharge petition was the “only way to protect the 28,000 people in my district from higher costs.” 

“Doing nothing was not an option, and although this is not a bill I ever intended to support, it is the only option remaining,” he wrote.