Sahil Kapur
@sahilkapur.bsky.social
NBC News Senior National Political Reporter covering Capitol Hill and elections 🏛️🗳️
Part-time Formula 1 correspondent 🏁🏎️
https://linktr.ee/sahilkapur
Part-time Formula 1 correspondent 🏁🏎️
https://linktr.ee/sahilkapur
Why Mike Johnson's demand to "pay for" ACA funding didn't land: These Republicans all voted for OBBBA, which slapped a $0 price tag on a $3.4 trillion tax cut. Under that same "current policy baseline" the ~$35 billion/yr in ACA funding could be extended—permanently even—on a $0 sticker price.
December 17, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Why Mike Johnson's demand to "pay for" ACA funding didn't land: These Republicans all voted for OBBBA, which slapped a $0 price tag on a $3.4 trillion tax cut. Under that same "current policy baseline" the ~$35 billion/yr in ACA funding could be extended—permanently even—on a $0 sticker price.
This is a validation of the Jeffries strategy to hold firm on clean 3-year ACA funding while Republicans fought amongst themselves. Rather than endorse a compromise plan he calculated that vulnerable Rs would see this as the only game in town and buckle.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
Centrist Republicans revolt, signing a petition to force a vote on Obamacare funding
The enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies are still expected to expire at the end of this year, however, raising insurance premiums for millions of Americans.
www.nbcnews.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:04 PM
This is a validation of the Jeffries strategy to hold firm on clean 3-year ACA funding while Republicans fought amongst themselves. Rather than endorse a compromise plan he calculated that vulnerable Rs would see this as the only game in town and buckle.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
ACA is a 90/10 problem for GOP. ~90% of the party wants the enhanced funds to expire (or at least won't put their name on an extension). And ~10% wants them to continue in some form. This 10% largely represents the swing districts/states that make or break majorities. www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
Centrist Republicans revolt, signing a petition to force a vote on Obamacare funding
The enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies are still expected to expire at the end of this year, however, raising insurance premiums for millions of Americans.
www.nbcnews.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:46 PM
ACA is a 90/10 problem for GOP. ~90% of the party wants the enhanced funds to expire (or at least won't put their name on an extension). And ~10% wants them to continue in some form. This 10% largely represents the swing districts/states that make or break majorities. www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
NEXT STEPS: ACA 3-year funding bill must be brought up within 7 legislative days. House is set to leave at the end of this week, so that won't hit until Jan 2026 (unless Johnson seeks to expedite a vote). Then it goes to the Senate which... just rejected this bill. www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
Centrist Republicans revolt, signing a petition to force a vote on Obamacare funding
The enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies are still expected to expire at the end of this year, however, raising insurance premiums for millions of Americans.
www.nbcnews.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:45 PM
NEXT STEPS: ACA 3-year funding bill must be brought up within 7 legislative days. House is set to leave at the end of this week, so that won't hit until Jan 2026 (unless Johnson seeks to expedite a vote). Then it goes to the Senate which... just rejected this bill. www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
PS: This is literally what Jim Jordan last week warned would happen if Republican leadership failed to placate their ACA pro-extension faction.
Inside the House GOP meeting, Jim Jordan (!) stood up and said Republicans need to pair an ACA subsidy extension with reforms. He warned that if they don't, centrist Rs and Ds will pass ACA by discharge petition with no conservative reforms. Per source with knowledge. www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
'We need to come up with something': House Republicans struggle to agree on a health care plan
The House will vote on a health care plan before the end of the year. But a growing number of Republicans worry their party will pay the price for rising insurance premiums.
www.nbcnews.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:44 PM
PS: This is literally what Jim Jordan last week warned would happen if Republican leadership failed to placate their ACA pro-extension faction.
GOP Rep. Ryan Mackenzie signs the Democratic discharge petition for a 3-year ACA funding extension.
He's #218.
This now has enough to end-run Republican leadership and get a House vote.
He's #218.
This now has enough to end-run Republican leadership and get a House vote.
December 17, 2025 at 3:06 PM
GOP Rep. Ryan Mackenzie signs the Democratic discharge petition for a 3-year ACA funding extension.
He's #218.
This now has enough to end-run Republican leadership and get a House vote.
He's #218.
This now has enough to end-run Republican leadership and get a House vote.
And GOP Rep. Rob Bresnahan has signed the Democratic discharge petition for a 3-year ACA funding extension.
He's the third Republican to sign it.
One more and it gets to 218.
He's the third Republican to sign it.
One more and it gets to 218.
December 17, 2025 at 3:03 PM
And GOP Rep. Rob Bresnahan has signed the Democratic discharge petition for a 3-year ACA funding extension.
He's the third Republican to sign it.
One more and it gets to 218.
He's the third Republican to sign it.
One more and it gets to 218.
GOP Rep. Mike Lawler has signed the Democratic discharge petition for a 3-year ACA funding extension.
He's the second Republican to do so.
Two more and it gets to 218.
Dam is breaking...
He's the second Republican to do so.
Two more and it gets to 218.
Dam is breaking...
December 17, 2025 at 2:55 PM
GOP Rep. Mike Lawler has signed the Democratic discharge petition for a 3-year ACA funding extension.
He's the second Republican to do so.
Two more and it gets to 218.
Dam is breaking...
He's the second Republican to do so.
Two more and it gets to 218.
Dam is breaking...
One reason ACA funding talks collapsed: House GOP leaders insisted they be offset with health care spending cuts. That's a tall order—and didn't sit well with pro-extension Republicans, who know leaders often waive pay-for rules when they like the policy. www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
House Republican leaders ditch vote on ACA funding, all but ensuring premiums will rise
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Republicans worked on the issue throughout the weekend but could not come to an agreement with a group of members who want the funds extended.
www.nbcnews.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:37 PM
One reason ACA funding talks collapsed: House GOP leaders insisted they be offset with health care spending cuts. That's a tall order—and didn't sit well with pro-extension Republicans, who know leaders often waive pay-for rules when they like the policy. www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
Andy Harris was re-elected last night to be House Freedom Caucus chairman through 2026, he says in a statement.
December 16, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Andy Harris was re-elected last night to be House Freedom Caucus chairman through 2026, he says in a statement.