11/20/2025
FACT CHECK: ROB BRESNAHAN’S CLAIM ON MIKE JOHNSON AGREEING TO ACA SUBSIDIES VOTE IS FALSE
While speaking about extending the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credit subsidies, U.S. Rep Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) falsely claimed House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) would allow a vote to extend them.
When eight Democrats in the U.S. Senate broke with their party to end the government shutdown, they did so on the word that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) would hold a vote on extending the subsidies, which many Republicans have openly stated they would not do.
Even if the vote is held, and it passes through the 60-vote threshold in the Senate, the bill would then have to be approved in the U.S. House of Representatives and signed by President Donald Trump. These outcomes are extremely unlikely, which has partially contributed to the backlash received by the eight Democrats for surrendering their leverage during the shutdown for essentially nothing in return.
During an interview with Fox 56 News reporter Ben Freeman, Bresnahan pushed back on Freeman’s statement that Johnson has already said he would not commit to holding a hypothetical vote in the House on extending the subsidies.
“Well, Ben, I have to disagree with the premise of that question, that was not what Speaker Johnson had said,” Bresnahan answered. “He was not going to promise an outcome of that actual vote.”
On multiple occasions, Johnson has refused to commit to holding the vote, which is contrary to Bresnahan’s claim. While speaking to CNN’s Jake Tapper last Monday, Johnson directly said he would not commit to holding the vote in the House.
“I can’t commit to anything that hasn’t even passed through the Senate yet,” Johnson said.
Johnson has also rejected the idea of congressional leaders negotiating a compromise on extending the subsidies, making them likely to expire at the end of the year and significantly increase health insurance premiums for millions of Americans.
Bresnahan’s office did not respond to an email request to comment on his claim.
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Eli Cousin gave the following statement on Bresnahan’s interview.
“Rob Bresnahan just got caught in his latest lie,” Cousin said. “First, he campaigned on a promise to ban congressional stock trading but has instead made more than 600 trades since taking office. Then he swore he’d protect Medicaid, but voted to gut it anyway. Now he is lying to cover up for his party bosses who don't give a damn about skyrocketing health care costs for Northeastern Pennsylvanians.”
Bresnahan was first elected to the House in 2024, and he represents Pennsylvania’s competitive 8th Congressional District.
(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
