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WASHINGTON — The Republican-controlled House of Representatives on Wednesday blocked quick consideration of a Democratic bill to extend an Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidy in a procedural move that could close the door to any such legislation being enacted before the subsidies expire on Dec. 31.
By a vote of 204-203, the House voted to put a stop to the last-minute move by Democrats, aided by four Republicans, to force quick votes on a three-year extension of the ACA subsidy. Democrats loudly protested, accusing Republican leadership of gaveling an end to the vote prematurely, while some members were still trying to vote.
"That's outrageous," Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts yelled at Republican leadership.
With a narrow 220-213 majority, House Speaker Mike Johnson has had a challenging time keeping his caucus in line, and has repeatedly seen members use the maneuver Democrats were attempting, known as a "discharge petition" to try to bypass him.
It is unusual for House leadership to close a vote early, but on occasion, the maneuver has been used to ensure that its legislative plans are not stymied.
Tensions are high over the expiring ACA subsidies, which were the cause of the record-breaking government shutdown earlier this fall.
After Wednesday's vote, Republican leadership corralled the members on the House floor into an animated conversation with finger-pointing and large gestures. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise was leaning over Rep. Mike Lawler from New York. Johnson tugged on the coat sleeve of Rep. Kevin Kiley, a California Republican who joined the Democrats' bill, to get answers from him.
Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, of Connecticut, said Democrats were trying to vote before the vote was closed.
"Listen, it's playing games when people's lives are at stake," DeLauro said, "They jettisoned it."
