House speaker refuses to commit to key part of Senate shutdown deal

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is refusing to commit to a critical element of the Senate’s bipartisan agreement to end the shutdown and fund the federal government.

Eight members of the Democratic caucus on Sunday voted to advance legislation that included a promise by Senate Republicans to hold a vote on reinstating the Affordable Care Act subsidies. Without the reinstatement, millions of Americans could see their monthly premiums skyrocket, and millions are expected to lose their health insurance.

But when asked if he would hold a vote in the House to uphold the Senate Republicans’ bargain, Johnson refused to commit.

“House Speaker Mike Johnson would not guarantee a vote on Affordable Care Act subsidies, saying the House would need ‘to find a consensus’ on a proposal,” CNN’s Jim Sciutto reported on Monday.

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“We’re going to do in the House what we always do and that is a deliberative process. We’re going to have to find consensus on whatever, whatever the proposal is,” Johnson told CNN’s Manu Raju.

“As you know,” Johnson added, “I do not guarantee the outcome of legislation or dates or deadlines or anything.”

Minutes later, speaking on CNN, Johnson said of any potential vote on Affordable Care Act subsidies, “I’m not committing to it or not committing to it.”