Bresnahan and several Pennsylvania Republicans break with Trump on ACA subsidy vote

WASHINGTON DC, (WOLF) - Several Pennsylvania Republicans split with President Donald Trump and GOP leadership this week by joining Democrats to force a vote aimed at preserving Affordable Care Act insurance subsidies, according to the Associated Press. The procedural maneuver followed months of gridlock as lawmakers debated how to prevent major increases in health-care costs set to hit consumers in January.

Rep. Rob Bresnahan of Northeastern Pennsylvania was among those who broke ranks, saying the move became necessary after bipartisan negotiations failed to produce an agreement.

"Despite our months-long call for action, leadership on both sides of the aisle failed to work together to advance any bipartisan compromise, leaving this as the only way to protect the 28,000 people in my district from higher costs," Bresnahan said. "Families in NEPA cannot afford to have the rug pulled out from under them. Doing nothing was not an option I urge my colleagues to set politics aside, put people first, and come together around a bipartisan deal."

Four Republicans - Pennsylvania's Brian Fitzpatrick, Bresnahan, and Ryan Mackenzie, along with New York Rep. Mike Lawler - added their names, giving supporters the final votes needed to advance the measure.

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