Speaker Mike Johnson sought to play down fiery criticism of his leadership from GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in comments to reporters Tuesday, after she accused top Republicans of having no plan to address the pending expiration of federal health insurance subsidies.
“Not a single Republican in leadership talked to us about this or has given us a plan to help Americans deal with their health insurance premiums DOUBLING!!!” Greene wrote on X Monday night
Johnson responded Tuesday by saying Greene simply wasn’t in the loop as other Republicans discuss a path forward on the Affordable Care Act tax credits, whose Dec. 31 expiration will cause price spikes on insurance plans made available for purchase on federal exchanges in just over three weeks.
“Congresswoman Greene does not serve on the committees of jurisdiction to deal with those specialized issues, and she’s probably not read that in on some of that, because it’s still been sort of in their silos of the people who specialize in those issues,” Johnson said in the Capitol.
He added that House Republicans would discuss the matter further when they return to Washington. Johnson kept the chamber out of session this week to pressure Senate Democrats to end the government shutdown.
Greene’s lengthy post Monday night faulting Johnson & Co. for not having a plan to address the potential spike in health insurance premiums is among the most profound cracks in GOP unity to develop so far in the week-old shutdown.
She added to her comments Tuesday morning, saying “I think the entire system is messed up” and lamenting a “list of problems that go on and on” with U.S. health care under the ACA.
Democrats are privately viewing Greene’s post with some satisfaction for undercutting the Republican leadership position to keep health care negotiations out of the government shutdown fight. Democratic leaders are pushing for a deal on the expiring subsidies as a condition of reopening government.
“Comrade MTG strikes again,” said one Democratic aide granted anonymity to describe the private conversations.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer quoted from Greene’s Monday post on the Senate floor Tuesday.
“Hold on to your hats: I think this is the first time I’ve said this, but on this issue, Rep. Greene said it perfectly,” he said. “Rep. Greene is absolutely right.”
