Jeffries unveils last-minute ploy to extend Obamacare subsidies through Trump's term

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During a closed-door meeting on Wednesday, Jeffries said Democrats would submit a discharge petition that, if successful, would bring the subsidies to a vote in the chamber over the objection of GOP leadership, giving Democrats a way to continue pursuing their shutdown demands.

"The House Democratic position is going to be the House Democratic position," Jeffries said shortly after leaving the meeting. "We believe that the American people — given the Republican refusal to act and find a bipartisan path forward — should be given the same level of certainty that Republicans have continued to give the wealthy, the well-off and the well-connected."

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The petition, which Jeffries said Democrats would likely submit later on Wednesday, would require 218 votes to succeed. Democrats hold 213 seats — soon to be 214 seats with the addition of Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva.

Even so, Democrats would need the assistance of at least four Republicans to force consideration of the subsidies.

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