A handful of renegade Republicans in the US House of Representatives have joined all Democrats to pass a bill that would extend healthcare subsidies for millions of Americans.
Seventeen moderate Republicans defied party leadership to help approve the measure by 230-196. But the legislation could face an uphill battle in the Senate.
House Speaker Mike Johnson had opposed a renewal of the pandemic-era tax credits, arguing they are rife with fraud, but some of his rank-and-file backed Democrats to force a vote.
Insurance premiums through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, have more than doubled for some 20 million Americans since the subsidies expired at the end of last year.
The move could extend the Covid-era subsidies for another three years.
