In a significant move, the House passed a bill to extend health care subsidies 230-196 with bipartisan support, but its future in the Senate remains uncertain. Seventeen Republicans joined every Democrat in the House to pass the legislation, raising questions about whether it will gain enough GOP support in the Senate. The debate centers around enhanced tax credits that were put in place during COVID-19 but expired last year after no agreement was reached during the government shutdown. On the House floor Thursday, Republicans argued that lawmakers should focus on lowering health insurance costs for the broader population, not just those enrolled in Affordable Care Act plans. The Senate is under no requirement to take up this House bill and has already rejected it once before. Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated that for a plan to find support in his chamber, it would need to have income limits to ensure the financial aid is focused on those who need the help.”In our view, the next step is to do what’s right for the American people, and John Thune needs to bring the bill to the floor next week for an up-or-down vote. The tax credits have already expired,” said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic Minority Leader.A small group of senators from both parties has been working on an alternative plan that could find support in both chambers, with Sen. Bernie Moreno stating they hope to deliver a framework next week.Keep watching for the latest from the Washington News Bureau: