Top Republican Has Awkward Exchange With CNBC’s Joe Kernan Over GOP’s Health Care Plan

Jennifer Bowers Bahney Dec 5th, 2025, 11:59 am

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R) had an awkward exchange with CNBC’s Joe Kernen Friday over the existence of a Republican plan to overhaul the American health care system.

“So, the Speaker is working on something — are you part of what’s going to happen there or involved with what’s going to happen over the weekend?” Kernen asked. “[ Mike Johnson ] says by the end of maybe next week, there could be a Republican plan that somehow does more than than just deal with these expiring [ACA] subsidies. It’s going to be additional to that. What’s it look like? Is it one bill? Is it a series of bills?”

“That would definitely be a questi

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