Those four Republicans and all House Democrats were joined on Thursday by Republican Reps. Mike Carey (Ohio), Monica de la Cruz (Texas), Andrew Garbarino (New York), Jeff Hurd (Colorado), David Joyce (Ohio), Thomas Kean Jr. (New Jersey), Nick Lalotta (New York), Max Miller (Ohio), Zachary Nunn (Iowa), Maria Elvira Salazar (Florida), and David Valadao. (California), Derek Van Orden (Wisconsin), and Rob Whitman (Virginia).
“Despite Speaker Johnson’s best efforts to block legislation to extend the Affordable Care Act’s tax credits, Democratic leadership forced the vote and it passed!” Announce Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal (Washington). “The Senate must immediately follow our lead to reduce costs for millions of Americans who are seeing their insurance premiums rise.”
Senators also celebrated the development and called for a vote in their GOP-controlled chamber.
“Finally after paying this for a year!” He said Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), noting that 17 House Republicans helped advance the bill. “The Senate should vote on it as quickly as possible to reduce costs for tens of millions of Americans.”
More than 20 million Americans face higher premiums because of expiring subsidies, and some people are abandoning health insurance coverage because of the new rates — which have risen along with rising other costs tied to President Donald Trump’s agenda.
“At a time when millions of Americans are being crushed under the weight of rising health care prices and rising tariffs, this vote to restore health care tax credits is a testament to the thousands of voters across the country who have never let members of Congress get away with it,” said Lior Tal, Our Economy campaign director.
“Now, we will take this fight to the Senate,” Tal continued. “Just as in the House, Senate Republicans have a choice — either stand with your constituents or vote to dramatically raise health care costs. The answer should be clear.”
While Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin similarly welcomed the House’s passage, he also criticized the majority of Republicans in the chamber who opposed the bill, arguing that they “have once again chosen to abandon working families.”
“Millions of ordinary Americans have seen their health care premiums skyrocket, and what are Donald Trump and the Republicans doing to help? Not a damn thing,” Martin said. “They’ve already eliminated Medicaid while doling out massive tax cuts to billionaires — and now they see no problem letting costs rise even higher. House Democrats fought tooth and nail to pass this bill, and now the Senate must come to the table and extend tax breaks — it’s time to stop messing with Americans’ health care.”
as news agency I mentioned:
A small group of senators from both parties is working on an alternative plan that could find support in both chambers and become law. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said that for any plan to gain support in his chamber, it would need income limits to ensure financial aid is focused on those who need help most. He and other Republicans also want to make sure beneficiaries will have to pay at least a nominal amount for their coverage.
Finally, Thune said there will need to be some expansion of health savings accounts, which allow people to save money and withdraw it tax-free as long as the money is spent on qualified medical expenses.
The House is “pressuring the president and Republican congressional leadership to stop poison pills and procedural barriers and expand enhanced tax credits so Americans can afford coverage,” Anthony Wright, executive director of the advocacy group Families USA, said Thursday.
He noted, “Millions of Americans began the new year facing staggering increases in monthly health insurance premiums, and in many cases health care costs doubled overnight.” “This sudden spike, over $1,000 on average, is not just a shock — it is a breaking point. Without action, an estimated 4 million marketplace enrollees are expected to become uninsured, and millions more will become uninsured, paying more and getting less.”
“Today’s vote represents a ray of hope for 22 million Americans desperately trying to hold on to affordable health coverage for themselves and their families,” he said. “Congress should not have needed a recall petition to force a vote on something like this Supported by an overwhelming majority By the public and is absolutely essential to the health and financial security of American families. Every day we delay leads to more harm, so it is essential that the Senate stands with them 77% “From voters who want to see a clean extension passed.”
Wright also stressed, “With open enrollment ending in most states in just six days, families are forced to make impossible choices in real time. Doing nothing is a choice to incur costs and push millions to lose coverage, rack up debt, and go without care. The Senate must now do its job and deliver the relief American families urgently need.”
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) President Lee Saunders also took aim at the Senate on Thursday, saying that “the cost of living crisis is an unsustainable and unsustainable reality for millions of people, and it is getting worse.”
“Fortunately, pro-labor lawmakers in the House voted today to restore the Affordable Care Act’s premium appropriations — a lifeline that helps tens of millions of families afford health care,” he said. “These tax credits also help keep costs low for everyone else on health insurance — and supporting them should be a no-brainer. We call on the Senate to act quickly and restore these tax credits. Working families depend on them.”
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