House Republicans Vote on ACA Tax Credit Bill
This week, a group of 17 House Republicans broke ranks and voted alongside Democrats to support a bill aimed at reinstating the Affordable Care Act tax credit for three years. However, Rep. Jen Quiggans, representing areas that include Virginia Beach and Suffolk, chose not to participate in this vote.
“I’ve supported either a one-year or two-year extension with essential reforms,” he indicated during a phone interview on Friday morning. “I’ve never backed a three-year extension of tax credits from the pandemic without health care reform.”
The vote on Thursday is mostly symbolic since it has already been turned down by the Senate with a tally of 230-196. Yet, a strong pushback from Republican leadership might ignite discussions for a bipartisan agreement aimed at controlling rising health costs, which is a direction Mr. Quiggans would favor.
This tax subsidy was first introduced in 2021 and has been significant in keeping health insurance affordable for those buying through the ACA Marketplaces. It’s set to expire at the end of 2025, and without it, insurance premiums are expected to soar. The expired tax credits were a major point of contention during last fall’s federal government shutdown, yet Senate Democrats insisted on passing the budget without an extension.
Quiggans used to advocate for a one-year extension and a bipartisan idea to widen the tax credit with phase-out limits based on income.
“It shouldn’t happen that at the year’s end, those using Obamacare see their insurance premiums spike dramatically,” she expressed in an interview last month. “There are about 40,000 people in the 2nd District relying on Obamacare, including some nurses I worked with.”
Still, Mr. Quiggans stated that the current proposals were unfeasible.
“I will keep pushing for my bill, the Common Ground 2025 framework, to be voted on or perhaps included in another Senate proposal,” she mentioned. “But a straightforward three-year extension, which benefits insurers without addressing patients’ needs, doesn’t feel right.”
Quiggans maintains that she’s not troubled about the notion that “perfect may be the enemy of good.”
“I evaluate each vote on its own merits, so I’m not concerned,” she clarified. “I think people in this district are aware of the efforts I’ve made over the last six months addressing health care issues. Still, I can’t vote for a bill that was presented yesterday; it simply wasn’t the right choice. I’ve been diligent in advocating for sound policy and meaningful reform, and voting for a clean extension without necessary health care reforms would feel insincere.”
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that the bill approved on Thursday could add roughly $80.6 billion to the national deficit by 2035. It also predicted that more people would gain insurance and that pre-tax premium costs would drop as healthier individuals start purchasing marketplace plans. Following the bill’s passage, it’s anticipated that the number of insured individuals could rise by 100,000 this year, with projections of 3 million in 2027, 4 million in 2028, and 1.1 million in 2029.
Democrats are positioning this health care issue as a focal point for their campaign in the 2026 elections.
“Jen Quiggans has once more placed her political ambitions over the interests of coastal Virginians, voting against making health care more affordable,” stated former Congresswoman Elaine Luria.
Luria is running to reclaim her former seat. She previously held the District 2 position but lost to Quiggans in 2022.
“Thanks to Ms. Quiggans’ failures in leadership, insurance costs for families are climbing, and Hampton Roads can’t afford to continue her political maneuvers,” Luria added.
