U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-01) added his name to the list of co-sponsors of the ACA tax credit extension bill – four months after avoiding the opportunity to vote on a similar amendment.
With a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers Fitzpatrick and Representative Tom Suozzi (DN.Y.) presented the bill aimed at preventing millions of Americans from losing their health insurance if fleeting federal subsidies expire at the end of the year.
According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the expiration of current subsidies originally established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). could result in more than four million Americans losing coverage.
“We don’t need a permanent pandemic policy, but we do need a responsible way out of the situation,” Fitzpatrick said. “Letting these subsidies expire without a plan would put health care out of reach for millions of families in my community and across the country. This bipartisan, targeted expansion will prevent disruption, protect access, and give Congress the time it needs to enact real, lasting reform. I have fought to make health care more affordable and accountable for the people I serve — and this is an essential step to keeping care within the reach of those who need it most.”
But the Bucks County Republican had an opportunity to do the same in the spring when Nevada Democrats Representative Steven Horsford proposed an amendment regarding President Donald Trump One massive handsome bill that will make tax breaks indefinite.
Fitzpatrick is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, the oldest tax-preparation body of the U.S. House of Representatives. During the markup session on the One Big Beautiful Bill, the committee he voted down the amendment with all “no” votes cast by 25 of 26 members of the Republican Party, including other members of Pennsylvania Representatives Lloyd Smucker (R-11) i Mike Kelly (R-16).
For a still unknown reason, Fitzpatrick was not present for this particular vote, after having voted earlier in the day. (1:33:40 of the video below).
When asked for comment on his absence, Fitzpatrick did not respond.
“Brian Fitzpatrick had the opportunity to vote to extend the ACA tax credits that lower health care costs, but instead he literally ran away,” said a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). I mean, cousin. “Fitzpatrick abandoned his constituents and now their monthly health care premiums could increase by 300%. The families of Bucks and Montgomery counties deserve better than a congressman who won’t even bother to show up.”
Fitzpatrick and Suozzi’s legislation would extend the subsidies for one year, pushing the issue beyond the midterms in 2026. The current slate of GOP co-sponsors is made up of some of the most vulnerable officials this election cycle: along with lead sponsor Jen Kiggan from Virginia, they are Fitzpatrick and Representative Rob Bresnahan from Pennsylvania, Young Kim AND David Valadao California,Jeff Hurd from Colorado, Carlos Gimenez from Florida, Tom Kean from New Jersey, Juan Ciscomani from Arizona and Mike Lawler New York.
CBO also projected that without a indefinite extension of tax credits, benchmark gross insurance premiums would augment 4.3% in 2026, 7.7% in 2027, and an average of 7.9% from 2026 to 2034.
