Pennsylvania Representative Brian Fitzpatrick he carves out a lane where he argues with GOP leaders.
The Bucks County Republican told CNN Manu Raju during an appearance on “Inside Politics Sunday,” he said his party members must extend expiring health care subsidies as the midterm elections approach.
“If you don’t have a better plan, use ours,” Fitzpatrick said. “But doing nothing is not an option.”
Fitzpatrick, who won the district, had PA-01 by 12 points Kamala Harris in 2024 offers legislative proposals to extend subsidies under the Enhanced Affordable Care Act, which will expire at the end of the year. That puts him at odds with most Republicans in the chamber.
“Affordability is a major crisis in this country right now,” he said, explaining that for low- and moderate-income earners, “significant increases in premiums are not an option.”
In 2017, he voted against the Republican Party’s push to repeal the Affordable Care Act because he felt replacing it was “insufficient.” Eight years later, Fitzpatrick says Republicans “still haven’t been able to put together a clear plan that works for everyday Americans.”
In the interview, Fitzpatrick also showed that he does not agree with the leaders of his party because he wants to find a compromise on health care, defend Ukraine, and not rubber-stamp the most crucial parts of the policy. President Donald Trump agenda.
The five-term congressman doesn’t think Republicans are focusing enough on affordability and cost of living issues.
“Any bill we bring to the floor should focus on lowering the cost of living for those who need it most,” he said, criticizing recent legislative efforts to condemn socialism and regulate pay for college athletes.
“Why are we focusing on this? This is not what our voters care about,” Fitzpatrick continued.
He suggested it announcer Mike Johnson (R-La.) may not want the speaker’s gavel in the next Congress if the House remains under GOP control.
“I’m not sure Mike wants this job in the next Congress, but that’s a question for him.”
Fitzpatrick and Johnson entered Congress as classmates in 2017, with Fitzpatrick recalling his colleague “leading the bipartisan charge for civility.”
“I personally like him. Do I agree with every decision he makes? Absolutely not. I never agree with every decision of every speaker,” he said.
Fitzpatrick faces a challenge from Bucks County’s Democratic commissioner Bob Harvie in a district considered one of the purplest in the Keystone State.
“I’m a pretty independent-minded person,” he said, emphasizing his willingness to break with his party on major issues, such as Republican leaders’ push to adopt Trump’s sweeping domestic policy agenda before the president’s July 4 deadline.
“I received a lot of emotion about this, both at home and in the White House and from some of my colleagues, but I politely reminded them that I am not answerable to any person or party in Washington. My bosses are at home,” he said.
As for whether these cuts could cost Republicans their majority, Fitzpatrick said “everyone will be responsible for their votes,” noting the more popular tax cuts that came with tighter access to Medicaid and other government programs.
“You have to have a strong backbone and thick skin, and the easiest way to survive in times like these is to never lose focus on who your bosses are,” he said.
