Democrats to push for Senate vote on 3-year extension of funds for Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., announced Thursday that Democrats plan to push for a vote next week on legislation aimed at extending expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits and keeping health insurance premiums from rising sharply for millions of Americans.

Schumer described the proposal as a clean three-year continuation of the enhanced ACA subsidies first enacted in 2021, which are designed to limit premiums for an average marketplace plan to 8.5% of a persons income. He emphasized that the bill will have unanimous Democratic support.

However, the measure faces significant opposition from Republicans, many of whom want the ACA funds to expire, arguing that the pandemic-era subsidies were temporary and are no longer necessary.

Republicans have one week to decide where they stand: support this bill and lower healthcare costs, or block it and let premiums soar, Schumer said on the Senate floor. This vote next week will be one of the most critical we take.

The vote stems from a commitment Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., made to Democrats during talks to end last months record-long government shutdown. Thune confirmed Tuesday that the Senate will vote on any Democratic proposal, but it would need 60 votes to pass, requiring at least 13 Republican supporters.

While some Republicans have expressed openness to extending ACA funding with modifications and tighter limits, negotiations have stalled. Proposals tying stricter abortion restrictions to the ACA funds have been rejected by Democrats as unacceptable.

The outcome carries major political consequences, as costs for ACA marketplace users could rise sharply. Democrats view the vote as a potential leverage point in their 2026 election campaigns if no resolution is reached.

On the floor, Schumer framed the bill as the only path to preventing steep increases in insurance premiums next month. Americans are watching what Republicans do, and time is running out before January 1, he said. This is the last opportunity for Republicans to stop premiums from skyrocketing.

Thune, while not mentioning healthcare in his Thursday floor remarks, told reporters two days earlier that the party is still considering options. Republicans have proposed various approaches to extend, redirect, or end ACA funding, but no internal agreement has been reached. Conversations continue, Thune said. At this point, there isnt a clear path forward.

Author: Connor Blake