Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, voted to pass the bipartisan Breaking the Gridlock Act, legislation that would end the Republican-driven health care price hike by extending Affordable Care Act premium tax credits for three years and helping millions of Americans afford their health coverage.

“Republicans broke our health care system, exploding costs for hardworking families so they could pay for a tax cut that overwhelmingly benefits the wealthiest in our country,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “Today’s bipartisan vote in the House sends a clear message to the GOP-controlled Senate – pass this legislation immediately and save Americans’ health care.”

As of January 1, 2026, Republicans in Washington allowed critical Affordable Care Act premium tax credits to expire, driving up health insurance costs for millions of Americans who purchase coverage on their own. The impact has been immediate and severe, hitting working families, small business owners, and the self-employed with dramatic premium increases they cannot afford. In Massachusetts alone, an estimated 328,000 people were set to see their health care costs rise, including 65,400 individuals at risk of losing coverage altogether.

Despite months of efforts by House Democrats to prevent this crisis before the end of 2025, Republicans in Congress rejected every opportunity to reach a bipartisan agreement to protect Americans’ health care. Instead, they approved the longest government shutdown in history and later advanced supplemental legislation that would have resulted in an additional 100,000 Americans losing their health coverage.

In December, House Democrats filed a discharge petition to extend the ACA premium tax credits for three years. That effort secured the required 218 signatures to bring the Breaking the Gridlock Act to the House floor, leading to today’s vote. Seventeen Republicans joined all House Democrats in passing the legislation, sending the bill to the Senate for further consideration.

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