119th Congress in 2026: Addressing Health Care Costs and ACA Subsidies Extension
The upcoming 119th Congress in 2026 is set to continue addressing the pressing issue of health care costs and ensuring that federal funds do not run out when the agreement that ended the government shutdown expires on January 30. The previous session was marked by turmoil, with the U.S. House facing over 50 days without being in session due to the longest government shutdown in history. Before the holiday break, the House passed a GOP bill aimed at reducing health care costs, but it did not extend Affordable Care Act subsidies beyond 2025, leaving over 20 million Americans grappling with skyrocketing insurance premiums.
In response to the lack of ACA subsidy extension, the House is scheduled to vote on legislation this month to extend the subsidies for three years. A bipartisan effort led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and supported by four Republicans aims to bring the measure to the floor for a vote, bypassing House Speaker Mike Johnson's opposition. Democrats view health care as a winning issue for the upcoming midterm elections and emphasize the importance of affordable and accessible health care for all Americans.
While Democrats did not secure approval for the ACA extension during the shutdown, they have ensured that health care will be a central issue in 2026. With a narrow majority in the House, Republicans face the challenge of addressing rising health care costs to maintain their control. The looming deadline of January 30 for approving nine appropriations bills adds pressure on lawmakers to act swiftly to prevent another government shutdown.
Despite the political challenges, House Speaker Mike Johnson remains confident that Republicans will retain control of the House and continue delivering on their promises. The upcoming year is expected to be marked by a bold legislative agenda, with a focus on addressing health care costs and other key issues. The departure of GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and the use of discharge petitions to advance legislation signal a changing dynamic within the House.
As the House prepares to vote on extending ACA subsidies, the Senate's approval remains uncertain. Lawmakers from both parties are hopeful that the legislation could pave the way for broader health care reforms in a crucial midterm election year. The ongoing efforts to address health care costs underscore the importance of bipartisan cooperation and legislative action to meet the needs of the American people.