McClellan Statement on Senate Funding Bill Passing in the House

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement after the House voted to advance a bill passed by the Senate to fund the government without a permanent extension of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits:

“For 43 days, this government shutdown has taken a toll on millions of people who have missed paychecks, struggled with food insecurity with SNAP funding and more — particularly in Virginia. At the same time, millions more face skyrocketing premiums that threaten their ability to get the health care they need next year.

“We could have ended the shutdown by passing 2026 funding bills that meet the needs of the American people and address the health care crisis Republicans created. Instead, the piecemeal package on the floor today kicks the can down the road until January for most federal government agencies and fails to prevent millions of Americans who purchase insurance through the Affordable Care Act from seeing their premiums spike in January. Senate Republicans promised their Democratic colleagues a vote on extending the ACA enhanced premium tax credits at some undetermined point in the future. Speaker Johnson refuses to commit to a similar vote in the House. For these reasons, I voted no.

“This fight is far from over. Every American deserves access to the care they need without worrying about whether they can afford to pay the bill. I will continue fighting alongside my House Democratic colleagues to ensure they can.”