By WMBD TV
WASHINGTON D.C. (WMBD) — U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood said he’s most likely a no vote on continuing the Affordable Care Act tax credit program Democrats have fought so hard to continue.
“Clearly, we have to do something about the high cost of health care, but carte blanche, renewing the ACA tax credit is not the way to do it,” said the Peoria Republican.
The longest government shutdown in history has centered around the tax credit program. Democrats wanted to continue it, citing major cost hikes to some health insurance premiums if not extended.
Republicans have largely opposed any extension. The squabble led to a 41-day government shutdown that appears to have ended when eight Democrat senators voted with Republicans to reopen the government earlier this week.
In return, Democrats received a promise that the Senate would hold a vote, at some point, on continuing the program.
On the House side, LaHood said he’s not convinced the program is effective.
“These have been basically put in place since COVID, and they have never been scrutinized,” he said. “Like anything in government, we should look at how do we make them more efficient, more effective, more accountable.”
With the Senate already voting to reopen, it’s now the House of Representatives’ turn. That could happen as soon as Wednesday night.
Locally, LaHood is a yes vote. His colleague, Democrat U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, is a no vote.
“For two months, congressional Republicans have failed to bring anyone together to find solutions,” the Moline Democrat said. “All the while, they were yanking money from the pockets of people trying to feed their families, forcing people to work without pay, and firing many more.
“I cannot in good faith support a funding bill that doesn’t make the lives of my neighbors more affordable as they struggle with the high cost of Trump’s tariffs,” he said.
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