Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – 10/21/25… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) joined Reps. Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02) and Jen Kiggans (VA-02), and a coalition of House Republicans in sending a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson to put forward a solution to address the upcoming expiration of the ACA enhanced premium tax credits once the government is opened.

The letter was also signed by Carlos A. Gimenez (FL-28), Monica De La Cruz (TX-15), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), David Valadao (CA-22), Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08), Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07), Young Kim (CA-40), Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Jeff Hurd (CO-03). 

Over a month ago, House Republicans passed a continuing resolution to fund the government until November 21, 2025. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats have continued to block that funding resolution, forcing the government to shut down unnecessarily, halting critical services for Americans. 

The current enhanced premium tax credit expiration is December 31, 2025. This deadline was put in place by Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer, and Nancy Pelosi when Democrats controlled the White House and Congress. 

“Using the shutdown as leverage to force that debate only prolongs the harm and distracts from the immediate task of reopening the government. Once the government is reopened, however, we should immediately turn our focus to the growing crisis of healthcare affordability and the looming expiration of the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits. Millions of Americans are facing drastic premium increases due to short-sighted Democratic policymaking. While we did not create this crisis, we now have both the responsibility and the opportunity to address it,” wrote the lawmakers.

The full letter can be read below or at this link: 

Dear Speaker Johnson,

We write to thank you for your strong leadership during this government shutdown and to underscore the urgent need to pass a short-term continuing resolution so the government can reopen. Every day the shutdown continues to hurt the very people we were elected to serve,  including the men and women of our Armed Forces, the federal law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe, the agents who defend our nation’s borders, and the public servants who provide essential services to veterans, seniors, and families. Keeping the government closed helps no one and undermines the safety and stability of our country.

We also firmly believe that the government funding debate is not the time or place to address healthcare issues. Using the shutdown as leverage to force that debate only prolongs the harm and distracts from the immediate task of reopening the government. 

Once the government is reopened, however, we should immediately turn our focus to the growing crisis of healthcare affordability and the looming expiration of the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits. Millions of Americans are facing drastic premium increases due to short-sighted Democratic policymaking. While we did not create this crisis, we now have both the responsibility and the opportunity to address it. 

Allowing these tax credits to lapse without a clear path forward would risk real harm to those we represent. Nevertheless, we must chart a conservative path that protects working families in our districts across the country who rely on these credits.

Let us be clear: significant reforms are needed to make these credits more fiscally responsible and ensure they are going to the Americans who need them most. Our Conference and President Trump have been clear that we will not take healthcare away from families who depend on it. This is our opportunity to demonstrate that commitment through action.

We stand firmly behind you as you lead our Conference toward ending the government shutdown. Once the government is reopened, we are ready to work with you to advance healthcare solutions that protect families and lower costs.

Full text of the Bipartisan Premium Tax Credit Extension Act can be found HERE.

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Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.