Last night U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)...delivered a speech on the Senate floor urging Congress to extend tax credits that make health insurance more affordable and lower costs across the entire health care system. “The tax credits that help make coverage affordable for those who need it the most, are essential to driving down the cost for everyone,” said Sen. Cantwell. “So if you don't keep the tax credits, we are now going to face skyrocketing health care costs.” ... “So let's do our jobs. Let's quickly act to extend the ACA tax credits. Let's do everything we can to make health insurance more affordable.”
Extend the Affordable Care Act's Enhanced Premium Tax Credits to make health insurance more affordable and lower costs across the health care system.
Occurrences
Evidence
Today, the United States House of Representatives passed a bill to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Enhanced Premium Tax Credits for three additional years. The House passed the bill on a bipartisan vote, 230-196, and it now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell issued the following statement: 'The House did the right thing by voting to renew health care tax credits and enable tens of thousands of Washingtonians to afford health insurance in 2026. I'm already hearing from Washingtonians whose health insurance costs have skyrocketed this year because this crucial tax credit expired.'
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell delivered a speech on the Senate floor urging Congress to extend tax credits that make health insurance more affordable and lower costs across the entire health care system. 'The tax credits that help make coverage affordable for those who need it the most, are essential to driving down the cost for everyone,' said Sen. Cantwell. 'So if you don't keep the tax credits, we are now going to face skyrocketing health care costs.'
The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner announced the 2026 rate increases for Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace enrollees in Washington state. Next year, Washington’s small business owners and people who purchase health insurance on the open market will pay an average of 21% more per month for coverage. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell issued the following statement: 'Many Washingtonians found out today that they will be forced to pay an average of $129 per month or $1,548 per year more next year for the same health care coverage they are already getting. These price spikes are driven largely by Congressional Republicans choosing to not extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits.'
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell rejected Republican attacks on the Affordable Care Act and urged her colleagues to work together to address health care affordability. 'We're days away from a vote, and yet they're still not coming together to show us how they're going to reduce health care costs,' Sen. Cantwell said.
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell delivered a speech on the Senate floor ahead of the 2026 health insurance open enrollment period, warning that millions of Americans could be forced to forego health insurance if Congress doesn't act to extend the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits. 'On Saturday, November 1, millions of Americans are going to go online to sign up for their 2026 Affordable Care Act health insurance plan,' Sen. Cantwell said. 'For about 5 million Americans, including 80,000 in my state, they will probably be forced to say, 'I just can't afford health insurance anymore.''
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell released a snapshot report detailing the drastic increase in how much Americans who purchase health insurance on the open market will pay next year due to Congressional Republicans’ failure to extend the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The report finds that the health insurance companies with the largest market share in 29 states will charge at least 20% more per month for care.
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell released a new data analysis showing a county-by-county breakdown of where Washingtonians will be hit hardest if Republicans continue refusing to negotiate an extension of the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit. According to the data, there are seven counties where the average health insurance premium is set to more than double next year assuming the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit is allowed to lapse.
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell criticized the lack of a comprehensive health care plan as the ACA open enrollment window closed and the Senate majority blocked efforts to address rising costs. 'Mr. President, it is time we address inflation on a daily basis here. It is time we really think about what we can do to help the U.S. economy, help Americans keep pace and help Americans restore the health care that they deserve to have.'
Assessments
Senator Cantwell actively advocated for extending the ACA's Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, repeatedly delivered speeches, published analyses, urged Congress to act, and highlighted the consequences of inaction. Despite clear and persistent legislative and public advocacy, the extension was not achieved, premiums increased, and credits lapsed. Therefore, while significant effort was made, the promise was not delivered.
Senator Maria Cantwell actively and repeatedly called for the extension of the Affordable Care Act's Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, highlighted the consequences of inaction, released data analyses and reports, delivered public speeches, and urged both bipartisan and urgent action. However, the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits expired, leading to significant health insurance premium hikes in Washington and across the country, as documented in multiple press statements and analysis reports. Despite clear and sustained effort, the intended policy outcome was not delivered due to Congressional inaction, not the senator's lack of initiative or advocacy.
Senator Cantwell repeatedly advocated for, introduced data on, and called for immediate legislative action to extend the ACA's Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, demonstrating consistent and serious effort. However, the available evidence shows the credits expired, significant premium increases occurred, and no extension was enacted during the relevant timeframe, with Cantwell attributing the failure to Congressional opposition. Therefore, the promise was not delivered but earnest effort was made.