This was extremely unexpected.
In a shocking twist that has conservatives across America furious, a group of moderate House Republicans is now backing a bill that would extend key parts of Obamacare—the very program Republicans have fought to repeal for more than a decade.
At the center of this political firestorm is the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credit, a taxpayer-funded subsidy that helps lower-income Americans purchase health insurance. These enhanced credits are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025, which could leave more than 4.1 million Americans without coverage, according to a nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office report.
Why Some Republicans Are Pushing to Keep Obamacare Alive
For years, Republicans campaigned on the promise to repeal and replace Obamacare, a signature achievement of former President Barack Obama. Now, several GOP moderates want to extend these subsidies for one more year, conveniently pushing the battle past the 2026 midterm elections.
Critics are calling this a political stunt, designed to protect vulnerable Republicans in swing districts where Democrats are eager to attack them for “cutting healthcare” before voters head to the polls.
Representative Jen Kiggans (R-VA), who is spearheading the proposal, says she supports a “phase-out” of the program—but warns that ending it abruptly would be too harsh.
“Pandemic is over, we don’t need these same incentives we’ve been giving people. But we can’t do it tomorrow. It can’t be just cold turkey,” Kiggans told Punchbowl News.
Who’s Backing the Plan
Joining Kiggans are several other GOP moderates from competitive districts:
- Juan Ciscomani (AZ)
- Brian Fitzpatrick (PA)
- Carlos Gimenez (FL)
- Young Kim (CA)
- David Valadao (CA)
- Tom Kean Jr. (NJ)
- Rob Bresnahan (PA)
- Jeff Hurd (CO)
Two Democrats—Jared Golden (ME) and Tom Suozzi (NY)—have also signed on, creating a rare bipartisan coalition.
Trump’s Strong Opposition
President Donald J. Trump, who nearly repealed Obamacare during his first term, is deeply opposed to this extension. Conservatives still remember how the effort failed by one vote, thanks to the late Senator John McCain’s infamous thumbs-down vote.
Trump has repeatedly vowed to dismantle Obamacare once and for all, warning Republicans that propping it up now will only make it harder to eliminate in the future.
For many in Trump’s base, this extension feels like a betrayal. Social media lit up with angry reactions as conservatives blasted the move as “siding with Obama over Trump.”
The Stakes Are Sky-High
Some Republican strategists argue that extending the credits temporarily could neutralize Democrat attacks in the upcoming midterms.
Pollsters Tony Fabrizio and Bob Ward explained that Republicans could gain an edge over Democrats in swing districts by temporarily extending the premium tax credit and shifting working-age adults on Medicaid into the individual insurance market.
However, grassroots conservatives warn this could backfire, sending a message that the GOP is abandoning its core principles just to win elections.
Adding fuel to the fire, a Peterson-KFF report revealed that if Congress allows the tax credits to expire, net premium payments and gross premiums will skyrocket, hitting middle-class families hard. This means healthcare costs will once again dominate headlines, just as they did during the early days of Obamacare.
Why This Matters for 2026
Healthcare is shaping up to be one of the top issues in the 2026 midterm elections, especially after Medicaid cuts included in President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
If Republicans are divided on this issue, Democrats will seize the opportunity to paint the GOP as heartless, while simultaneously claiming credit for “saving” healthcare.
This fight isn’t just about insurance subsidies—it’s about who controls the narrative heading into one of the most important midterms in modern history.
What Happens Next
The big question now: Will GOP leadership cave or hold the line?
At this point, it’s unclear whether Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders will back the measure—or whether Trump-aligned conservatives will mount a full-scale rebellion to block it.
One thing is certain: President Trump is watching closely, and the decision could have massive implications for the future of the Republican Party.
Bottom Line
This stunning move by a handful of Republicans is sending shockwaves through Washington. With Obamacare’s survival hanging in the balance, and millions of taxpayer dollars at stake, the coming months will determine whether the GOP remains the party of repeal and reform—or if moderates succeed in keeping Obama’s legacy alive.
