Congressman Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey’s 7th District, along with 12 other Republican lawmakers, has called on House Speaker Mike Johnson to address the expiration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits after the government reopens.
In a letter sent to Speaker Johnson, the group stated, “We […] 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.”
The lawmakers emphasized their concern about rising healthcare costs and potential premium increases for Americans if enhanced ACA tax credits expire. “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 [ACA] premium tax credits,” they wrote. “Millions of Americans are facing drastic premium increases due to short-sighted Democratic policymaking.”
They added, “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.”
Kean is an original cosponsor of H.R.5145, known as the Bipartisan Premium Tax Credit Extension Act. This legislation aims to extend ACA premium tax credits in order to help New Jersey families and small businesses avoid large increases in healthcare premiums.
The letter was led by Representatives Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02) and Jennifer Kiggans (VA-02), with co-signers including Rob Bresnahan Jr. (PA-08), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Monica De La Cruz (TX-15), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Carlos Gimenez (FL-28), Jeff Hurd (CO-03), Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-07), Young Kim (CA-40), Michael Lawler (NY-17), Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07), and David Valadao (CA-22).
Thomas Kean Jr., currently serving in Congress since 2023 representing New Jersey’s 7th district, previously served in both chambers of New Jersey’s state legislature and holds a degree from Dartmouth College.
