Congressman Cleaver Votes to Extend ACA Tax Credits to Lower Health Care Costs for Missouri Families
The legislation was passed by the House of Representatives with bipartisan support, will now head to the U.S. Senate for consideration
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted in favor of legislation to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits that help lower health care premiums for more than 20 million Americans across the country, including more than 46,000 Missourians in the Fifth Congressional District. Following an intense effort from the Speaker of the House and the vast majority of congressional Republicans to prevent an extension, the enhanced tax credits lapsed on January 1st, immediately driving up costs on millions of Americans. However, House Democrats successfully forced a vote on legislation to revive the credits for three years through the discharge petition process with the support of 4 House Republicans. The legislation passed today by a vote of 230-196.
“For months now, as American families plead for bipartisan solutions that will address the cost-of-living crisis, I have been working with lawmakers to extend ACA tax credits that help more than 46,000 of my constituents afford quality health care,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Thanks to every Democratic lawmaker and a handful of my Republican colleagues, we have successfully passed legislation that would extend this lifeline and provide immediate relief to working-class families across the country. It is my hope that the Senate will put partisanship aside and pass this legislation so that no family is forced to choose between keeping their health care or keeping food on the table.”
According to the House Budget Committee, the failure to extend ACA tax credits will send premiums skyrocketing. For example:
- A 60-year-old couple earning $85,000 a year in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District would see their annual premiums rise by 333%.
- A family of four earning $66,000 a year in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District would see their annual premiums rise by 254%.
- A family of four earning $133,750 a year in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District would see their annual premiums rise by 121%.
The legislation will now go to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.