Congress leaves town until 2026 with no health care deal, forcing premium hikes

The Republican-led House and Senate adjourned Thursday until the new year with no solution on expiring health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, meaning insurance premiums for about 22 million Americans will rise next month.

WASHINGTON — The Republican-led House and Senate adjourned Thursday until the new year with no solution on expiring health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, meaning insurance premiums for about 22 million Americans will rise next month.

But despite opposition from House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., some lawmakers in both parties hope there’s still a path to act in 2026.

And if that fails, Democrats say they’re determined to wield the issue to impose maximum political pain on Republicans in next year’s midterm elections.

Add NBC News to Google'No alternative': House Republican defends teaming up with Democrats on Obamacare vote20:21“They are absolutely screwing over millions of people, including my constituents, which pisses me off,” said Rep. Pat Ryan, D-N.Y., who represents a competitive district in the Hudson Valley. “It’s just pathetic. The last time there was a major national Republican effort to repeal the ACA, we had an overwhelming wave where they got absolutely wiped out, and I think that’s likely what will happen here again.”

Before the House left town, four swing-district Republicans made a late scramble to revive the issue, successfully teaming up with Democrats on a “discharge petition” to force a vote on a three-year extension of Affordable Care Act funds. That vote is expected in the week of Jan. 5 when the House returns to session.