[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 17, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H4372-H4373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HEALTHCARE SUBSIDIES AND RESCISSIONS

  (Mr. Olszewski of Maryland was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, today marks 257 consecutive days that 
this Congress has failed to take meaningful action to address the cost-
of-living crisis weighing heavily on struggling American families.
  Regrettably, the President and Republican leadership have made life 
more difficult and less affordable for hardworking families across our 
Nation through chaotic trade policies and devastating cuts to 
healthcare and food programs.

                              {time}  1050

  The pending expiration of health insurance subsidies at the close of 
this year, in particular, threatens to impose a severe and unwarranted 
tax hike on the middle class.
  Allowing these subsidies to lapse will cause out-of-pocket premiums 
for enrolled Americans to soar by an astounding 93 percent.
  This drastic reduction in subsidies will also compel many healthy 
individuals to forgo insurance altogether, leaving a sicker population 
behind and forcing insurers to raise premiums

[[Page H4373]]

across the board. As a result, even families who do not receive these 
subsidies will see their premiums increase by 18 percent.
  This single policy shift would strip health coverage from more than 5 
million Americans, adding to the 10 million projected to lose insurance 
due to President Trump's Medicaid cuts.
  Those fortunate enough to retain their insurance will face a 
staggering cost increase. A family of four earning just $90,000 
annually could see their premiums escalate by as much as 69 percent. 
That is an increase of over $3,000 per year, and that is crushing for a 
working family.
  The expiration of these subsidies will also inflict substantial harm 
on entrepreneurs and small business owners. These are people who 
comprise roughly 30 percent of marketplace enrollees.
  I am deeply concerned about the chilling effect this premium hike 
will have on business creation and job growth, both of which are 
already under significant strain in Trump's economy.
  Democrats stand ready to work collaboratively with our Republican 
colleagues to fund the government in a bipartisan spirit. We are eager 
to negotiate in good faith on a responsible budget that delivers for 
all Americans.
  Extending these vital tax subsidies is but one of many critical items 
on the table.
  Let me be unequivocal on one other issue. No budget proposal that 
permits additional rescissions is worthy of any serious consideration. 
Any long-term budget should be shielded against further rescissions 
because we have already seen this administration's willingness to 
rescind funds approved in a bipartisan fashion by Congress, canceling 
support for foreign aid and public broadcasting programs that enjoy 
broad bipartisan backing.
  The administration has also announced plans to exploit a little-known 
mechanism known as a pocket rescission to unilaterally cancel even more 
foreign aid.
  Of deep concern to myself and Marylanders, President Trump has 
threatened to rescind funding that is vital to the reconstruction of 
the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, a project critical not only 
to our local economy but to the Nation as a whole.
  I urge my colleagues to insist that any budget we pass categorically 
reject any further illegal impoundments.
  The power of the purse rests solely with Congress. If the President 
seeks to cut funding, he must do so through proper channels: by coming 
to Congress and requesting a lawful change.
  Let's be sure to remember that in the days ahead.

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