Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Votes Against Spending Bill That Fails To Meet Needs of Americans and Provides Obscene Payments to Republican Senators

Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) voted against the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5371, the Senate's partisan spending bill to fund the government until January that fails to meet the needs of the American people and includes corrupt payments to Senators.

"The federal government shutdown has been painful for families across our community and our country. That is why I have returned to Washington repeatedly to work with my colleagues in the House to reopen the government and pass a funding bill that meets the needs of the American people and addresses the health care crisis that has resulted from policy decisions this Congress has made," said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. "I wish such a bill was before the House today. It could have been. But it was not. Instead, this bill does nothing to address the health care crisis, includes no input from House Democrats on short- or long-term funding provisions, and contains obscene provisions guaranteeing eight Republican Senators at least one million dollars each. I cannot vote for that.

"Congressional Republicans have presented the House and the American people with a false choice. Accept the corruption and costs of this Senate bill as is, or accept the cruelty and chaos that the Trump Administration has brought to this government shutdown, taking unprecedented actions from firing federal workers to refusing to spend food assistance funds Congress provided for hungry Americans," continued Congresswoman Fletcher. "It doesn't have to be this way. I co-sponsored several amendments to the bill, including amendments to remove the million-dollar payouts to Senators, extend ACA premium tax credits, and clarify the requirement to use SNAP contingency funds to in the event of a lapse in government funding. House Republicans rejected all of these amendments and more, refusing even to bring them to the floor for a vote. The have not merely failed in the work to find bipartisan agreement where possible-they have refused even to try. People in Texas' Seventh Congressional District and across this country deserve better."

Since 2021, individuals who purchase health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace-commonly known as Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act-have benefited from government-funded enhanced Premium Tax Credits (PTC). The PTC is set to expire on December 31, 2025, unless Congress acts and passes an extension. If the PTC expires, ACA beneficiaries could see their monthly premiums more than double next year.

In Texas, it is estimated that health care premiums will increase by 289 percent for people who currently rely on the PTC. All health insurance beneficiaries, however-no matter what their insurance is and whether they rely on the PTC-are likely to see their health insurance costs increase.

125,000 people in Texas' Seventh Congressional District depend on the Affordable Care Act's PTC tax credits that this bill fails to renew to access to quality, affordable health care. As a result, Texas' uninsured rate-which is already the highest in the country-is expected to increase from 16 to 20 percent if the tax credits are not renewed before the end of the year.

Earlier today, Congresswoman Fletcher joined her Democratic colleagues in signing what is called a "discharge petition" to force a vote on a bill to extend the PTCs by three years. If the measure receives at least 218 signatures from members of Congress, the House will be forced to vote on such legislation.

Throughout this year, President Trump has illegally canceled funding for federal programs Congress created that communities across the country rely on, including hundreds of millions of dollars in Houston. This bill does nothing to address these actions, or compensate the funding that the Trump Administration has cut. While the power of the purse belongs to Congress, this bill fails to hold President Trump accountable in spending Congressionally appropriated funding.

Congresswoman Fletcher co-sponsored several amendments to improve the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5371. These amendments would have ensured uninterrupted benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), struck the provision providing million-dollar payouts to Republican Senators, terminated President Trump's $40 billion bailout for Argentina and use the funding to extend the Affordable Care Act's tax credits through 2027, and restored funding for the Toxic Exposures Fund. House Republicans rejected the inclusion of each of these provisions.

The bill also fails to reclaim Congress' tariff authority and terminate President Trump's reckless tariff policies harming farmers, ranchers, small business owners, and everyday Americans across the country. Additionally, this legislation fails to support American farmers by cutting USDA programs that conduct regional research on extreme weather, natural disasters, and droughts to help farmers make informed decisions about future harvests. This bill also cuts funding to assist veterans who are victims of burn pits and Agent Orange. For the last 15 years, Congress has provided advance funding for medical care for veterans.