Republicans have become increasingly worried about voter backlash as time begins to run out for the party to come together on a thorny issue: health care.
The Senate is slated to vote this week on extended healthcare subsidies for three years under a Democrat-backed plan, but Republicans have struggled to come up with an alternative proposal, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The bill isn't expected to pass in the Senate, and it's left Republicans with a "political vulnerability" and risky position ahead of the midterm elections in 2026.
“America is ready to see what Republicans are for,” said Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS), who has a plan to introduce "The Marshall Plan Act."
“If we don’t have a good economy next November and we don’t have the American dream start to be restored, we’re going to lose,” Marshall, who is a physician, said.
Republicans have long campaigned on repealing the Affordable Care Act. And following Republicans' underperformance at the polls in November, it could put them at a further disadvantage to not have a path forward on health care, as Americans could see their premiums rise.
It could also further fire up Democrats ahead of 2026 and put some seats at risk of flipping.
“The Democrat strategists have got to be thinking about all the sympathetic stories that they’re going to march out, beginning in the first quarter of next year, if we don’t get it done,” said retiring Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), who pointed to his own seat and vacancy.
Another retiring GOP lawmaker, Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), said "it's political malpractice" if Republicans can't agree on how to navigate a cohesive health care policy.