Republicans representing California in the House of Representatives — who are already looking at an uphill climb in 2026 midterms — were left standing at the altar on Monday when Donald Trump called off announcing his administration's health care plan.
On Monday, the president was expected to unveil a proposal that would keep parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) operational with some tweaks to eligibility and increased premiums. But the announcement was postponed after some GOP lawmakers balked and the White House was consumed with the dismissal of criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
According to a report from Politico’s California team, GOP lawmakers in the Golden State were dismayed that the health care can was kicked down the road.
Already endangered after voters overwhelmingly approved redistricting in California, where Republicans only hold nine of the 52 seats, Politico reports the GOP lawmakers suffered “whiplash” due to the delay.
According to the report, “Republicans in California were forced back into health care limbo” after the cancellation, and that has them looking at the ticking clock as the midterms loom.
The postponement provided Democrats with an opportunity to pile on the reeling Republicans and focus on two House Republicans, Kevin Kiley and David Valadao, with a statement claiming they, “can pretend they care about keeping health care affordable all they want – but when their party guts Medicaid and threatens ACA tax credits, they fall right in line every time.”
“The White House and vulnerable Republicans have little time to act before the midterms,” the report continued. With subsidies set to expire next month, constituents’ premiums could climb before Election Day. And health care groups aren’t optimistic that a broader restructuring of the signature health care law is possible before then.”
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