Texas Republicans in Congress at odds over health care

Monday, December 22, 2025 -Texas Republicans in Congress are locked in a high-stakes standoff over health care policy that could directly affect millions of Texans as enhanced Affordable Care Act premium subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year. 

The House recently passed a GOP-led health care package focused on cost reduction and market flexibility, but it notably excludes an extension of those subsidies. That omission has exposed sharp divisions within the Texas Republican delegation, especially as rising insurance costs remain a top concern for voters.

The disagreement is not just ideological — it’s practical and political. Most Texas Republicans backed the bill despite warnings that allowing subsidies to expire could cause premiums to spike and leave many Texans without coverage. 

At the same time, a small but notable group of GOP lawmakers from competitive districts has signaled support for a temporary extension, arguing that abrupt cost increases would hurt families and small businesses. Leadership, however, has yet to advance a bipartisan compromise, leaving the issue unresolved.

The urgency is growing as the deadline approaches. If Congress fails to act before year’s end, higher premiums could hit consumers early next year, intensifying pressure on lawmakers and reshaping the health care debate heading into the next election cycle. 

For Texas Republicans, the internal split highlights a broader challenge: balancing party priorities with the immediate economic realities facing constituents — and doing so under a rapidly closing clock.