House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) spoke on the House floor criticizing a Democratic proposal to extend COVID-era subsidies for insurance companies. He referred to the plan as a “con job” and said it would reinforce policies in the Affordable Care Act that he claims have made health care unaffordable.
During his remarks, Arrington highlighted bipartisan efforts in previous legislation. He said, “We had a bipartisan provision in there that would lower premiums by 11% per the Congressional Budget Office, the nonpartisan CBO. This is a provision that you all supported. You all know we have to make the Obamacare market work. It doesn't work today. The facts belie that: doubled premiums, doubled deductibles. One out of five claims rejected. Limited choice. It has failed.”
Arrington argued that Republican-backed measures passed by the House were effective at reducing health care costs but did not receive Democratic support. He questioned extending temporary pandemic-era programs, saying, “I'm miffed that you all would talk about affordability in health care and bring to this chamber the idea—the notion—that you take a COVID-era program that you all designed to expire when COVID was over—that every watchdog group has said is loaded with fraud and waste.”
He cited concerns about fraud and waste within these subsidies, stating, “Social Security numbers from tens-of-thousands of dead people siphoning money out of the taxpayer pocket, away from the vulnerable, and enriching insurance companies. Millions of ineligible people. Billions of fraud.”
Arrington called for reforms emphasizing less government intervention and more competition: “We need less mandates, less taxes, less regulations. And we need more freedom, more choice, more competition.” He urged his colleagues not to support extending what he described as failed policies.
The House Budget Committee plays a central role in managing federal expenditures and developing budget resolutions intended to promote fiscal responsibility through oversight and collaboration with entities such as the Congressional Budget Office (official website). The committee’s responsibilities include preparing annual budget guidelines and ensuring government fiscal policy management (official website). Arrington currently serves as chairman of this committee (official website), which operates within Washington, D.C., as part of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Arrington concluded his statement by invoking former President Ronald Reagan: “‘Government is not the solution. Government is the problem,’ and this is a case study for that.” He encouraged members to oppose what he called an extension of unsuccessful policy.
