As the government shutdown enters its second week, Democrats have turned to an unexpected ally in Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), hoping to extend the Affordable Care Act’s subsidies to health insurance markets.
On Monday evening, Greene posted to
“Let me say this as kindly as I can: I’m not a fan.” she said “But I’m going to disagree with everyone on this issue because when the tax credit expires this year, my adult child insurance premiums will double in 2026 along with all the great families and hard-working people in our area.”
Former President Joe Biden followed a 2010 law signed by Barack Obama that expanded tax credits for people who buy health insurance in their states through state marketplaces. The grant expires at the end of the year.
Democrats have said they will not vote on a “clean” continuation resolution, a stopgap spending bill to avoid a shutdown that would keep spending at current levels without further amendments, and instead want the resolution to include an extension of Obamacare subsidies.
Greene attacked her party’s leadership.
“Not a single Republican in leadership has told us about this or presented a plan to help Americans double their health insurance premiums!!!” She wrote to
The comments pleasantly surprised Democrats, including her home state senator, Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.).
“You will hear things I never thought I could say: Marjorie Taylor Greene was right,” Warnock said. independence tuesday.
“I’m seeing what she’s seeing. She’s seeing what I’m seeing: People’s health insurance premiums are going up astronomically in the marketplace.”
In response, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) highlighted Greene’s tweet at a press conference on Tuesday.
“Marjorie Taylor Greene recognizes that this fight is about health care for the American people,” Jeffries said. “It’s Republicans who lack leadership in action.”
Some Democratic lawmakers expressed both surprise and delight at Greene’s comments.
Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), who served with Greene in the House of Representatives, said, “If Marjorie Taylor Greene says we need to pass this bill and loses money because of Donald Trump and Mike Johnson, you’re a fool.” independence.
Greene’s comments come after a week of government shutdowns. Democrats have continued to dig in and oppose Republican attempts to pass a clean resolution despite multiple attempts to reopen the government.
But despite her unwavering devotion to Trump, Greene is increasingly challenging her own party’s leadership. Earlier this year, she criticized President Trump’s decision to launch military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
When Congress returned from recess last September, she joined a petition to dismiss Reps. Thomas Massey (R-Ky.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) to release files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This comes despite House Speaker Mike Johnson opposing the effort.
Moreover, Greene broke with many in her party in criticizing Israel’s war in Gaza and went further than many Democrats in accusing Israel of committing “genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza.
Greene also criticized the fact that the “one big, beautiful bill” Trump signed initially included a moratorium on states regulating artificial intelligence. Although that clause will be removed at a later date.
Despite her fundraising prowess and status as a Trump loyalist, Greene’s career has stalled. She gave up her bid for governor of Georgia and is running to challenge another Democratic senator, Jon Osoff, who is up for re-election next year.
Last year, she filed a motion to remove Johnson from his position as speaker, but it ultimately failed when Democrats and Republicans blocked the effort.
On Tuesday, Greene doubled down on her criticism.
“Luro. MTG broke the ranks and spoke the truth about the severity of unaffordable health care plaguing Americans,” she said in X. “Start with the same controlled DC reporters asking their Republican colleagues questions about her and writing articles to frame her and isolate her. Go ahead. It always backfires.”
Greene added a laughing emoji to her tweet.
