Amid all the chaos Trump has created with his tariffs, the war in Iran, and the declining economy, the topic of Obamacare subsidies has slipped to the bottom of the conversation list in 2026, but the fight is far from over, and Democrats have not forgotten the twenty million Americans who are paying higher premiums or have lost coverage.
PoliticusUSA is 100% independent news. Support us by becoming a subscriber.
Politico reported:
Democrats are also eager to bring the debate back to Congress on the question of how much taxes the wealthy pay, particularly in the wake of Republicans’ 2025 tax cuts.
…
Democrats also hope to pass legislation, although reaching a deal with Trump won’t be easy. But lawmakers will likely need to raise the federal debt ceiling next year, which could give them leverage to pressure the administration.
Topping the list: expanding Obamacare health insurance subsidies, an issue lawmakers have been fighting over for months; restoring tax provisions on wind, solar and other renewable energy that Republicans targeted last year in their “big, beautiful bill”; and a hodgepodge of temporary tax provisions that have expired, like the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.
One advantage Democrats have given themselves is that by not agreeing to long-term funding deals, they will have great influence over Trump in the final two years of his term if they win back Congress.
Trump is obsessed with his legacy, which is why he keeps trying to remodel the White House, put his name on everything, and put a bunch of eyesores in the Capitol. Democrats have the ability to derail all of this and cause defaults, shutdowns, and even more failures of the Trump legacy government.
It is essential that Democrats keep their promises. The reason so many of their supporters are disappointed is that the party has developed a habit of seizing power and failing to deliver on its promises.
Whether it’s voting rights or Obamacare subsidies, action must follow words.
If Democrats want to win back the White House, they need to start by building trust if they win power in the midterm elections, and part of that building trust involves restoring the Obamacare subsidies.