Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026
Floor Speech
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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chair, I thank Ranking Member DeLauro and Chairman Cole for their hard work.
I rise in support of this Consolidated Appropriations Act. As Republicans continue to slash healthcare, drive up healthcare costs for millions of Americans, and double down on their big, ugly bill that cuts a trillion dollars from our healthcare system, Democrats are fighting to lower healthcare and prescription drug prices for everyday Americans.
Today, we are finally considering priorities Democrats fought for, including authorization of policies and increased funding for important programs. Community health centers, hospitals that care for underserved communities, and teaching health centers will all benefit from these Democratic initiatives in the bill.
The healthcare package includes increased funding for the World Trade Center Health Program, which will ensure our first responders and survivors get the care and treatments we as a Nation promised them.
Democrats also fought to lower prescription drug prices by cracking down on unfair practices by pharmacy benefit managers, as well as guaranteeing access to no-cost generic medications for low-income seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare.
This healthcare package had bipartisan support and was included in an omnibus appropriation bill last year or a year ago and was suddenly yanked by Republicans because of a tweet by Elon Musk when he was in the President's graces. I am glad to see it will finally pass as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act today.
Unfortunately, Mr. Chair, Republican leaders refused to include the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits in this bill, which passed the House overwhelmingly earlier this month. I urge our Senate Republican colleagues to stop stalling and extend the ACA subsidies immediately to lower healthcare costs for millions of Americans who are bearing the brunt of the Republican healthcare crisis.
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