Speaker Pelosi visits Austin with Rep. Doggett to tout 'Build Back Better' health care expansion

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Speaker of the U.S. House Nancy Pelosi is paying a trip to the Lone Star State on Thursday to tout progress on health care expansion under the Build Back Better Act.

Pelosi will join Texas U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett to highlight Democrats' priorities in the forthcoming act, which in part aims to strengthen health care access for families.

The act includes coverage for those who are denied Medicaid expansion, lower-cost insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace and lower prescription drug prices.

Macarena Martinez — a spokesperson for the RNC — is criticizing the visit, saying it comes at a time when lawmakers need to focus all their attention on bigger crises the country is facing.

“It’s inappropriate and insensitive for Nancy Pelosi to be promoting the Democrat’s agenda when Americans are still stranded in Afghanistan," Martinez said. "Pelosi should get back to Washington D.C., convene Congress, and demand answers for Biden's failed withdrawal in Afghanistan."

Pelosi and Doggett are speaking at the Foundation Communities Prosper Center South at 2:30 p.m.