'They're feeling it already': Dem lawmaker says GOP colleagues facing 'mighty mad' voters

With Congress having allowed government health care subsidies to expire on Thursday, sending health insurance costs soaring for millions of Americans, Democratic lawmakers are predicting an election walloping for Republicans in November, with some GOP lawmakers “feeling it already,” according to one Democratic lawmaker.

“Their constituents are going to be mighty mad, and they’re feeling it already,” said Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA), speaking with Politico in its report Friday.

Insurance costs for millions of Obamacare enrollees spiked Thursday by an estimated 114% after the expiration of COVID-era Obamacare subsidies. Their expiration is also estimated to boot as many as 4 million Americans off of their health insurance.

The debate around extending the Obamacare subsidies was the crux of the recent government shutdown, with Democratic lawmakers refusing to back any funding measures that did not include an extension to the subsidies. A handful of Democratic senators caved to Republicans, however, and ended up supporting a funding measure that did not include an extension to the subsidies.

“Make no mistake, the blame behind the skyrocketing health care costs millions are facing today is squarely at the feet of House Republicans, and the American people know it,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Politico reported.

“Instead of putting forth a serious proposal to address spiking health care costs, House Republicans chose to focus on delivering massive tax breaks for the wealthiest few – never even allowing a floor vote to save the tax credits before their expiration.”

Republicans, however, remain defiant, telling Politico that President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill – despite a majority of Americans being opposed to the legislation – would help secure them an election victory come November.

“House Republicans delivered historic tax relief for working families and are building on it in the new year,” said Mike Marinella, spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, speaking with Politico.

“Democrats spent the year blocking commonsense solutions [for the subsidies] and are now having a temper tantrum over a policy cliff of their own making. Their inability to find a consistent message that sticks proves how out of touch they are with the American people.”