WASHINGTON, D.C. (WRN) — A Wisconsin congressman with a record of opposing the Affordable Care Act votes to extend premium subsidies.
Republican Derrick Van Orden was one of 17 House Republicans joining Democrats on Thursday’s vote. Van Orden, who represent the 3rd Congressional District, was the only Republican in the Wisconsin delegation to support a three-year extension of enhanced ACA tax credits. He voted to block a Democratic-led effort to bring the extensions to the House floor just one day before switching his vote.
In a statement, Van Orden said, “I will not sit back and watch my constituents lose access to health care or face massive premium hikes because Democrats refuse to take responsibility for their failures.”
Democrats said it’s a purely performative move by Van Orden, who is up for reelection this year. It’s unclear if the bill will get a vote in the Senate.