Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., speaks during the opening session of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Legislative Conference March 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) has attached himself to a new bill that will extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) advanced premium tax credits, even though he avoided voting on a similar amendment in May.

Earlier this month, Fitzpatrick added his name to a list of co-sponsors for the ACA Premium Tax Credits Extension Act, along with nine other Republicans who are expected to face a challenging reelection in the 2026 midterms.

These tax credits were first implemented by Democrats in 2021 with no Republican support.

The tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of 2025, were successful at lowering health insurance premiums for people of all income levels. According to a KFF analysis of initial rate filings for next year, the loss of the tax credits could be responsible for as much as an 18% median rate increase in premiums.

Democrats have attempted to extend the tax credits multiple times this year, but have been shot down by the Republican majorities in Congress. One of these attempts was an amendment to President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, which was proposed by Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV) and would have made the tax credits permanent. During a markup session in the House Ways and Means Committee in May, the body voted down the amendment, with all “nay” votes coming from Republicans.

Fitzpatrick was the only member of the committee to miss the vote. Video of the session (1:33:40 into the video) shows the confused clerk scanning the room for Fitzpatrick during the vote, as he had been in the room for the previous votes that day.

Fitzpatrick did not respond to a request to comment on why he suddenly missed the vote and why he now supports extending the tax credits.

In a statement to Heartland Signal, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Eli Cousin criticized Fitzpatrick for failing to permanently extend the tax credits earlier this year.

“Brian Fitzpatrick had an opportunity to vote to extend ACA tax credits that lower health care costs, but instead he literally ran away,” Cousin said. “Fitzpatrick abandoned his own constituents and now their monthly health care premiums could rise by 300%. Bucks and Montgomery County families deserve better than a congressman who doesn’t even bother to show up.”

Fitzpatrick is seeking his sixth term in Congress in 2026. Cook Political Report currently rates his 1st Congressional District seat as “Likely Republican.”