Pallone & Menendez Say Kean and Van Drew Betrayed NJ by Not Signing Discharge Petition to Protect ACA Premium Tax Credits

NJ Residents Face Sharp Premium Hikes Without ACA Credit Extension Which NJ Congressmen Publicly Claim to Support But Did Nothing to Save

For Immediate Release

December 17, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressmen Frank Pallone, Jr., Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rob Menendez called out New Jersey Congressmen Tom Kean Jr. and Jeff Van Drew for not being among the four Republicans who signed the discharge petition to force a House vote on extending Affordable Care Act premium tax credits set to expire at the end of the year.

“Every House Democrat and four House Republicans signed this discharge petition because we know exactly what happens if these tax credits expire: premiums spike and millions of households get priced out of coverage,” Pallone said. “And even though Congressmen Kean and Van Drew both said they support extending ACA premium tax credits they did nothing to back it up. These credits expire at the end of the year and signing the discharge petition forces Speaker Johnson to schedule a vote. Unfortunately, Kean and Van Drew broke their promise to lower the cost of health care for New Jersey families.”

In October, Kean and Van Drew wrote a letter expressing support for extending the enhanced ACA subsidies, a position that directly aligns with the three-year extension included in the discharge petition.

Congressman Rob Menendez, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees health policy, said, “Today, several House Republicans joined Democrats in forcing a vote to extend the ACA premium tax credits, which will save Americans and New Jerseyans from skyrocketing healthcare premiums. This petition was an opportunity to show support for New Jerseyans and prevent them from losing their coverage or dealing with the possibility of not being able to afford health insurance at all. That is why I am surprised and disappointed that Reps. Van Drew and Kean – who made public pledges of support for extending ACA tax credits – refused to sign it.”