California Assembly adopts resolution urging restoration of enhanced ACA premium tax credits

The California State Assembly on Jan. 20, 2026, adopted Assembly Joint Resolution 25, urging federal leaders to restore and extend enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits. The roll-call vote was Ayes 58, Noes 4.

Assemblymember Rob Bonta, who introduced AJR 25, said the enhanced credits created in 2021 “made health care affordable for millions of Americans and Californians” and warned of immediate harm after their expiration. He cited state-level impacts, saying “Nearly 1,700,000 Californians are seeing their monthly premiums double” and that the state is losing “up to $2,500,000,000 in premium savings,” adding an estimate that “as many as 400,000 Californians could be forced to drop coverage entirely.” Bonta urged colleagues to vote yea.

The resolution drew a range of remarks. Assemblymember Schiavo, chair of the Assembly Military and Veteran Affairs Committee, emphasized veterans’ reliance on the credits, referencing Urban Institute analysis that more than 600,000 veterans nationwide use tax credits and that 267,000 stand to lose subsidized coverage. Assemblymember Gipson said restoring the credits is a “moral obligation” and pressed for action to protect vulnerable patients and providers.

Assemblymember De Maio strongly opposed the resolution’s approach, arguing the debate should focus on state-level cost drivers and budget priorities. He sharply criticized current majority budget choices and suggested redirecting funds he said were allocated to services for undocumented immigrants, asserting amounts and trade-offs on the Assembly floor.

Other proponents framed the lapse of credits as a national problem tied to federal decisions. Assemblymember Rogers said premium increases are occurring outside California as well and tied them to recent federal legislation; Assemblymember Addis noted the Legislature had invested nearly $200,000,000 to stabilize premiums for lowest-income Californians and urged bipartisan work.

After debate, the clerk opened the roll for co-authors (more than 50 members signed on) and then for adoption; the clerk announced Ayes 58, Noes 4 and declared AJR 25 adopted.

AJR 25 is a state joint resolution calling on federal action to restore enhanced ACA premium tax credits. The measure, as described on the floor, aims to press Congress and federal leaders to take immediate steps to reinstate credits cited by members as reducing premiums for millions.

The Assembly proceeded to guest introductions following the vote.