Pelosi Statement on Amicus Brief in California v. Trump

Contact: Ashley Etienne/Henry Connelly, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement after joining an amicus brief to the United States District Court in the California v. Trump case in support of the motion filed by eighteen states and the District of Columbia to require President Trump to resume the cost-sharing reduction payments required by the Affordable Care Act. The House Democratic Leadership and Ranking Members of relevant House Committees filed the amicus brief.

"The White House's spiteful decision to singlehandedly hike Americans' premiums by 20 percent was cruel, malicious and unlawful. Regardless of whether President Trump likes it or not, the Affordable Care Act requires the executive branch to make the cost-sharing reduction payments vital to lowering Americans' premiums. The District Court should issue the only ruling consistent with the text and structure of the Affordable Care Act: that the Administration must immediately resume making these premium-lowering payments.

"As the Trump Administration's dangerous health care sabotage continues to spike premiums and push people off their coverage, Democrats are also fighting to pass the bipartisan Alexander-Murray bill to stabilize the insurance marketplaces and reduce families' health costs. This ongoing effort, however, does not excuse the Trump Administration's obligations under the Affordable Care Act to make these cost-sharing reduction payments.

"The Affordable Care Act brought quality, affordable health coverage to millions of previously uninsured Americans. It is long past time for the White House to end its vindictive attempts to hurl insurance markets into chaos, and to instead work toward constructive, bipartisan action to lower costs and expand access to coverage."

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