Quick answer
Kiggans did both things described in the competing campaign claims: she introduced H.R. 5145, a bipartisan proposal to extend the enhanced ACA premium tax-credit rules for one year with an income cap and other changes, and she later voted against a Democratic three-year clean-extension effort. H.R. 5145 did not become law, the enhanced credits expired at the end of 2025, and Virginia officials say the expiration contributed to higher 2026 marketplace costs alongside other factors.
The story
Rep. Jen Kiggans introduced a bipartisan one-year ACA premium-tax-credit extension, then voted against a Democratic three-year clean extension. Both facts are part of the record.
Why this matters now
Enhanced ACA premium tax credits expired on Dec. 31, 2025. [1]
Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace says the expiration reduced the additional financial help that had been available since 2021. The original ACA advance premium tax credits remain available to qualifying consumers, but the enhanced assistance ended. [1]
Virginia insurers cited the subsidy expiration as one factor behind large 2026 individual-market rate increases, alongside rising hospital and pharmacy prices, medical utilization and other market changes. [2]
The Kiggans proposal
On Sept. 4, 2025, Kiggans and Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi introduced the Bipartisan Premium Tax Credit Extension Act. [3][4]
Kiggans’ office said the legislation would provide a one-year extension of the enhanced premium tax credits while adding an income cap and other changes. The congressional summary describes the bill as extending the temporary enhanced-credit rules through 2026. [3][4]
The bill had bipartisan sponsorship. It did not become law before the enhanced credits expired. [4]
The votes opponents cite
In December 2025, the House considered H.R. 6703. During consideration of that bill, Democrats offered a motion to recommit that would have brought forward H.R. 6074, a proposed three-year extension of the enhanced premium tax credits through 2028. [5][6]
Kiggans voted against that motion. [5]
She then voted for the underlying Republican health bill, whose text did not extend the enhanced premium tax credits. [7]
In January 2026, Kiggans also publicly defended her opposition to a Democratic effort for a clean three-year extension. She said she favored continuing assistance with income limits and other reforms rather than extending the existing structure unchanged. [8]
What happened to premiums
The enhanced credits expired January 1. [1]
Virginia’s Marketplace explicitly identifies their expiration as a federal change affecting what consumers pay. Before 2026 rates took effect, the State Corporation Commission reported that all 10 insurers planning to participate in Virginia’s individual market had requested increases, most of 20% or more. [1][2]
The SCC cautioned that the expiration was not the only driver. Insurers also cited hospital and pharmacy prices, increased use of medical care and market uncertainty. [2]
Virginia budget documents estimated substantial increases in average net premiums across income groups after the enhanced subsidies disappeared. For households above 400% of the federal poverty level, one state presentation estimated an average monthly increase of $692 because those households lost eligibility for the enhanced assistance. [9]
The General Assembly later created a state affordability fund for Plan Year 2027, with Virginia Premium Savings aimed at providing state subsidies to eligible marketplace consumers. [1][10]
So which campaign description is accurate?
Saying simply that Kiggans “voted against extending the ACA tax credits” describes specific recorded votes, but leaves out her separate legislation to extend them for one year under different terms. [3][5][8]
Saying Kiggans “fought to extend the credits” describes legislation she introduced, but leaves out her opposition to clean multi-year extensions and the fact that her proposal did not become law before the credits expired. [3][5][8]
Neither sentence alone gives voters the full timeline.
Bottom line
Kiggans supported extending enhanced ACA premium assistance, but not under the same terms proposed by Democrats.
She introduced bipartisan legislation for a one-year extension with changes. She later voted against a Democratic three-year extension. The enhanced credits expired at the end of 2025, and Virginia officials and insurers say that expiration contributed to higher 2026 individual-market costs. [1][2][3][5][8]
The factual disagreement is therefore not whether Kiggans ever supported an extension or whether she ever voted against one. She did both.
The substantive policy disagreement was over the length and design of the extension.
Sources
- Federal Changes to the Marketplace — Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace. Enhanced credits expired at the end of 2025; original ACA advance credits remain available; Virginia Premium Savings applies to Plan Year 2027.
- Plan Year 2026 Premiums — Virginia State Corporation Commission. All 10 insurers planning to participate in Virginia’s 2026 individual market requested increases, most of 20% or more, citing several drivers including subsidy elimination.
- Kiggans, Suozzi Lead Effort to Prevent Soaring Health Care Premiums for Thousands of Virginians — Rep. Jen Kiggans. Kiggans and Suozzi introduced a bipartisan one-year enhanced premium-tax-credit proposal with an income-cap concept and stated Virginia constituent impacts.
- H.R. 5145 - Bipartisan Premium Tax Credit Extension Act — Congress.gov. H.R. 5145 was introduced by Kiggans and would extend the temporary enhanced-credit rules through 2026; it remained at Introduced status.
- Roll Call 348 — Office of the Clerk, U.S. House. Kiggans voted Nay on the failed motion to recommit H.R. 6703.
- H.R. 6074 - Extension of the health care premium tax credit — Congress.gov. H.R. 6074 was the proposed vehicle for extending the enhanced premium tax credit for three years through 2028.
- Roll Call 349 — Office of the Clerk, U.S. House. Kiggans voted Yea on passage of H.R. 6703.
- Rep. Kiggans Votes Against Democrat ACA Discharge — Rep. Jen Kiggans. Kiggans opposed a clean three-year extension and said she favored income limits and reforms.
- H.R. 1 Impact on Virginia and Budget Outlook — Virginia Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee. The state presentation distinguishes original and enhanced credits and estimates a $692 average monthly net-premium increase for households above 400% FPL.
- Stabilize Individual Health Insurance Market, Item 478 #1s — Virginia Legislative Information System. A committee-approved budget amendment proposed $200 million for a state premium-assistance program to offset expiration of enhanced credits.
- Verifying claims from Jen Kiggans’ campaign ad — 13News Now. Independent review confirms Kiggans’ one-year extension effort, opposition to a clean extension, vote for the 2025 budget bill that did not extend credits, and expiration of the enhanced credits.