Rep. Chip Roy Blasts GOP Health Plan as ‘Milquetoast Garbage’ in Fiery Committee Outburst
WASHINGTON — Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) sharply criticized his own party’s approach to health care during a House Rules Committee hearing this week, calling the Republican-led proposal “milquetoast garbage” and warning that Congress is failing the American people.
In remarks delivered during a committee meeting on December 16, Roy accused both parties of perpetuating a broken system but aimed his harshest words at House Republicans, arguing that their latest health care package falls far short of meaningful reform.
“Now we’re sitting here listening to nonsense about health care,” Roy said, according to video released by his office. He argued that Republicans routinely campaign on lowering costs, only to offer incremental proposals that do little to change what he described as an insurance-driven system.
Roy also took aim at the Affordable Care Act, blaming Democrats for creating what he called an “expensive” structure tied to insurance companies. However, he said Republicans have failed to deliver a credible alternative, warning that voters will eventually see through what he characterized as empty promises.
“At some point people will look at this body and say, ‘Maybe we should get rid of all 435 members of the House and all 100 members of the Senate and start over,’” Roy said.
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The comments came as House leaders face mounting pressure over the impending expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium subsidies at the end of the year. The current House Republican proposal focuses on measures such as price transparency and reforms to pharmacy benefit managers, but it does not extend the subsidies, which have helped keep premiums lower for millions of Americans.
Democrats have seized on the moment to argue that Republicans are heading into recess without addressing the looming coverage cliff. Several lawmakers warned that allowing the subsidies to expire could lead to higher premiums and loss of coverage for millions of people in 2026.
The exchange highlighted growing internal Republican divisions over health care strategy, with conservatives pushing for deeper rollbacks of the ACA and moderates warning of political fallout if costs spike for voters.
Clips of Roy’s remarks circulated widely on social media, drawing praise from some conservatives frustrated with congressional gridlock and criticism from Democrats who say the episode underscores GOP dysfunction as the deadline approaches.
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