Fighting for his political life, Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) is one of 16 Republicans to sign on to a bipartisan bill extending Obamacare subsidies.

Valadao’s position isn’t in line with House Speaker Mike Johnson’s goal of killing Obamacare. However, it’s understandable in light of the extreme poverty and lack of health care access in Valadao’s central California district.

Without continuing subsidies for Obamacare — officially the Affordable Care Act — KFF, a health policy organization, estimates that health care premiums could more than double in cost.

Facing such a large increase, many health care advocates fear that millions of Americans will forgo health care insurance, gambling on their health and relying on emergency rooms.

Bill Would Extend Obamacare for One Year

The bipartisan bill that Valadao is backing surfaced after moderate Republicans left a Wednesday meeting frustrated by what they heard from other GOP members about addressing the soaring costs of health care, Politico reported.

In reaction, Reps. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) crafted a bill that would extend enhanced premium tax credits for one year. However, the bill also delivers new income caps and rules intended to crack down on fraud.

The bill has attracted the support of 38 House members.

Valadao has served in Congress since 2013 with the exception of two years after he was defeated by TJ Cox, a since disgraced Democrat who faces prison time for wire fraud.

Valadao has bucked Republican leadership before. The most notable example: voting to impeach President Donald Trump after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Two Democrats Challenge Valadao in District 22

California voters last month approved the redrawing of Valadao’s 22nd District via Proposition 50. The expected voter registration breakdown for the 2026 midterms in the district: 42% Democrat, 27% Republican, and 23% no party preference in the 2026 midterms.

Valadao faces challenges from Jasmeet Bains, D-Delano, a moderate state Assemblymember, and Visalia Unified School Board Trustee Randy Villegas, a progressive Democrat.