MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released the following statement to call out Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans for shutting down the federal government for one month.  

“It has now been one month since Donald Trump and Republicans shut down the federal government, and we are nowhere close to a government funding deal. Where is the art of the deal now, Trump? Democrats have been in Washington, ready to negotiate and find an agreement that reopens the government and saves healthcare, but Republicans can’t even be bothered to come to D.C.,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “Tomorrow, New Jerseyans will receive notices that their healthcare premiums will be going up an average of 175 percent, and people in need of food assistance may have to go hungry. No working family can afford those prices, and no one should have to go hungry. It’s time for Trump to get back from his trip to Asia and start putting America first – not last – by working to reopen the government and lower Americans’ healthcare costs. 

If Congress does not extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, hundreds of thousands of people will lose their healthcare, and millions more will see their costs skyrocket. If Republicans get their way, 24,000 individuals in New Jersey’s First Congressional District will see their healthcare costs rise.

The Trump administration has also failed to activate the $5 billion in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s (SNAP) contingency fund to ensure food assistance is available for those in need. Congressman Norcross signed onto a letter with 213 of his House Democratic colleagues to urge U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to use these funds over the next few weeks and ease the burden caused by this Republican Government Shutdown.  

For constituents who have questions about how the Republican Government Shutdown might impact them, visit Congressman Norcross’ resource webpage here. Congressman Norcross has been filming videos every day of the Republican Government Shutdown to keep constituents informed. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Frequently Asked Questions

Click to jump to a specific question or scroll down to read through all the information.

Will I continue to receive my Social Security?

A shutdown will not impact Social Security benefit payments but be aware that benefit verifications have ceased, meaning new recipients may see delays in processing their claims.

Will Medicare or Medicaid be interrupted?

Medicare and Medicaid will continue for the foreseeable future, but you may experience difficulty reaching these agencies as some employees are furloughed. 

Will Open Enrollment on Healthcare.gov still take place?

The federal insurance marketplace open enrollment will be unaffected. Open Enrollment will proceed as normal from November 1 through January 15.

Is USPS still delivering mail?

All services under the Postal Service will continue unimpacted throughout the government shutdown.

Will my student loans continue to be disbursed?

Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans can continue to be obligated and make disbursement during a shutdown, but only as long as carryover and mandatory appropriations last. However, department staff needed to carry out and support these functions are significantly reduced. Free Applications for Student Aids (FAFSA), Pell Grant, and Federal Direct Student Loans, and servicing of federal student loans could continue for a “very limited time” under a shutdown. If the shutdown continues for an extended period of time, school districts, colleges, and universities may begin to experience funding shortages due to lapsed federal funding.

Do military personnel continue working?

The Department of Defense will continue defending our nation and all military personnel will continue their usual duty. However, our service members will not receive pay during the shutdown. It is unacceptable that the men and women who put their lives on the line for our nation are going unpaid because of House Republican chaos.

Can veterans still get treatment at the VA or access other services?

All functions within the Veterans Health Administration will continue and veterans will continue to receive compensation and pension claims.

Should I cancel my upcoming travel?

You can and should continue to enjoy your travel plans! TSA officers and Air Traffic Controllers are considered essential and are reporting to work throughout the shutdown. However, both TSA and Air Traffic Control are currently working without pay so please have patience with any delays.

I’m coming to DC, will my tours still take place?

Unfornately, the Capitol Visitors Center will be closed for the duration of a shutdown, and Capitol tours will not be permitted. If your scheduled tour has been impacted, our office will be in touch with your group. If you have any questions, or are interested in rescheduling your tour, please contact our D.C. office at (202) 225 0508 or submit a new tour request.

Visitors to Washington D.C. should also note that the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo will be closed for the duration of a shutdown. Open air monuments remain accessible to the public. White House tours remain suspended through October.

What about international travel?

All services at international embassies and consulates will continue during a lapse of appropriations. If you are abroad and need help, you can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Will my passport renewal still be processed?

Passport applications will continue to be processed. The Bureau of Consular Affairs/Passport Services is designated as an essential service provider and is funded through passport fees, so all of Passport Services, including agencies and the National Passport Information Center, will remain open during a lapse of appropriations.

Will immigration applications still be processed?

Visa and passport operations are fee-funded and thus are not normally impacted by a lapse in appropriations. Immigration court cases on the detained docket will proceed during a lapse in congressional appropriations while non-detained docket cases will be reset for a later date when funding resumes. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement will retain the vast majority of their employees during a shutdown. 

Are National Parks closed?

National Parks will remain open, but please exercise caution during any visits as most services will be halted. Visitor centers will be closed, entrance fees won’t be collected, educational programs will be canceled, and campsites won’t be staffed. In many instances, restrooms will be closed and services like trash collection and road maintenance will be suspended. There are also limited emergency/rescue services and safety updates will not be published. Please keep this in mind when planning any visits or hikes in our National Parks.

I have an issue with a government agency, can I still call them for help? Can you help me instead?

Due to the lapse in funding, many agencies have furloughed workers, so their help desks may have little or no staffing. You are encouraged to contact any agency to learn if they are still able to assist you at this time. You can also contact my office to open a case for you. We can contact an agency on your behalf and provide you with updates if they are open or when they re-open at the conclusion of a shutdown.

I already have a case open with your office, should I do anything during the shutdown?

My office is continuing to submit inquiries to federal agencies including requesting updates on constituents’ behalf, submitting paperwork, and opening new cases. During the shutdown, though, most congressional liaisons are furloughed which means there will be delays in obtaining casework updates and responses. We will provide you with an update as soon as it is available. 

I rely on food programs like SNAP and WIC, will I keep getting my payments?

SNAP payments will continue as normal but other nutrition programs, like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), will only continue at the state and local level. In California, this means 972,418 people are at risk of losing nutrition assistance.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Washington, DC – On Friday, Reps. Scott Peters (CA-50) and Norma Torres (CA-35) introduced the Saving for the Future Act. This bill will address the nation’s retirement savings crisis and help Americans afford emergency expenses. Three-in-ten American workers lack access to workplace retirement plans, and nearly half don’t participate in one. The Saving for the Future Act would help all Americans establish financial security and economic mobility.

“Today’s cost of living crisis means most Americans aren’t able to put enough money away for retirement or protect their families from unexpected emergency costs,” said Congressman Scott Peters (CA-50).  “The Saving for the Future Act would help hardworking Americans build wealth through employer contribution plans. Now more than ever, retirement benefits should follow a worker as they move to new companies throughout their career. This legislation expands proven models of employer-provided savings and invests in portable benefits, so Americans can save for a more secure and prosperous future.” 

“Nearly a third of workers don’t have access to retirement plans through their job and are just one problem away from a financial crisis,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35). “In the Inland Empire, too many families are struggling to afford groceries and pay rent. The Saving for the Future Act would change that by giving working families a real chance to build wealth, prepare for emergencies, and secure their future.”

“The Saving for the Future Act is an essential approach to reduce wealth disparity and improve the fortunes of working-wage Americans. This bill is bold, far-sighted, affordable, and pragmatic,” said Gabe Horwitz, Senior Vice President for the Economic Program at Third Way.

For the one-in-three Americans who have no retirement plan or pension, the Saving for the Future Act provides a path to long-term financial security by establishing a minimum employer contribution that easily transfers from job to job. 

Companies with ten or more employees would be required to contribute at least 50 cents per hour worked to an employer contribution savings plan, which could include existing plans, such as a 401(k). Employees at smaller companies would be able to save through federally provided “UP Accounts,” modeled after the popular Thrift Savings Plan for federal workers. UP Accounts would have low fees, could easily be transferred from job to job, and would be tailored to the employee’s age and savings needs.  

The bill text is available here.

A one-pager and FAQs on the bill are available here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

FRESNO, Calif. – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, released the following statement in response to a federal appeals court denying President Trump’s bid to halt SNAP funding. “No family in my district or across the nation deserves to have their food access stripped away because of the Administration’s reckless back-and-forth decisions, which is what the federal appeals court ruled today. In the richest nation in the world, it is outrageous that we would use food for political negotiations,” said Congressman Costa.
“As I’ve stated before, they have had both the resources and the authority, given to by Congress, to fully fund SNAP for November. The Administration must pay now the full SNAP benefits for November to keep food on the table for hardworking families.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

Amid President Trump’s ongoing temper tantrum over affordability, his Administration also quietly made it more inconvenient and expensive for the American people to file their tax returns. On Tuesday night, as much of the political world turned its attention to results from Election Day, the Treasury Department officially ended the IRS Direct File program, which many Americans used to easily file their taxes for free, saving millions of dollars in filing fees.

“This is another corrupt decision by the Trump Administration to help corporate donors while raising costs and making life more difficult for the American people,” said Rep. Don Beyer, who serves on the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax. “Whether it’s raising price-hiking tariffs, cancelling infrastructure projects, driving up electricity prices, blocking attempts to lower the cost of health care, going to court to prevent hungry people from getting SNAP, or eliminating a no-cost method to file taxes, President Trump is going all out to make life less affordable for American families.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Bacon Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter Urging Armed Services Conferees to Include Provisions to Support Baltic Allies in Final NDAA

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) released the following statement regarding the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s approval of permits for the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement Pipeline project:

“I am profoundly disappointed by New York State’s decision to approve the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) fracked-gas pipeline. This project was rejected three times in the past for failing to meet the state’s own water-quality standards, and nothing about the project has changed. 

“I have been fighting back against this pipeline since 2019, when I first wrote to former Governor Cuomo urging him to reject it. Last month, I proudly led more than a dozen members of the New York congressional delegation in writing to Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to once again urge them to deny the project because of the serious environmental, public health, and safety risks it poses. Those concerns remain just as urgent today. 

“The NESE pipeline will cut through sensitive marine ecosystems off Staten Island and the Rockaway Peninsula, potentially dredging up contaminated sediments that contain arsenic, mercury, lead, and PCBs. It threatens coastal economies that depend on clean water, recreation, and tourism, while exposing nearby communities to unnecessary health and safety risks. 

“Williams Companies, the pipeline developer, has a long and troubling safety record that includes multiple explosions and repeated federal violations. Granting this project a Section 401 Water Quality Certification despite these facts sends the wrong message about New York’s commitment to protecting its environment and public safety. 

“This approval also runs counter to the overwhelming public opposition. More than 120 environmental, civic, and faith-based organizations from across New York have spoken out against the NESE pipeline.

“Their voices reflect what most New Yorkers already know: we should not be doubling down on fossil fuel infrastructure at a time when our state is leading the nation in clean-energy investments and climate accountability. 

“The pipeline is also expected to increase energy costs for New Yorkers. Ratepayers in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island could ultimately be forced to shoulder more than $3 billion in costs over the next 15 years for a project that will only deepen our dependence on fossil fuels while delivering no real public benefit. 

“This decision regrettably disregards the science, the voices of New Yorkers, and the goals set out in our own climate law. By approving this pipeline, the state risks locking our communities into decades of unnecessary fossil fuel dependence and undoing much of the progress we’ve made toward a cleaner, safer future.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter introduces MAMDANI Act, restricting federal funds to New York City

Carter introduces MAMDANI Act, restricting federal funds to New York City

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MSNBC’s Ana Cabrera Reports where he highlighted how Donald Trump and Republicans are withholding SNAP benefits that tens of millions of Americans rely on to put food on their tables, while Democrats continue to fight to protect the health, safety and economic well-being of the American people.

ANA CABRERA: We’re joined now by Hakeem Jeffries, the House Minority Leader. Thank you so much, Congressman, for being here with us. Leader Jeffries, we just heard Senator Thune there with Ali Vitali say Democrats in the Senate are being browbeaten into submission. Those were his words. What say you?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, this is day 38 of the Trump-Republican shutdown. And our position as Democrats remain clear. We will sit down with any Republicans, anytime, anyplace, in order to reopen the government, to find a bipartisan path forward and to decisively address the Republican healthcare crisis. The problem with Johnson and Thune and the Republicans right now is that they continue to adopt a my-way-or-the-highway approach, and our view has been consistent. We will not support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the healthcare of the American people, particularly as it relates to the expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits.

ANA CABRERA: We’ve heard from at least one Republican Senator that he’s had discussions with his House counterparts. I’m curious, are you aware of any negotiations like that crossing both chambers, and are you involved in any bipartisan talks right now?

LEADER JEFFRIES: I know there are informal conversations that are taking place, but at the leadership level, Donald Trump has not given Mike Johnson permission to actually sit down and have a substantive conversation with Democrats in the House. And unfortunately, until Donald Trump either gets off the sidelines or gives Mike Johnson permission to actually have a meaningful conversation, we’re not going to see anything productive emerge from the House of Representatives. And understand that House Republicans have now been on vacation for six consecutive weeks, canceled votes for six consecutive weeks, and they’d rather just remain on vacation than actually ensure that children in this country are able to put food on the table, and that everyday Americans don’t see dramatically increased healthcare premiums, co-pays and deductibles, which we know in some instances will increase by $1000 or $2000 per month.

ANA CABRERA: What do you need to see in any potential Senate plan to reopen the government to say, okay, Democrats should back this?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, first of all, John Thune needs to stop trying to bluff his way into an agreement, sit down and have a conversation with Leader Schumer or let’s have a Four Corners conversation—House, Senate, Democrats, Republicans—along with the administration to find a bipartisan agreement forward. Now, our view has been that we will evaluate in good faith any bipartisan agreement that emerges from the Senate as long as it decisively addresses this Republican healthcare crisis, where we’ve seen Republicans devastate people this year. Largest cut to Medicaid in American history, hospitals and nursing homes and community-based health centers closing all across the country because of Republican policies connected to their One Big Ugly Bill. We know that Medicare is facing a $536 billion cut this year if Congress doesn’t act by the end of December. And if we don’t extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, working-class Americans, middle-class Americans and everyday Americans all across this country are [not going to] be able to access their healthcare or see a doctor when they need it because of the unaffordability of health insurance.

ANA CABRERA: So let me try to nail this down. Short of a vote on Obamacare subsidies prior to reopening the government, what else might get Democrats behind a funding bill? Could a promised date to vote on Obamacare subsidies be enough?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, listen, at least as it relates to the House of Representatives, I’m not going to speak to the Senate—and the Senate Democrats, of course, are taking the lead there—But in terms of the House of Representatives, this group of extreme MAGA Republicans have voted to rip the Affordable Care Act away from people more than 70 different times in the last 15 years. And so, they have zero credibility as it relates to the issue of providing affordable healthcare to everyday Americans. In fact, Marjorie Taylor Greene—

ANA CABRERA: So a promise for a vote won’t work for you.

LEADER JEFFRIES: I mean, listen, we have to have a real path forward to address the Republican healthcare crisis. I don’t want to negotiate in public, but it has to be a meaningful path forward. And the American people are clearly demanding that happen. The American people clearly want to see us deal with the affordability crisis. We saw that happen all throughout America on Tuesday. That’s why Republicans were crushed.

ANA CABRERA: Here’s what Speaker Johnson said yesterday about that path forward, or lack thereof.

VIDEO OF SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON: The House did its job on September 19. I’m not promising anybody anything. I’m going to let this process play out. I’ll tell you what they wanted. I’ll tell you what Schumer and Jeffries wanted. In fact, Chuck Schumer said it publicly and decried that Thune and I would not go in a back room with them and make a Four Corners agreement on Obamacare subsidies. And I said, there’s no way.

ANA CABRERA: What’s your response to that?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, listen, the states that are going to be most impacted by a failure to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits are Republican-run states. West Virginia, Wyoming, Alaska, Mississippi and Tennessee. 45% of the people who benefit from the Affordable Care Act tax credits are registered Republicans, 35% Democrats and 20% Independents. This is an American issue. This is not a partisan issue for us. We’re fighting to protect the healthcare of the American people. And, you know, Johnson clearly has zero interest. Now, when they passed their One Big Ugly Bill, they ripped healthcare away from about 14 million Americans and they did it so that they could provide massive tax breaks to their billionaire donors. And they made those tax breaks permanent.

ANA CABRERA: Let’s talk about this new SNAP lawsuit. President Trump’s team appealing, essentially fighting in court to not have to give people their SNAP benefits, which means this crisis is headed back to Congress’ lap. Could this accelerate talks?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, it’s incredible to me that Donald Trump and Republicans have decided to weaponize hunger and starvation by unlawfully at this point withholding SNAP benefits from 42 million Americans. That includes 16 million children, 8 million older Americans, and over a million veterans who rely on SNAP benefits in order to put food on the table. But this is no surprise when you consider the fact that in their One Big Ugly Bill earlier this year in July, Republicans already enacted the largest cut to SNAP benefits in American history. $186 billion cut. They literally ripped food from the mouths of hungry children, seniors and veterans, part of their scheme to benefit the wealthy, the well-off and the well-connected as it relates to their donors. So this is a continuation of that level of cruelty that we’ve seen from Republicans. And the American people reject it. And, you know, I hope that the Court of Appeals denies the administration’s request to continue to suspend these SNAP benefits, and I’m thankful for the federal district court judge who did the right thing in ordering them to pay these benefits out immediately.

ANA CABRERA: I don’t think a lot of Americans care who’s to blame. They just need to eat. And here’s what one SNAP recipient in Pennsylvania told NBC News. ‘When you’re in a position to provide for people who are depending on these life-sustaining services, how can you be at war with each other in the midst of people trying to survive? These are some of the hardest times I’ve seen in 50 years.’ Those words from a 50-year-old SNAP recipient. Leader Jeffries, it is now day 38. In addition to the millions of SNAP recipients struggling to put food on the table, air travel’s a mess, thousands of workers haven’t been paid for over a month. Where’s the urgency to end this in Washington?

LEADER JEFFRIES: That’s a great question. It should be asked of Mike Johnson, where’s the urgency in actually bringing the House of Representatives back into session? They have canceled votes for the last six weeks. Democrats continue to be present and make clear that we’re ready, willing and able to sit down with our Republican colleagues, reopen the government, have a bipartisan agreement that actually meets the needs of the American people. And the individual that you referenced is exactly right. America is too expensive. Donald Trump and Republicans promised that they would lower costs on day one. They haven’t lowered costs. Costs have gone up. Inflation on the way up. Housing costs too high. Grocery costs too high. Electricity bills skyrocketing through the roof. And now they want to jack up health insurance premiums and they’re ripping food away from the mouths of children at the same time to try to use that as a point of negotiating leverage. That’s shameful. It’s unconscionable. It’s un-American. And yet we continue to maintain that all we need to do is sit down and have a conversation so we can enact a bipartisan spending agreement that actually improves the quality of life of the American people.

ANA CABRERA: Let me ask you about another topic quickly while I have you. Your New York GOP colleague, Elise Stefanik, just announced this morning she is running for Governor of New York, promising to make the state affordable and safe. Of course, that affordability argument worked for Democrats this week, including for Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist who just became the next New York City mayor. And he has been a political punching bag for the right and divisive among your own party. Do you think Stefanik is going to make this race a referendum on Mamdani and could it work?

LEADER JEFFRIES: You know, Elise Stefanik is nothing more than a handmaiden for Donald Trump’s extreme policies. She’s a sycophant who has been a repeated rubber stamp for Donald Trump’s extreme agenda that is doing nothing but hurting the people of New York and everyday Americans across the country. If Elise Stefanik really wants to do something about the high cost of living, she should tell her boss, Donald Trump, to end these reckless tariffs, which are increasing costs by thousands of dollars per year on New York families and on families across America.

ANA CABRERA: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, thank you for being with us. We really appreciate your time.

Full interview can be watched here.

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