MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — Democrats have made clear that they will not end their own shutdown — even if it means America’s men and women in uniform are at risk of going without pay. They’ve now voted ELEVEN TIMES to block troop pay.

In the third week of the Democrat Government Shutdown — 1.3 million active-duty service members would have gone without pay — but President Trump has acted. On Saturday, he announced that his administration has identified funds to ensure troops are paid on October 15, using unobligated Department of Defense resources that Congress already appropriated.

STATES HIT HARDEST BY THE DEMOCRATS’ SHUTDOWN

Of the ten states with the largest active-duty military populations, SIX are represented by two Democrat Senators, the same Senators who voted to withhold their pay:

#1: CALIFORNIA – 157,000 Active-Duty Service Members
Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla are happy to vote for giving taxpayer-funded benefits back to illegal aliens over paying the nearly 160,000 troops in their state.

#2: VIRGINIA – 119,000 Active-Duty Service Members
Tim Kaine and Mark Warner are blocking pay for nearly 120,000 men and women in uniform — and another 150,000 federal civilian employees across Virginia.

#6: GEORGIA – 65,000 Active-Duty Service Members
Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock have voted nine times against troop pay — even as Georgia service members line up at food pantries.

#7: WASHINGTON – 57,000 Active-Duty Service Members
Despite voting a CR 13 TIMES under Biden– both Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell — have voted 11 TIMES against pay for the men and women stationed in the Evergreen State.

#8: HAWAII – 43,000 Active-Duty Service Members
Mazie Hirono – who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee – and Brian Schatz want $500 million for liberal news outlets before paying our troops.

#10: COLORADO – 35,000 Active-Duty Service Members

Colorado’s Senators, John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet — who once lamented the “self-inflicted harm” that shutdowns create — have continued to block pay for the troops stationed in their own state.

REMINDER: SCHUMER KNOWS EXACTLY WHO GETS HURT — AND HE’S DOING IT ANYWAY

THE SHUTDOWN IS HURTING SECURITY AND SAFETY

Thousands of Border Patrol agents, TSA officers, air traffic controllers, and Capitol Police officers are being forced to work without pay.

And instead of standing with them, House Democrats are screaming at them.

Video shows Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-CA) yelling in the face of a Capitol Police officer — one currently working without a paycheck — while trying to barge into the Speaker’s office.

While Republicans are back home helping constituents navigate the shutdown Democrats caused, House Democrats are berating the very officers they forced to work without pay.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Duffy stepped in to keep rural flights running through the Essential Air Service program — but Democrats admit they won’t back down unless disaster strikes.

One senior Democratic aide even said they won’t concede short of “planes falling out of the sky.”

A CLEAN, RESPONSIBLE BILL IS WAITING IN THE SENATE

Senate Democrats will have additional opportunities this week to end their shutdown. The House-passed CR is just 24 pages long — a clean, responsible bill that funds essential services, protects national security, and guarantees pay for those who serve.

But Schumer and Senate Democrats are refusing to pass it. Instead, they’re continuing to demand $1.5 trillion in new partisan spending.

BOTTOM LINE

Republicans are fighting to reopen the government and protect those who serve.
Democrats are keeping it closed to protect their radical base.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — Today, Speaker Johnson joined Jake Tapper on CNN’s The Lead and Laura Ingraham on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle to discuss Senate Democrats repeatedly voting against paying U.S. troops and reopening the federal government to satisfy their Far-Left base. 

Watch Speaker Johnson on CNN here, on Fox News here. 

On Senate Democrats refusing to reopen the government:

The only person who can answer that is Chuck Schumer. And he’s got to get permission from Bernie and AOC, I think, before he can ever vote to open the government again. I’m not sure he ever will, Laura. So, we need five reasonable Democrats in the Senate to do the right thing and vote to keep the lights on so that we can continue all the debates on all the outstanding issues. We have a lot of things to do, but they’ve turned the lights off and real people are hurting. And let’s not ever forget the counterproposal that they put on the table is absolute nonsense. They want to spend a trillion and a half additional dollars on a simple seven-week funding measure and all the things you listed, $200 billion for legal aliens to get free health care on the backs of American taxpayers. They’re going to get half a billion dollars to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to prop up leftist news organizations. 

On Democrats pulling stunts instead of serving their constituents:

Instead of doing publicity stunts like AOC likes to do, instead of making social media videos, Republicans are working. We have been working. Right now, they’re in their districts doing very valuable work. At our press conference this morning, I highlighted some of the very important things they’re doing right now. What are they doing? They’re trying to help their constituents navigate through this crisis that has been created like by Democrats like AOC. She voted on September 19 in the House to block the pay for troops, TSA agents, Border Patrol agents, air traffic controllers; to stop the services to nutrition supplemental programs to women, infants, and children. She voted to stop services to the elderly and disabled and veterans. That’s her voting record. And she’s trying to obscure that fact and blame Republicans. I am always open to negotiating, but we had the negotiations in the House and the mutual agreement by Republicans and Democrats who were appropriators, who were working on the government funding, was to extend it for seven weeks to November 21 so they would have time to finish the appropriations process. AOC engaged in political stunts, as did Hakeem Jefferies, and voted against it for their own partisan political purposes. And they have created this mess. 

On Democrat falsehoods about Rep. elect-Grijalva’s swearing-in:

When my dear friend and colleague from Louisiana, Julia Letlow, was elected under very similar circumstances in 2021, her late husband passed away, died of COVID, and they had a special election to fill the seat and Julia won it. Nancy Pelosi took 25 days to administer the oath to Julia. Now, we didn’t have press conferences to go banging on doors and make a big thing of it, because we understood that is the regular process and tradition of the House. I’m doing exactly the same thing. I have said a thousand times in response to this, I am happy and anxious to administer the vote to Rep. Grijalva, and we will do that as soon as we return to the legislative session. We need Chuck Schumer and the Democrats and the Senate to do that. It is ironic that the two senators from Arizona who are making noise about this are voting to keep the government shut down. If they want rep Grijalva to take the oath, they can vote. That’s Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego. They can vote to do this. 

Let me say this right now though, Jake, Grijalva should be working for her constituents. I don’t know what she’s doing. I keep seeing their political stunt videos where they’re knocking on the door and she’s not there. She should be in her office. She should be working or in the district for her constituents. She’s already hired 16 staffers. She should be taking constituent calls. She should be directing and helping them navigate the crisis that her colleagues here have created for her constituents. We we’re happy to administer the oath. We’re going to do it as soon as we get back, but we’ve got to get the lights on first. We got to make sure that our troops are being paid and our Border Patrol agents down in Arizona are being paid.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06)

Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA) led a letter to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) urging the agency to uphold Second Amendment rights and continue processing National Firearms Act (NFA) applications during the ongoing government shutdown. He was joined by Reps. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Eric Burlison (R-MO), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Michael Cloud (R-TX), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Mike Collins (R-GA), Eli Crane (R-AZ), Troy Downing (R-MT), Randy Fine (R-FL), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Russ Fulcher (R-ID), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Marjorie Taylor Green (R-GA), Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Mark Harris (R-NC), Wesley Hunt (R-TX), Rich McCormick (R-GA), John McGuire (R-VA), Mary Miller (R-IL), Barry Moore (R-AL), Riley Moore (R-WV), Robert Onder (R-MO), August Pfluger (R-TX), Chip Roy (R-TX), Michael Rulli (R-OH), Jefferson Shreve (R-IN), Victoria Spartz (R-IN), Randy Weber (R-TX), and Rudy Yakym (R-IN).

“As you know, National Firearms Act (“NFA”) application examiners are among the ATF employees currently furloughed during this shutdown. This means that Americans are currently unable to acquire widely popular NFA-regulated firearms and safety equipment, such as shortbarreled rifles and silencers, because no one at ATF will approve their applications at this time,” the lawmakers wrote.

“Indeed, NFA application approvals are related to the discharge of the President’s constitutional duties and powers. The President of the United States is charged with protecting and defending the Constitution of the United States, and this includes the Second Amendment. To be sure, the National Firearms Act unquestionably violates the Second Amendment. But in enacting this statutory scheme, Congress tasked the Executive Branch with issuing application determinations. The President therefore has a constitutional imperative to ensure that Americans can exercise their Second Amendment rights even during periods of government shutdown. Otherwise, constitutionally enumerated rights rise and fall with congressional appropriation,” they continued.

“Gun Owners of America believes that the NFA is an infringement that should be repealed, and ATF’s refusal to facilitate the lawful purchase and transfer of NFA firearms only proves the point. Thank you to Representative Ben Cline and his leadership in this issue to ensure that the Second Amendment rights of gun owners to obtain NFA firearms are not further treated like a second-class right,” Erich Pratt, Senior Vice President of GOA, said.

“Gun owners should not have their rights infringed because of a lapse in government funding. I hope that Acting ATF Director Daniel Driscoll will reverse this longstanding ATF shutdown policy by redesignating NFA examiners as ‘exempt’ during this Democrat-shutdown,” Aidan Johnston, Director of Federal Affairs of GOA, said.

Read the full letter here.

Congressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and a Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Due to Republican Shutdown, Tens of Thousands of Workers and Contractors in Massachusetts are Missing Wages and May be Unable to Pay Utility Bills

Letter to National Grid | Letter to Eversource

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) urged National Grid and Eversource, the primary gas and electric companies serving communities in Massachusetts, to issue an immediate moratorium on utility shutoffs for households impacted by the government shutdown, including federal workers, federal contractors, and the people who depend on them.

The Congresswoman’s letters come as the Republican-manufactured government shutdown has caused the more than 45,000 dedicated federal workers in the Commonwealth—most of whom reside in the Massachusetts 7^th Congressional District—to miss paychecks and be left without the ability to pay their utility bills. The Congresswoman’s letters also follow Governor Maura Healey’s first-of-its kind, comprehensive review of gas and electric rates and charges to identify ways to lower customer costs.

“For no fault of their own, federal workers and contractors are missing wages and may be unable to pay their utility bills,” the Congresswoman wrote in her letters. “Terminating service due to nonpayment translates to a lack of heat, electricity, internet, and other essentials. A disruption in service will undoubtedly disrupt learning for kids, diminish resources for elders, and endanger the health and safety of entire families.”

In her letters, Congresswoman Pressley called on Eversource and National Grid to continue all utility services and offer a payment deferral program to households impacted by the ongoing government shutdown. She emphasized that such a program should not require a down payment, nor should it carry interest or fees, to fully mitigate the financial burden.

“In moments of financial hardship, your customers need relief, not greater strain,” Congresswoman Pressley continued in her letters. “Tens of thousands of federal workers, federal contractors, and people who depend on them should not be punished for their commitment to serving our nation. Instead, they should be rewarded with compassion, understanding, and flexibility.”

A copy of the letter sent to National Grid is available here, and to Eversource is available here.

Amid the Republican-manufactured government shutdown, Rep. Pressley has continued to fight to defend healthcare, reopen the government, and protect federal workers and the essential services they provide.

• Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning Republicans after they chose to shut down the government rather than work with Democrats to protect families and save healthcare for millions.
• Just days into the government shutdown, Rep. Pressley held an emergency convening in Boston to highlight the harm of the shutdown to MA-07 constituents – federal workers, patients, advocates, and more.
• Amid government shutdown, Rep. Pressley and Senator Tina Smith reintroduced bill to provide back pay for federal contract workers, including low-wage food service and janitorial staff.
• Just hours before the Republicans shut down the government, Rep. Pressley rallied with advocates, colleagues, and impacted folks to demand Republicans protect healthcare and keep the government open
• Congresswoman Pressley stood in solidarity with workers and families who would be impacted by the government shutdown.
• Rep. Pressley also joined an all-day event with House Democrats to hold the line against Trump and Republicans’ efforts to rip away healthcare from millions of Americans.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) released the following statement in response to reports of a serious incident involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Oxnard.

“I have received deeply concerning reports about an aggressive ICE activity that escalated into a vehicle collision in an Oxnard neighborhood. This situation raises serious alarm given the troubling pattern of misconduct and abuse by immigration enforcement officials across the country.

“The lack of transparency and accountability from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE only further undermines public trust and makes our communities unsafe. The public deserves clear answers about what occurred. The continued silence from the responsible agencies only deepens concern and erodes confidence in their ability to operate safely and legally in our communities.

“No agency, including ICE, is above the law and the use of excessive force should never be tolerated. My office is actively monitoring this situation, and I will continue working closely with state and local officials to ensure the rights, safety, and well-being of every Ventura County resident are protected.”

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Issues: 119th Congress, Immigration, Local Issues

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Pete Aguilar (31 CD Ca)

Democrats are fighting back against Donald Trump and Republicans’ ‘Big Ugly Law,’ which guts Medicaid by $1 trillion, and are calling on Republicans to negotiate a bipartisan funding bill that protects Americans’ health care
Rep. Pete Aguilar recently held a press conference at the San Bernardino Adult Day Health Care Center in partnership with the California Association of Adult Day Services to highlight how Donald Trump and Republicans’ policies to gut health care threaten adult day services and health care for seniors and people with disabilities in the Inland Empire. Medicaid, known as Medi-Cal in California, covers 100 percent of the program participants’ care at San Bernardino Adult Day Health Care Center, which includes meals, access to preventive care and a space to socialize. Congressional Democrats are fighting to protect health care centers like these from Republican budget cuts and are calling on Republicans to fix the health care crisis they created with their Big Ugly Law. 
“Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have launched an all-out attack on the health care of seniors and adults with disabilities in the Inland Empire,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “For the people who depend on adult day services at places like the San Bernardino Adult Day Health Care Center, Medicaid isn’t just health insurance—it’s a lifeline that allows them to live with independence and dignity. Republican cuts to health care could force those who rely on adult day services into nursing homes or long-term care facilities, and that’s only if they can afford it. Democrats in Congress are fighting back against these harmful Republican cuts and are working to pass a bipartisan government funding bill that protects health care for people in the Inland Empire and across the country.”
“These historic Medicaid cuts create new uncertainties about the sustainability of thousands of Adult Day Health Care centers (ADHCs) across the country, including the more than 300 centers here in California that serve about 44,000 older and disabled Californians, rely almost entirely on Medi-Cal funding, and are also known as Community Based Adult Services (CBAS) centers,” said Brian Rutledge, Executive Director of the California Association of Adult Day Services. “The billions and billions of dollars that the White House is taking away from Medicaid – which we call Medi-Cal here in California – will make it harder to continue supporting our most vulnerable loved ones, especially those with dementia, developmental disabilities, and other chronic medical conditions.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

October 16, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (CA-02), Mark Pocan (WI-02), and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) sent a letter to President Trump, along with 28 of their colleagues, expressing grave concerns regarding his executive order Designating Antifa as a Domestic Terrorist Organization and the related memorandum Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence, also known as NSPM-7, and demanding they be immediately rescinded.

These directives dangerously conflate constitutionally protected speech and political dissent with terrorism. The memo specifically targets ideologies such as “anti-capitalism,” “anti-Christianity,” and “hostility toward those who hold traditional American views,” raising serious First Amendment, due process, and civil liberties concerns.

“While protecting public safety and countering genuine threats are essential responsibilities of government, the sweeping language and broad authority in these directives pose serious constitutional, statutory, and civil liberties risks, especially if used to target political dissent, protest, or ideological speech,” the lawmakers wrote.

“Your memo uses ideologically charged language (e.g., “hostility toward those who hold traditional American views on family, religion, and morality”) that invites enforcement based on an individual’s personal opinions or political beliefs rather than any objective concern for public safety,” the lawmakers continued. “This approach threatens our constituents’ civil liberties. Regardless of whether the President agrees with someone’s political views, the Constitution guarantees their right to speak and assemble peacefully.”

“The memo also characterizes ‘anti-capitalism’ as a hallmark of violent behavior without explaining the term,” the lawmakers go on to say. “This omission allows officials to potentially treat Americans as domestic terrorists for something as routine as organizing a local boycott or operating an employee-owned business. That lack of clarity threatens to chill lawful activism and punish economic alternatives.”

“Additionally, the memo’s inclusion of “anti-Christianity” as a concern implies that criticism of Christian doctrines or institutions may qualify as violent behavior,” the lawmakers continued. “This framing conflicts with the Constitution’s guarantee of religious freedom and its prohibition against government favoritism toward any faith. Non-Christian religious communities, secular groups, and individual dissenters all have the right to express disagreement with religious doctrines without being treated as threats…Labeling criticism as “anti-Christian” would silence their voices and deter Americans from exercising their rights. This risk becomes especially acute if enforcement shifts from protecting religious freedom to penalizing dissent from certain traditions.”

“While the threat of political violence demands vigilance, your administration must not use this moment to undermine the very constitutional and democratic principles we are sworn to uphold. These actions are illegal, and we demand you immediately rescind both the memorandum and the executive order. We stand ready to take legislative action should you fail to do so,” the lawmakers concluded.

A full copy of the letter can be found here.

The list of signers include: Mark Pocan (WI-02), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Andre Carson (IN-07), Greg Casar (TX-35), Judy Chu (CA-28), Danny Davis (IL-07), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Jesus Garcia (IL-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Hank Johnson (GA-04), John Larson (CT-01), Summer Lee (PA-12), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Nydia Velazquez (NY-07), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).

Endorsing Organizations: American Atheists, American Humanist Association, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Amnesty International, Council for Global Equality, Freedom From Religion Foundation, Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, Immigration Equality, MPact Global Action, National Women’s Law Center, Secular Coalition for America

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative John Garamendi (CA-08) joined U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), along with U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and 163 other lawmakers, in urging Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to follow the Employee Fair Treatment Act – which was passed and signed into law by Trump in 2019 – that requires furloughed federal employees to receive back pay during a government shutdown.

Despite this explicit law, President Trump and Director Vought have continued to bully and target our dedicated federal workforce, including by threatening to illegally withhold back pay after the shutdown ends.

“During the 2018-2019 shutdown, we worked with President Trump to enact the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act (GEFTA) of 2019, the intent of which is clear – federal employees are entitled to retroactive pay in the event of a government shutdown. We applauded President Trump for signing this bipartisan bill into law,” the members wrote.

“The law is clear: all impacted government employees, regardless of excepted or furloughed status, are entitled to back pay after a government shutdown ends, which is consistent with the guidance currently provided by federal agencies, including the Office of Personnel Management (OPM),” the members wrote. “OPM’s shutdown guidance from September 2025 still states that furloughed federal workers will be provided back pay once the government reopens.”

The members continued, “The decision by OMB to remove critical guidance on federal employee back pay is causing unnecessary stress for the federal workforce comprised of nearly 2.2 million employees.”

“We request you immediately clarify and update the Frequently Asked Questions During a Lapse in Appropriations Document and other relevant materials to affirm that furloughed employees will receive back pay, as is required by law,” the members concluded.  

In addition to Garamendi, Kaine, Murkowski, Beyer, and Hoyer, the letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

It is also cosigned by U.S. Representatives Alma Adams (D-NC-12), Gabe Amo (D-RI-01), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04), Becca Balint (D-VT-AL), Wesley Bell (D-MO-01), Ami Bera (D-CA-06), Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02), Shontel Brown (D-OH-11), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Janelle Bynum (D-OR-05), André Carson (D-IN-07), Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Ed Case (D-HI-01), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), Diana DeGette (D-CO-01), Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10), Maxine Dexter (D-OR-03), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), Sarah Elfreth (D-MD-03), Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Dwight Evans (D-PA-03), Shomari Figures (D-AL-02), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX-07), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Lois Frankel (D-FL-22), John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Jesús García (D-IL-04), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29), Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA-34), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH-02), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05), Pablo Hernández (D-PR-01), Steven Horsford (D-NV-04), Val Hoyle (D-OR-4), Glenn Ivey (D-MD-04), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37), Bill Keating (D-MA-09), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Greg Landsman (D-OH-01), John Larson (D-CT-01), Summer Lee (D-PA-12), Susie Lee (D-NV-03), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM-03), Mike Levin (D-CA-49), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Stephen Lynch (D-MA-08), Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), Sarah McBride (D-DE-AL), April McClain Delaney (D-MD-06), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), James McGovern (D-MA-02), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), Robert Menendez (D-NJ-08), Grace Meng (D-NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07), Dave Min (D-CA-47), Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Joe Morelle (D-NY-25), Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), Frank Mrvan (D-IN-01), Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), Jerry Nadler (D-NY-12), Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), Johnny Olszewski (D-MD-02), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), Chris Pappas (D-NH-01), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Emily Randall (D-WA-06), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Luz Rivas (D-CA-29), Deborah Ross (D-NC-02), Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), Terri Sewell (D-AL-07), Brad Sherman (D-CA-32), Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), Adam Smith (D-WA-09), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10), Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03), Eric Swalwell (D-CA-14), Emilia Sykes (D-OH-13), Mark Takano (D-CA-39), Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), Derek Tran (D-CA-45), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), Juan Vargas (D-CA-52), Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-07), Eugene Vindman (D-VA-07), James Walkinshaw (D-VA-11), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Nikema Williams (D-GA-05), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24).

The official letter from lawmakers is available here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

“More than 35,000 of my constituents are at risk of losing their coverage altogether. None of this is acceptable and 100% preventable.”

“Republicans could work with Democrats to lower these costs, but instead they chose to shut down the government and continue their campaign of wholesale, widespread hurt and harm.”

Video (YouTube)

WASHINGTON – During a House Steering and Policy Committee hearing, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) slammed Republicans for raising healthcare costs for families across the country and shutting down the government instead of addressing the healthcare crisis they created.

Rep. Pressley and her fellow Steering and Policy Committee members held an emergency hearing to hear directly from healthcare workers, family caretakers, and small business owners about how the Republicans’ shutdown and soaring healthcare premiums are threatening lives and livelihoods across the country.

A full transcript of the Congresswoman’s remarks is available below, and the full video is available here.

Transcript: Pressley Slams Republicans for Raising Healthcare Costs for Families, Shutting Down Government
U.S. Capitol
October 15, 2025

I’m an only child, but I married into a big family. And when we first were married, my husband was constantly going to this event, to that event, to a christening, a graduation.

And I said – you know, we both worked in government – and I said, I can’t, I can’t keep up with this. You know, there’s always a place to be. And my husband said to me, “You always inconvenience yourself for family.”

 And I just want to thank you for being here today because you’ve gone out of your way, because you give a damn—not only about your own families, but about your neighbors, about our communities, about our human family. And our destinies truly are tied.

So I thank you so much for your expertise, for your candor, and for your vulnerability.

My questions have been asked and answered, but I do just want to talk a little bit about the district that I represent, the Massachusetts 7th.

This is a vibrant, diverse, dynamic district, deeply unequal.

In a three-mile radius—you might find this hard to believe—from Cambridge to Roxbury, the Blackest part of my district, life expectancy drops by 30 years. 

So we have disparate outcomes across all avenues, but especially when it comes to health. 

And in fact, my district has already lost two hospitals—Carney Hospital and St. Elizabeth’s—and one in three of my constituents receive their care from a community health center, which is patient-centered, culturally competent, all of the things.

And of course, they’re all vulnerable in this moment.

I want to share an excerpt from a letter of one of my constituents, Sasha, who lives with Type 1 diabetes in Boston.

‘The idea of Medicaid being cut or made harder to access terrifies me. I don’t know how I would survive. I’m only 18, and I want to live with purpose, help others, and give back, but I can’t do that if I’m not here, and I can’t stay here without the care that keeps me alive.’

Madam Chair, I ask unanimous consent to enter this letter into the record.

Medicaid is a lifeline for Sasha and millions of others throughout the country. 

It’s not a nice to have. It’s a must have. 

And instead of protecting access to care, Republicans have chosen cruelty. 

They passed the Big Betrayal Bill and created a health care crisis that endangers the lives of every person who calls this country home.

Donald Trump, RFK Jr., Republicans in Congress are dismantling our health care system by firing workers at public health agencies, defunding research for cures, denying women essential reproductive care, and attacking science. 

And now, families are just weeks away from skyrocketing hikes for health insurance.

In my district, a family of four making $64,000 a year will pay $2,500 more in premiums each year. So for a 60- year-old couple earning $82,000, they’ll have to pay an extra $14,000.

More than 35,000 of my constituents are at risk of losing their coverage altogether. None of this is acceptable and 100% preventable. 

Republicans could work with Democrats to lower these costs, but instead they chose to shut down the government and continue their campaign of wholesale, widespread hurt and harm.

I do not know if it’s incompetence, I do not know if it is greed. I do not know if it is outright contempt for the American public.

But let me be clear: we are fighting for you. 

To every person fearful of losing life-saving health care, know that we see you and we will not stop fighting for you.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Litigation Against VRA is Latest in Republicans’ Attacks on Voting Rights and Black Political Power

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement on the Supreme Court’s hearing oral arguments on Louisiana v. Callais, the latest in a series of Republican-led attacks on the Voting Rights Act and Black political power.

“Today, we find ourselves in the midst of a precise, intentional, and coordinated assault on Black political power—from Republicans’ attacks on the Voting Rights Act and their attempts at redistricting Black and brown members of Congress out of their seats, to their brazen attacks on Black public officials and pushout of federal workers. 

“After generations organized, marched, and bled, the Voting Rights Act was passed to confront racial discrimination in our elections and empower Black voters to have a voice in our democracy. As Trump and Republicans continue their attempts to kill this landmark civil rights legislation, the Supreme Court must uphold the law and defend the sacred right to vote. Our democracy depends on it.”

Rep. Pressley has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to protecting and expanding the sacred right to vote for all people, including those who are currently and formerly incarcerated.

• In December 2023, Rep. Pressley and Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) unveiled the Inclusive Democracy Act, brand new, first-of-its-kind legislation that would end felony disenfranchisement in Federal elections and guarantee the right to vote for incarcerated citizens.
• In February 2022, Rep. Pressley, along with Whip Jim Clyburn and Congressman Mondaire Jones called on the Department of Justice to aggressively protect voting rights and fight against disenfranchisement, gerrymandering, voter purges, and other forms of voter suppression, vote dilution, and election subversion.
• Rep. Pressley has repeatedly urged the U.S. Senate to abolish the filibuster and pass the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
• In March 2021, Rep. Pressley led her colleagues in re-introducing an amendment to lower the federal election voting age from 18-years-old to 16-years-old.
• Rep. Pressley has called on the Massachusetts State Legislature to pass meaningful voting rights legislation that would boost voter turnout and expand access to the ballot box.
• As a Boston City Councilor, Rep. Pressley advocated for expanded access to the ballot box, supporting legislation requiring ballots be available in multiple languages, and filing a home rule petition to allow for early voting in Boston’s preliminary and general elections.

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