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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom McClintock Representing the 4th District of California

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Tom McClintock (CA-05) today sent the attached letter to Secretary Burgum encouraging the Secretary to keep the National Parks open and accessible during the lapse in appropriations.The letter is attached:

(click for pdf)

October 1^st, 2025

The Honorable Doug Burgum

Secretary of the Interior

U.S. Department of the Interior

1849 C Street Northwest

Washington D.C. 20240

Dear Secretary Burgum,

Given the unfortunate reality of the government shutdown, I am writing in the hope that you will seek to minimize the damage done to our National Parks and economy by allowing the national parks to remain open.

In past government shutdowns, the National Park Service ordered all visitors to leave Yosemite National Park, causing lodges and concessionaires to lay off employees and close.  This cruel and unnecessary choice devastated all the vendors, concessionaires, lodge-keepers, and shopkeepers in Yosemite’s surrounding communities, which depend on the Yosemite remaining open for their livelihoods.  This is especially cruel because, unlike government employees, employees of private businesses that depend on Yosemite do not receive backpay from lost revenue that occurs during the government shutdown.  In contrast, during the 2018 shutdown the park was allowed to remain open, and while there were challenges, the decision prevented the widespread economic challenges that had occurred in previous closures. 

Additionally, in past shutdowns there were extremely dire reports of irresponsible individuals who were producing uncollected buildups of garbage and even human waste.  Many park rangers believe the deterioration of the National Parks that will occur during a shutdown poses a threat to public health and safety.  The Antideficiency Act, which generally prohibits agencies from continued operation in the absence of appropriations, makes an exception for “emergencies involving the safety of human life or the protection of property,” and I believe the possibility of these events occurring again presents a clear risk to public safety and to federal property. 

Accordingly, the collection of garbage and the servicing of restrooms certainly falls within the actions the National Park Service can take during the current lapse of appropriations.  I therefore urgently request that you invoke this exception to the Antideficiency Act immediately so that the public can continue to exercise its right to access public lands safely until appropriations can be made. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07), Co-Chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), as well as fellow Co-Chairs Reps. Mike Quigley, and Paul Tonko and Vice Chairs Reps. Don Beyer, Suzanne Bonamici, Sean Casten, Mike Levin, and Chellie Pingree, released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s announcement that — in the midst of Republicans’ Government Shutdown — the Department of Energy is illegally cancelling $7.5 billion in critical projects dedicated to strengthening our energy independence and building a clean, homegrown American manufacturing economy.

“Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans are using the cover of their self-inflicted Republican Government Shutdown to weaponize our federal agencies against political enemies, at the expense of the American people. A Republican Shutdown does not give Donald Trump a blank check to take a political hatchet to lawfully awarded funds.

“On day one of Republicans’ Government Shutdown, Trump’s Department of Energy announced that it would illegally terminate $7.5 billion dollars in federal funding for projects that would lower energy prices for all American families. The specific projects targeted are no accident. The Trump Administration is deliberately and illegally cancelling projects in states they believe would hurt Democrats. These projects are not political, though. They are set to employ thousands of Americans, and would lower all Americans’ electricity bills, regardless of political affiliation.

“We can hardly believe that we have to say this, but the federal government must work for all Americans. Trump’s continued attacks will increase energy costs not only for Democrats, but for the entire country.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) issued the following statement on the government shutdown. 

“Republicans have pushed us into a government shutdown and it’s American families who will be forced to shoulder the burden. Instead of working with Democrats to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits and prevent premiums from spiking, Republicans refused to come to the table and left town. The result will be higher costs, deeper uncertainty, and millions of families at risk of losing coverage.

“We will not let Republicans continue their relentless assault on health care. Their Big Ugly Bill made the largest Medicaid cut in American history – abandoning the most vulnerable Americans. Now, rather than fix the harm, they’ve compounded it by further threatening families’ health and financial security.

“Make no mistake: this shutdown is on Republicans. They have made the deliberate choice to put themselves above the people they were elected to serve. Democrats are standing firm to protect access to care and bring down costs for American families.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

San Jose, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) convened a local roundtable discussion with federal employees to hear firsthand how the ongoing government shutdown, and the actions of the Administration, are affecting their work and the public’s access to government services in California’s 19th Congressional District and beyond.

During the listening session, federal employees outlined the damaging effects of the government shutdown and threats of mass layoffs. They detailed how services to the public are impacted by the shutdown and how the Administration’s actions are impacting the federal workforce, public safety and national security.

“Thousands of federal workers in California’s 19th District are either furloughed or working without receiving a paycheck, uncertain about their futures because Congressional leadership is failing to negotiate and govern responsibly,” said Rep. Panetta. “I will continue to fight to reopen our government, protect the livelihoods of our public servants, and ensure working families can keep their healthcare. The American people deserve a government that gets past political brinksmanship and does its job.”

“As this drags on its going to hurt more and more of our community,” said Cesar Lara, the Director of Workforce and Economic Development for the California Federation of Labor Unions. “We need to be strong and be clear that A, we need to get the doors open back in the federal government and B, respect the workers and make sure they at least get paid their due for an honest day’s work.”

Rep. Panetta has taken numerous actions to end the brinkmanship that leads to shutdowns while fighting the Administration’s attacks on the federal workforce, including:

• Introducing the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2023, legislation that would prevent government shutdowns going forward.
• Cosponsoring the Pay our Troops Act of 2025, to ensure that members of the military continue to be paid in the event of a government shutdown.
• Cosponsoring the Securing Assurance for Federal Employees (SAFE) Act, to prohibit mass layoffs during a government shutdown.
• Cosponsoring the Protect America’s Workforce Act, which restores the ability of federal employee unions to collectively bargain.   

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) released the following statement on the shutdown of the United States Government:

“In my limited time in Congress, there have been 29 continuing resolutions (CR) to keep the government open that have been voted on by the U.S. House of Representatives prior to this month’s CR. Although I am not proud that Congress has relied on CRs that many times, I am proud that every one of those CRs were bipartisan and a result of negotiations between Republicans and Democrats. Unfortunately, the Republicans currently in charge, with a Majority in the House and Senate and a Republican President in the White House, are unwilling to negotiate whatsoever with Democrats on the current CR.  

Speaker Mike Johnson and his Republican Majority in the House recently passed the CR without negotiating with Democrats.  For the Senate to pass the CR, however, Senate Majority Leader John Thune needs seven Democratic Senators to get past the Senate filibuster. Nevertheless, Majority Leader Thune will not negotiate with Senate Democrats on the CR.  That Republican refusal has led to this shutdown of the United States Government. 

I am against federal government shutdowns as they harm lives and livelihoods. There are currently two million federal employees, including thousands in California’s 19^th Congressional District.  Although a majority of federal workers, including those in our military, law enforcement, and other essential employees will be forced to work with backpay, many others deemed non-essential and contract workers will be prevented from working or receiving any pay.  Moreover, President Donald Trump and OMB Director Russell Vought have made it clear that they will use the shutdown as an opportunity to permanently fire people and further remake the federal workforce as they see fit. 

Democrats in the Senate and House are willing and ready to open the federal government and negotiate a CR or an annual budget that protects healthcare for working families.  President Trump’s purely partisan One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) that was signed into law in July will stop the enhanced health insurance premium subsides for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), causing four million people to lose health insurance and healthcare premiums to double in cost for 22 million people.  Moreover, the OBBB makes major changes to Medicaid that could cause over 10 million people to lose healthcare insurance, close rural hospitals, and increase our healthcare costs.  That’s why Democrats are fighting to extend the ACA subsidies and restore the cuts to Medicaid.  Furthermore, I believe that we must reign in the President’s tariff fetish and frenzy by reclaiming Congressional authorities over trade under Article One of our Constitution so that we can stop the price increases that are being felt by all Americans. 

I firmly believe that the people of the United States are yearning for Democrats and Republicans to negotiate, compromise, and govern.  Unfortunately, for the past nine months the Republican Majority has abdicated its legislative authorities to the executive branch.  That is why Democrats will continue our fight to reclaim our Congressional power.  Nevertheless, I believe that it is never too late for Republicans and Democrats to live up to our obligation to govern by working together.  We must start now with negotiations to immediately reopen our federal government, protect healthcare, stop tariffs, and reduce prices.  Basically, it is time for the U.S. Congress to do its job by exercising our Constitutional power.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Washington, DC – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and his congressional colleagues wrote a letter to Israeli leadership expressing opposition to possible unilateral annexation of the West Bank.  Rep. Panetta joined 179 House Democrats, a Majority of the caucus, putting pressure on the Israeli government to halt possible action.

“As long-standing supporters of the U.S.–Israel relationship, Israel’s security, and Israel’s future, we are deeply opposed to proposals for unilateral annexation of territory in the West Bank,” write the members.  “Such a move would not only violate international law but undermine decades of bipartisan U.S. policy and threaten the progress of the Abraham Accords, which offer Israel and its neighbors the opportunity to build a more secure, cooperative, and prosperous regional future.”

The letter was sent to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and was delivered ahead of an anticipated speech by Prime Minister Netanyahu in which unilateral annexation, or steps towards unilateral annexation, might be announced.  Several Israeli Government ministers have been publicly calling for such steps. Prime Minister Netanyahu is also scheduled to meet with President Trump and discuss the matter in the White House on September 29th.

“We are particularly troubled by increasing public calls to unilaterally annex West Bank territory,” the letter continues.  “Senior officials from the United Arab Emirates—core partners in the Abraham Accords—have made clear that annexation is a red line, warning it would jeopardize the promise of regional normalization and integration with Israel.  Moves toward annexation would undermine Israel’s progress on normalization, prevent international cooperation to rebuild Gaza after this devastating war, risk instability in Jordan, and even further strain ties with key European partners.”

The letter builds on an effort led by House Democrats in 2020 expressing similar concerns over possible Israeli annexation of the West Bank at that time.

“We respectfully urge your government to refrain from steps toward unilateral annexation and to recommit to a negotiated outcome consistent with U.S. policy and the regional vision embodied in the Abraham Accords,” the letter concludes.  “That path best safeguards Israel’s security and democratic ideals, advances regional cooperation against shared threats, and offers Israelis and Palestinians the possibility of living side by side in peace and dignity, freed from perpetual attacks on civilians and the threat of war.”  

The full letter to Secretary Rubio can be found here and below.

Dear Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Katz, and Foreign Minister Sa’ar:

As long-standing supporters of the U.S.–Israel relationship, Israel’s security, and Israel’s future, we are deeply opposed to proposals for unilateral annexation of territory in the West Bank. Such a move would not only violate international law but undermine decades of bipartisan U.S. policy and threaten the progress of the Abraham Accords, which offer Israel and its neighbors the opportunity to build a more secure, cooperative, and prosperous regional future. Unilateral annexation of the West Bank would plunge the region, already reeling from tens of thousands of deaths in the horrific Gaza war, into further chaos and violence.

Hamas’s barbaric October 7 attacks murdered more than a thousand people, including American citizens, and took hundreds of hostages. Israel has the right and obligation, within the requirements of international law, to defend its people and bring every hostage home.

At the same time, longstanding and overwhelmingly bipartisan U.S. policy, as enacted in the bipartisan Israel Relations Normalization Act, supports direct negotiations toward a two-state solution to ensure a future for two peoples living side by side in peace, security, and mutual recognition. We are convinced that unilateral steps by either side, including Israeli annexation of territory in the West Bank or Gaza, would move Israelis and Palestinians further away from negotiations and further away from a just, sustainable peace.

We are particularly troubled by increasing public calls to unilaterally annex West Bank territory. Senior officials from the United Arab Emirates—core partners in the Abraham Accords—have made clear that annexation is a red line, warning it would jeopardize the promise of regional normalization and integration with Israel. Moves toward annexation would undermine Israel’s progress on normalization, prevent international cooperation to rebuild Gaza after this devastating war, risk instability in Jordan, and even further strain ties with key European partners.

We are likewise troubled by statements from ministers within your government contemplating annexation of Gaza or parts of it. Such steps would not only violate international law but exacerbate humanitarian and diplomatic challenges at a moment when broad international support for Israel is at risk.

We respectfully urge your government to refrain from steps toward unilateral annexation and to recommit to a negotiated outcome consistent with U.S. policy and the regional vision embodied in the Abraham Accords. That path best safeguards Israel’s security and democratic ideals, advances regional cooperation against shared threats, and offers Israelis and Palestinians the possibility of living side by side in peace and dignity, freed from perpetual attacks on civilians and the threat of war.

Thank you for your consideration.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joined 80 Members of Congress in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon opposing the Administration’s decision to rescind federal resources from Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), including Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and divert them to other programs.

The Administration’s decision to rescind funding threatens programs that provide critical support to students at the University of California, Santa Cruz, California State University, Monterey Bay, Monterey Peninsula College, and Cabrillo College.  Since 2015, Hispanic-Serving Institution grants have supported services to over 13,000 students in California’s 19th Congressional District. 

The letter underscores how MSIs, including HSIs, educate millions of first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students across the country. The lawmakers warn that cutting resources to HSIs would disproportionately harm students who rely on these schools for affordable, high-quality higher education.

“In the 19th Congressional District, Hispanic-Serving Institutions like UC Santa Cruz, CSU Monterey Bay, Monterey Peninsula College, and Cabrillo College play a critical role in increasing access to opportunity for students across our community,” said Congressman Panetta. “This letter demonstrates the importance of HSIs to our progress as a nation.  That is one of the many reasons why we will continue to push back against these cuts and demand sustained federal investment in these types of colleges that are beneficial for our communities and our country.”

On September 10, the Administration announced that it would rescind and reprogram funding for Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (Title V Part A) and Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (Title V Part B) grants. These programs provide federally recognized HSIs with resources to expand academic offerings, strengthen student support, and improve degree completion. The HSI designation means that at least 25 percent of undergraduates at a given institution are Hispanic or Latino. 

The letter text can be read here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

San Jose, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) recently traveled to India as part of a congressional delegation to meet with senior government and business leaders and discuss trade issues.  As a member of the Trade Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Panetta continues his fight to reclaim the Constitutional authority over trade by participating in these types of trade delegation trips.  Over the course of the visit, the delegation focused on how the United States and India can address shared economic and security challenges while deepening their long-standing partnership.

In discussions with Indian officials, the delegation focused on harmful tariffs by this Administration, the potential for a trade deal, changes to America’s H-1B visa program, and the ongoing tensions in South Asia, particularly Indo-Pakistan relations, and the need for continued dialogue and cooperation to promote regional stability.

“Our countries continue to face challenges when it comes to trade, tariffs, immigration, and security that impact both our economies and global stability,” said Rep. Panetta.  “This type of trade delegation trip demonstrates America’s will and desire to work with India to modernize our economic relationship and promote peace in the region so, ultimately, we can find solutions that serve our people and strengthen our shared values.  The Congressional visit reinforced that a strong U.S.-India partnership is essential not only for our nations, but for the broader international community.”

The delegation’s itinerary took them across India’s capital in New Delhi, the historic city of Agra, and the financial hub of Mumbai. The numerous engagements with Indian government officials, academics, and business leaders highlighted opportunities for collaboration on trade, technology, clean energy, and supply chain resilience that bolster the long-standing ties between the two democracies.

Rep. Panetta underscored that these international engagements inform his work back home in California’s 19th Congressional District, where access to global markets, fair trade, and workforce opportunities remain critical to the local economy.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley released the following statement in response to Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard to Chicago to support ICE enforcement activities:

“The people of Chicago are already reeling from escalatory ICE raids. Trump is now ratcheting up tensions when we should all be lowering the temperature. He is using our service members as political props during a shutdown where they are working without pay. The deployment of hundreds of ICE agents and National Guard troops is not only unnecessary, it’s costing us millions of tax dollars. None of it is making us safer. This isn’t about protection, it’s about power. 

“Deployment of National Guard troops to U.S. cities is illegal. As a Trump-appointed judge recently said, ‘This is a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law.’ I strongly support Governor Pritzker and Attorney General Raoul’s suit against the Trump Administration’s unconstitutional actions. I also recognize that the courts move slowly and the administration has a record of flouting the law. I continue to encourage my fellow Chicagoans to remain peaceful, know their rights, report wrongdoing, and continue pushing back.

“The city of Chicago and the state of Illinois will not stand by while the Trump Administration terrorizes our neighbors. I will continue to call for accountability and oversight of ICE and National Guard troops, and we will stand with our neighbors to peacefully protest Trump’s illegal actions.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley released the following statement on the second anniversary of the October 7th attack on Israel.

“Two years ago today, Hamas abducted 251 innocent Israelis, and their brutal attack claimed 1,200 lives. Today, Hamas still holds 48 hostages in Gaza. For the people of Israel and for the global Jewish community, the grief and fear of that day is still raw. October 7th remains the worst attack on Jewish life since the Holocaust.

“In the aftermath of the 2023 attack, we have also seen a rise in antisemitism around the globe, including horrifying, violent assaults on Jewish individuals. It is imperative that we call out these acts when they occur and do our part to stamp out bigotry in all its forms.”

 

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