Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
This week, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined Bloomberg’s David Gura to discuss the Trump-Republican government shutdown and the healthcare crisis that is hurting people all across the country. The full interview can be watched here.
LEADER JEFFRIES: As Democrats, we continue to make clear to our Republican colleagues that we will sit down with them anytime, anyplace in order to reopen the government, to negotiate a bipartisan agreement that actually makes life better for the American people in terms of spending and funding. But we also have to decisively address the Republican healthcare crisis. We’ve maintained that position from the very beginning, before Republicans shut the government down and during the entirety of the shutdown, because it is a real crisis that has been created at this moment, particularly as it relates to the urgent need to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits.
[…]
The conversations have been very limited, unfortunately, because Donald Trump has not given House Republican leaders or Senate Republican leaders permission to negotiate, reinforcing the principle from our view that he made the decision to shut the government down. They want to continue to inflict pain on federal employees. They’ve done that from the very beginning of Donald Trump’s presidency. In fact, more than 200,000 federal employees had been forced off the job prior to the government shutdown. And this is something that we’ve continued to see them build upon during the shutdown. Until Donald Trump gets serious about reopening the government, unfortunately, we’re going to remain in this situation, and everyday Americans are being hurt.
[…]
I think that the President has a responsibility, both domestically and throughout the world. However, what has been irresponsible is that throughout this shutdown, he’s found more time to golf than he has to engage with Democrats on Capitol Hill. He’s decided to try to steal $230 million in taxpayer funds from the Department of Injustice. Donald Trump and his administration have found $40 billion to bail out a right-wing wannabe dictator in Argentina and can’t find a dime to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits to keep healthcare affordable for tens of millions of Americans. And on top of all of that, they are demolishing the East Wing of the White House in ways that have appropriately horrified the American people.
[…]
This is a traumatic moment for the country that this has been inflicted on the American people. And then layer on top of it, right, just shutting the government down, as Republicans have done, is very problematic. But trying to communicate with the American people why we as Democrats also believe that addressing the Republican healthcare crisis is necessary and explaining the entirety of the assault on their healthcare that has occurred this year, beginning with the One Big Ugly Bill and the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, and the fact that there are hospitals and nursing homes and community-based health centers are closing all across the country. Home care will be adversely affected. The possible cut to Medicare at the end of the year. The Republican refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, and the threats that they’re now making to even try to repeal the Affordable Care Act. And the assault on public health infrastructure. This is extraordinary stuff. We’ve never seen anything like this in the history of the country, which is why we believe it needs to be decisively addressed. Along with, of course, reopening the government, standing by our hardworking federal civil servants and making sure that we can enact a bipartisan spending agreement.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Thomas Massie (4th District of Kentucky)
For Immediate Release Contact: massie.press@mail.house.gov Contact #: 202-225-3465
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Representative Thomas Massie announces the introduction of patent reform legislation designed to restore to Americans a patent system “as the Constitution of the United States originally envisioned it.” Massie’s legislation, HR 5811, the Restoring America’s Leadership in Innovation Act of 2025 (RALIA), reverses several harmful changes to patent law that arose from Supreme Court rulings and the enactment of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. Among the significant reforms contained in Massie’s legislation is a return to the “first to invent” standard to ensure patent protection for America’s inventors.
“RALIA restores a patent system as the Constitution of the United States originally envisioned it to Americans,” said Congressman Massie. “In Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, the Founding Fathers gave Congress the authority to protect the discoveries of inventors. Specifically, they created a patent system to ‘promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.’ Regrettably, Congress’s 2011 enactment of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act has worked in concert with several Supreme Court decisions to erode this protection’s strength and value.”
“As the Constitution intends, RALIA restores patent protection to inventors by awarding patents on a ‘first to invent’ basis rather than the more recently adopted ‘first to file’ standard,” Congressman Massie continued. “A return to a ‘first to invent’ patent protection system ensures that inventors and the investors who back them can be confident that their innovative work and ideas will be safeguarded. Patents should protect those who innovate, not those who win the race to the patent office.”
In addition to restoring patent protections to a “first to invent” standard, RALIA contains other important reforms to the patent system. Notably, RALIA affirms that a patent secures private property rights, allows inventors to once again obtain injunctions against intellectual property thieves, restores inventors’ rights to defend their inventions in court by abolishing the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and ends the automatic publication of patent applications unless a patent is granted.
Among the groups supporting Congressman Massie’s legislation are: American Association of Senior Citizens, American Business Defense Council, American Policy Center, Conservatives for Property Rights, Eagle Forum Education & Legal Defense Fund, Less Government, Let Freedom Ring, Market Institute, Prosperity for US Foundation, 60 Plus Association, Taxpayers Protection Alliance, The Committee for Justice, Tradition Family Property Inc., U.S. Business & Industry Council, US Inventor, and Veterans Intellectual Property.
Randy Landreneau, President, US Inventor, offered the following statement of support for the Massie legislation:
“For two decades, misguided changes—driven by large corporations seeking dominance—have gutted the rights of American inventors and startups. The result: weakened innovation, rising monopolies, and China gaining ground in critical technologies. It’s time to fully restore inventors’ constitutional rights and unleash American innovation once again. RALIA does exactly that.”
RALIA’s original cosponsors include Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX), Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), and Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX).
Bill text for the Restoring America’s Leadership in Innovation Act of 2025 is available at this link.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raul Ruiz (36th District of California)
Brawley, CA – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25), hosted a dedication ceremony officially designating the United States Postal Service facility at 401 Main Street in Brawley, California, as the “Walter Francis Ulloa Memorial Post Office Building.”
The outdoor ceremony took place in front of the Brawley Post Office with support from the City of Brawley, the Brawley Police Department, and the County of Imperial. Congressman Ruiz was joined by members of the Ulloa family, local leaders, and community partners to honor the life and legacy of Walter Francis Ulloa.
“Walter Ulloa was a true pioneer in Spanish-language media and a powerful voice for the Latino community,” said Congressman Raul Ruiz (CA-25). “His work and spirit touched countless lives across the Coachella and Imperial Valleys and beyond. Naming this post office in his honor ensures that his legacy of innovation, compassion, and community leadership will continue to inspire future generations.”
“My dad had a quiet magic about him; humble, kind, generous, and he believed in his community. In fact, Walter believed in people even before they believed in themselves; a quality that embodied who he was as a leader.” – Bruno Ulloa, Son of Walter Ulloa
“I am very proud of Walter and all his accomplishments during his lifetime but to have the Brawley Post Office named in his honor in the city that our family established our roots is a wonderful tribute. Thank you, Congressman Raul Ruiz and members of Congress, for recognizing Walter’s civic and community contributions by bestowing this distinction on him.” – Ronald Ulloa, Brother of Walter Ulloa
“Here in Brawley, Walter’s story reminds us that greatness often begins in small towns like ours — places where values like family, hard work, and community are deeply rooted. His achievements have brought pride to Brawley and inspired countless others to pursue their dreams while never forgetting where they came from. Our team at the Brawley Post Office is incredibly proud to have the building dedicated to Walter Ulloa.” — Mia Limon, Officer in Charge, Brawley Post Office.
The ceremony featured an Invocation by Deacon Alberto Moya from Sacred Heart Church and a Presentation of Colors by the Brawley Police Department Honor Guard. Remarks were delivered by Oscar Gonzalez, USPS Region 6 Representative; Gil Rebollar, Mayor of Brawley; Congressman Ruiz; and Alexandra, Bruno, and Ron Ulloa, representing the Ulloa family.
Following the ceremony, Congressman Ruiz presented the commemorative plaque to the Ulloa family. The plaque was then installed inside the post office lobby by USPS maintenance, where family members gathered for a brief installation and photo opportunity.
The renaming of the post office honors Walter Francis Ulloa, a visionary leader in Spanish-language media and a steadfast advocate for the Latino community. Ulloa’s work uplifted communities throughout California and across the nation.
Background on the Designation
H.R. 8641 was introduced by Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D., to honor Walter Francis Ulloa, a pioneering leader in Spanish-language media and a dedicated advocate for the Latino community. The bill designates the United States Postal Service facility at 401 Main Street in Brawley, California, as the Walter Francis Ulloa Memorial Post Office Building.
The legislation received unanimous, bipartisan support from the entire California congressional delegation and passed the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability in September 2024. It was signed into law on January 4, 2025.
The designation recognizes Ulloa’s lifelong contributions to journalism, civic engagement, and community empowerment. As a native of Brawley, Ulloa’s achievements inspired generations and elevated Latino voices across California and the nation.
Pictures and videos from the event can be foundhere.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)
“The bigger picture here is the war Trump has declared on any efforts we make to ensure everyone in this nation can be successful and included in the American dream,” said Wasserman Schultz. “As part of that, just last month, the Trump Administration’s Department of Education forced Broward schools to end their highly successful Latinos in Action program by threatening to withhold millions of dollars in magnet school funding from the district, which have no connection to Latinos in Action, and likely isn’t even legal.”
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) held a roundtable to discuss the impacts of the Trump Administration’s push to cancel the highly successful Latinos in Action course in Broward County, with many students involved in the successful program sharing how it feels like “familia.” The Trump Administration’s threat to withhold federal funds is based on inaccurate claims that the course excludes some students, and people connected to the popular class over the last decade described the reality of its access and achievements.
“The bigger picture here is the war Trump has declared on any efforts we make to ensure everyone in this nation can be successful and included in the American dream,” said Wasserman Schultz. “As part of that, just last month, the Trump Administration’s Department of Education forced Broward schools to end their highly successful Latinos in Action program by threatening to withhold millions of dollars in magnet school funding from the district, which have no connection to Latinos in Action, and likely isn’t even legal.”
Despite Trump Administration claims, the program is open to all students in 7th through 12th grade. Students shared their personal stories about how Latinos in Action helped them grow personally and professionally, learn about different cultures, develop leadership skills, but most importantly gave them a place where they felt like they belonged.
Broward, Polk and Seminole counties all received threatening U.S. Department of Education letters related to cancelling the program, and several Florida districts suspended the program for fear of losing funding, including Lee, Osceola, Volusia, Orange and Hillsborough counties. Yesterday, Wasserman Schultz led Democrats in Florida in a call for the DOEd to halt the plan to terminate the program.
Wasserman Schultz was joined by Broward County School Board Chair Debbi Hixon, Latinos in Action Regional Program Manager Andrea Bruno, and students who participated in the program.
Wasserman Schultzrecently led Florida’s Congressional Democrats in a letter calling on the Trump Administration’s Department of Education to rescind its threat to withhold federal funds from local classrooms and give school districts a chance to prove that inaccurate claims against a long-time, successful Latinos In Action program should not be used to target funding and resources that local districts need.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)
Today, Rep. Don Beyer joined Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05), House Committee on Agriculture Ranking Member Angie Craig (MN-02), and 212 House Democrats in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, to urge the agency to use contingency reserve dollars to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the government shutdown. With no resolution to a bipartisan path forward to reopen the government, SNAP funding is set to lapse on November 1st, putting 42 million children and families at risk of experiencing hunger.
There is enough in the SNAP contingency reserve to cover nearly two-thirds of the amount needed for a full month of benefits. As such, the Members also advocate for the agency to use statutory transfer authority or any other legal means to supplement shortfalls the contingency reserve cannot cover.
“Now more than ever, millions of families across the country depend upon the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to make ends meet. For far too many veterans, seniors, and children, SNAP benefits are the difference between having food or not,” wrote the Members. “Now, due to the government shutdown, they are facing crippling levels of uncertainty about whether they will be able to afford food next month. A potential lapse in benefits would be felt by Americans of all ages and affect every corner and congressional district in the country.”
“We urge USDA to use these funds for November SNAP benefits and issue clear guidance to states on how to navigate benefit issuance. Additionally, while the contingency reserve will not cover November benefits in full, we urge USDA to use its statutory transfer authority or any other legal authority at its disposal to supplement these dollars and fully fund November benefits. There are clear steps the administration can and must take immediately to ensure that millions of families across the country can put food on their table in November. Choosing not to ensure SNAP benefits reach those in need this November would be a gross dereliction of your responsibilities to the American people.”
The letter is signed by Reps. Alma Adams (NC-12), Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Becca Balint (VT), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Ami Bera (CA-06), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), André Carson (IN-07), Troy Carter (LA-02), Greg Casar (TX-35), Ed Case (HI-01), Sean Casten (IL-06), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Joaquin Castro (T-20), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gilbert Cisneros (CA-31), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), James E Clyburn (SC-06), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Herbert Conaway (NJ-03), J. Louis Correa (CA-46), Jim Costa (CA-21), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Jason Crow (CO-06), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Danny Davis (IL-07), Donald Davis (NC-01), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Christopher Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Shomari Figures (AL-02), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Bill Foster (IL-11), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesús García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Laura Gillen (NY-04), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Adam Gray (CA-13), Al Green (TX-09), Josh Harder (CA-09), Pablo Hernández (PR- At Large), James Himes (CT-04), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Glenn Ivey MD-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Henry Johnson (GA-04), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), William; Keating (MA-09), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi(IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), John Larson (CT-01), George Latimer (NY-16), Summer Lee (PA-12), Susie Lee (NV-03), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Mike Levin (CA-49), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Ted Lieu(CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), John Mannion (NY-22), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Sarah McBride (DE-At Large), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), James McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Grace Meng (NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Dave Min (CA-47), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Joseph Morelle (NY-25), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Frank Mrvan (IN-01), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Richard Neal (MA-01), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Donald Norcross (NJ-01),Eleanor Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Scott Peters (CA-50), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Josh Riley (NY-19), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Patrick Ryan (NY-18), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Janice Schakowsky (IL-09), Bradley Schneider (IL-10), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Kim Schrier (WA-08), David Scott (GA-13), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Darren Soto (FL-09), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Thomas Suozzi (NY-03), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Norma Torres (CA-35), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Derek Tran (CA-45), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), George Whitesides (CA-27), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)
Van Hollen, Alsobrooks, Beyer, Walkinshaw, Over 60 Lawmakers Press Administration to Reinstate Furloughed Federal Workers at Agencies Unaffected by Republican Shutdown, Resume Their Pay | U.S. Representative Don Beyer
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)
Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) today led 53 U.S. Representatives urging major utility companies to suspend late penalties and utility shutoffs for federal employees and contractors amid the federal government shutdown.
They wrote:
“In light of the ongoing federal government shutdown, we write to urge you to suspend all utility shutoffs and late payment penalties for federal workers or federal contractors affected by the shutdown. Both essential and involuntarily furloughed employees are currently without pay. These workers should not face the additional hardship of losing access to running water, electricity, or internet simply because their paychecks have stopped through no fault of their own.
… “The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 guarantees that federal employees will receive full back pay once a lapse in appropriations ends, ensuring they can meet their outstanding debts accrued during the shutdown. Therefore, we urge you to temporarily withhold all utility service disconnections and suspend late payment penalties for federal employees and provide flexible payment plans once their pay resumes.”
Recipients of the Representatives’ letter included electricity provider associations Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the American Public Power Association (APPA), the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), water utility associations the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), and broadband associations CTIA and USTelecom, all of whom were encouraged to share it with their members.
The letter was signed by U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Robert Garcia (D-CA), Suzan DelBene (D-OR), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Eugene Vindman (D-VA), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), April McClain Delaney (D-MD), Johnny Olszewski (D-MD), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), Becca Balint (D-VT), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), (D-), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Sean Casten (D-IL), Gil Cisneros (D-CA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Herb Conaway (D-NJ), Lou Correa (D-CA), Danny Davis (D-IL), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Cleo Fields (D-LA), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), Sylvia Garca (D-TX), Val Hoyle (D-OR), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Susie Lee (D-NV), John Mannion (D-NY), Lucy McBath (D-GA), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Nellie Pou (D-NJ), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Bonne Watson Coleman (D-NJ), George Whitesides (D-CA), and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).
Text of the letter follows below, and a signed copy is available here.
***
Dear Utility Providers:
In light of the ongoing federal government shutdown, we write to urge you to suspend all utility shutoffs and late payment penalties for federal workers or federal contractors affected by the shutdown. Both essential and involuntarily furloughed employees are currently without pay. These workers should not face the additional hardship of losing access to running water, electricity, or internet simply because their paychecks have stopped through no fault of their own.
Federal employees dedicate their lives to serving our country, often in thankless yet vital roles that keep our country safe and our economy running. These are apolitical positions and the individuals who fill them should not bear the consequences of political gridlock and the current standstill that has led to this shutdown.
While Congress works to reopen the government, millions of public servants will soon begin missing paychecks. Many are parents and caregivers whose families depend on their income. They should not have to worry about whether they can keep the lights on at home. The federal workforce has endured enough uncertainty this year, and financially strained households tend to forgo paying for other essential needs, such as food and health care, in order to avoid utility shutoffs. A utility shutoff would make these families more likely to be exposed to unsafe household conditions that lack safe temperatures, water, or communication. This should be prevented by all means possible.
Suspending utility shutoffs for federal workers during a government shutdown is in line with existing statutory protections across the country. Over two-thirds of states have laws on the books to protect vulnerable populations from utility shutoffs. The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 guarantees that federal employees will receive full back pay once a lapse in appropriations ends, ensuring they can meet their outstanding debts accrued during the shutdown. Therefore, we urge you to temporarily withhold all utility service disconnections and suspend late payment penalties for federal employees and provide flexible payment plans once their pay resumes.
Shutdowns cause atypical and undue economic hardship. We appreciate your consideration and sincerely hope you understand the urgency and necessity of protecting federal workers under these exceptional circumstances.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)
Bacon Announces Staff Changes; Recognizes Role of Women in Senior Leadership
Omaha, Neb. – Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) today announced recent staff changes, while also noting the role women play as part of his leadership team. Valerie Foy has been promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff, while also serving as Chief Counsel and Director of Foreign Policy. She joined Bacon’s D.C. staff in March 2018. Theresa Thibodeau has been promoted to District Director, previously serving as the Director of Outreach in the Omaha office. She joined the staff in March 2025. Communications Director Danielle Jensen has added Sr. Policy Advisor to her role on Bacon’s staff. She has served the 2nd District of Nebraska since January 2017, when Rep. Bacon was sworn in as a Member of Congress. Thibodeau joins Foy and Jensen on the Senior Leadership Team, where they have both served since 2019.
“All three of these extraordinary leaders have excelled in their roles and have brought unique perspectives, advice, and understanding to our team,” said Bacon, “With three of the five members of our senior leadership team being women, I’d say ‘women rule the roost’ in our office.”
“Their drive for excellence, laser focus on constituent services and a career of service has a direct and positive impact on my ability to serve this district. Our office is routinely selected as one of the most effective in all of Congress and these three great leaders make it happen. They’re breaking the glass ceiling!”
Bios:
Valerie Foy serves as Deputy Chief of Staff, Chief Counsel, and Director of Foreign Policy in the office of Congressman Don Bacon, representing Nebraska’s Second Congressional District. As Chief Counsel, Valerie is the primary advisor for all legal matters within the office and provides foreign policy development for Rep. Bacon in coordination with the defense policy team in furtherance of the Congressman’s committee priorities. Valerie also handles a broad portfolio of policy issues, including financial services, tax, commerce, business, and veteran affairs. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maine; her Master of Science from Troy State University; her Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law and her Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the University of Alabama School of Law. Prior to joining Rep. Bacon’s office, Valerie practiced law, worked in the financial services industry, and served as a United States Air Force Officer.
Theresa Thibodeau is the current District Director for Congressman Don Bacon, where she leads district operations, oversees constituent services, and manages strategic engagement across Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District. Theresa is an entrepreneur, community leader, and former Nebraska State Senator from Omaha. A graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where she was an Academic All-American in track and cross country, she built a career in human resources before owning and operating the Primrose School of La Vista, a highly regarded early childhood education center. In the Nebraska Legislature, she focused on education, economic development, and health care, and she continues to serve her community through leadership roles on numerous boards. A graduate of Leadership Omaha and Leadership Sarpy, she has been recognized with honors such as the Midlands Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and Sarpy County’s Up and Coming Business Award. She also spends time reading about current trends in business and economic development, as well as researching public policy.
Danielle Jensen currently manages the overall integrated communication strategies for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District representative, Rep. Don Bacon, and provides advice and research on policy issues. She is a seasoned communications and government affairs professional with a combined 20 years of experience in integrated communications, legislative processes, coalition building, marketing, event planning, political fundraising, and news broadcasting. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Broadcasting at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where she was active in UNO’s Student Government, serving as a Student Senator, Speaker of the Senate, Chief Administrative Officer, and Student Court Justice. In December 2016, she was recognized by Governor Pete Ricketts as an Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska. Before joining Congressman Bacon’s office, Danielle worked for the Nebraska Energy Office, Meridian Central Public Affairs, I-80 Speedway, Stenberg for Senate, Lee Terry for Congress, WOW-AM and FM, and KMTV.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press availability, where he emphasized that while Republicans are nowhere to be found as inflation and costs continue to skyrocket, Democrats are ready, willing and able to negotiate a bipartisan spending agreement that lowers healthcare costs and ends the Trump-Republican shutdown.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Today’s inflation numbers of 3% year over year confirm what hardworking American taxpayers already know, that Donald Trump and Republican policies are making life too expensive in the United States of America. Donald Trump and Republicans promised that costs would go down on day one, but costs haven’t gone down in the United States of America. Costs are going up. Inflation is up—the highest number since January of this year. Housing costs are too high. Grocery costs are too high. Electricity bills are through the roof. And now, because of the Republican refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, tens of millions of Americans are receiving notices right now that their healthcare premiums are about to skyrocket. In some instances, everyday Americans are going to pay $1,000 or $2,000 more per month. That is unsustainable in an environment where people are already struggling to live paycheck to paycheck. Can’t thrive, and can barely survive.
We need House Republicans to come back to Washington, D.C. End your four-week vacation. Enough already. We as Democrats, House Democrats, Senate Democrats, are ready to sit down anytime, anyplace, with anyone here at the Capitol or over at the White House to negotiate a bipartisan agreement, reopen the government so we can pay our hardworking federal employees, while at the same time, we need to decisively address the Republican healthcare crisis. It’s crushing people all across the country. Meanwhile, Donald Trump and Republicans on Capitol Hill are nowhere to be found, have zero interest in actually addressing this issue. That’s a shame.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box, where he highlighted that as inflation and the cost of living continue to increase, Democrats are committed to fighting to end the Republican healthcare crisis and the government shutdown.
BECKY QUICK: Alright, let’s turn to Capitol Hill for the latest on the government shutdown, now in its 24th day. Joining us right now is House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Leader, thank you for being with us this morning. I think the big question is, how do we get out of this?
LEADER JEFFRIES: That’s an important question, and we continue to maintain that we will sit down with our Republican colleagues anytime, anyplace, here at the Capitol or go back to the White House to enact a bipartisan spending agreement that actually meets the needs of the American people, improves their quality of life, lowers costs in an environment where inflation continues to move in the wrong direction. And we also need to decisively address the Republican healthcare crisis that is crushing people all across the country, particularly now that tens of millions of people are receiving notices that their healthcare premiums are about to skyrocket.
BECKY QUICK: There was an op-ed in Roll Call recently that was pretty interesting on this. It said what you are asking the Republicans to do right now when they control the White House, the Senate and the House is effectively what the Democrats could not do when they controlled all three of those heads of government themselves. The 10-year set-up for this, for these, the three-year set-up for the expiration of these credits was intentionally put in. It was put in when you controlled the White House, the House and the Senate. You couldn’t get it passed for longer. And so, this is a set-up, kind of of your own creation, that you all couldn’t extend beyond that. Now you want the Republicans to do something you didn’t do when you were in power?
LEADER JEFFRIES: It’s not a set-up beyond what we could do. We extended the Affordable Care Act tax credits in 2022 for three years. The program is working. It’s providing healthcare to tens of millions of people in an affordable way, and it should be continued. It’s interesting to us that Republicans decided that they would prefer to permanently extend massive tax breaks for their billionaire donors in their One Big Ugly Bill,which also at the same time dramatically increased the debt and enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, but refuse to consider extending Affordable Care Act tax credits that actually benefit working-class Americans, everyday Americans and middle-class Americans. Their priorities are misplaced. And as Democrats, we’re going to continue to fight for the American people all across the country in rural America, urban America, small town America, the heartland of America and, of course, Black and brown communities throughout America, all of whom are being devastated by this Republican healthcare crisis.
BECKY QUICK: Leader Jeffries, we were just joined by Senator James Lankford from Oklahoma. He’s a Republican, and his concern with this was that the ACA subsidies aren’t helping bring costs down overall. He said that in his state, Oklahoma, if you look over six years from 2013 to 2019, premiums for ACA plans were up by 200% versus premiums being up by 29% for commercial plans in his state. His concern is that there’s something that needs to be fixed within this. Some of the things he threw out would be things like limiting fraud by just requiring that there be at least a $20 premium or some premium that’s put down instead of zero premium so that people get enrolled in things without even knowing that they’re enrolled in some of these programs. What do you say to that?
LEADER JEFFRIES: We’ve made clear in the House that we will consider anything that emerges from the Senate in good faith in a bipartisan way that both reopens the government while at the same time addresses this healthcare crisis and extends the Affordable Care Act tax credits in a meaningful way. The 90% or so of the people who benefit from these Affordable Care Tax credits make $63,000 per year or less and a significant number of small businesses and entrepreneurs across the country rely upon the Affordable Care Act tax credits in order to provide health insurance for themselves and for their families. So this is an issue that needs to be addressed. In fact, we know that red state residents actually are disproportionately higher represented in terms of the Affordable Care Act tax credits than any other part of the country. And so, we’re fighting for the American people here. And hopefully we can find a bipartisan path forward.
JOE KERNEN: It’s such a complex issue, Leader, and what we’re seeing now with the shutdown, some real effects starting to happen, I guess. And that’s where people just separate out all the points that you’re making right now about what’s wrong with the healthcare system and when and how you fix it and when you’re able to have those discussions and those negotiations. And maybe it shouldn’t be done, you know, by shutting the, you now, using leverage which shuts the government down where you don’t really have time to do it effectively. This is what Senator Lankford—just talking about history—this is where he said when Republicans were going to do it about Obamacare.
VIDEO OF SENATOR JAMES LANKFORD: Well, in 2013, as folks recall, Republicans were mad about Obamacare. We were pretty clear about it. And we had a big government shutdown. It was shorter than this one. And Democrats at that time said, we will not negotiate on healthcare while the government is closed. Well, now it’s literally the opposite on it, that we’re saying we’re not going to negotiate on healthcare. Healthcare is incredibly complicated. You can’t do it while people are not getting SNAP benefits, people are not getting paid, air traffic controllers are not getting paid. You can’t sit there and say, we’ll do this little tweak, and that’s going to be enough. It’s not enough. So let’s actually have a real conversation about all these issues, but not while there’s a shutdown.
JOE KERNEN: And I think it’s possible, Leader, that Republicans all feel that way, and we’re just going to be stuck here until some really bad things happen.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, we haven’t shut the government down. Donald Trump is the President. Republicans control the House and the Senate. And what we’ve repeatedly made clear is that we would not support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the healthcare of the American people in an environment where Republicans already enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. Hospitals, nursing homes and community-based health centers are closing because of Republican policies in their One Big Ugly Bill, all across the country. Medicare is facing a $536 billion cut at the end of the year, unless Congress acts, again connected to the One Big Ugly Bill. And now, Republicans are refusing to even consider extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits when Open Enrollment starts on November 1st. This is a now issue.
JOE KERNEN: But Leader Jeffries, you kind of conflated a spending bill with a clean CR. It’s only 24 pages. It keeps the government open at this point. And the House passed it. It’s ready to go. The Senate has it. I know that the Republicans control everything, but you know how the filibuster works. And God forbid Republicans, you know, fold on the filibuster because it’ll be used, you know, both parties will use it against the other. It’s one of the last safeguards that make the Senate different than the House. And the only reason the Senate can’t do it is purely because of Democrats. And you had one of your colleagues in the Senate say this is the only leverage we have. People are going to get hurt. This is the only leverage we have to get what we want on healthcare. It’s a bad look.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, this is not about leverage. And by the way, if the votes of Democratic Senators are required, then of course there should be a bipartisan discussion about enacting a spending bill that is designed to actually make life better for the American people, lower the high cost of living in an environment where Donald Trump and Republicans promised that costs were going to go down on day one. Costs aren’t going down. Inflation is moving in the wrong direction. The Trump tariffs are causing thousands of dollars of additional expense on everyday Americans. Grocery costs have gone up. Housing costs are going up. Electricity bills are through the roof. And now people are facing, tens of millions of people, are facing dramatically increased healthcare premiums, in some instances $1,000 or $2,000 more per month. These are working-class people. This is unaffordable. And of course it’s a crisis that is before us right now.
JOE KERNEN: But what changed from when the Democrats said we will not negotiate when the government is shutdown on healthcare? Not now, reopen the government, then we’ll negotiate. That happened in 2013. What happened? What changed since then to where we are now, where you can use a government shutdown to extract concessions from Republicans?
LEADER JEFFRIES: We are not using a government shutdown to extract any concessions. We want to reopen the government immediately. Donald Trump has refused to meet with Democrats over the last 24 days. He spent more time on the golf course than he has actually talking to Democrats on Capitol Hill. He’s found time to demand that the Department of Injustice give him $230 million in taxpayer money. He’s found time to bail out a right-wing wannabe dictator in Argentina with $40 billion. He’s found time to demolish the East Wing of the White House in the most horrific way possible because he wants to erect a ballroom so he can be celebrated like a king. He’s found time for all of these different things, but somehow can’t be bothered to reopen the government or can’t be bothered to find a dime to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits.
BECKY QUICK: Ok, let’s talk about some of these issues. You bring up inflation, and you’re right to do so. We just got the CPI. It was not quite as hot as had been anticipated, but inflation is higher than the Fed’s target range or than anybody feels comfortable with. The problem is inflation is often caused by government spending. Additional government spending is not likely to get it to the point where we are going to see less inflation out there. How do you handle that?
LEADER JEFFRIES: This is not additional government spending—
BECKY QUICK: It is additional government spending, you’re looking for another $350 billion of additional government spending over the next 10 years—
JOE KERNEN: That’s just with the Obamacare.
LEADER JEFFRIES: We’re actually extending a tax credit that currently exists, and what’s interesting is that in their One Big Ugly Bill, where Republicans raised the debt ceiling by about over $4 trillion, exploded the deficit and the debt, but then they used a policy framework called current policy baseline, which is to say, that if you just extend current policy, it has no fiscal impact. So the question is, why are Republicans willing to use that approach when it comes to massive tax breaks for their billionaires, but unwilling to do it for working-class folks?
BECKY QUICK: Not a big fan of how any elected officials tend to use figures to tell us what we want to hear with some of these things. Additional government spending, though, is going to mean worse numbers when it comes to inflation. Is there a way to get everybody together and try and find ways to fix the base problems with healthcare and try and make sure that people are being given the help that they need along the way? It seems like it’s a really tough thing to do when the government’s been shut for 24 days, that that is not a great situation that we’re asking other people to bear the pain.
LEADER JEFFRIES: We have a broken healthcare system, and it obviously needs to be fixed in a decisive way. But there are steps that should be taken right now with respect to the reality that tens of millions of Americans are receiving notices as we speak indicating that their healthcare premiums are about to skyrocket in ways that will bankrupt them or deprive them of the ability to go see a doctor when they need one, when their children or when their families need one. This is not an artificially made-up thing. November 1st Open Enrollment begins. The notices are going out. Marjorie Taylor Greene agrees that something needs to be done with respect to the Affordable Care Act tax credits, and traditional conservatives in the House agree. They just sent a letter to Mike Johnson indicating that this is an issue that needs to be confronted. It’s not made up. It’s real.
JOE KERNEN: That’s a first—
BECKY QUICK: There are problems—
JOE KERNEN: That’s a first for you, Leader, Marjorie Taylor Greene. I love it. You’ve got to love the irony there. Hey, you know what else has passed after November 1st? The election for Mayor in New York. Come on. Are you ready? Are you ready to endorse Mamdani yet, Leader Jeffries?
LEADER JEFFRIES: As I’ve repeatedly said, Joe, I’ll have more to say about the Mayor’s race when I have more to say about the Mayor’s race.
JOE KERNEN: Today is the day for more. Today is—this is part of the future you were talking about last time you were on. This could be the future that you were talking about when you could do it. No?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, let me say that, listen, I’m going to continue to lean into the principle, as Democrats, that we believe in a strong floor and no ceiling—
JOE KERNEN: Affordability—
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, listen, affordability, of course, is the top issue for the country. But as Democrats, listen, we believe in a country that brings about a strong floor and no ceiling. You work hard, you play by the rules, there should be no ceiling to your success. That’s what I believe in. But at the same period of time there should be a strong floor anchored in things like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
JOE KERNEN: Was that an endorsement? That almost sounded like you’re easing in, so that’s what Mamdani—A equals B equals C. That’s what he stands for, therefore you’re endorsing Mamdani? Is that, have I got that?
LEADER JEFFRIES: No, that’s not what I’m saying. That’s not what I am saying. But what I will say is that I do think that he took a important step in indicating he plans to retain Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who’s doing a great job by all accounts.
JOE KERNEN: Okay, so that’s getting you closer and closer. We appreciate as always speaking with you today, Leader.