1. United States
2. Ga.
3. Letter

I am writing as your constituent to urge you to prioritize passing FY2027 appropriations and prevent another government shutdown. Federal employees, public health programs, researchers and the American people have already endured two lengthy shutdowns in a short period. Governing through uncertainty, repeated funding crises and last-minute negotiations is unsustainable. Government shutdowns ultimately cost taxpayers millions of dollars through lost productivity, delayed services, administrative costs and disruptions that often exceed the cost of keeping the government open. Public health emergencies, workforce instability and funding uncertainty also increase long-term costs by delaying prevention, research and preparedness efforts. If Congress cannot reach agreement on full-year appropriations before the deadline, I urge you to pass a continuing resolution that maintains current funding while negotiations continue. The essential work of protecting the nation’s health should not become a bargaining chip. I also urge you to strengthen the FY2027 Labor-HHS appropriations bill by protecting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the remaining federal public health workforce and our nation’s research enterprise. CDC has already experienced significant workforce reductions through reductions in force, retirements and voluntary separations. The employees who remain continue carrying out Congress’s mission with fewer resources and increasing demands. They simply want the opportunity to continue serving the American people. I respectfully ask Congress to: Prevent additional workforce reductions across CDC and HHS. Maintain at least FY2026 funding levels for CDC programs if a final agreement cannot be reached. Preserve funding supporting birth defects prevention, infant health and folic acid activities. Protect the scientific, surveillance, laboratory, communications and emergency preparedness functions that communities rely on every day. Exercise strong congressional oversight of any HHS or CDC reorganizations to ensure they do not weaken congressionally authorized programs, scientific capacity or civil service protections. I am particularly concerned that proposed funding changes remove specific support for folic acid and infant health activities. Prevention programs have reduced neural tube defects and improved maternal and infant health for decades. These are proven, cost-effective public health investments that should be strengthened, not diminished. I also encourage Congress to protect the integrity of the federal civil service and ensure workforce decisions are transparent, accountable and based on mission needs. Stable staffing and institutional expertise are essential to an effective public health system. Finally, I urge you to safeguard federally funded research by ensuring stable, transparent and evidence-based funding. Disruptions to research delay scientific discoveries, interrupt ongoing studies and weaken our nation’s ability to respond to future health threats. Public health infrastructure cannot be rebuilt overnight once expertise, partnerships and institutional knowledge are lost. Prevention, research and preparedness save lives, reduce long-term costs and strengthen our nation’s security. Above all, I ask Congress to fulfill its most basic responsibility: keep the government operating. The American people deserve stability, responsible governance and timely appropriations. If disagreements remain, pass a continuing resolution while negotiations continue rather than allowing another shutdown. I also believe members of Congress should be held accountable when they fail to meet their fundamental responsibility to keep the government operating. Repeated threats of government shutdowns erode public trust, disrupt essential services and waste taxpayer dollars. Americans expect responsible stewardship of public funds and timely action on appropriations, not recurring crises that cost more than they save. As your constituent, I will be following these decisions closely and hope you will support policies that strengthen public health, protect the federal workforce and provide the stability our country deserves. Thank you for your service and your consideration.