1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing to you as your constituent to express my serious concerns regarding two critical matters affecting our federal government and the American people: the potential for executive overreach during government shutdowns and proposed cuts to healthcare programs. First, I urge you to ensure that clear statutory protections exist to prevent the executive branch from using government shutdowns as an opportunity to circumvent civil service protections and terminate federal employees. The career civil service was established to provide continuity, expertise, and protection from political interference. Any attempt to use a shutdown—which occurs due to a lapse in appropriations—as justification for firing government workers would represent a dangerous erosion of these protections and would undermine the professional, nonpartisan foundation of our federal workforce. Second, I strongly oppose any proposals to cut healthcare programs as a condition for continuing government operations. Access to healthcare is fundamental to the wellbeing of millions of Americans, including seniors, low-income families, children, veterans, and people with disabilities who rely on Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health programs. Healthcare should never be held hostage to budget negotiations or used as a bargaining chip to keep the government functioning. Our nation faces real challenges that require thoughtful, bipartisan solutions—not manufactured crises that threaten both the livelihoods of federal workers and the health of vulnerable Americans. I respectfully ask that you: 1. Support legislation that explicitly protects federal employees from termination during funding lapses; 2. Oppose any budget proposals that cut healthcare programs; and 3. Work across the aisle to pass appropriations bills that fund our government responsibly without harmful conditions. Thank you for your attention to these urgent matters. I look forward to your response outlining your position on these issues and the steps you will take to address them.