1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern and disappointment over the continued dismantling of our federal government under the direction of Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought and this administration. Recent reporting on FEMA revealed what many federal employees have been warning about for months. According to a federal watchdog, the loss of experienced personnel has weakened FEMA’s ability to prepare for and respond to future disasters. Americans depend on FEMA when hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and other emergencies strike. Weakening that capability is not government efficiency. It is an unnecessary risk to public safety. Unfortunately, FEMA is only one example. Across the federal government, agencies have experienced hiring freezes, reductions in force, budget cuts, and the loss of thousands of experienced public servants. These employees are not political pawns. They are professionals who process Social Security benefits, care for our veterans, inspect our food supply, protect our environment, conduct medical research, keep our transportation systems safe, respond to disasters, and perform countless other essential services that Americans rely on every day. Russell Vought has become the architect of an ideology that appears to view the federal workforce not as a national asset but as an obstacle to be dismantled. The consequences are becoming increasingly apparent. Years of institutional knowledge are disappearing. Remaining employees are being asked to do more with fewer resources, increasing burnout and making government less responsive to the public it serves. This is not what taxpayers deserve. Americans expect a government that functions effectively, responds during emergencies, and delivers the services Congress has authorized and funded. Deliberately hollowing out federal agencies undermines those goals and ultimately hurts the very people government exists to serve. As my representative, I expect you to speak out against policies that weaken our nation’s institutions and put Americans at greater risk. Congress has a constitutional responsibility to provide oversight of the executive branch and ensure that federal agencies can fulfill their statutory missions. Silence in the face of these actions is not leadership. I urge you to publicly condemn efforts to dismantle federal agencies, oppose further politically motivated workforce reductions, support restoring adequate staffing and funding for critical agencies such as FEMA, and stand up for the career civil servants who dedicate their lives to serving the American people. The strength of our country depends on competent, professional public institutions. We should be investing in them, not tearing them down. I look forward to seeing you defend the interests of your constituents and the integrity of the federal government