1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep disappointment and frustration with the recent deal to end the 40-day government shutdown. As a constituent and a federal employee, I feel betrayed by the Democratic leadership's decision to cave on crucial issues that affect the livelihoods of thousands of dedicated public servants. The deal, while temporarily funding the government and ensuring back pay for federal employees, falls woefully short of addressing our core concerns. Most notably, it fails to include the extension of healthcare subsidies that Democrats had promised to fight for. This omission is not just a policy failure; it's a breach of trust with the very workers who have suffered through 40 days of financial uncertainty and stress. I am particularly dismayed by the timing of this capitulation. It comes mere days after significant electoral successes for Democrats, at a time when public opinion was firmly on our side. This decision to fold when we held a strong position is not only puzzling but also demoralizing for those of us who have been on the front lines of this shutdown. The impact of this decision extends far beyond the halls of Congress. Employees from NOAA, NIH, EPA, and the National Park Service, among others, have expressed their anger and disappointment. We feel that our hardships during the shutdown have been disregarded, and our faith in the party's ability to effectively fight for our interests has been severely shaken. I urge you to take immediate action to rectify this situation. We need more than just promises of future votes on healthcare subsidies. We need concrete commitments and a clear strategy to prevent such shutdowns from happening again. Moreover, I call on you to publicly address the concerns of federal employees and outline specific steps you will take to protect our interests in future negotiations. The next time a shutdown looms, remember the faces of the workers who suffered through this one. Stand firm in your commitment to us, your constituents, and the principles of good governance. We cannot afford another betrayal.