1. United States
2. Tenn.
3. Letter

I am deeply concerned about the ongoing government shutdown and its potential impacts on essential benefits and services for your constituents. As your constituent, I urge you to prioritize the needs of the people you represent and engage in good faith negotiations to resolve this crisis. The current shutdown threatens critical programs like the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, which provides vital nutrition assistance to vulnerable families. It also risks increasing health insurance premiums and jeopardizing Affordable Care Act subsidies that many rely on for access to healthcare. These are not abstract policy debates – they have real, immediate consequences for families in our community. Furthermore, the shutdown's impact extends to our government workers, including contractors who may not receive back pay, and even affects FEMA's ability to respond effectively during hurricane season. This puts our community at risk and undermines our disaster preparedness. I am particularly troubled by the inconsistent statements from political leaders regarding the shutdown. For instance, Donald Trump's stance on the president's role in shutdowns has shifted dramatically from his previous positions. Such flip-flopping erodes public trust and complicates efforts to reach a resolution. As my representative, I expect you to advocate for transparent, fact-based discussions. The Republican Party currently controls both the presidency and Congress, yet Democratic votes are needed to pass spending bills. This reality demands bipartisan cooperation, not partisan grandstanding. I implore you to reject any attempts to slash benefits or services that your constituents depend on. Instead, focus on finding common ground to increase funding for essential programs and services. Negotiate in good faith, based on facts and the real needs of the American people, not political posturing. The consequences of this shutdown are far-reaching and potentially devastating. I urge you to take immediate action to end this impasse, protect vital benefits, and ensure the continued functioning of our government. Your constituents are counting on you to put their interests first and govern responsibly.