1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my extreme disappointment in your decision to ally with Republicans in passing the recent continuing resolution to fund the government. By supporting this legislation, you have given up what small leverage Democrats held, effectively undermining the progress that could have been made on critical issues facing our country and signaling to the American people you are unwilling to meaningfully resist Republican capture of necessary government services. Kirsten: I understand you oppose the policies in this bill but didn’t want to interrupt necessary services to Americans. How do you plan to fight for those Americans when voting for this CR signals you are willing to negotiate essential aspects of government spending like disaster relief, veterans’ support, and infrastructure investments? Chuck: As the Minority Leader your actions dictate the direction of the Democratic party and indicate to the people what they can expect their Democratic representatives to fight for. How do you expect to maintain any credibility around resisting Trump’s actions when you have so early in his term indicated you’ll bend to pressure as long as it’s presented as the lesser of two evils? How will you know when two evils are both bad enough that you can’t choose the “lesser” one? As a constituent, I expect you to prioritize the values and needs of the American people, which often align with progressive policies that ensure a fair and just society. By backing this bill, you have sacrificed vital opportunities to secure much-needed advancements for the basic functions of government. I understand the complexities of legislation, but this action feels like a missed opportunity to stand firm for what we know is right. Democrats need strong leadership that stands up to Republican opposition and works toward long-term solutions that benefit the majority of Americans, not just the wealthy or corporate interests. I urge you to reconsider your approach moving forward and to fight harder for the policies that will truly make a difference in people’s lives. Your constituents expect nothing less than bold leadership in times like these. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I hope you will reflect on the impact of this decision and work with your colleagues to advocate for the people who need it most. I’m generally proud to say I live in New York, one of the greatest states in the country, and I hope you can reassure us that you are truly in our corner when it comes to representing our interests and those of the entire nation.