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

I'm writing to urge you to refuse to bend to Republican demands on the budget. In particular, they have added multiple articles of anti-trans legislation, including a full transgender healthcare funding ban, into the F-Y ’26 budget. Trump is demanding he’ll shut down the government unless Democrats agree to ban all health services that provide trans care for all ages. Throwing vulnerable Americans under the bus is not only wrong morally but wrong strategically. Hate and marginalization only lead to more hate and marginalization. Demand that all human rights be protected, including healthcare for all people, that means for trans people too, and that Article I powers be respected and enforced both going forward and retrospectively, otherwise the Republicans and Trump own the shutdown. They don't need one Democratic vote to pass a budget, they are cowards and want the Democrats to give them cover for their hate of the American people and their love of autocrats and billionaires. They've been using the trans issue as their new wedge issue, say no to this strategy of hate. Stand strong for the good of all Americans. Standing with trans people is the right thing to do and it’s politically smart. Voters and donors show up for Democrats who fight.