1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the Trump administration's plan to use a $130 million anonymous donation to pay military salaries during a potential government shutdown. This unprecedented move not only raises serious legal questions but also poses a significant threat to the integrity of our government's financial operations. The acceptance of this donation under the Pentagon's "general gift acceptance authority" sets a dangerous precedent that could leave our government vulnerable to undue influence from unknown sources. The Antideficiency Act exists precisely to prevent such situations, ensuring that government spending remains under the control of Congress and transparent to the American people. As your constituent, I urge you to take immediate action to investigate this matter and prevent the use of these funds. We must protect the constitutional role of Congress in appropriating funds and maintain the separation of powers that is fundamental to our democracy. The identity of the donor and any potential foreign ties must be thoroughly scrutinized to ensure national security is not compromised. Furthermore, this situation highlights the urgent need for a more robust and permanent solution to prevent government shutdowns from affecting our military personnel. Our service members should not have to rely on anonymous benefactors to receive their well-deserved pay. I request that you: 1. Demand full transparency regarding the source and terms of this donation. 2. Work with your colleagues to block the use of these funds for military pay. 3. Propose legislation to ensure continuous pay for military personnel during government shutdowns without resorting to private donations. The integrity of our government's financial operations and the welfare of our military personnel are at stake. I look forward to hearing about the steps you will take to address this critical issue.