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

Do not give in to the GOP holding SNAP recipients hostage and weaponizing the empathy of the American people. Do not stop fighting for ACA subsidies. I know the closure is effecting LiHEAP and dozens of other programs that matter to the safety and the well-being of the poorest in New Hampshire. We are tough as the granite we stand upon. We will survive this by neighbors helping neighbors. We have not endured this pain from peak leaves until now for nothing. If you capitulate now, for nothing but empty promises, then what has been accomplished? We need you to work hard right now. The old way of doing things, trading deals with colleagues, is completely gone. We need food inspectors and air traffic controllers and inspectors general. We need to be closing up seasonal fire roads in the White Mountains. The funding, staff, and regulations for vital services has already been cut, restricted, or is under attack. We also need you - Congress - to use the War Powers Act to reign in the various military actions, like strikes on boats and the ongoing battle over Portland. You have the power of the purse and also the power to make acts illegal on their face. Reign in the abuse of power by ICE and hold the President to account for emoluments, misappropriation of funds, and other acts contrary to the laws you swore to uphold. If the government is reopened without serious and real action, then this would just have been pain without any purpose. That is unacceptable.