1. United States
2. Neb.
3. Letter

Even though we are in a shutdown and Americans will suffer in a myriad of ways, the $20B bailout of Argentina’s failing economy has been deemed “essential” by the Trump administration. The WH says construction of Trump’s golden ballroom will also continue during the shutdown. The OMB director continues his illegal impoundments of congressionally approved funding, but only against states with Democratic senators. If that’s not enough, Trump signed an executive order giving Qatar security guarantees that are much like those guaranteed by NATO. Trump got a $400M luxury 747-8. Qatar got a US military commitment. Quid pro quo. As anticipated, we see an administration taking advantage of the shutdown … chaos that it alone created. They’re threatening Democratic-led states. They’re threatening mass firings while continuing their gilded excesses. They’re making deals with foreign countries that could involve our military without consulting Congress as required by our Constitution. The American people did not elect you to sit by and watch Trump use our government as a bargaining chip for his own personal agenda. You were elected to safeguard democracy, uphold the Constitution, and ensure this country remains functional and fair for everyone. Enough is enough. Every day the shutdown continues, real people suffer. Stop sacrificing families, workers, and communities for political theater. We need a responsible budget deal now - one that protects health care, safeguards the programs that Americans rely on, and ensures vital government services remain functioning. Every single day you delay, you make a choice to side with chaos and dysfunction over stability, responsibility, and the will of the people. How much is enough for you to do something? How many more laws must be broken? When will you do what is right for the people you represent? Pass a budget. Protect health care. Take away Trump’s blank checks. End the shutdown.