Fund Families, Not Cuts: Fix this CR

On September 16, Republicans dropped a “stopgap” spending bill (a continuing resolution, or CR) to keep the lights on until November 21, just before Thanksgiving. It tacks on short-term extensions for programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and the National Flood Insurance Program, and even adds extra funding for federal officials’ personal security. I’m all for keeping essential programs running and avoiding a shutdown, but this CR leaves everyday Americans exposed. It does nothing to protect our health care. You already voted for massive Medicaid cuts this summer, and now the tax credits that make health insurance affordable are about to expire. If Congress doesn’t renew them, 22 million people could face a premium spike of over 75%, with rural communities like ours getting slammed even harder, close to 90% hikes. That’s not just unaffordable; it’s catastrophic. An estimated 4 million people will lose coverage altogether. Please don’t rubber-stamp this CR. Either vote no or fight to amend it so families in our district can still afford the care we depend on.