Republicans claim we can pass a “clean” continuing resolution (CR) now and continue negotiations on a funding bill. But that’s not right for two reasons. 

Number 1: Americans have already begun receiving notices that their health insurance premiums are going to go up next year as a result of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which was written and passed by Republicans. In CA50, 28,000 people will see their health care costs rise if we don't extend these critical health care tax credits. Hospitals and community health centers across the country have already started to close as a result of the Medicaid cuts in the Republicans’ Big Bill. We cannot kick the can down the road on this while working people struggle to afford basic health care.  

Number 2: This year, President Trump has unilaterally canceled billions of dollars that had already appropriated by Congress. The CR Republicans are now advocating for rubber-stamps $13 billion in cuts to the NIH, infrastructure projects, nuclear nonproliferation programs, rental subsidies, etc.; $22.8 billion in cuts to PACT Act funding for our veterans; and $15.9 billion of cuts to Community Project Funding. All this on top of a $9.4 billion recissions package that canceled funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid programs, and $410 billion of illegal impoundments by the Trump administration. The President has already shown he is willing to break the law and ignore any deal Congress reaches. Any funding bill must reaffirm Congress’ power of the purse and enact guardrails to curb the President’s illegal actions. 

Right now, our troops and border patrol agents are working without pay, small businesses are losing funding, families already struggling to pay for childcare could lose access to HeadStart, and so much more. Just after the new terminal one opened at the San Diego airport, air traffic controllers are working without pay, causing delays and disruptions to air travel. Cabrillo National Monument is closed. The Department of Veterans Affairs’ San Diego Regional Benefit Office in Kearny Mesa is closed, and many VA services have been suspended.  

I will continue to speak out and ensure San Diegans understand what’s at stake and what Democrats are fighting for. You can find interviews I’ve given here and here, a livestream I participated in here, and details about a press conference I hosted with Reps. Levin (CA-49) and Jacobs (CA-51) here. Democrats remain ready, willing, and able to reach a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and lower health care costs for Americans. 

Both my D.C. and San Diego offices are fully operational. You can find a detailed FAQ on what a shutdown means for essential services and San Diego families here. You can also call my DC office at (202) 225-0508 or my San Diego office at (858) 455-5550 with questions or to share your concerns. 

Finally, I aim for this newsletter to be an informative, fact-based recap of what’s happening in Washington and the work I’m doing to address what’s important to San Diego. If you know folks who would appreciate these updates like you do, please feel free to forward this email or encourage them to sign up to receive them here. 

Thanks, and take care.