October 6, 2023
Dear JOHN,
Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been in Washington continuing my efforts to advance Rochester’s priorities and ensure the federal government responds to the most pressing needs of our community. Unfortunately, because of the demands of extremist House Republicans, there have been a handful of roadblocks to this progress.
At the end of September, these extremists nearly made good on their threat to shutdown the government and hold the federal budget hostage because their radical demands had not been met. They were demanding billions in cuts to law enforcement, veterans’ services, healthcare, childcare, education, and housing programs, demonstrating a callous disregard for the security of our nation and the economic stability of millions of American families.
But at the 11th hour, common sense and bipartisanship prevailed.
House Republican leadership removed all the extremist right-wing policies and funding cuts from a short-term government funding bill. This bill was a critical reprieve for the economic stability of America’s families and the safety and security of our nation—and I was proud to cast my vote in favor of its passage.
However, the Republican Civil War only continued this week, culminating in the ousting of former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy.
Speaker McCarthy rejected every opportunity to work alongside me and my Democratic colleagues, instead choosing to bring the House Republican agenda closer and closer to their extremist faction’s demands. Speaker McCarthy was willing to take damaging, radical positions attacking women’s reproductive healthcare, slashing Social Security and Medicare programs, and failing to take the necessary actions to combat the epidemic of gun violence that plagues too many communities—including our own.
While I firmly believe we need stability, bipartisanship, and common-sense solutions to move our country forward, I also believe in remaining true to our community’s values, which is why I joined my Democratic colleagues in voting against Speaker McCarthy.
All of these roadblocks are senseless, reckless, and were completely avoidable. Our community is rightfully angry and frustrated with this dysfunction in Washington.
I am angry, too.
But make no mistake: I’m going to do everything in my power to break the logjam in Congress, and I’m going to continue my work alongside my partners in government to make the federal government function effectively and in-line with our community’s goals. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle across the House of Representatives and the Senate to join me.
Yours in solidarity,
Joe Morelle
New York’s 25th Congressional District
