The House is back to business after three weeks of extreme MAGA Republican chaos and disarray. While Republicans fought over who would take the Speaker’s gavel, the House of Representatives could not move any legislation for 22 days, including bills to keep the government funded or emergency assistance to our allies around the globe. During the Speaker’s race, my first vote was the same as my fourth: Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Leader Jeffries was the only candidate willing to put people over politics to responsibly govern. | Extreme MAGA Republicans elected the extremist of them all, Representative Mike Johnson. Mike Johnson plotted with Trump to overturn the 2020 election, supports criminalizing abortion, and wants to slash Social Security. But y’all I never back down from a challenge. I will continue to stand firm against the extreme MAGA agenda—in fact, I joined the first letter Speaker Johnson received after his election, from the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force calling for Speaker Johnson to bring gun violence prevention legislation to the floor for a vote. | We sent the letter hours before the tragic mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine. We cannot continue to live like this. My heart breaks for the families impacted by yet another senseless act of violence. We must prioritize gun safety policy without delay. | Between the heartbreaking shooting in Lewiston and the ongoing humanitarian crisis impacting innocent Palestinian, Israeli and American civilians, the world is heavy. When my heart is heavy, I take a moment to focus on the glimmers of hope. This month, one of the brightest glimmers was time with some of my youngest constituents! For Halloween, I spent time around the district handing out Halloween treats and important money-saving information for families. | As always, I am here to serve you! You can reach my Washington D.C. office at 202-225-3801, and my District Office at 404-659-0116. I hope to connect with you soon! | Nikema Williams Member of Congress | Open Enrollment is HERE: Get Covered, Stay Covered | Open Enrollment for health insurance through the Marketplace is here! This year, we can count on even lower premiums thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act–nearly 15 million Americans are saving an average of $800 a year on their health insurance premiums. December 15 is the deadline to enroll for coverage beginning January 1, 2024. Visit HealthCare.gov to apply and don’t delay! Here's a video of me explaining the process. The enrollment period for Medicare is also open. Through December 7, 2023, Medicare recipients can change their health plans and prescription drug coverage to better meet their needs. Visit Medicare.gov or dial 1-800-MEDICARE for more information. | Our Seniors are the backbone of our communities, and I will always fight to make sure they get the care they need. While I was in Washington for votes, Team Nikema teamed up with Protect Our Care and the Department of Health and Human Services (Region IV) to help Seniors with open enrollment for 2024 coverage! | Medicaid recipients pay attention and stay covered: there is a process called “redetermination” happening over the course of the next year. That means you need to make sure your information is up to date in the Gateway portal at gateway.ga.gov. And, check your mailbox! If you receive a redetermination letter you have 30 days from the day the letter was sent to take action. | Veterans have sacrificed so much for our country and we must repay them. If you are a veteran, make sure you are receiving all your benefits through an Accredited Veteran Service Office. More information is available at: https://www.benefits.va.gov/vso/ To provide our Veterans with the latest resources and up-to-date information, I’ve launched a new Veterans Resource landing page on my website. This page will be updated routinely and include important news for Veterans and updates on my upcoming events focused on serving our Veteran community. Visit https://nikemawilliams.house.gov/veterans and bookmark it to stay up-to-date! | Protecting Innocent Palestinian, Israeli, and American Civilians | Like so many of you, my heart is heavy watching the tremendous suffering in the Middle East. Since Hamas’ vicious terrorist attack on October 7. My priority is, and will continue to be, protecting innocent Palestinian, Israeli, and American civilians, including the safe return of all held hostage. On October 13, I joined a letter urging President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to ensure adherence to international humanitarian law, protection of innocent civilians and full humanitarian assistance. Despite President Biden’s request for humanitarian aid in the Israel Supplemental Emergency Appropriations Act, Speaker Mike Johnson stripped all aid out of the legislation brought to the House floor. This unconscionable decision would leave all civilians less safe. It was for this reason that I voted no on the legislation, I look forward to the House passing a comprehensive funding package that meets our humanitarian obligations across the globe.
We also have a responsibility to help provide safe passage for Americans trapped in the region seeking safe return. On November 3, I joined a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken requesting an urgent update on the actions being taken to bring home the 600 Americans trapped in Gaza.
| Addressing the Child Care Funding Crisis | Critical child care funds provided through the American Rescue Plan Act expired on September 30. Without an infusion of child care funding, 80,000 - 100,000 Georgia children are set to lose child care. President Biden is calling for $16 billion in emergency child care funding to address the cliff. As a mama–and co-chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus–I’m pushing hard to get it done. I joined members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus this month for a meeting at the White House to discuss the continued need to support parents and children with critical access to care. | Halloween in the “Frightening” Fifth | There were no tricks, only treats this Halloween! At stops throughout the District, I shared resources on how my constituents can save money from LIHEAP and other government programs. First stop was Trunk or Treat at Atlanta Martial Arts Academy! My neighborhood of Princeton Lakes is THE neighborhood for Halloween! We take it very seriously and this year my family were the Potters. Team Nikema attended the Fall Harvest Festival at Scott Candler Library to celebrate with families from across Dekalb County. | Uplifting Covenant House’s Work Providing Shelter for Some of Georgia's Most Vulnerable Youth | Congratulations to Covenant House for receiving this year’s Community Dreamz Award at the Street Dreamz Foundation Sno Ball! I was proud to present the award because I’ve seen up close the amazing works Covenant House does to provide shelter and holistic care to Georgia youth and young adults who may be homeless or survivors of human trafficking. | Enjoyed a wonderful performance by Ne-Yo | I was joined by WSB Anchors Karyn Greer, who was my date for the evening, and Fred Blankenship | Celebrating Atlanta’s Seniors Mayor Andre Dickens Senior Ball | Seniors are the backbone of our communities, and I will always celebrate them! Mayor Dickens threw another evening to remember at this year’s Senior Ball! | Caught up with Commissioner Greg Clay | A Good Football Season in the Books | My Carter Cakes and the C.T. Martin Vikings made it to the playoffs of the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation Youth Football Playoffs. They came up short in overtime, but it was still a great season. Everyone who played in this year’s football season left it all on the field! | $1.75 Million to Accelerate MARTA Growth | I helped secure a $1.75-million grant for MARTA to create a transit-oriented development accelerator. The grant will help MARTA accelerate its growth connecting people to housing, jobs, and opportunities throughout the region for everyone–no matter your ZIP code, no matter your bank account. | $2.3 Million to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes in Georgia | $2.3 Million to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes in Georgia. Georgia has some of the worst maternal health outcomes in the country. But we have strong partners like the Morehouse School of Medicine working on the ground to come up with solutions. That’s why I secured a $2.3-million grant for the Morehouse School of Medicine to improve maternal health outcomes in underserved communities around Georgia. | Marching in the 2023 Atlanta Pride | Atlanta’s Pride Parade is a yearly highlight for my family! I was happy to march in this year’s Pride Parade to celebrate love as we work towards equality for all. | Continuing to the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop Party | The 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop is going to be a long celebration. The same way Atlanta is the center of Hip-Hop history, we are the center of the 50th anniversary party! I attended the One Music Fest where we looked forward to another 50 years of driving the culture. | Securing Missing Life Insurance Money from VA for Bill of Atlanta | Bill contacted my office after being unable to secure his father’s life insurance benefits from the VA. Bill first contacted the VA in March and I was able to secure his father's benefits quickly.
Bill said:
“With this money we were able to pay for the funeral and some of my father’s other expenses—the important things. This helped tremendously because we didn’t want to go into collections and we provided my father the dignified funeral he wanted and deserved. In the past I’ve had to contact other offices and it’s nice to have someone who is experienced in their position. | Washington, D.C.
1406 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3801 | Atlanta
100 Peachtree Street NW | Suite 1920
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 659-0116 | |
