Dear Friends,

I hope you’re all doing well. Today, I want to talk about something that isn’t making headlines the way it should: the fact that Congress is in session for only 13 days left before the election. That’s right, just 13 days to debate and pass necessary legislation. You may be wondering why, with 52 days until the election, your Congresspeople are at work for only a quarter of that time. It’s a good question! And the answer is that they’re busy campaigning, trying to keep their jobs, rather than actually doing them.

And what’s about to happen during these 13 days? The government, once again, has to find a way to avert a shutdown and avoid the interruption of vital services and programs that everyday Americans need in order to survive. This situation may sound familiar, as under the Republican leadership of Mike Johnson, the House has brought the country to the brink of shutdown multiple times.

And here we are again, with Congressional leaders playing games with the lives of the American people. Although many of our representatives are ignoring the needs of the people they were elected to serve, we have the power to make our voices heard. And I’m committed to keeping you informed, breaking down the issues, and making sure you have the tools to hold our leaders accountable.

Today’s People’s Congress email will walk you through what Congress needs to get done before September 30th, and why it matters. Let’s start with the basics.

What’s a CR? And Why Should You Care?

A Continuing Resolution (or CR) is a stopgap measure Congress uses to keep the government funded when they can’t agree on a full budget. Think of it like a temporary Band-Aid that keeps essential services like Social Security payments, military salaries, and food assistance programs running.

Without a CR, the government shuts down. That means vital services will stop, federal workers will be furloughed, and essential programs that millions of Americans rely on could grind to a halt. For example, veterans could see their healthcare appointments delayed, and national parks would close.

Right now, Congress is racing against the clock to pass a CR before the end of the fiscal year on September 30th. The House Republicans are pushing for a six-month CR that would keep the government open until next spring—but there’s a catch: at the bidding of Donald Trump, they’ve attached something called the “SAVE Act” to the bill, which makes it harder for people to vote, particularly in vulnerable communities. I don’t need to tell you how dangerous that is. Limiting access to the ballot box is a direct attack on our democracy.

Democrats in both the House and Senate are pushing back, and if the Republican version of the CR passes, the Senate will respond with a cleaner, shorter-term CR that keeps the government funded through December without attacking voting rights. The Republican-controlled house will then have to approve that clean CR in order to keep the government from shutting down. 

The bottom line: while no one wants a government shutdown, Congress needs to act now to avoid a crisis.

More than just the budget

In these 13 days, Congress isn’t just tasked with keeping the government open. There are several other critical issues that demand immediate attention:

1. Extending Farm Bill Programs
   The Farm Bill is a massive piece of legislation that funds essential programs for farmers, food assistance, and rural development. If it expires without an extension, we’re looking at major disruptions to our food supply chain and critical support for those in need.

2. National Flood Insurance Program
   As we face more frequent and severe natural disasters, it’s vital that people living in flood-prone areas have access to affordable insurance. Without action, those families will be left vulnerable just as hurricane season peaks.

Fixing the VA’s $3 Billion Shortfall
Our veterans deserve the best care possible, but right now, the Department of Veterans Affairs is facing a $3 billion shortfall. If Congress doesn’t address this, veterans could see cuts in their healthcare and services—something I know we all agree is unacceptable.

What Happens Next?

House Republicans plan to vote on their CR this week, and if it passes, the ball moves to the Senate. While a government shutdown is unlikely, it’s going to take serious bipartisan cooperation to keep the government running and address these other urgent issues.

This is where you come in. It’s easy to feel powerless when it seems like Congress is always gridlocked. But our voices do matter. Here’s how you can get involved:

• Stay informed. Stay subscribed to the The People’s Congress emails and follow @davidkimforca on social media to keep up with what’s happening in Congress. Understanding the process is the first step in holding our elected officials accountable.

• Speak up. Contact your representatives. Tell them you oppose voter suppression tactics like the SAVE Act and that you demand a clean CR that keeps our government open without hurting our right to vote.

• Get active locally. If you’re in CA-34, join me on the ground! We’re mobilizing volunteers to help spread the word about what’s really going on in Congress and what we can do about it. Sign up to volunteer HERE.

I’m running for Congress because I believe in a government that’s transparent and works for you, not corporate interests or career politicians. My commitment to you is to keep you informed and engaged in this process—because democracy only works when we all participate.

Stay tuned for more updates from “The People’s Congress,” where I’ll continue to break down these important issues and explain what’s happening behind the scenes in Washington.

It’s Time For Us,

David Kim
Candidate for Congress, CA-34