November 9, 2024
Dear Friends,
I know that for many of you, these past few days have brought with them a wave of emotions. For so many of us, the past several years have been a difficult time filled with strife, setbacks, and struggle. Now, amidst the conflict we are experiencing in our nation and around the world, we stand at an inflection point.
In the wake of this week's election, I've spoken to many in our community who are experiencing grief, despair, and anger, while many of our friends and neighbors are feeling exactly the opposite. Wherever your feelings may lie today, know that it is ok to feel them. But tomorrow, we must rise together as Americans with the hope and determination to create a better tomorrow.
Because there is work ahead of us.
We must not waver in our fight to speak truth to power and stand up for the ideals that define the best of our nation. In the resounding words of former South African President, Nelson Mandela, “It is in your hands, to make a better world for all who live in it.”
It is in our hands to build an economy that works for all, not just the wealthiest among us.
It is in our hands to ensure that healthcare is a right rather than a privilege and make sure that no Americans are forced to choose between keeping their lights on and purchasing their prescription.
It is in our hands to enshrine the fundamental right to abortion and guarantee that freedom and choice reside with a woman and her doctor, not with judges and politicians.
It is in our hands to fix our deeply broken immigration system and address the chaos and suffering at the Southern border while enabling those seeking a better life to join and contribute to our communities.
It is in our hands to face down the climate crisis and implement the measures that will leave our planet healthier for the generations that follow us.
I am under no illusions about the path ahead. I know we face an uphill climb. And to that challenge I say: bring it on. You don’t become a legislator because you think it will be easy. You do the work because of a desire to serve, compassion for the individuals and communities you represent, and a drive to make a positive difference.
This Veterans Day weekend, as we celebrate the men and women who have sacrificed so much for us, let us take heart and be inspired by their bravery, determination, and commitment to our nation and fellow Americans in the enduring fight to create a freer and more just world.
Let me close with the words of my friend and late colleague John Lewis: “Ours is not the struggle of one day, one week, or one year. Ours is not the struggle of one judicial appointment or presidential term. Ours is the struggle of a lifetime, or maybe even many lifetimes, and each one of us in every generation must do our part. And if we believe in the change we seek, then it is easy to commit to doing all we can, because the responsibility is ours alone to build a better society and a more peaceful world.”
With love for our community and our country, and with hope for our future, we move forward.
As always, thank you for reading.
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
My office and I are working to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations from federal agencies. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:
- As of November 1st, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program recipients are newly eligible to sign up for health insurance coverage via the Affordable Care Act.
- If you live in the United States, are a U.S. citizen, national, or lawfully present immigrant, and are not currently incarcerated, you are eligible for health coverage through the ACA.
- Open enrollment for all plans runs from November 1st through January 15th.
- Depending on your income, you may be able to get subsidies that make buying and using marketplace coverage more affordable.
- You can read more about the policy that expanded healthcare access here.
