Hearing from Our Community and Standing Up Against Executive Orders

Dear John,

When I was first elected, I was shocked to learn that many Congressional offices don’t answer their phones or return calls from constituents. We do. We also read every single email we receive.

In a normal week, my office receives about 2,000 calls/emails. These are not normal times: Since President Trump took office on January 20, we’ve averaged 5,700 calls/emails a week. If you’re having a hard time getting through to us, that’s why. We’re a small team (Congressional rules prohibit us from hiring more people; it’s a long story) but I promise you that every voicemail is listened to and every email is read.

What are the majority of callers saying? They’re asking me to…

Stop Elon Musk from having access to our personal information
Stop Elon Musk and President Trump from dismantling USAID
Stop President Trump from freezing all federal funding

On these issues, I agree with you and I’m trying.

On Elon Musk and DOGE

I’m outraged that President Trump is giving Elon Musk, an unelected billionaire with huge conflicts of interest across the federal government, free rein within our government and its systems. I’m outraged by Musk’s reckless and dangerous actions resulting from that access and by Congressional Republicans’ silence on the worst of these offenses. As one of the most bipartisan members of Congress, I’m beyond frustrated by my conversations with my Republican colleagues. I agree that federal agencies should be more efficient and I agree wholeheartedly that any waste, fraud, and abuse should be eliminated. What Musk is doing is not that.

I’m a cosponsor of the Taxpayer Data Protection Act which forces Musk out of our nation’s payment system. I also recently sent a request to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asking for an explanation on the legality of Musk’s access to this confidential system, whether he and others are now employees of the department, and exactly what access Musk and his team have been given. Americans are rightfully scared about this situation and deserve answers.

I have and will continue to speak out publicly, talk to Congressional Republicans in Washington, encourage my community to speak out – public outcry forced the reversal of President Trump’s federal funding freeze – and to find more ways big and small to bring this reckless and dangerous behavior to an end. You can watch my speech on the House floor here.

On USAID

President Trump’s violent dismantling of USAID will have horrific consequences around the globe. USAID sends food to starving populations, helps establish access to clean water, supports sustainable energy development, and provides medical aid that stops the spread of disease. Foreign aid is an effective policy tool that advances American values and security interests abroad. I know that the value of USAID exceeds the money we spend on it and am outraged by President Trump’s actions. I’ve spoken out publicly and behind the scenes to my Republican colleagues and have called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to end the stop-work order. In fact, I spoke to him personally about this last weekend in Munich at the Munich National Security Conference.

On the Federal Funding Freeze

I have been vocal on the need to lower our national debt and get our fiscal house in order but President Trump’s Executive Order instituting a 90-day pause on all payments from already Congressionally approved and appropriated federal grant and loan programs was reckless and dangerous. It’s also very likely illegal because the U.S. Constitution is clear that Congress (the legislative branch) passes laws which the President and his Administration (the executive branch) implement. While I understand the instinct to just “shut it all down,” I’m alarmed at the President’s actions when a smart, targeted, legal, collaborative, and strategic approach was available and would have been better for our country. I’m grateful that federal courts (the judicial branch) stopped this Executive Order before it took effect but am deeply worried by reports from community organizations of their funding still being cut off anyway.

I recently sent a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting a detailed list of the federal programs and spending being impacted by the freeze. Members of Congress can’t sue the federal government but governors can. You can read about Governor Josh Shapiro’s lawsuit challenging the funding freeze here.

We have been collecting stories to share with our U.S. Senators, the White House, and reporters. If you have been personally impacted by President Trump’s Executive Order, please share your story here.

What can you do?

Do you agree with these actions? Do you disagree? We, your elected officials want to hear from you. It’s our job. You can call the White House at 202-456-1111 or 202-456-1414. You can call Senator John Fetterman at 202-224-4254. You can call Senator Dave McCormick at 202-224-6324. And, of course, you can call me too at 202-225-4315.

Legal Status of Executive Orders

As I’m writing this, almost 80 lawsuits have been filed against the Administration challenging these various Executive Orders and other actions. It’s a lot to keep track of, I know. In the next few weeks, I’ll be hosting a telephone town hall with a Constitutional scholar to help us sort through it all. Once we’ve confirmed a date and time, I’ll be sharing that. Stay tuned.

Reminder! On Monday, February 24, at 6 p.m., I am hosting my sixth annual State of the Sixth Address and Town Hall. It will be at the Colonial Theatre - 227 Bridge St, Phoenixville, PA 19460. I look forward to seeing you there!

As always it’s a privilege to serve, even and especially in these difficult times. Please know that I will continue to do my best to both represent and to lead.

As always, please contact my office if you need assistance.

Chrissy Houlahan

U.S. Member of Congress

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