Hi friend,
These last few months have been challenging, but despite all of it, I have hope. I’m an optimist – not least because when faced with adversity and setbacks, people like you didn’t give up, instead you stepped up like the long list of American Patriots who have come before. There is no easy path ahead of us, but I’m honored to be fighting alongside you as part of this team.
This week’s email is focused on responding to the continued and egregious overreach by Elon Musk and President Trump, and also about issues facing our community that we need to work together and fix.
How to stay involved
In the coming weeks, we have several opportunities to get more involved. Please sign up below and share with friends and family who are interested in joining:
Sign up for weekly emails
Sign up for our next strategy meeting on March 5th
What's going on
Hudson Valley

Healthcare costs were already out of control when Optum (a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, the Insurance Company) purchased CareMount Medical in 2022 and Crystal Run Healthcare in 2023. Combined, they represent over 2,500 providers and serve millions of patients. Since those mergers I’ve heard increasing reports of poor service and higher costs for patients, and layoffs for medical professionals.
In essence, UnitedHealth has consolidated service providers, pharmacies, and hospitals into one company, allowing them to rip off patients and enrich shareholders with profits hitting $14 billion in 2024. UnitedHealth is facing multiple investigations by the Department of Justice, including an antitrust review (opened in February 2024) of Optum’s acquisition of doctor’s offices. According to reports, investigators are looking into anticompetitive harms for patients and providers.
What I’m doing: I’ve been investigating the pernicious cycle that healthcare consolidation has had in our region for years, hurting both patients and the providers who stepped up during Covid to keep us safe. Now, I need your help. I launched a survey last week to collect data from constituents on how they are affected. I’m going to use this information to better fight back against the surge in healthcare costs.
What you can do: First, I need you to fill out the form yourself. Second, I need you to share the form with your family and friends. The more respondents we get, the more effective we can be in holding UnitedHealth accountable.
New York

Social Security is under attack across the country. Despite insisting during the campaign that he would not cut Social Security, President Trump has empowered Elon Musk – the world's richest man – to dismantle it. Elon has called Social Security a Ponzi scheme and has ordered cuts to the office. In New York, they have closed offices in White Plains and Poughkeepsie. They claimed that the Poughkeepsie office closure was temporary, but with no timeline to reopen. Then just last week the DOGE website listed the office as permanently closed.
What I’m doing: I have written a letter to the Social Security Administration demanding that they keep the office open and have introduced the Protecting Social Security Act, which would immediately establish an office in Poughkeepsie and would guarantee that Social Security benefits for hard-working Americans could not be decreased or taken away, regardless of the Administration.
What you can do:

Washington

Last week President Trump and Mike Johnson forced through a budget that was written by billionaires to cut their taxes while footing us with the bill. The bill was forced in a last minute vote on Tuesday night where all but one Republican fell in line to increase the deficit, increase costs for American families, but decrease taxes for billionaires. It’s disgraceful.
What I’m doing: I proudly voted against the Republican budget that will cut Medicare and SNAP benefits for Americans. I am proud of our Democratic caucus who stood united for the American people, not billionaires. I will continue fighting every day to make sure that we stop this horrible legislation from becoming law.
Going on offense

This last week Republicans pushed through their effort to take away Americans’ healthcare and food assistance, so they can cut taxes for the richest among us. The next step in this process is that the Republicans in the House and Senate need to come together. Here is a good primer on the process.
What you can do: I am asking you to post on your social media channels and reach out to friends and family who are in districts represented by Republicans. It is also essential to reach out to your Republican friends and family to educate them on the bill. They need to have the information about this plan and be empowered to speak out.
Finally, please join me this Wednesday for our next monthly call where we will discuss how we can stop the GOP Billionaire Giveaway, stop Elon, and fight for our freedoms. Sign up here.
Thank you so much for all that you are doing. I’m committed to working with you as patriots to set our course for a better future.
In Solidarity,
Pat