Hi friend,

This week I’ve been thinking a lot about two of the most broad-reaching and harmful things coming from the Trump administration: the tariffs raising prices on everything from cars to groceries, and the proposed federal budget that the administration just released in the most detail we’ve seen yet (technically called their “skinny budget”). In both cases, the main message that comes through loud and clear is that Trump is blatantly screwing communities, families, and hard-working people in order to give huge benefits and tax breaks to the billionaires that supported his campaign.

It doesn’t take an expert economist to understand the devastating impact of Trump’s tariffs: they are quite literally a TAX on the goods and services that many of us need to live every day, at a time when prices are already too high and people are just trying to stay above water. You want to support American businesses and manufacturing? Invest in the American people! Small and medium sized businesses are what makes this country great – if the administration really cared about creating jobs and building things in America again, they would invest in its people instead of just raising prices and squeezing working families.

But there is no investment in the American people in Trump’s proposed budget. Instead it’s full of cuts to the agencies that keep our drinking water clean, cuts to the VA and veterans services that are a tentpole of our promise to those who serve our country, and cuts to housing construction and subsidies for low-income housing – cuts that will undoubtedly put more families and children out on the street.

I’m fighting for a positive alternative. We must not be just anti-Trump; we must be pro-freedom, pro-affordability, and pro-safety. And I’m proud to keep up the fight. Thank you for reading, staying engaged, and staying hopeful.

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What's going on

Hudson Valley

New York

My guiding principle as a representative is simple: more affordable, more safe, and more free. That is the future I am working towards for every family in the Hudson Valley and across the country. So the issue of affordability is always on my mind, in the work I do and in the conversations I am having in the community.

What I’m doing: I introduced legislation to end the double taxation on hardworking teachers, firefighters, police officers, and others across the region. This proposal would also prevent cuts to Medicaid, which would protect health care for more than 244,000 people, including more than 100,000 children and 22,000 seniors across NY-18.

What you can do: This legislation is a no-brainer – it will have direct impact on people getting to keep their healthcare and also help ease the burden of the affordability crisis on New York families. Please consider calling your representative to voice your support and urge them to stand up for everyone who is currently being crushed by rising costs and no end in sight.

Washington

Last week, Trump released his proposed budget for the federal government. I read every line to understand how it would impact Hudson Valley families, and I was FURIOUS by the end of it. The defining theme of Trump 2.0 has been screwing over communities like ours to benefit the wealthiest 0.1% of Americans. Trump’s budget shows that the next year (and in all likelihood the next four) will be more of the same. You can read my full analysis of the budget and all the ways it screws over families here.

What I’m doing: Some of the cuts are so egregious even Republican lawmakers have spoken out about them, and with a tight margin in the House and Senate, the White House can’t afford any defectors. However, if this budget comes before the House, I will be a resounding NO vote. Our budget should reflect our priorities for our constituents, and I will vote no on any budget that puts the needs of the Hudson Valley on the backburner.

What you can do:  This budget will impact everything from health care access, to housing, to our national security, to ensuring the water we drink is clean. We need a lot of people pushing back on this, so I would encourage you to call your representatives, especially if you live in a district represented by a Republican, and make it clear that this budget is WRONG for your community. Let’s turn up the pressure and make sure this budget is dead on arrival.

Going on offense

  I have been thinking a lot about how Democrats can and should be meeting the moment that we’re in. My approach to politics is what I called “patriotic populism” and I think it’s something the Democratic party could use a little more of right now. Patriotism, to me, is unifying, positive — being willing to say “I know there are problems with my country and I want to work to fix them;” not some blind allegiance to a symbol or a flag.

At this moment, while Democrats chart our path forward, we need to reclaim what it means to be patriotic and stand up for our country. The everyday patriots I have met the last few months – at community rallies, in town halls, during meetings – have been a source of hope and inspiration for me. I will continue beating the drum on how Democrats can become the party of patriotism and truly standing on the side of the people. In the meantime, I would encourage you to find opportunities to express your patriotism in your own community – whether it’s knocking doors for a candidate, showing up to a rally, or organizing a letter writing party to your representative.

Keep the faith, keep up the fight, and thank you for reading!

In Solidarity,

Pat