Dear neighbor,

This week, Republicans moved forward with a partisan spending bill that continues to gut health care and fails to make life meaningfully better for the American people. This was their chance to stand up to Trump and reverse their devastating cuts. Instead, Republicans are attacking health care and increasing costs for Americans.

That is why House Democrats VOTED NO on the Republican partisan spending bill. We will continue to defend health care and stand up for the American people. The Republican agenda is unconscionable and unacceptable, and we will not be complicit.

In addition to cutting health care, Republicans are waging war on the First Amendment and undermining core American values. The censoring of artists and cancellation of shows is an act of cowardice and a potentially corrupt pay-to-play scheme. House Democrats will fight for the truth and are prepared to be relentless in unleashing congressional subpoena power. WE WILL NOT YIELD.

You can read House Democratic leadership’s full statement on the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel here.

MORE FROM THIS WEEK: On Wednesday, I questioned FBI Director Kash Patel at a Judiciary hearing on oversight of the FBI. For too long, this Administration has covered up the Epstein files and protected pedophiles and sexual abusers. I’m demanding accountability and standing up for survivors, many of whom have called for the release of the files.

Director Patel could not (or better said, would not) answer whether Prince Andrew or Donald Trump were on the Epstein files. This is a huge red flag.

Watch the full exchange below:

On Thursday, I joined a Judiciary AI Subcommittee hearing to bring attention to the need for responsible AI regulation. The Trump Administration tried to put a ten-year ban on states regulating AI, which was opposed by countless Republicans and failed 99-1 in the U.S. Senate. We’re now in a place where it’s not whether we’re going to regulate AI. It’s: do you want 17 states doing it? Or, do you want Congress to do it? I think it’s time for us to act now.

Also, this week, I joined my Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus colleagues to highlight how Trump’s tariffs are hurting small businesses, including AANHPI small businesses. These tariffs are raising costs for businesses, who either cannot afford them or have to raise prices on consumers. It’s essentially a tax increase and it is hurting Americans economically. I’m urging Trump and Republicans to stop crushing the American Dream and to reverse these tariffs.

CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE: 2025 Congressional App Challenge submissions are due by October 30, 2025. For more information and challenge guidelines, go here.

SPRING 2025 INTERNSHIP: We are now accepting applications for our office’s Spring 2025 Internship Program. Internships are available in both our LA and Washington, DC offices. To apply, visit our website here. Note: Applications are due October 31, 2025, at 5pm.

California has a special election coming up on November 4. Click here to confirm you are registered to vote.

If you need help with a federal agency, call my Los Angeles office at (323) 651-1040, or visit our federal assistance webpage here.

I look forward to updating you again soon.

Warmly,

Ted