September 19, 2025

Dear JOHN,

Today, I voted against a stopgap funding plan pushed by Donald Trump and House Republicans.

This bill does nothing to lower grocery costs, make schools safer for our kids, or help seniors afford their prescriptions. It also fails to address the challenges families in Rochester face every day. People deserve better than this political theater.

With less than two weeks until the end of the fiscal year, I urge my Republican colleagues to come to the table and work with House Democrats on a bipartisan budget that fully funds our government and protects the programs families rely on.

My phone is always on. Let’s stop the games and give people the support they deserve from their government.

Instead of rubber-stamping a federal budget that ignores the problems faced by people in Rochester and across the country, I spent time this week advocating for the policies and programs folks rely on. Read more about my work this week below:

Today I voted in favor of a resolution that, like many in Congress, is nuanced—and I know my decision may frustrate some people. Let me be clear: I did not agree with Charlie Kirk. His rhetoric was extremist, divisive, and often deeply harmful. I do not support language in this resolution that portrays him as noble or patriotic.

But democracy means that even people we strongly disagree with—people whose words make our blood boil—still deserve the same rights and protections as everyone else. Freedom cannot be applied selectively.

At its core, this resolution condemns political violence, and that’s something we must all do—clearly and without hesitation. That is why I voted yes—and it’s why many of my colleagues did, too.

After the vote, I took a few moments to speak about my thought process and how, in the end, I decided to vote “yes.” I look forward to working with all my colleagues on policies to reject violence and restore civility to our politics.

Yesterday, I joined SPIE’s annual Photonics Industry Summit in Washington, where I spoke with leaders from across the optics and photonics industry—including many from Rochester.

As Founder and Co-Chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Optics and Photonics Caucus, I’m fighting for increased federal dollars to support the next generation of scientists and innovative industries. These investments are critical to maintaining our global leadership in high-tech industry and competitive edge on the world stage.

Donald Trump has launched an unprecedented assault on our rights—a move straight out of the authoritarian playbook. From freedom of speech to the sacred act of voting, Donald Trump and his supporters are determined to deny the fundamental rights of those who disagree with their positions.

As Lead Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, which has oversight of federal elections, I led my colleagues in introducing a resolution commemorating National Voter Registration Day and encouraging every eligible American citizen to register to vote.

Our democracy functions best when everyone can participate, and I will not let the President’s threats and attacks stop me from fighting for this inalienable right.

Please know my office is always here to help. Visit morelle.house.gov to learn more about how we can assist you and your family. Due to ongoing actions by the Trump administration affecting federal agencies, case processing may be slightly delayed. We appreciate your patience and remain committed to resolving your cases promptly.

Until next week,

Joe Morelle

New York’s 25th Congressional District