Dear friend,

Welcome to your Weekly Wrap, a recap of the week in the district and highlights of my work. 

Last week, I joined House Committee on Agriculture Democrats in sending a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins requesting answers on the decision to terminate the Household Food Security report. Also, in partnership with the Connecticut Association for Community Action (CAFCA) and members of the Connecticut Delegation, I participated in a virtual roundtable that focused on critical social safety net programs including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Medicaid.  I am also including an update on government funding.

For my full recap, please read below.  

Household Food Security Reports

On September 20, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the termination of future Household Food Security Reports. For the last thirty years, these reports have served as the most important high-quality, consistent measure of national and state-level food insecurity we have in the United States. Without it, insight into the scope and severity of food insecurity will be lost. Refusing to collect the data does not make the hunger crisis go away.

On Thursday, I joined House Committee on Agriculture Democrats in sending a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins requesting answers on the irresponsible decision to terminate the Household Food Security report. Specifically, the letter requests a detailed accounting of the costs associated with producing the report, what steps were taken to contact stakeholders and experts who utilize the report, and what plans the Department had to notify Congress or the public.

Read the full letter here.

CAFCA Roundtable

Incorporated in 1974, the Connecticut Association for Community Action (CAFCA) is the state association for the nine Community Action Associations across Connecticut. The group works to advance economic, racial and social justice, and address the causes and conditions of poverty.

On Wednesday, alongside CAFCA and members of the Connecticut Delegation, I participated in a virtual roundtable that focused on critical social safety net programs including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Medicaid. These programs are central to our ability to support the most vulnerable. Unfortunately, the Trump administration has made it increasingly difficult for families to access them. In April, the President laid off the entire LIHEAP program staff and attempted to zero out program funding in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

No less concerning, H.R.1, the Republican “One Big Beautiful Bill” cuts $187 billion from SNAP, making it difficult for children, veterans, and families to have access to regular meals; and cuts $900 billion from Medicaid, jeopardizing the health insurance of 17 million Americans – including 91,038 Connecticut children and 32,000 seniors over 65.

This will be disastrous for Connecticut families, many of whom are already facing high food costs, higher rents, and high childcare costs.

Weeks after enacting the One Big Beautiful Bill, my Republican colleagues are presenting families with even more cruel cuts and threatening to shut the government down.

Government Funding Update

On Friday, September 19, 2025, the House advanced H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extension Act of 2026. The legislation failed in the United States Senate.

Government funding expires on September 30^th. There is the looming potential for a government shutdown starting at 12:01am on October 1^st. Republicans hold majorities in both the House and Senate and control the White House, yet have failed to present a budget that would garner the bipartisan support needed to pass. There should be no expectation that Democrats will vote in support of legislation which we have had no ability to help craft. Negotiations are critical to avoiding the possibility of federal funds expiring. Speaker Mike Johnson has cancelled votes scheduled for this week and has not indicated any intention to call the House back into session. Alongside House Democrats, I am in Washington, D.C., prepared to continue the work to reach a deal and vote on government funding that addresses the needs of the people. My willingness, however, does not include accepting a budget that guts healthcare, does nothing to address rising costs and defunds the programs and services that so many Americans rely upon.

And that’s a wrap.

Thank you for taking the time to read this update. As always, please continue to share your thoughts and priorities with me. 

Jahana Hayes

Member of Congress