John,

As you know, our government is shut down. I wanted to take a moment to share my thoughts with you on this shutdown and explain why it's so harmful to our country.

I've served in the Senate for 15 years. I've experienced more than one shut down, and I know how much they hurt — how much they hurt the men and women of our military, federal law enforcement, the federal workforce, and American families as a whole. No one in our country should have to wonder when or if they'll get paid by their government. A shutdown isn't good for our reputation abroad or our cohesion at home.

Throughout my time in office, I have always worked to find a path forward. In the days leading up to this shutdown, I spent countless hours talking with colleagues across the aisle, listening to try and find common ground.

Unfortunately, President Donald Trump has made clear to the GOP that he sees a shutdown as a "good" way to gain leverage and that he is indifferent to the suffering it causes everyday Americans. This behavior is part of a broader pattern.

President Trump ran on making America healthy again, on reducing prices, on making life easier for the families of our country. Instead, we've seen reckless actions by the president and Republicans in Congress that raise prices on healthcare, insurance, and medications. He says what he wants and they follow his lead without a care to the people they're supposed to serve.

I have always been one of the first to extend a hand across the aisle and put country before party. But I cannot see a way forward if we do not change direction and come together to say to the people we serve: “We want to protect your healthcare. We want to stop cuts to the NIH and CDC. We want to slow the rise of insurance costs. We want to help you and your family.”

There are concrete steps we can take. A bipartisan health appropriations bill has been passed and would restore tens of billions of dollars to the NIH and CDC, halt Trump's cuts to healthcare, and safeguard critical research. There is a path for extending the Affordable Care Act in a way that both parties can support. But it requires all sides to come to the table prepared for meaningful discussion — not partisan talking points.

Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House. If they are willing to work together to reduce the harm to Americans and protect our healthcare system, I will be among the first to negotiate. But I will not support legislation that makes life harder for American families.

The days ahead will be difficult, but I will continue to do everything I can to find a solution and protect the people I was elected to serve.

Thank you,

Chris



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