Dear John,

We are now in Day 7 of the federal government shutdown. 

While Speaker Johnson canceled votes this week in the House, I believe that we need to return to Washington, D.C. to negotiate a responsible, bipartisan deal that reopens the government and protects access to affordable health care for over 20 million Americans. 

That means bringing both sides together to extend critical Affordable Care Act subsidies before they expire at the end of the year. If Congress fails to act, an estimated 28,000 people in our district could see their health care premiums skyrocket.

Additionally, until Congress reaches an agreement to reopen the federal government, I have requested that my own pay be withheld. While our troops and federal workers are forced to work without pay during a shutdown, Members of Congress still get paid. That’s not right.

I want to hear from you: Do you agree that Members of Congress should not get paid during a government shutdown?
Yes, Members of Congress should not get paid during a government shutdown. No, Members of Congress should continue receiving a paycheck during a government shutdown.
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I’ll keep doing everything I can to reopen the government and protect access to affordable, quality health care for Sacramento County families. 

If you'd like to continue receiving updates like this one, I strongly encourage you to subscribe to my e-newsletter and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, Bluesky, and Threads! 

Be well, 

Ami Bera, M.D.
Member of Congress

My Offices Are Open and Here to Help

My offices in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. remain open and ready to help. While we expect there to be delays at various government agencies due to staffing shortages, please do not hesitate to reach out if you're experiencing issues with Social Security, Medicare, veterans’ benefits, the IRS, passports, or other federal services.

My team has created two resources to guide you through the shutdown. These resources will be updated to respond to new developments.

Government Shutdown FAQ — Answers to common questions about how the shutdown may impact you and your family.

Government Shutdown Resources — A list of food, health, mental health, and dental services available throughout our community.

Showcase Your Coding Skills in the Congressional App Challenge!

The deadline for the Congressional App Challenge is coming up on October 30th! 

If you're a parent or teacher of a tech savvy middle and/or high school student in CA-06, encourage them to submit their app and showcase their skills to Congress! 

The winning team from our district will be invited to visit Washington, D.C., for the Spring 2026 #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception.

Visit my website to view the rules and eligibility requirements!