Email from Rep. Tenney Congresswoman Tenney's Weekly Newsletter   Have Questions? Contact Me Here Impact of the Shutdown on New York's Working Families The Democrat-led government shutdown is now in its second week, bringing serious consequences for New York’s working families, seniors, and small businesses. By blocking the clean, responsible funding bill passed by House Republicans, Senate Democrats have stalled wages, halted small business loans, and jeopardized essential services that millions rely on. Economic estimates show that each month the shutdown continues, New York loses more than $1.2 billion in productivity, while thousands of federal workers are furloughed or forced to work without pay. Nearly three million New Yorkers who depend on programs like SNAP and WIC are facing uncertainty, while local employers struggle with delayed federal contracts and SBA loan approvals. Instead of protecting New York’s economy, Democrats have chosen to hold it hostage, hurting families, seniors, and small businesses across the state. It’s time to end this reckless shutdown and restore stability for the hardworking people who keep our communities strong. President Trump is Delivering Peace A historic step toward peace has been achieved in the Middle East, just days after the anniversary of Hamas’s brutal October 7th attack. Thanks to President Trump’s strength and decisive leadership, Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a comprehensive peace plan to release all remaining hostages, including Americans Omer Neutra and Itay Chen, and begin a path toward lasting stability. The Nobel Peace Prize once stood for strength, integrity, and moral clarity, but today it too often rewards symbolism and politics over real achievement. I am the only Member of Congress to have officially nominated President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize twice, and I will continue to nominate him every year I am able, because his record speaks for itself. No one has done more to bring peace to regions long defined by war and division. Debunking Democrats' Lies on the Shutdown Democrat Lie: Republicans are trying to rip health care away from Americans. Reality: That’s false. House Republicans passed a clean, responsible funding bill that keeps health care fully funded at current levels, with no cuts and no policy changes. Democrats are holding government funding hostage over an unrelated December policy fight of their own making. Democrat Lie: The Republican bill is partisan. Reality: The only reason this clean continuing resolution appears “partisan” is because nearly every Democrat voted against it. This same short-term measure passed 13 times under President Biden with bipartisan support. Democrats changed their votes, not the bill. Democrat Lie: Democrats have offered a serious counterproposal to keep the government open. Reality: Their so-called proposal is a $1.5 trillion spending spree that includes free health care for illegal immigrants, $500 million for liberal media outlets, billions for DEI and climate projects overseas, and a $50 billion cut to rural hospitals. It's irresponsible. Democrat Lie: The shutdown is President Trump and Republicans’ fault. Reality: House Republicans, Senate Republicans, and President Trump all support a bill to keep the government open and serving the American people. It’s Senate Democrats who blocked it, refusing to provide the votes needed to meet the 60-vote threshold. They’d rather shut down the government to oppose President Trump than stand with the American people. Democrat Lie: Republicans are abandoning the needs of working Americans. Reality: It’s Democrats who walked away from hardworking families to please their far-left base. The question before Congress was simple: keep the government open or shut it down. Republicans voted to keep it open, Democrats voted to close it. Democrat Lie: Republicans are threatening food and health programs. Reality: Democrats are the ones putting programs like WIC and SNAP at risk by rejecting a clean bill that funds them in full. Their reckless shutdown takes food off the tables of women and children while freezing aid that millions rely on. Declassified Biden Family Corruption Newly declassified CIA documents reveal that then-Vice President Joe Biden personally ordered an intelligence report withheld in 2015 because it exposed Ukrainian officials’ concerns about his family’s corrupt business ties. The report, which met the criteria for dissemination, detailed how Ukrainian leaders viewed the Bidens’ conduct as a glaring double standard in America’s anti-corruption stance. Instead of allowing transparency, Biden directed the CIA to suppress the information, just months before he pressured Ukraine to fire the prosecutor investigating Burisma, where his son was earning tens of thousands per month. This evidence confirms what many suspected all along: Biden used his office to shield his family’s foreign business dealings while weaponizing U.S. institutions for political protection. The American people deserve honesty and accountability. New York Attorney General Letitia James Indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James, who spent years weaponizing her office to attack President Trump, has now been indicted by a federal grand jury on two felony counts of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. This indictment exposes the deep hypocrisy that has defined Democrat politics for years. No one is above the law, and justice must apply equally. Remembering October 7th October 7, 2023 was the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Thousands of civilians, including U.S. citizens, were murdered, kidnapped, assaulted, and raped by Hamas. We honor and remember the innocent lives taken, we demand the return of every hostage, and we stand with Israel against Hamas terrorism. Never forget. As your representative in Congress, my top priority is championing legislative initiatives that benefit you and your families. Each week, I review numerous bills and letters, engaging in thorough discussions with members of our community to determine which actions to support and address your needs. Below are a few bills I recently cosponsored. H.R. 1542, the Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2025: This bill would provide appropriations to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for the salaries and expenses of personnel who are required to continue working during a lapse in federal funding. The servicemen and women at the USCG put their lives on the line every day to protect the homeland, run search and rescue operations, and enforce maritime laws. It is imperative that USCG personnel and their families are cared for during their essential service protecting our communities. H.R. 2172, the Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act: This bill would ensure Medicare patients with serious infections, heart failure, immune diseases, cancer, and other conditions receive the intravenous (IV) medications they need while at home. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a benefit for Medicare Part B home infusion drugs, requiring a nurse to be physically present in the patient’s home for providers to be reimbursed. This bill would ensure that Medicare recipients can continue to receive life-saving drugs in a safe and effective manner, in the comfort of their own homes. H.R. 2350, the Cellphone Jamming Reform Act of 2025: This bill would prevent prison inmates from using contraband cellphones in prison facilities by allowing state and federal prisons to use cellphone jamming systems. Contraband cellphones are a major security threat in our prisons, allowing criminals to coordinate crimes while incarcerated. This bipartisan bill is important to keep our prisons safe and ensure that our communities are protected from prisoners. PSA: Our Offices are Still Open! Despite the ongoing Democrat-led government shutdown, our offices remain fully open and ready to serve the people of New York’s 24th District. While many federal agencies are operating with reduced staff, our team continues to submit casework and advocate on behalf of NY-24 constituents experiencing delays or disruptions. Essential programs will continue under law, though some services are temporarily affected, including delayed passport processing, paused flag orders, and the cancellation of pre-booked Capitol tours. To help constituents stay informed, we’ve launched a new Government Shutdown Resources page on our website with details about which services remain available and how to request assistance. Our team is available to help you navigate this challenging time and ensure your needs are met until the government reopens. To visit our Government Shutdown Resources page, click here. Successful Casework Story A Jefferson County Veteran fought for many months with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to be heard on their service-connected medical condition, and their claim approval was delayed. My office worked with this Veteran and the VA, and the VA was finally able to get this Veteran the benefits they earned for their service and sacrifice for this great Nation: “Thank you again for advocating for veterans like me. Your work truly matters.” Need Help with a Federal Agency? Call us today. If you or someone you know ever needs assistance with a federal agency, we are just a phone call away and are ready to help you! Please contact my Canandaigua Office at 585-869-2060, my Oswego Office at 315-236-7088, or my Lockport Office at 716-514-5130. I am honored to have the opportunity to represent you. Have News or Updates to Share? Email Me! If you have updates regarding events in the community or other news to share from across New York's 24th District, please visit the "Contact Me" page on my website to share it with me. My team will try to include as many of your updates from around #NY24 as we can each week.     tenney.house.gov Rep. 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