Dear friend, 

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

It has been 20 days since the government shutdown began. For the third week in a row House Speaker Mike Johnson has canceled votes. The House has not taken a vote since September 19, 2025 – a month of critical legislative time wasted.

While many of my Republican colleagues are on vacation, alongside House Democrats, I am continuing to show up to work for my constituents in the Fifth District and negotiate a path forward to lower the cost of healthcare for American families and end the government shutdown that is wreaking havoc on military families and federal workers.

For my full recap, please read below.

Government Funding Update

Pay for furloughed federal workers during a government shutdown is a topic of concern. According to recent reports, when asked if furloughed workers will get retroactive pay, Trump said “it depends.” This is illegal and ignores federal law that requires government agencies to provide backpay to furloughed workers during a funding lapse. The bipartisan Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, signed into law by President Trump is clear. All impacted government employees, regardless of excepted or furloughed status, are entitled to back pay after a government shutdown ends.

Last week, I joined over 160 colleagues in sending a bicameral letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought requesting OMB immediately clarify and update its Frequently Asked Questions During Lapse in Appropriations Document and other relevant materials to affirm that furloughed employees will receive back pay, as is required by law.

Read the bipartisan and bicameral letter here.

The Hub Project and Unrig Our Economy

On Thursday, the Hub Project and Unrig Our Economy hosted a call to break down the impact of the government shutdown. 

Our discussion focused on Affordable Care Act tax credits, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the erosion of public trust.

Participants from across the country expressed fear, frustration, and legitimate concern over what would happen if they lost insurance coverage or access to social safety net programs.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Each October, communities across the country uplift the needs, voices, and experiences of survivors as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Domestic violence continues to affect all people, while women are disproportionally affected. One in two women report experiencing domestic violence at some point in their life. It also has a devastating impact on children – with between 3.3 million and 10 million children reported to witness domestic violence each year.

Last week, the Democratic Women’s Caucus wore purple in solidarity with survivors. Each year, my office supports domestic violence prevention programs through the appropriations process. Among these programs are the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) program and services provided by the Office of Violence Against Women.

Help is available. If you or a loved one is experiencing domestic violence, please call the 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. 

Announcing the Connecticut Teacher of the Year

On Friday, I joined the Rogers Park Middle School community to announce Brian Betesh as the 2026 Connecticut Teacher of the Year.

Betesh is a graduate of Rogers Park Middle School and is in his 19th year of teaching as a social studies teacher in Danbury at the same school. Betesh has said his teaching philosophy is simple: every student has the potential to do big things and his role as an educator is ultimately to create opportunities for them to shine.

I join the Danbury and broader Connecticut community in congratulating Brian on this incredible achievement. 

Update on the Department of Education

The teaching philosophy of our newest Connecticut Teacher of the Year is a timely reminder of the importance of investing in students and providing them with every opportunity possible to succeed. 

Unfortunately, the Trump Administration is making this even more difficult for educators.

Amid the government shutdown, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon has nearly depleted the department responsible for providing special education services to 7.5 million students. The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) implements the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the federal law that ensures millions of students with a disability get support at school. With limited staff, these important programs are in jeopardy.

Like Mr. Betesh, and many teachers across the country, I know students can excel academically when accommodations and safeguards are in place. The Department of Education must reinstate these workers to ensure every student can thrive.

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