Dear Friends, 

More than a month into the government shutdown, my Democratic colleagues and I continue to fight to reopen government and take on rising costs. We’ve offered a plan to reopen government, reverse President Trump’s devastating cuts to Medicaid, and extend the health care tax credits Americans rely on to afford their premiums, including 19,000 residents of Connecticut’s First District. Without these tax credits, the average family in our district will see costs rise by $2,571. While I continue this fight to lower costs, open enrollment is happening now – and financial help is still available. 

You can enroll in a health care plan for 2026 at AccessHealthCT.com or receive in-person help at enrollment fairs happening across the state: 

• Manchester: Wednesday, November 12th at the Manchester Community Rec Center, located at 78 N Main St, Manchester, CT 06042, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Register here.  

• West Hartford: Wednesday, December 3rd at West Hartford Town Hall, located at 50 S Main St, West Hartford, CT 06107, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Register here. 

• Hartford: Wednesday, December 10th at Hartford Public Library, located at 500 Main St, Hartford, CT 06103, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Register here.  

• Middletown: Thursday, December 11th at Middletown Community Health Center, located at 675 Main St, Middletown, CT 06457, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Register here. 

• Bristol: Monday, December 15th at Wheeler Clinic Bristol, located at 1 Hope St, Bristol, CT 06010, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Register here.  

• East Hartford: Tuesday, January 6th, 2026, at East Hartford Public Library, located at 840 Main St, East Hartford, CT 06108, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Register here. 

I recently visited Community Health Care, Inc. in Middletown to hear directly from health care providers and constituents who will be saddled with higher premium costs if Republicans refuse to extend health care tax credits. One resident shared with me that his premiums are set to double – exceeding his monthly mortgage payment. That’s exactly what we’re fighting for – and I’m not giving up. You can view my remarks from the health center below.  

While the government is shut down, I will not take my salary. It is not right for air traffic controllers, Capitol Police, doctors, nurses, and other public servants to work without pay while the lawmakers responsible for this shutdown continue to get paid. I introduced the Make America Govern Again ‘MAGA’ Act to ensure pay for federal workers and troops and withhold pay from Members of Congress and top Trump appointees until government reopens. I stand with our federal workers – and they deserve to get paid in full. You can always reach out to my office for assistance while you navigate this period of uncertainty at (860) 278-8888. View my conversation with Fox 61’s Rayvin Bleu on the ‘MAGA’ Act below. 

We haven’t even voted in the House of Representatives since September 19th – well before the government even shut down. Democrats have been in Washington, but Speaker Johnson has kept the House out of session ever since President Trump told him to “not even bother” negotiating. That’s unacceptable. It’s time for Republicans to end their vacation and get back to work. I introduced the Reopening the People’s House Resolution to change House rules so Members of Congress can vote to bring the House back into session. Currently, the Speaker of the House has the unilateral authority to keep the House in recess. The people’s business should not go unaddressed because of one man. This is a government of, by, and for the people.  

If you have questions or need assistance from a federal agency, please reach out to my office at 860-278-8888. You can also visit our webpage about services available during the shutdown. To follow what I’m working on both in Washington and in Connecticut, visit my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or follow me on Instagram.     

Regards,

John B. Larson
Member of Congress