Herbert,

It’s official: we’re in the longest federal government shutdown in American history.

This isn’t just another Washington headline — it’s a crisis with real consequences for real people. One of the cruelest impacts? President Trump’s refusal to fund SNAP, the program that keeps millions of families from going hungry. Now he’s taking that fight all the way to the Supreme Court.

This week, I volunteered at a local food pantry and met constituents who are struggling to put food on the table each day. They’re our neighbors — parents, seniors, veterans — caught in the crossfire of political brinkmanship. You can read more about my experience here.

What we’re witnessing in Washington isn’t leadership. It’s a callous disregard for our shared humanity. I refuse to stand by while the most vulnerable among us bear the burden of political games.

I’m fighting for a government that works for people — one guided by compassion, not cruelty. Thank you for standing with me.