Dear friend,

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

Last week, the House reconvened for the first legislative session since September 19, 2025, concluding the longest government shutdown in recent history.

The House considered the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act of 2026. The legislation passed by a vote of 222 to 209. 
 
I released the following statement on my no vote on final passage of the bill.

“The legislation before the U.S. House of Representatives was not a clean continuing resolution (CR) – it was an egregious failure to the American people and did nothing to address the health care crisis that will increase costs for more than 20 million Americans, including 23,000 people living in the Fifth District. The CR provides no assurances from Speaker Johnson for a vote on extending the expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits.

Additionally, the legislation includes dangerous provisions that compromise the health of those who have served our nation. On the heels of Veterans’ Day, the Republican majority chose to include bipartisan language to eliminate $51.7 billion in funding to support service member victims of burn pits and Agent Orange receive the care they deserve.

Moreover, behind closed doors, a measure was snuck into the CR authorizing Senators to sue the federal government for millions when the law is followed and their records subpoenaed. Despite concerns from Republican House Members themselves, the CR advanced with no changes. At a time when families are overwhelmed with rising health care costs and struggling to put food on the table, Republicans prioritized enriching themselves.

Notwithstanding calls from across the country for additional oversight over the Executive Branch, the CR fails to insert any protections to stop the Trump Administration from unilaterally clawing back congressionally appropriated dollars or enforcing the separation of powers. The legislation, however flawed, did reopen the federal government. I will continue to address the areas of greatest concern with the legislation.

My position has been consistent: I will not support legislation that will cause more harm to my constituents. I voted no on the CR because we do not have to choose between feeding people and lowering health care costs. We can do both, and by refusing to negotiate and passing the CR as is, the Republicans have shown their refusal to address the needs of the American people.”

Today, I return to Washington ready to continue the work of lowering costs for Connecticut families, ensuring access to affordable healthcare, and advocating for our most vulnerable. 

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