John,

Welcome to the latest edition of Emily’s Notes — updates from Washington’s 6th and Washington, D.C.!

Here’s what I’ve been up to:

• Before I go on – I voted NO on the “deal” to reopen the government without stopping health insurance premiums from skyrocketing. We deserve a government that works for us, not against us. I’ll use every tool I can to lower health care costs.

• My four amendments  – Before the vote, I flew back to D.C. early to testify before the Rules Committee and offer four amendments to the “deal” passed by the Senate: 

1. Reverse cuts to Medicaid passed under the Big Ugly Law.
2. Repeal cuts to SNAP passed under the Big Ugly Law.
3. Extend tax ACA credits so premiums don’t skyrocket.
4. Prohibit the mass firing of federal workers through 2029.

House Republicans rejected all four. 

• Keeping everyone fed — My team and I worked a shift at the North Mason Food Bank in Belfair. Just like the other food banks we’ve visited in recent weeks, they’re seeing more federal workers walk through their doors — people who have never had to ask for help before.

I visited the Multicultural Center in Tacoma, spoke with the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal Head Start Policy Council, and held a Resource Fair in Bremerton for federal workers and military families affected by the shutdown. 

Across the 6th District, communities are mobilizing to feed their neighbors and help those in need. We deserve a government that works as hard as you do!!!

• We’ll do it live – I used every channel I could to communicate the truth about the GOP shutdown and the avoidable health care crisis. I went on Instagram Live with my colleague, Rep. Julie Johnson of Texas, and our outstanding Attorney General, Nick Brown.

• Bienvenida Adelita! – After stalling for 50 days, Speaker Mike Johnson finally swore in Adelita Grijalva, who immediately signed the discharge petition to release the Epstein files. (That story is developing quickly as I write this, so stay tuned.)

Now is the part where I ask you for a donation.

I hear you. The "deal" to reopen the government was awful. You deserve so much better from your leaders. 

That’s why Team Emily continues to work inside AND outside Congress. Last week, I endorsed three new Democratic candidates in competitive districts. I want to do everything I can to take back the House and bring a new generation of bold, tenacious leadership to Congress.

We’re able to organize because of our powerhouse team of grassroots donors – and right now, we’re well behind our fundraising benchmarks. 

During the shutdown crisis, I’ve been talking to my neighbors, rather than calling donors. That’s the way it should be – but it also means we need our grassroots team to help close the gap.

If you’re able, can you please chip in $25 or any amount to bolster our organizing efforts, or even start a monthly donation? Every time we’re down, this team comes through – thank you so much.

DONATE

Thank you for reading 💙 I’ll never stop fighting for you.

– Emily