Dear Friends,

After 43 days, the longest federal government shutdown in American history has finally ended.

It never should have happened to begin with. But Congressional Republicans chose to shut down the government rather than pass funding bills meeting the needs of the American people and addressing the health care crisis that they created.

As open enrollment began for Affordable Care Act (ACA insurance plans on November 1st, millions of Americans saw their premiums skyrocket beyond their reach. Republicans have done nothing to address this looming crisis. I continue fighting to extend the enhanced premium tax credits helping so many people maintain health care coverage.

After an astonishing 54 days of recess, Speaker Johnson finally called the House back for votes and committee business. 50 days after the special elections for Arizona’s Seventh District, he finally allowed Rep. Adelita Grijalva to take her oath of office and begin serving her constituents. Her first act thereafter provided the final signature needed on a discharge petition to bring a bill to the floor for a vote mandating that the Justice Department release all files in its possession related to the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein. I voted to release the files.

Read on to learn more about what you may have missed since my last newsletter.

THE END OF THE SHUTDOWN — KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD

By refusing to negotiate an extension of the ACA enhanced premium tax credits, Congressional Republicans chose to pit federal workers and those who rely on the services they provide against the millions of Americans already struggling with high costs who now face the prospect of losing their health insurance. And during the shutdown, the Trump Administration was willing to fight all the way to the Supreme Court to keep food out of the mouths of hungry families and children.

While House Republicans refused to even come to the Capitol, House Democrats continued amplifying the voices of Americans struggling to access the care they need through events such as the October 28th House Democratic Steering & Policy Committee and Democratic Women’s Caucus joint hearing on strengthening the care economy and protecting the Affordable Care Act.

From day one of the 119th Congress, I have stood with House Democrats ready to pass bipartisan funding bills that meet the needs of the American people, lower costs and address the health care crisis facing this country. Instead, the Senate passed piecemeal legislation that kicks the can down the road until January for most federal government agencies and fails to prevent millions of Americans from seeing their health insurance premiums spike in January. Senate Republicans promised their Democratic colleagues a vote on extending the ACA enhanced premium tax credits at some undetermined point in the future. Speaker Johnson refuses to commit to a similar vote in the House. For these reasons, I voted no when the bill reached the House.

I discussed my concerns with the Senate bill on Mornings with Zerlina.

I also discussed with WRIC why we can’t afford to wait on extending these tax credits.

We have just over one month to extend the enhanced premium tax credits before the 2026 insurance coverage period begins. The fight continues.

CELEBRATING VETERANS APPRECIATION MONTH

November is National Veterans and Military Families Appreciation Month. Last week, as we prepared to observe Veterans Day, I introduced the Student Veteran Work Study Modernization Act to provide student veterans with a more flexible work-study program that considers their unique needs. You can read more about the bill here.

Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) work-study program allows veterans enrolled as at least a three-quarter-time student to receive a part-time, paying job on campus or at another VA-approved employer. This three-quarter time requirement does not account for the unique circumstances veteran students face, such as caring for children, unique mental health needs or financial considerations that make it necessary for them to enroll only half-time.

We owe it to our veterans to help them transition out of active-duty service back to civilian life. This piece of legislation takes one step towards doing just that. By improving accessibility to the work-study program and ensuring more people can participate, we give our veterans the tools they need to adapt and thrive from one stage of life to another. 

MY BRIGHT SPOT: SENATOR MARK WARNER JOINS MOMENTS WITH MCCLELLAN

My latest episode of Moments with McClellan dropped on Halloween, featuring Virginia’s Senior Senator Mark Warner! You can watch the full interview below, as we discuss the shutdown, Sen. Warner’s favorite holiday and more.

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