April 11, 2026
Dear Friends,
Since Donald Trump reoccupied the White House last year, Americans have been subjected to an unending torrent of cruel, reckless, and shameful behavior from the President and his Republican allies in Congress. In just over a year, we have seen a host of disastrous moves from the White House — from sending armies of ICE agents to terrorize our communities and launching an illegal war against Iran to enacting drastic benefit cuts and punishing tariffs that have sent prices through the roof for everyday families.
Congressional Republicans have enabled the President’s madness at every turn, leaving their constituents and the entire nation at the mercy of the whims of a wannabe dictator. With so many Americans seeking answers and action to address this growing crisis of affordability and chaos, I headed to Hoosick Falls this week to host a community conversation on the cost of living.
I began that conversation by addressing the President’s recent unhinged actions and rhetoric against Iran. As many of you know, Trump issued a statement on social media this week warning that “a whole civilization will die” unless Iran agreed to a deal to end the war he started. This declaration was nothing less than a threat of genocide from a deranged madman. After launching an illegal war against a country that posed no imminent military threat to the United States, our Commander in Chief was speaking of ending an entire civilization. This is not business as usual — which is why I immediately called for the House to reconvene as soon as possible to consider articles of impeachment against the president.
Thankfully, Trump backed down from his threat, but so much remains uncertain with the course of this massively unpopular conflict that has already claimed the lives of 13 U.S. servicemembers, engulfed an entire region in bloodshed, sent gas prices skyrocketing, and cost taxpayers $1 billion per day — money that could and should have been spent on making life easier for American families.
The affordability crisis now facing millions of American families is inextricably linked with this senseless war of choice. Recently, President Trump claimed that it is not possible for the federal government to fund Medicare, Medicaid, or childcare, saying that “we have to take care of one thing: military protection.” This is simply not true. With the money already spent on the war in Iran, we could have easily funded any number of programs that make Americans’ lives better — from feeding over five million families through SNAP to restoring the Affordable Care Act tax credits that millions rely on to pay for their healthcare. That’s why I’m doing everything in my power to rein in Trump’s actions and get Congress to focus on what matters most to working people.
In their latest budget plan, Trump and his Republican allies have proposed absolutely no action to address the cost-of-living crisis. Instead, they’re pushing policies that would only make Americans sicker and poorer — cutting billions from the National Institute of Health and further slashing food assistance for families in need.
House Democrats are focused on advancing an agenda that would lower costs, ensure better wages and benefits, tackle corruption, and end corporate greed. We want to deliver an America where you can afford to buy a home, visit your doctor when you need to, take care of your loved ones, and pay for groceries and utilities without breaking the bank. My colleagues and I are working tirelessly on policies that bring us closer to that goal — like measures to lower energy bills and expand SNAP and Medicaid coverage — and we won’t stop fighting until every American has the resources and support they need to thrive.
The damage inflicted by President Trump and his administration cannot be undone overnight. It will take hard work and dedicated advocacy to reverse their disastrous cuts, restore trust in our government, and rebuild an America that works for all who call it home. But as we continue to fight back against this administration and advance better policies, it is crucial that I hear directly from you. Your experiences and ideas shape the work I do in Congress and help ensure that we are fighting for the changes you need and deserve. I am always ready to listen, learn, and bring your perspectives to Washington — and I’m grateful to all of you who made your voices heard last night and throughout this past year.
As always, thank you for reading.
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
My office and I are working to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations from governments and agencies. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:
- With the tax filing deadline approaching next Wednesday, April 15th, I’m committed to making sure you have the information you need to file your returns.
- That’s why recently, my office hosted an informational webinar with representatives from IRS’ Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS).
- During this webinar, tax experts provided tips, updates, and recommendations that will help you and your family file your taxes correctly and take advantage of the tax credits to which you are entitled.
- You can view a recording of the webinar HERE.
- For more information about receiving direct assistance from the Taxpayer Advocate Service, click HERE.
