July 25, 2026
Dear Friends,
If there has been one consistent theme of the past 18 months of Republican rule in Washington, it has been the GOP’s total contempt for the needs and priorities of the American people. Time and again, congressional Republicans have refused to address the problems facing everyday Americans — instead advancing policies that have made working people sicker and poorer while Donald Trump and his allies become richer and more powerful. This week, we saw the GOP’s callous style of governance in action once again as House Republicans passed a budget plan that completely fails to better the lives of the American people. At the same time, they advanced another bill that would allow them to continue profiting from their offices while insulating themselves from public opposition to their corruption. The American people deserve better.
Last week, Speaker Mike Johnson declared that Republicans’ budget resolution would address “our nation’s most immediate priorities.” But the moment the text of the resolution was revealed, it became clear that this assertion could not have been further from the truth. Among many other disastrous provisions, the GOP budget gives the Trump administration a blank check to continue its senseless war with Iran that has already cost taxpayers billions of dollars and sent prices skyrocketing. It makes it harder for Americans to exercise their fundamental right to vote. And most importantly, at a time when millions of Americans are struggling to afford basic necessities, this budget does absolutely nothing to meaningfully improve the lives of working people. Speaker Johnson’s “immediate priorities” are certainly not the priorities my constituents have asked me to fight for.
When I travel across my district every week to speak with the people I represent, I hear a very different set of concerns. My constituents worry about their ability to go to the doctor, yet this budget doesn’t include a dime for health care. They worry about being able to feed their families, yet this budget does nothing to lower the cost of groceries. They worry about the rising cost of gas and utilities, yet this budget makes no effort to lower energy prices or end the war with Iran that has sent those prices through the roof. And they worry about Donald Trump’s corruption and overreach, yet this budget does nothing to rein in this lawless administration. Simply put, this budget does not have anything for the people of my district or any other district.
While Republicans are ignoring the needs of the American people, they remain laser-focused on using their offices to enrich themselves and entrench themselves in power. The so-called “Stop Insider Trading Act,” passed by House Republicans this week, is just the most recent symbol of Republicans’ backward priorities.
I have long believed that public service requires public trust. To maintain that trust, members of Congress and other elected officials must be held to a higher standard. That’s why throughout my time as an elected official, I have never owned a single stock — and it’s why I’ve cosponsored several bills that would ban my fellow members from owning them. Republicans have often claimed to support such efforts, but the bill they passed this week only allows for more corruption.
Their legislation does not require lawmakers and their families to divest from stocks that could lead to conflicts of interest. Instead, it only limits new stock purchases while still allowing members to sell individual stocks and profit from their insider information. Republicans, of course, were careful to exempt President Trump and his family from even the toothless requirements of this bill. And in an even more cynical move, GOP leaders paired this legislation with portions of their deeply unpopular voter suppression bill known as the “SAVE America Act.” In doing so, they made it harder for Americans to voice their disapproval at the ballot box while shielding themselves from public scrutiny of their blatant self-dealing. Republicans know that Americans are fed up with their failures, and they’re doing everything they can to avoid accountability for them.
This weekend, I’ll be heading back to the Capital Region for five weeks as the House enters its summer district work period. But while Congress may be out of session, I’ll be working harder than ever here at home — traveling across our region and speaking directly with constituents about what Congress can do to address your priorities and make your life more affordable. Republicans may only be working for themselves, but my Democratic colleagues and I remain committed to delivering a government that works for you.
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:
- The Capital District Regional Planning Commission (CDRPC)’s Capital Region Climate Action Webinar Series, a monthly webinar series highlighting key topics from the Regional Climate Action Plan, is now underway!
- Designed for municipal officials, planners, and community members, the series explores practical strategies that communities can use to take meaningful local climate action.
- Each session focuses on a different topic related to climate resilience, sustainable development, and clean energy planning.
- The webinars are held on the first Wednesday of each month from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.
- This month’s webinar, to be held on Wednesday, August 5th at 12:00 PM, will focus on heat pumps and neighborhood-scale geothermal systems that can provide clean, reliable heating and cooling for buildings.
- Click HERE to register for this month’s webinar, or click HERE to learn more about the series and view upcoming topics!
