December 21, 2024
Dear Friends,
Throughout the 118th Congress, Republican lawmakers have repeatedly chosen chaos over cooperation. Time and again, their cowardice and inability to lead have generated senseless crises that jeopardize essential public services and undermine the pursuit of progress for hardworking Americans.
This week, congressional Republicans continued that pattern of incompetence by bending to the will of a pair of right-wing billionaires — threatening a devastating government shutdown that would have caused pain for millions of Americans in the form of lost paychecks, delayed disaster relief, missed Social Security payments, and much more. While Democrats took action to avoid a harmful shutdown, this latest GOP charade represents yet another unconscionable abandonment of their responsibilities to the American people.
But while the past two years in Washington have often tested our resolve, they have also shown the power of purpose and perseverance in delivering results for our communities. This holiday season, I’m joining so many across our nation in counting my many blessings — one of which is the honor I have to serve our beloved Capital Region and all those who call it home. And amid all the chaos of this congressional term, I’ve never wavered in my commitment to delivering results for the people I represent. So, with that in mind, as 2024 comes to a close, I’m looking back proudly on everything my team and I have done to serve our communities during the 118th Congress.
One of my top priorities as your representative in Congress is providing help to constituents who need assistance with federal agencies. Over the past two years, my staff and I resolved more than 3,300 constituent cases, helping Capital Region residents navigate issues ranging from immigration services and veterans affairs to Social Security and Medicare. Our phenomenal casework team has helped constituents like you recoup more than $5.44 million in federal funds through assistance with the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and more. If you need assistance with a federal agency, you can fill out a request form on my website HERE.
My office and I have also worked tirelessly to create jobs, strengthen businesses, and support consumers by sharing grant and rebate opportunities for individuals, nonprofits, and community organizations across our Capital Region. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished on that front over the past two years, including:
- Helping thousands across our district learn more about federal grant opportunities, ultimately securing hundreds of targeted awards totaling more than $1 billion in federal funding for our region;
- Providing more than 120 letters of support to advocate for many of these investments, helping to deliver critical funding to fire departments, small businesses, and more; and
- Hosting multiple Inflation Reduction Act Benefits workshops to highlight the thousands of dollars in potential rebates available to eligible households and renters.
My team and I have also been working throughout the 118th Congress to deliver critical investments to bolster the roads, bridges, and highways that keep our Capital Region connected and ensure that people and goods can move safely and efficiently. Since the enactment of our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, I’ve helped secure more than $500 million in federal funding for improvements to our local infrastructure, including:
Whether by introducing legislation to support Capital Region families, securing federal investments in local infrastructure projects and community organizations, or helping constituents navigate through federal agencies, I have always considered it my highest honor to advocate on behalf of our Capital Region and its residents. My determination to serve you and your loved ones has never faltered, even in the face of the countless setbacks and frustrations of the 118th Congress. So, whatever the next Congress may bring, I remain as committed as ever to moving forward with a spirit of service and delivering for the people I represent.
As always, thank you for reading — and happy holidays to you and yours! I hope this season is filled with peace, love, and joy, and I wish you all the best in the new year!
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
My office and I are working to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations from federal agencies. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:
- Earlier this month, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that more than 3 million veterans, servicemembers, and spouses who receive life insurance from the VA’s programs will receive a discount on premiums starting in the spring of 2025!
- These decreased premiums apply to those insured under Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI), Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI), and Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) — and to those who enroll in those programs in the future.
- The decreased rates vary based on the program and policyholder:
- Veterans: Approximately 450,000 VGLI members will see their premium rates discounted between 2% to 17%, depending on the veteran’s age, with an average discount of 11%.
- Servicemembers: Approximately 2 million active duty, Reserve, and National Guard members insured under SGLI will see the cost of the maximum $500,000 in life insurance coverage decrease from $30 to $25 per month.
- Spouses: Approximately 870,000 spouses covered under FSGLI will see their premiums decreased by between 11% and 22%, depending on the spouse’s age, with an average discount of 13%.
- All those eligible for this update will automatically receive the discounted rates without any action on their parts.
- VA encourages all eligible veterans to sign up for life insurance today by visiting their websites for SGLI, FSGLI, VGLI, and VA’s other life insurance options.
- You can read more about this exciting announcement HERE.
