November 7, 2026
Dear Friends,
Nearly two years ago, Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term in the White House. Flanked by his handpicked cabinet of cronies and by the billionaires and trillionaires who helped install him in office, Trump made it clear from his first day back in the White House that he intended to build a government of the wealthy, by the wealthy, and for the wealthy — and that he’d have no qualms about trampling on our democracy or hurting working families to do it.
In the time since then, Americans have watched as the President and his administration unleashed disastrous policies and unprecedented cruelty on our communities. They’ve watched as devastating healthcare cuts, arbitrary tariffs, and a senseless war in Iran fueled an affordability crisis that continues to hurt families across the country. They’ve watched as Trump’s army of masked ICE agents swept through their cities and small towns, terrorizing their neighbors and ripping apart families. And they’ve watched as Trump and his friends used their offices and connections to enrich themselves at the taxpayers’ expense — all without a whisper of protest from Republicans in Congress.
This week, the American people had the opportunity to respond boldly and forcefully to the dismal failures of this administration and its enablers in Congress. And on Tuesday, that’s exactly what they did. Across the nation, voters went to the polls to speak out against the Republican record of cruelty, corruption, and fear. They made it clear that they want a government that works for them, not for the wealthy and well-connected. They rejected a Republican regime that spends billions on new wars overseas while letting children go hungry at home. They demanded a Congress that fulfills its constitutional duty to provide a check on the executive branch. And they chose unity, progress, and empathy over division, stagnation, and hatred.
The people have spoken loudly and clearly, and I’m so grateful to all those here in our Capital Region and beyond who made their voices heard. But make no mistake: this week doesn’t just mark the end of Republicans’ reign of cruelty. It also marks the beginning of a new chapter in Washington; one in which the needs of American families will always be our first priority, and where corrupt officials — including the President and his family — will no longer be shielded from accountability. The American people have issued a call to action, and when the 120th Congress convenes in January, my Democratic colleagues and I will be ready to answer that call.
In the wake of this week’s decisive election results, pundits have wondered whether Democrats in Congress would prioritize addressing the affordability crisis or delivering accountability for the Trump administration. My answer? Both. When the new Congress begins, we will hit the ground running with measures to lower costs for American families by:
- Restoring healthcare to the millions who lost their coverage due to the Big, Ugly Bill;
- Lowering home energy bills by providing relief from residential utility debt and ensuring data centers pay their fair share of energy costs;
- Revoking Trump’s authority to impose the arbitrary tariffs that have raised prices on food, clothing, and other essentials;
- Ending the war in Iran that has sent gas and diesel prices skyrocketing across the nation.
At the same time, we will aggressively reassert Congress’s constitutional prerogative to provide oversight over the executive branch. We will work vigorously to shed light on the lawbreaking and corruption this administration has engaged in over the past two years, and we will remain vigilant against any attempts by Trump and his allies to stonewall our investigations and hide their conduct from the people they represent. The American people deserve truth, transparency, and integrity in their government, and my Democratic colleagues and I will work tirelessly to provide it.
Two weeks ago, I closed this newsletter by quoting Benjamin Franklin’s response to a citizen who asked the great statesman what form of government he and the founders had decided upon after the Constitutional Convention of 1787. “A republic,” Franklin replied, “if you can keep it.” This week, the American people — as they have done time and again throughout our nation’s history — held up their end of the bargain. Now, it’s our turn to get to work in Washington and deliver the compassionate, responsive, and accountable government you deserve.
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:
- As you navigate the upcoming changes to health insurance plans forced by the Big, Ugly Bill, I want to make sure you have the tools and resources you need to access the best, most affordable plan for you and your loved ones.
- That’s why this Thursday, November 12th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, I’m hosting an event entitled “Healthcare 101: How to Access Insurance” at UAlbany’s Downtown Campus, located at 135 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12222.
- This event will serve as a one-stop shop for you and your family to receive reliable guidance on the healthcare options available to you.
- At the event, I’ll be joined by health insurers, insurance navigators, and other community partners to answer questions and provide information on how Capital Region residents can access healthcare coverage and other important resources in 2027.
- Registration is REQUIRED to attend this event.
- To register, lean more details, and see which organizations will be in attendance, click HERE.
