A NOTE FROM CHRISSY

After a record 10 straight weeks in Washington, DC, I finally got to go home. While it’s lovely being able to sleep in my own bed and walk my dog Libby in my own neighborhood, it’s also been really great to get back out to meet with local businesses, community groups, and students.

Why was I in DC for 10 straight weeks? Great question! The House schedule is a mix of DC weeks for legislative work and district work periods when we’re able to be back home. When a government shutdown was averted at the end of September, the district work period was canceled so we could stay in DC to work on individual spending bills (that took one week; we got zero spending bills through). When Kevin McCarthy lost his Speakership, the district work period was canceled so we could stay in DC to elect the next Speaker (that took almost three weeks; my vote was Hakeem Jeffries who emphasized the importance of a bipartisan path). And when the GOP finally chose Mike Johnson as Speaker, the district work period was again canceled so we could stay in DC one more to work on individual spending bills (that was another two weeks; three got voted through the House which have no chance in the Senate). And here we are.

There is still so, so much work to be done. But, while all that was going on, my team and I were still busy making the best of it. Here are some highlights:

chrissyhoulahanforcongress.com


Empowering Our Small Businesses

My office hosted a standing room only grant workshop at the Kennett Library for the owners of small businesses. We focused on navigating the complexities that too many small businesses experience when trying to contract with the federal government. I’m grateful to the Small Business Administration and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Business One-Stop Shop for providing their expertise. I’m grateful to everyone who came! With inflation and the rising cost of living, it’s imperative that we lift up the entrepreneurs who enrich our communities and our local economy.

Reaching a Milestone for Paid Family Leave

At the start of the year, I co-founded the bipartisan Paid Family Leave Working Group, the first of its kind in Congress. Americans have been forced to choose between caring for their families - a newborn, a parent, themselves or another loved one - and taking home a paycheck. Sadly, the US is one of only six countries in the world without a federal paid leave program. Eleven states and the District of Columbia have passed their own laws, leading to a growing patchwork of regulations that can be hard for companies and their employees to navigate. Now, after a year of meetings discussing state-level policy successes and hearing from business leaders, we’re moving on to the next phase – policy recommendations in the coming months. We’re closer than ever to seeing progress on this incredibly important issue. Stay tuned.

Hosting My 80th Town Hall

I recently hosted my 80th (80th!) town hall since starting this job. Although our town halls often have a focus, this one did not. I answered questions about Russia’s war against Ukraine (I support additional funding), the war in Israel and Gaza (I support Israel’s right to defend itself, the release of hostages, and a stop in the fighting so people can get out and humanitarian supplies can get in), the state of civility and bipartisanship in Congress (it’s hard but we have to keep trying), and more. Thanks to everyone in our community who joined!


Securing Federal Funding for Alvernia University

I recently visited Alvernia’s John & Karen Arnold School of Nursing where a new state-of-the-art center will attract students from across the region, improve health services in our own community, and help grow the local economy. Last year, we submitted a Community Project Funding request for $2 million for Alvernia and I am thrilled for our community to see it come through. We owe it to our students to set them up for success, and I will always fight for vital investments in our schools and universities.

Although the year is coming to a close, I know that December will be full of its own challenges, victories, and milestones. Thank you, today and every day, for supporting my fight for progress.

There is work to be done,

Chrissy

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Chrissy Houlahan for Congress
P.O. Box 222
Devon, PA 19333
United States

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Chrissy is a former Captain in the United States Air Force. Use of her military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of Defense or Department of the Air Force.