April 26, 2025
Dear Friends,
The opening months of Donald Trump’s second term have brought pain and confusion to millions of people across our country. In less than 100 days, Trump and his cronies have enacted devastating cuts to essential public services, openly violated court orders, destroyed relationships with key allies, and sent shockwaves through our economy — among many other alarming actions.
This campaign of chaos and cruelty, marked by relentless attacks on our fundamental rights and our most vulnerable communities, has created an atmosphere of constant crisis. Many of us feel angry, anxious, and afraid — and I share those feelings deeply. But in moments like these, we cannot surrender our hope — and we must never stop making what my former colleague and dear friend John Lewis called “good trouble.” No matter what challenges lie ahead, know this: I am in your corner. Your fight is my fight, and I will never stop fighting for the dreams and aspirations we share.
Of all the actions taken or proposed by Trump and his rubber-stamp allies in Congress, few are more damaging to working families than their plan to slash at least $880 billion from Medicaid in order to finance a multi-trillion dollar tax break for billionaires. These reckless cuts aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet — they threaten the lives and livelihoods of real people, including more than 192,000 individuals insured by Medicaid right here in our Capital Region. If this administration get their way, millions will lose coverage overnight, cutting them off from the essential care they need to live healthy lives. I did not run for Congress to rip health care away from my constituents — and I’ll go anywhere, anytime to fight back against these cruel, immoral cuts.
That’s why on Monday, I joined my friend, Senator Peter Welch in Plattsburgh for a rally to defend Medicaid. A packed crowd of Americans and health care workers gathered to share the devastating impact these cuts would have on their families, their jobs, and their daily lives. Let’s be clear: this is an unconscionable betrayal of working people — in our Capital Region, the North Country, and beyond.
As I listened to these stories, I was reminded of Pope Francis’ final public message from last Easter weekend, in which he urged political leaders to “use the resources available to help the needy, to fight hunger, and to encourage initiatives that promote development.” Only in this way, Francis said, can we “build the future” we all strive for.
As we work to build that brighter future, I remain committed to hearing directly from you — to gather your ideas and discuss how we move forward. This week, as part of that effort, I hosted my third town hall of the year at Saratoga Springs High School. I’m so grateful to the thousands of you who showed up, tuned in, and asked thoughtful questions about how we can stand together against the lawlessness of this administration. Your words and your passion will fill my voice as I return to Washington to continue fighting for our rights, our freedoms, and our communities.
Amidst all the noise and distraction of these past few months, I’ve been inspired by your continued determination to make a difference. Across our district, I’ve heard from countless individuals who have pushed past fear and discouragement to ask one simple question: “What can we do to stop this?” There are no easy answers, but the path forward begins with what so many of you already doing — contacting your representatives, raising your voices, getting involved in local groups, and helping others understand the devastating impact of Trump’s policies on our friends and neighbors.
As we press on in this fight for the soul of our nation, I’m reminded once again of the patient and tenacious wisdom of Brother John Lewis. “Ours is the struggle of a lifetime, or maybe even many lifetimes, and each one of us in every generation must do our part,” he told us. “If we believe in the change we seek, then it is easy to commit to doing all we can, because the responsibility is ours alone to build a better society and a more peaceful world.” In that spirit of hope — and with full recognition of that awesome responsibility — let’s keep moving forward, together.
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, announcements, and recommendations from governments and agencies. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:
- The 2024-2025 Cooling Assistance Benefit from the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is now available!
- HEAP is available to help eligible New Yorkers heat and cool their homes.
- If you are eligible, you may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year — and you may also be eligible for emergency HEAP benefits if you are in danger of running out of fuel or having your utility service shut off.
- The Cooling Assistance Benefit provides for the purchase and installation of an air conditioner or a fan to help your home stay cool.
