From the Desk of Rep. Joe Morelle

August 8, 2025

Dear JOHN,

This week, I spoke out against partisan efforts to undermine our democracy and joined partners to highlight the devastating impacts of Trump’s reconciliation package on healthcare access.

Read more below:

How We're Fighting Back

I joined MSNBC’s Way Too Early this week to speak out against President Trump’s blatant attempt to change the rules in the middle of the game through hyper-partisan redistricting in Texas.

This isn’t how democracy is meant to work, and it does nothing to benefit the American people. I’ll keep using my role as top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, which oversees federal elections, to fight for every American’s voice to be heard at the ballot box.

Hear more and subscribe to my YouTube to stay up to date:

Six Decades of the Voting Rights Act

This week, we celebrated 60 years of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This landmark legislation was enacted to eliminate racial discrimination in voting.

While the work to protect access to the ballot box continues, we remember those who came before us and the progress they made. We carry on the fight they began to bring America closer to its foundational promise.

Protecting Access to Healthcare

Trillium Health and other community health centers like it are lifelines for Rochester families. Donald Trump’s cuts to Medicaid put their future—and our neighbor’s access to care—at risk. When the changes from this budget are implemented, health centers will face significant funding losses, increased administrative burdens, and policy shifts that will leave millions without health insurance coverage.

This week I stood with our local partners to outline the impacts of this disastrous budget and reaffirm our commitment to protecting the healthcare services our community depends on.

Supporting a Lifetime of Learning

Congressman Morelle sits with students at OACES.

I joined the Rochester Central School District for a visit to their Office of Adult and Career Education Services, where we met with the inspiring adult learners who are building brighter futures through education, job training, and civic engagement.

Many of these students are immigrants, refugees, and other adults experiencing major life transitions. I’m proud to support their work to uplift our community and prepare vulnerable residents for a successful career contributing to our region.

Register for an Upcoming Town Hall

My office is teaming up with Civic Genius, a program of the National Civic League, to host a new kind of town hall—one designed to bring more voices to the table for a thoughtful and productive conversation.

Ours will be one of the very first communities in the country to use this innovative format developed by the National Civic League to have a real conversation about what people in our district are experiencing. To ensure constituents from all corners of our district have a voice in the discussion, participants will be selected by lottery to create a panel of residents that reflects our district’s demographics.

Enter the civic lottery here by August 31 at 11:59pm. If you are randomly selected to participate, we will notify you by September 5.

Even if you are not selected in the lottery, you can give your input here.

Visit the FAQ to learn more.

Please know my office is always here to help. Visit morelle.house.gov to learn more about how we can assist you and your family. Due to ongoing actions by the Trump administration affecting federal agencies, case processing may be slightly delayed. We appreciate your patience and remain committed to resolving your cases promptly.

Until next week,

Joe Morelle

New York’s 25th Congressional District