The deadline to fund the government is just days away. Republicans control the House, Senate, and the White House. If the government shuts down, it’s because they chose to shut it down rather than work with Democrats to pass a budget that uplifts American families.  

I’m supportive of a bipartisan budget that doesn’t rip away healthcare from millions of Americans or give new tax breaks to billionaires, and I won’t stop fighting to lower costs for working families.  

This week, I partnered with the organization Civic Genius to host a new kind of town hall—one designed to bring more voices to the table for a thoughtful and productive conversation. I represent 770,000 people. Often, when we engage in public conversations, it is difficult to get a representative sample to ensure all voices are heard—which is why we chose a format that uses a randomized lottery system to gather a balanced and diverse group of community members to engage in a constructive dialogue on how we can build a better future together. 

Ours is one of the very first communities in the country to use this innovative format to have a real conversation about what people in our district are experiencing and give input on the issue of declining public trust in government. These are the moments when democracy is at its best, and it was inspiring to come together with members of our community with respect, humility, and a shared purpose to make our democracy stronger. 

Free speech is nonnegotiable in America—it’s a right enshrined in our Constitution. Even if we don’t agree with what is being said, we must protect First Amendment rights. By attacking anyone who disagrees, Trump is taking yet another page out of the authoritarian playbook and threatening democracy. 

While Jimmy Kimmel’s show returned this week, millions were still unable to watch because Sinclair and Nexstar took him off the air. Americans deserve to know their fundamental right is protected no matter what. 

I’m always grateful to be back in Rochester and have the chance to meet with the businesses and organizations that call our community home. 

I was proud to stand with County Executive Bello and the City of Rochester to celebrate a $4.2 million investment in high-speed, affordable internet access in our community. This means more children can complete their school work online, seniors can access telehealth services, and small businesses can compete in a digital economy.