Governing Through Crisis

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Dear John,

As your Representative, I believe that leadership means speaking the truth, standing by our values, and putting country before politics. These past few months have laid bare the challenges we face, not just in policy, but in character and principle. In this newsletter, I want to share what I’ve been doing to push for responsible governance and protect access to affordable health care -- two issues that have come to a head during the recent government shutdown. I’ll be following up with Parts 2 and 3 later this week because there is just too much to share with you in a single email.

Confronting the Shutdown: Speaking Out on November 5

On November 5, during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, I attended Speaker Mike Johnson’s press conference on the Capitol steps and urged him to “call the leadership of both parties and bring us together” to reopen the government. My goal was simple: encourage bipartisan dialogue and action.

After 36 days of disruption, with real harm to our federal workers, military families, and essential services, I could not remain silent. I reminded the Speaker that our responsibility is to govern for everyone, not just those who agree with us.

Following that moment, I voted against a short-term continuing resolution that I believe failed to address core priorities. While it reopened the government temporarily, it left critical issues unaddressed. I remain committed to working with colleagues on both sides to craft a bipartisan budget that truly serves us all.

To that end, I have championed reforms including the Keep America Open Act and my own Shut Down to End All Shutdowns Act to prevent these harmful standoffs in the future and have consistently deferred my own pay when shutdowns occur. Governing responsibly shouldn’t be optional. It is our job.

Working Toward a More Affordable, Accessible Health Care System

The recent government shutdown wasn’t just about keeping the lights on. It was about what kind of country we want to be. One of the key sticking points for Democrats was health care: we demanded that Republicans either agree to extend the enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act or finally bring forward a serious, comprehensive alternative.

They did neither. And now, we are all paying the price.

Health insurance premiums for 2026 are already projected to skyrocket. Rural hospitals, particularly in states with large, underserved populations, are facing wave after wave of closures. Our own community has experienced this. And the consequences go far beyond insurance coverage. House Republicans have also proposed and supported devastating cuts to federal health agencies like HHS, the CDC, and the NIH, slashing funding for disease research, public health preparedness, and lifesaving innovation.

This is no longer just a health insurance debate. It’s a whole-of-health crisis, and the American people are being forced to bear the cost of this dysfunction.

I believe that access to affordable, quality health care is a basic right, and I will not stop fighting for it. That means preserving and strengthening the ACA, protecting Medicare and Medicaid, and investing in the agencies that keep our families safe, healthy, and informed. It also means demanding accountability from those who refuse to govern and waste time on nonsensical debates about who “deserves” healthcare.

Health care is not a talking point. It's a literal lifeline. And it’s time the majority joins Democrats in Congress in treating it that way so together we can forge a path forward.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Whether you’re concerned about government gridlock or health care access, your voice matters. Please continue to reach out and share your thoughts. I work for you.

You can join our telephone town hall next week during which we’ll focus on affordability and the rising cost of living with guests from local Chambers of Commerce and a small business owner.

You can join us in two ways: Dial into the call on (855) 731-4616 or go to Houlahan.house.gov/live. You’ll be able to ask questions no matter how you choose to join.

And keep an eye out for an invitation to the annual "State of the Sixth" in-person town hall in February. Details coming soon!

Hot Topics

The three things most people called or emailed my offices about this week are:

The “double tap” boat strike and Secretary Hegseth’s oversight
Extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits to protect 24 million Americans
Concerns about HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s changes to childhood vaccination schedules

Serving as our community’s representative in Congress is the honor and privilege of my lifetime and I hope you will reach out about the issues you care about.

As always, please contact my office if you need assistance.

Sincerely,

Chrissy Houlahan

U.S. Member of Congress

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