Catching Up With Quigley: Week of September 29
Dear Friend,
While the Republicans have shutdown the federal government, I've been in my district, meeting with the people being directly impacted.
1. Voted Against Raising Health Care Costs and Dispelled False Claims About the Republican Shutdown
Republicans had two choices: come to the table with Democrats or shut down the government. They chose to shut it down.
Democrats passed the ACA's "premium tax credits" in 2021, and as a result, 11 million Americans have signed up for health insurance. Now, Republicans want to let those tax credits expire, which would mean price increases of 114% for 22 million Americans. I'm ready to negotiate a deal at any time, but Republicans need to come to the table.
Read my full statement on the government shutdown HERE.
While Republicans delay opening the government, I’m making sure my constituents are informed about what a government shutdown means and how they may be impacted. I’ve created an FAQ page on my website at Quigley.house.gov/Shutdown to provide information about the shutdown. I'm also dispelling myths about why the government shut down this week. Check out my fact checker HERE.
My office will also be fully operational throughout the government shutdown and ready to assist constituents.
2. Pushing Back With Governor Pritzker Against Trump Pausing Billions for Chicago Transportation
This morning, President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought announced that he is pausing $2.1 billion in lawfully approved funding for Chicago’s public transit system. This illegal pause impacts the CTA’s Red Line Extension and Red Purple Line Modernization projects.
This is not an isolated act. Since shutting the government down, Republicans have terminated funding for energy projects and other transportation projects, all of which are in states that voted against President Trump in the presidential election.
I issued a joint statement with Governor Pritzker this afternoon raising awareness and pushing back against this illegal act. As a senior member of the committee that funds transportation infrastructure projects in Congress, I will work to make sure this money is returned to Chicago.
Read our joint statement HERE.
3. Pitched in at Nourishing Hope Amid Coming SNAP Cuts
Republicans have made it clear they have no interest in negotiating with Democrats, so I’m home trying to make a difference. This week, I visited Nourishing Hope food bank to pitch in. During the last shutdown, they opened their doors to furloughed workers and people who were unable to access their benefits. But they’re about to get overwhelmed. Republicans are planning on cutting $200 billion in SNAP and food assistance benefits in their “clean” CR.
You can watch a video about my visit HERE.
Please don't hesitate to contact my office if you have questions or to share your opinions and concerns during this period. You can call my DC office at (202) 225-4061 or my Chicago office at (773) 267-5926. You can also email me through my website at Quigley.house.gov/contact. You can also sign up for in-the-moment updates on my work by following me on social media @RepMikeQuigley or texting "QUIGLEY" to (773) 200-2854.
Sincerely,
Mike Quigley