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Home My WebLink About111125 - Showing Up for Families_ Even During the ShutdownALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them. <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/customers/WA06ER/NEWSLETTER.png> Friends, neighbors — During the sixth week of this government shutdown, I’ve been on the ground across Washington’s 6th District meeting with families, early learning centers, food security partners, and small businesses who are stepping up to support one another during this uncertain time. These visits continue to remind me that the decisions we make in Congress have real consequences — from keeping food on the table to ensuring children can stay in their classrooms. Here’s a look at what I’ve been up to this past week: Government Shutdown Update On Sunday night the Senate took a procedural vote to move forward a new package of government funding bills. On Monday night the bill passed the Senate and is on its way to the House. I am deeply frustrated by the deal that advanced, which fails to extend the ACA tax credits and protect affordable health care for millions of Americans. Two things can be true at once – federal workers should get paid, and families should be able to rely on having access to affordable health care. I have heard from hundreds of our neighbors about the importance of programs like the ACA and Apple Health and I am committed to continuing to fight however I can to protect our care. I plan to introduce amendments at the House Rules Committee hearing to do exactly that. The House will likely vote on this bill Wednesday and if Democratic amendments to address health care are not included, I plan to vote no. Livestream with Attorney General Nick Brown Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown joined me for a livestream conversation about the shutdown’s impact on SNAP recipients. While SNAP benefits have previously never been interrupted by a shutdown, the Trump Administration illegally withheld these benefits until our AG took action. AG Brown shared the legal actions he has taken to protect these programs and ensure families can continue accessing basic support. The Trump Administration has appealed these court rulings and asked states to rescind the benefits they have already issued – which is unbelievably cruel. I know this is causing a lot of uncertainty - if you have questions about your benefits please contact the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services for assistance as our state’s SNAP provider. I’m grateful for strong partners at the state level who are stepping up when the federal government fails to do its job. Multicultural Child + Family Hope Center with @thepeacebus I toured the Multicultural Child + Family Hope Center — an incredible community hub offering child care, a food bank, diaper bank, addiction and recovery support, and homeless outreach. We were joined by Kwabi Amoah-Forson from @thepeacebus, who works to end homelessness in Pierce County. At a time when families are struggling, these organizations are filling the gaps created by the shutdown and funding cuts. Head Start Visit at Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe I joined parents on the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal Head Start Policy Council to hear how cuts to Head Start and the shutdown are affecting them. While this particular program is funded through March, other local Head Start programs closed on November 1st due to the shutdown. This and other changes at ACF and HHS are creating barriers to providing services to families. Head Start provides child care, nutrition, education, and stability — and I’ll keep fighting to ensure these programs stay open for every family that needs them. Infinite Soups Tacoma I stopped by Infinite Soups, a local business practicing community care in real time. Since the shutdown began, they have provided free soup to neighbors and have now started collecting food to stock Little Free Pantries across Tacoma. Their kindness and leadership show what community looks like during hard times. Federal Employee & Military Family Resource Fair My team and I hosted a resource fair for federal workers and military families affected by the shutdown. We met with more than 80 families and partnered with 16 local nonprofits, businesses, and service providers — including the Washington State Labor Council, WA State Unemployment, Bremerton Foodline, and the YMCA — to connect families with critical services. No one serving our country should have to worry about defaulting on their loans or keeping food on the table. The Week Ahead This week, I’ll be flying back to Washington, D.C. to vote for the first time in months — and I’ll be pushing for a funding bill that extends the ACA tax credits and protects affordable health care. I’m heading back to the House floor with one goal: to make sure Washington families aren’t left behind. Casework Reminder! Shutdown or not, our casework team is here to help you navigate federal agencies — from Social Security and VA benefits to passports and tax issues. If you need help, call our office or visit our website. During the government shutdown, wait times are longer than expected with some federal agencies. 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Talk to you soon, Emily Resources for Federal Workers * You can review your employment rights under federal law here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/employee-relations/employee-rights-appeals/#url=Appeals <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextran et/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=WA06ER&crop=14481.5821556.5248455.7318396&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.opm.gov%2fpolicy-data-oversight%2femployee-relations%2femployee-rights-appeals%2f%23url%3dAppea ls&redir_log=656483208721684> * Federal agencies are required by law to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees with disabilities. Learn more here: https://www.eeoc.gov/federal-sector/federal-employees-job-applica nts <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=WA06ER&crop=14481.5821556.5248455.7318396&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.eeoc.gov%2ffederal-sector%2ffederal-employees-job-appl icants&redir_log=759256772424482> * To understand statutory whistleblower protections and accompanying resources, click here: https://whistleblower.house.gov/resources/resources-whistleblowers <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/ iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=WA06ER&crop=14481.5821556.5248455.7318396&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwhistleblower.house.gov%2fresources%2fresources-whistleblowers&redir_log=532584919374479> * To understand prohibited personnel practices, including the right to appeal, visit here: https://www.mspb.gov/ppp/ppp.htm#faq <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=WA06ER&cro p=14481.5821556.5248455.7318396&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.mspb.gov%2fppp%2fppp.htm%23faq&redir_log=6960310775250> and here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/employee-relations/e mployee-rights-appeals/ <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=WA06ER&crop=14481.5821556.5248455.7318396&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.opm.gov%2fpolicy-data-oversight%2f employee-relations%2femployee-rights-appeals%2f&redir_log=963100031549602> * And for a basic primer on civil service law, click here: https://guides.loc.gov/federal-civil-service-employment-law <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=WA06ER&crop=14481.5 821556.5248455.7318396&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fguides.loc.gov%2ffederal-civil-service-employment-law&redir_log=097244084578419> Resources for Veterans and Service Member Families * A list of your rights and responsibilities as a VA Patient or resident of a community living center: https://www.va.gov/health/rights/patientrights.asp <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/iqCli ckTrk.aspx?&cid=WA06ER&crop=14481.5821556.5248455.7318396&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.va.gov%2fhealth%2frights%2fpatientrights.asp&redir_log=879169551713357> * A list of your rights and responsibilities as a VA Patient�s family member: https://www.va.gov/health/rights/familyrights.asp <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=WA06ER&cro p=14481.5821556.5248455.7318396&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.va.gov%2fhealth%2frights%2ffamilyrights.asp&redir_log=019285181516350> * A list of your rights and responsibilities as a Tricare eligible member: https://tricare.mil/PatientResources/RightsResponsibilities <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=WA0 6ER&crop=14481.5821556.5248455.7318396&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2ftricare.mil%2fPatientResources%2fRightsResponsibilities&redir_log=06615412523427> Washington DC Office 1531 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5916 Tacoma District Office 1102 A Street, Suite 326 Tacoma, WA Phone:(253) 272-3515 Bremerton District Office 345 6th Street Suite 500 Bremerton, WA Phone:(360) 373-9725 Unsubscribe <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/EsurveyForm.aspx?__cid=WA06ER&__sid=100000&__crop=14481.5821556.5248455.7318396> <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/Customers/WA06ER/iqtrk.gif?crop=14481.5821556.5248455.7318396> <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/Customers/WA06ER/iqtrk.gif?crop=14481.5821556.5248455. 7318396>