Families who did everything right are being forced to choose between housing and health insurance.

We are now in the 41st day of the longest government shutdown in American history. The cause is simple: Republican leaders have refused to negotiate, and working families are paying the price. During last week’s telephone town hall, I heard from constituents across Northwest Washington.

More than 60% of messages received from my constituents in my district are about one issue — health care — and it is clear why:

• A family of three in Everett saw their health care premiums rise from $1,900 to $2,900 per month. 
• A retiree in Edmonds is losing a $688 monthly tax credit, meaning her entire $12,924 annual pension will go to pay for insurance. 
• On Camano Island, another family’s premiums have risen 600%.
• If Congressional Republicans allow Affordable Care Act tax credits to expire, 25,000 people in Washington’s Second District could lose their health insurance altogether.

This is what I mean when I say we are living through a Republican-made health care crisis.

The impacts of the shutdown and the Trump administration’s poor policies reach far beyond health care. Working families are being stretched to their limits.

• Air traffic controllers are working without pay as flight delays, cancellations, and safety concerns grow. Right now, 13,500 air traffic controllers are needed nationwide, but only 10,800 are employed;
• 17% increase in gas prices across Washington State since the Trump administration took office;
• 12.6% increase in electricity costs from May 2024 to May 2025;
• 3.5% increase in food prices in Western Washington over the past year; and
• $5.5 billion in SNAP funds were withheld until courts intervened, leaving families without food assistance and overwhelming food banks.

Democrats are fighting to reopen the government, extend essential health care tax credits, protect Medicaid, and make telehealth services permanent. We are working to lower costs, create union jobs, and invest in the next generation of American infrastructure.

This is what responsible government should look like. It is what the American people deserve.

Republican leaders have chosen political theater over real solutions. Democrats are choosing the people we serve.

Thank you for standing with us as we work to reopen our government, strengthen the middle class, and make health care affordable for every family.

More soon,

Rick