Editor’s note: The following was also sent to Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del.
I read your recent newsletter suggesting that Republicans are responsible for the government shutdown and that they must “come to the table.” In fact, House of Representatives Republicans have already placed a clean proposal on the table and held multiple votes to fund government operations. Yet most Democrats, including yourself, have declined to support these measures. A small group of common sense Democrats, such as Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, have broken ranks to vote yes, recognizing that Americans shouldn’t be used as leverage in a political stalemate.
It’s unacceptable that families relying on federal services and employees working without pay are being sacrificed for partisan gain. Even the largest federal employee union has called on Congress to pass a full-funding bill immediately.
Regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, secretary of agriculture Brooke Rollins confirmed during her October press briefing that the contingency funds that Democrats demand to be released cannot legally substitute for SNAP funding during a shutdown, and even if they could, the funds are insufficient to meet national need.
You also mentioned the importance of revitalizing America’s shipbuilding industry. I agree. Recent announcements by industry leaders and ongoing discussions with U.S. allies — including Japan, South Korea and Argentina — show momentum toward rebuilding our shipyards and strengthening both our economy and national defense. This is an area where bipartisan cooperation should be possible.
I urge you to join your colleagues across the aisle and vote yes to reopen the entire government — without political carveouts or delay. Delaware deserves federal representation that stands for practical solutions and puts working Americans ahead of party pressure.
I look forward to your response.
Rosanne Cholewinski
Bridgeville
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
