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Dear neighbor,

Our first week back in Congress has been busy due to House Republicans’ disarray and dysfunction. By not choosing a Speaker of the House, they’re preventing every member-elect from being sworn in and fully serving their constituents, writing legislation, having committee hearings, getting committee staff paid, and more. It’s disappointing to see my colleagues choose to create chaos instead of serving the American people. We must move forward so that all Members of Congress can do the job we were elected to do.

Once I’m finally sworn in, I’m looking forward to continuing my fight for our powerful NY-16 community. I’m excited to yet again put forth legislation to invest in the health, well-being, and economic security of my constituents, historically marginalized communities, and all Americans. These include my Green New Deal for Public Schools to ensure every school is safe, toxin-free, and zero-carbon, the Emergency Price Stabilization Act to help curb corporate price gouging from the grocery store to the gas pump, and the Ending Corporate Greed Act to make corporations pay their fair share, along with several new pieces of legislation we have been developing. Westchester and the Bronx will always have me as an advocate in Congress to stand up for their needs.

Today is also a solemn day here at the Capitol. It’s been two years since the deadly insurrection that the former President, Members of Congress, and white supremacists incited and carried out. January 6th was an attack on our democracy and the American people. Yet, two years later we are experiencing those same Members of Congress holding our country hostage yet again throughout the Speaker election.

MAGA Republicans not only incited the insurrection, but they are pledging to weaken seniors’ Medicare and Social security, criminalize abortions, ending the child tax credit, step up their attacks on immigrants and communities of color, and let the rich get away with not paying their fair share in taxes. Myself and my Democratic colleagues will always be fighting to lower costs for working families, build safer communities, and create an economy and society based on care for all. Let us remember those who we lost two years ago and continue the fight for our democracy.

Peace and love,

Congressman Jamaal Bowman Ed.D