Versión del boletín en español aqui.
Dear [firstname],
We’re a month into the 119th Congress, and a lot is going on. So this is a slightly new format for my newsletter. I hope you enjoy it.
I have always valued working across the aisle to promote the interests of every person who lives in this district, regardless of your political party affiliation or how you voted. After all, we live in a ‘purple’ district, and while many of you are concerned about the new Administration’s agenda, there are a fair number of our neighbors who support it. That puts me in a tough position as I find myself pushing back on some of the Administration’s actions. I am doing so because many of the President’s Executive Orders (EOs) are illegal and unconstitutional — and that still means something, at least to me. These reckless Executive Orders directly harm members of our local community who I represent, and that means everything to me. I spent the last week meeting with community leaders in PA-06 to get a better handle on how the Administration's actions are affecting people in our district, and I want to share those conversations with you today. |
I visited with leaders of Reading Area Community College (RACC) to hear more about their concerns about President Trump’s plan to eliminate the Department of Education (ED). Did you know that RACC serves more college students than any other secondary education institution in Berks County? It and the nation’s thousands of community colleges rely on the ED to administer federal student loan programs and Pell grants. People of all ages — from recent high school grads to older adults learning new career skills — get an education at RACC and become productive members of the American economy. Removing that possibility is not only cruel but nonsensical for the economic health of the nation. We don’t know yet what a reimagined ED will look like, but I, too, am worried.
RACC faculty and students are also concerned about President Trump's immigration strategy, particularly now that ICE has altered its policy to allow raids at schools, churches, and hospitals. As the City of Reading is a majority Hispanic or Latino, I am encouraging President Trump to exercise care and caution in his immigration policy implementation here. As I’ve said time and time again, I support common-sense immigration reform. Just in these last few weeks, in fact, I voted yes on three Republican-led immigration bills — the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act, the Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act, and the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act. I will continue to work with my colleagues to create and pass more bills to address immigration reform, too. |
Of course, education starts when our kids are very young. It was the highlight of my day to spend time in the Head Start classrooms in West Chester to witness our young learners in action! Head Start is a national nonprofit dedicated to preparing children ages five and younger for early education by developing language, math, literacy, and social skills. I spent a bit of time doing a science experiment with the kids, and I also heard from the teachers and leaders about the uncertainty they are feeling because of Trump’s recent freezing of federal funds. Providing a safe, healthy space for children to learn is a priority. Head Start classrooms give kids and their families opportunities they wouldn’t have without federal funding. Eliminating funding for our youngest and most vulnerable is detrimental for their academic progress and for our economy. |
I also connected with Rachel Roberts from the American Mushroom Institute. Kennett Square is, of course, the "Mushroom Capital of the World," and Rachel filled me in on how President Trump's immigration crackdown may potentially threaten the entire industry. Lack of agricultural workers leads directly to less productive farms and more costly food. How the Administration is squaring its immigration campaign with the steeply rising cost of food is not clear to me, but if you like to eat mushrooms as much as I do, I ask you to pay attention to what’s happening with our farms and their workforce. |
I met with representatives from the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, poultry farmers, and dairy farmers to try to learn more about the Avian Flu epidemic. Avian Flu not only poses an immediate threat to poultry and now livestock, but it’s responsible for some of the price increases we’re seeing at the grocery store. Our local farmers are working day and night to try to stop the spread of the Avian Flu. During this important conversation, I also got a better sense of how the proper response to this epidemic has been hindered by the new Administration’s pause on the CDC’s public communications. You and our farmers need access to timely public health information, whether it’s about Avian Flu, tuberculosis, or measles — all of which are emerging across the country right now. I urge the President and our new Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to restore the CDC’s robust public communication programs, keep us all safe, and keep our food supply healthy. |
While I was in West Chester, I visited the Chester County History Center to see its "abolition wall" exhibition and learn about the contributions of local Civil Rights leaders such as Fredrick Douglass, Horace Pippin, and Bayard Rustin. If you haven’t been to the Center, I highly recommend it. It’s a great place to celebrate Black History Month. |
Leaders from the Reading Chapter of the NAACP. |
I also met with the West Chester and Reading NAACP chapters and had the honor of meeting the Reading chapter’s new president, Wynton Butler, who also works as the Director of Social Services in the Reading School District. We discussed the vital work of the NAACP within our community and the Administration’s recent actions to erase diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the federal government. I will continue to stand with the NAACP to ensure their work can continue in our community. |
Recently, I volunteered at the Opportunity House’s annual “Souper Bowl” event. Nearly 15% of all Pennsylvanians lack reliable access to food including thousands of people in Berks and Chester Counties. Opportunity House and other entities work tirelessly on the frontlines to distribute food directly to those in need. However, the work of these organizations has also been imperiled by President Trump’s recent funding freeze.
Finally, two weeks ago, I held my 94th telephone town hall on the topic of public service. I was joined by Amanda Blevins from the United Way of Chester County, Heather Foster from AmeriCorps, and Captain Howard Crawford from the U.S. Air Force (retired). You can listen to a recording of that event here. Each of them made smart recommendations for ways we can be of service to our communities, and I encourage you to listen to the recording and reach out to one of the organizations to offer your own special skills.
I really enjoyed the many thoughtful questions from constituents, too. As promised during the event, I’m sharing the results of our survey. Fully 98% of the people who joined the call tell us they feel a responsibility to make their community a better place. I’m so heartened by that sense of community, and I look forward to the next time we can meet.
Our next town hall is my annual State of the Sixth Address and I hope you can join me there! If you are interested in attending, please RSVP using this link. |
Serving as our community's representative is the honor of my lifetime, and I hope to hear from you soon about any issue that concerns you.
As always, please contact my office if you need assistance.
And finally, Happy Valentine's Day, especially to our beloved Philadelphia Eagles and their fans! Be well, and see you soon! |
Chrissy Houlahan U.S. Member of Congress
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