Dear Community Member,

For the past month, President Donald Trump and his advisors, including Elon Musk, have launched an aggressive and sweeping campaign to undermine the hardworking Americans of our federal workforce. These actions not only take away jobs for working families, but they also threaten the federal services that many Americans rely on for their deserved and earned benefits, like Social Security, Medicare, veterans' benefits, and countless other critical programs.

I am committed to protecting opportunities for working families and federal services for my constituents in California’s 19th Congressional District. I not only oppose these moves by this Administration but will continue to fight back against their unreasonable efforts to push out dedicated public servants whose work benefits all Americans.

Under Article One of our United States Constitution, I am working hard to ensure that the 119th Congress plays an important role in our system of checks and balances.  That is why I have helped author and introduce legislation to protect taxpayer data from unauthorized access, ensure DOGE is subject to FOIA laws, require Administration compliance with Congressional oversight demands, prohibit the dissolution of USAID, and provide additional transparency on Elon Musk’s serious conflicts of interest.

Under the Constitution, Congress is a co-equal branch of government. I continue to fulfill my responsibilities as a U.S. Representative by exercising Congress’ oversight authorities. That is why my colleagues and I have demanded answers on the Administration’s attempts to undermine the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), fire readiness, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Education, IRS, and more.

Fortunately, the judicial branch continues to play an integral role in our system of checks and balances.  That is why, as a member of the newly created Rapid Response Task Force and Litigation Working Group, I am helping coordinate legal efforts against this Administration’s actions. Currently, there are more than 25 active lawsuits against this Administration’s attacks on our federal workforce. As with all litigation, the process will be slow, with both victories and temporary setbacks. Rest assured, we are working with our allies across the country to ensure that the law is upheld, and that clear executive overreach is checked by the courts and the legislative branch.

Rep. Panetta in a recent House committee hearing providing necessary oversight.

California’s 19th Congressional District is home to more than 7,000 dedicated federal employees. These public servants are our neighbors, friends, and family members who work tirelessly at our military installations, in our national forests, with the Coast Guard, and for many other federal agencies in our communities.

If you are impacted by this Administration’s policies, I would like to hear from you. Please share your story and help me advocate for you by clicking HERE.

If you are a federal employee facing uncertainty or wrongful termination, know your rights. You may wish to contact your union or the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) for guidance on appeals, grievances, and protections against unfair employment practices.

If you are a federal employee whose employment has been impacted by the Administration’s actions, I wanted to share the following resources with you:

• Apply for Unemployment Benefits: Federal workers can apply for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE), which is administered by the states. File in the state where your last official duty station was located. Residents of California’s 19th Congressional District can file for benefits: HERE.
  
  
• Financial Assistance: If you are struggling with housing or utility bills, California has a number of resources for families. The state’s Legal Help FAQs list common answers to eviction and landlord-tenant problems. LawHelpCA.org offers answers to general questions about evictions and your rights as a tenant in California. The California Courts Self-Help Resources page provides general information on evictions, including mediation. 
  
  If you need rental assistance, a local HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency can offer advice customized to your housing needs. Search online for a HUD Approved Housing Counselor near you or call (800) 569-4287. Additional utilities and community assistance can be found HERE.
  
  
• Apply for Food Assistance: If you need assistance putting healthy and nutritious food on the table during this time, you can apply for CalFresh Benefits: HERE.
  
  
• Student Loan Relief: Contact your loan servicer for deferment, forbearance, or income-driven repayment plans.
  
  
• Health Insurance Options: Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) extends coverage for 31 days post-separation at no cost. You may apply for Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) for an additional 18 months.
  
  
• Utilize Confidential Government Whistleblower Protections: If you are a government employee with information related to the politicization of the federal workforce, the firing of civil servants, and waste, fraud, or abuse of taxpayer dollars, you may reach out anonymously to the Democrats on the House Oversight Committee.
  
  
• Mental Health Support: Losing a job is stressful. Support is available at 988lifeline.org.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Panetta
United States Representative
19th Congressional District, California