Dear Community Members,

I recently met with a number of constituents in our 19th Congressional District who are directly affected by the policies that have been put forward by this Administration and the Majority in Congress. Partisan Laws, executive orders, and the federal government shutdown are having a direct and negative impact on working families across our community and the country. I spoke with constituents who receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), leaders from local food banks, Medicaid recipients, and community members who are facing increasing healthcare insurance costs. With the federal government shutdown causing this month’s delay of SNAP benefits, and the high prices and inflation that we all are experiencing, it's more important now more than ever to make sure that our food banks have as much support as possible. From our fight at the federal level to your support at the local level, together we must continue to ensure that healthcare is affordable and food is on the table for working families in California’s 19th Congressional District.

Fighting To Lower Healthcare Costs

As we enter the fifth week of the federal government shutdown, President Donald Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson, and Senate Leader John Thune are refusing to negotiate with Democrats. In my limited time in Congress, I’ve been through 29 continuing resolutions (CR) for the budget. Every one of those CRs was based on negotiations between Republicans and Democrats in order to get over the 60-vote threshold of the Senate filibuster. Despite controlling the House, Senate, and White House, Republicans are refusing to negotiate with Democrats. That Republican refusal, unfortunately, has consequences. People are seeing increases in their healthcare premiums, federal workers are missing paychecks, and SNAP recipients are losing out on benefits. That is why there is a lot to negotiate when it comes to finding a bipartisan path forward to reopen the government, protect healthcare, and reduce prices for working families.

Rep. Panetta met with a constituent to discuss rising healthcare insurance premiums. To watch a summary of their discussion, click video or HERE.

Ensuring SNAP Benefits

SNAP benefits feed over 42 million people across our nation, including over five million people in California and almost 20,000 families in our 19th Congressional District. Recipients of SNAP benefits include children, seniors, veterans, active-duty military members, disabled individuals, and more. Due to the shutdown of the federal government and the exhaustion of the federal funding, SNAP payments could be disrupted. Congress previously appropriated close to $6 billion to be used to fund SNAP in these types of emergencies. Unfortunately, and callously, the Trump Administration purposefully declined to use that contingency funding to cover the shortfall for SNAP. Recently, federal courts ordered the Administration to distribute the emergency funds for SNAP as soon as possible. However, President Trump has continued to put up roadblocks to funding SNAP and only committed to paying out part of the SNAP benefits for November. No matter what the President decides to do, however, analysts are predicting that there will be a delay in the delivery of any amount of SNAP benefits, as it can take days to restart the SNAP system.

Rep. Panetta met with a constituent who relies on SNAP benefits. To watch a video that summarizes their discussion, click video or HERE.

Supporting our Food Banks

Fortunately, local governments and organizations are stepping in to provide stopgap measures for families struggling to afford food. Our state and numerous local governments are filling the need and providing an array of emergency assistance with funding, food drives, rent and utility relief, gift cards, and additional support for our local food banks to help them with the skyrocketing demand.

If you are in need of food assistance or you would like to donate food or financial resources to a food bank in our community, please click on or visit https://www.cafoodbanks.org/our-members/ to find your local food bank. As more people rely on food banks these days, together we can help them and the working families they serve by providing food security.

Rep. Panetta met with a local leader for food assistance for working families. To watch a video that summarizes their discussion, click video or HERE.

Fighting for Federal Benefits

I spent the last week meeting with a number of constituents who are affected by the policies put forward by this Administration. I met with a mother and her disabled son who is worried about losing Medicaid. I met with constituents to discuss their rising healthcare insurance costs for next year due to the expiring tax credits for the Affordable Care Act. I spoke to SNAP recipients, volunteers, staff, and local leaders across our 19th Congressional District to discuss the importance of SNAP and food banks for working families in our community.

Rep. Panetta met with a constituent and her disabled son to discuss the potential for losing Medicaid due to the policies of this Administration. To watch a video summarizing their discussion, click video or HERE.

Preventing Government Shutdowns

In Washington, D.C., I am continuing to press this Administration and Republican leadership to negotiate with Democrats for a bipartisan path forward to open up the federal government, deliver SNAP benefits, and protect healthcare. To prevent further government shutdowns, I recently co-authored and introduced the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025. This bipartisan bill would prevent future government shutdowns and force Congress to stay in Washington, D.C. until they reach an agreement on a budget. Additionally, I continue to author and introduce legislation that would increase affordable housing, shore up Medicare and Social Security, reform our immigration system, shrink our debt and deficit, and reduce prices for working families.

Thank you for your support and sense of community. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment as we stand together in our fight for the people and values of California's 19th Congressional District and our country.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Panetta
United States Representative
19th Congressional District, California