1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

The federal government is facing a potential shutdown on March 14th if Congress does not pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) to extend funding. The House has narrowly approved a CR that increases defense and immigration enforcement spending but makes drastic cuts to non-defense discretionary programs like FEMA, small business support, clean water infrastructure, health care grants, and over 70 initiatives assisting children and families. Alarmingly, this CR also seeks to completely defund Washington D.C.'s $21 billion budget and turn it into a federal agency without any autonomy. Perhaps most concerning is that this legislation does nothing to rein in the unchecked power Elon Musk and his illegitimate "DOGE" agency have seized over the federal workforce and spending decisions. Musk's for-profit corporation has brazenly undermined Congress's constitutional authority over appropriations. This rogue billionaire must not be allowed to further erode democratic norms and sidestep accountability to the American people. I urge you to vote against this misguided CR in its current form. Congress has a responsibility to fully fund vital government services that millions rely on, preserve the rights of D.C. residents, and reclaim its institutional powers from the DOGE overreach. Comprehensive guardrails blocking DOGE's illegal actions must be included before approving any extension of federal funding. Governing by manufactured crisis is unacceptable - draft a clean, responsible CR that protects our citizenry and democratic system of checks and balances.