☎️My Offices Are Open📱 During Shutdown; 💲Back-Pay Law Is Still on Books

As the federal government shutdown continues for an eighth day, I wanted to make sure you’re aware that I’ve kept my offices open to serve you. As I’ve done during previous shutdowns, I have designated my staff as essential. 

From issues with passports, immigration, the Postal Service, IRS, and Social Security to the Department of Veterans Affairs - my offices are still here to help!

I spoke at a news conference with furloughed workers in Philadelphia on Tuesday; click the here to watch video. 

You can contact my offices at 215-276-0340 (Northwest Philadelphia) or 215-254-3400 (Point Breeze) or fill out this form that legally authorizes us to look into your case. It’s important to note that the shutdown may cause delays in federal agencies’ ability to respond to my office.

You can find answers to several frequently asked questions about the shutdown (such as “Will I continue to receive my Social Security?” or “Does USPS still deliver mail?”) by clicking here.

I want to address one common question here: While our military and civilian employees don’t get paid during a government shutdown, the president and members of Congress will still receive theirs. HOWEVER, I am having my own pay withheld until the end of this shutdown, as I did during the record-setting 35-day shutdown during Trump’s first term.

In addition, if the shutdown is affecting you, I want to hear from you! Click here to share your story with my office.

Back-Pay Law Is Still on the Books 

I also want to address a controversy that arose Tuesday. A news report said the Trump White House has considered disobeying a 2019 law that guarantees back pay to federal workers after a shutdown. This is legislation that Trump himself signed into law in his first term, and I would oppose an attempt to violate it!

I also predict that federal employee unions would go to court very quickly if the administration tries to break that law. 

Why Is the Shutdown Happening? 

You’ve probably read that the shutdown has to do with health care. While Republicans control the White House, Senate and House of Representatives, they want help to pass their government-funding bill. I and most Democrats in Congress have made clear that we see a fast-approaching cost spike for health insurance as a shutdown of health care for 24 million Americans – a shutdown that also needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

Outside of Washington, there’s bipartisan recognition of the urgency of addressing a cost spike that would DOUBLE health-insurance premiums. "The window is rapidly closing," says Jon Godfread, North Dakota's conservative insurance commissioner. He says the enhanced subsidies need to be extended before open enrollment starts Nov. 1. "Let's do this now."

Unfortunately, in my view, House Speaker Mike Johnson has effectively shut down the House of Representatives instead – canceling voting days, and keeping the House out of voting session since Sept. 19, with the latest return date currently set for almost a month later: Oct. 14!

I have been speaking out demanding the House get back to work in Washington, and I’ll continue to do so! Once the House returns to session, we can also have a swearing-in for a congresswoman-elect who will be the necessary 218th signer to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files.

To keep up with the latest on the shutdown, I invite you to follow my updates on social media – I have pages on Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads and Bluesky – as well as updates on my Facebook and Instagram Stories. If you received this newsletter as a forward, click here to start receiving it straight to your own inbox. Did you find this newsletter to be useful? Consider forwarding it to a friend! 

Please note that replying to this email will not direct your message to the right place. To contact the office of Congressman Evans, please click here.