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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello all\u2026 FYI from Senator Blunt Rochester.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester <donotreply@bluntrochester.senate.gov> <br><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, October 5, 2025 10:51 AM<br><b>To:</b> cmkries@comcast.net<br><b>Subject:</b> Let Me Be Blunt: Special Edition on the Federal Government Shutdown<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div id=newsletterContent><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=600 style='width:6.25in;border-collapse:collapse'><tr style='height:.6pt'><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:.6pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-line-height-alt:.75pt'><img width=600 height=1 style='width:6.25in;height:.0083in' id="_x0000_i1039" src=spacer.gif><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></div></td></tr><tr><td style='background:#ECECEC;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=640 style='width:480.0pt;background:white;border-collapse:collapse;border:none'><tr><td style='border:solid #2364AA 6.0pt;border-bottom:none;background:#ECECEC;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%;background:white;border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing: 0px'><tr style='height:11.25pt'><td style='background:#ECECEC;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:11.25pt'><p align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:#313941'><a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/view_newsletter_setup.aspx?link=SenBluntRochester%2501101122%2501100240%2b-%2b10-04-2025%2beNewsletter%250116869.74993728.15298816.7122346%2501cmkries%2540comcast.net%2501Carol%2501Carol%2bKing-Ries%2501%2501Carol%2501" target="_blank">Open in browser</a> to view this email in your browser</span><span style='color:#313941'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><p align=center style='margin:0in;text-align:center'><span style='color:#313941'><img border=0 width=960 height=540 style='width:10.0in;height:5.625in' id="_x0000_i1038" src="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/Customers/SenBluntRochester/YT_Thumbnail_-_Email_and_LMBB.png" alt=Image></span><span style='color:#313941'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td style='border:solid #2364AA 6.0pt;border-top:none;padding:11.25pt 15.0pt 7.5pt 15.0pt'><p style='line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Dear Friend, </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=body style='line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>For the first time in almost seven years, the federal government is shut down. As I work with my congressional colleagues to pass legislation that would end the shutdown, restore health care access for millions, and keep your insurance rates from skyrocketing, I wanted to bring you a special edition of <em><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Let Me Be Blunt</span></em>. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=body style='line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>President Trump promised to lower costs on Day One. Yet, we are over 250 days into his administration, and not only are food and energy costs up, but we are on the brink of health care costs going up, too. That\u2019s because the Republican tax law cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid and doesn\u2019t extend tax credits that have successfully kept premiums down for so many American families. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=body style='line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>For months, my Democratic colleagues and I have been ready to negotiate responsibly to keep the government open and restore the health care that Republicans are taking away. In this critical moment, we need our Republican colleagues to get serious, come to the table, and work with us to deliver a bipartisan deal for the American people. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=body style='line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=SenBluntRochester&crop=16869.74993728.15298816.7122346&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.bluntrochester.senate.gov%2fpress-releases%2fwatch-senator-blunt-rochester-calls-out-republicans-for-skipping-town-instead-of-avoiding-shutdown-on-msnbc%2f&redir_log=123670505071134"><strong><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>CLICK HERE</span></strong></a> <strong><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>to watch me discuss this impending health care crisis on MSNBC.</span></strong> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><hr size=5 width="100%" noshade style='color:#738FAD' align=center></span></div><p style='line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>As a result of the shutdown, many federal agencies will be closed or have reduced operations. While my Delaware and Washington, D.C. offices may have limited capacity, we will do everything we can to serve you. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=SenBluntRochester&crop=16869.74993728.15298816.7122346&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.bluntrochester.senate.gov%2f2025-government-shutdown-resources%2f&redir_log=582028501316513"><strong><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>CLICK HERE</span></strong></a><strong><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> for shutdown-related information \u2013 my team will continue to update this page as the situation develops.</span></strong> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Please find responses to some frequently asked questions below: </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:150%'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>What is a government shutdown? </span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass annual appropriations legislation or a Continuing Resolution (CR) before the beginning of a fiscal year on October 1<sup>st</sup>. The temporary gap in funding means federal agencies and employees are unable to carry out their usual duties or must do so on an unpaid basis for as long as the shutdown persists. As a result, many federal programs and services experience interruptions and delays during a government shutdown. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:150%'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Will Senator Blunt Rochester\u2019s offices be open? </span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>My offices in Wilmington, Dover, Georgetown, and Washington, D.C. will remain open. Staff will not be able to arrange Capitol tours or fulfill flag requests. You may still submit new casework requests on our website, but please note that our team will have a reduced ability to assist you, as many federal agencies will be closed during the shutdown. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=SenBluntRochester&crop=16869.74993728.15298816.7122346&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.bluntrochester.senate.gov%2fservices%2fcasework%2f&redir_log=623255717994398"><strong><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>CLICK HERE</span></strong></a> to submit a request to our casework team. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:150%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>You can reach our Wilmington office at\u202f<strong><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>(302) 573-6291.</span></strong>\u202f </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:150%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>You can reach our Dover office at\u202f<strong><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>(302) 674-3308.\u202f</span></strong></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:150%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>You can reach our Georgetown office at\u202f<strong><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>(302) 856-7690.</span></strong>\u202f</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:150%;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>You can reach our Washington, D.C. office at\u202f<strong><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>(202) 224-2441.</span></strong></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p style='line-height:150%'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>How will this affect me?</span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Social Security </span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>and <strong><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>SSI</span></strong> payments will continue. However, new claims may not be processed, and questions may not be answered during the shutdown. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Medicare </span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>benefits will continue uninterrupted. However, new Medicare cards will not be issued, and new beneficiaries may not be accepted into the program until the shutdown ends. If you\u2019ve been receiving telehealth-based care through Medicare, your appointments may be rescheduled or moved to in person. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>The <strong><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>United States Postal Service (USPS) </span></strong>will continue to be fully operational. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>You should prepare for delays at the airport. <strong><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>TSA</span></strong>, <strong><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>CBP</span></strong>, and <strong><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>air traffic controllers </span></strong>will be working without pay and/or with reduced staff for the duration of the shutdown. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Military </span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>and <strong><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>federal law enforcement</span></strong> will also be working without pay during the shutdown. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>VA </span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>medical facilities will remain open, and several Veterans Benefits Administration programs will continue. Burials will continue at VA national cemeteries. VA benefits regional offices will be closed. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>WIC </span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>may run out of funding soon. As a result, recipients may find that money has not been issued on their electronic benefit card as expected. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>SNAP </span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>benefits are expected to be disrupted only in the event of an extended shutdown. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>National parks </span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>and <strong><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>federal museums</span></strong> may close and will have reduced services. <strong><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Smithsonian</span></strong> has announced that its locations will stay open until Monday, October 6<sup>th</sup>. Please check the website of the respective facility you are looking to visit for specific guidance. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Federal Student Aid (FSA) </span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>programs, such as the Pell Grant and the Direct Loan program, will not be impacted. Student loan payments will continue to be processed during the shutdown. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>The <strong><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Small Business Administration (SBA) </span></strong>will not accept, review, or approve any new business loans for the duration of the shutdown. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Regional <strong><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) </span></strong>offices will close. The <strong><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Federal Housing Administration (FHA)</span></strong> will remain operational until further notice but with reduced capacity. This may affect your ability to obtain or refinance a mortgage through the FHA. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:150%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>USDA\u2019s Farm Service Agency </span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>will not implement or process several programs critical to farmers, including disaster assistance program payments related to extreme weather, and direct loans.</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p style='line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>If you are experiencing any disruptions, please do not hesitate to contact my office for assistance. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><img border=0 width=1090 height=424 style='width:11.3583in;height:4.4166in' id="_x0000_i1037" src="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/Customers/SenBluntRochester/Onward_in_Service.png" alt=Image></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><hr size=5 width="100%" noshade style='color:#738FAD' align=center></span></div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:8.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#848484'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=225 style='width:168.75pt;border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width="20%" valign=top style='width:20.0%;padding:2.4pt 2.4pt 2.4pt 2.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=SenBluntRochester&crop=16869.74993728.15298816.7122346&report_id=Facebook&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.facebook.com%2fSenLBR&redir_log=5644109892211" title=""Facebook" t "><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=45 height=45 style='width:.4666in;height:.4666in' id="_x0000_i1036" src="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/Customers/SenBluntRochester/DE00_FB.png" alt=Image></span></a><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width="20%" valign=top style='width:20.0%;padding:2.4pt 2.4pt 2.4pt 2.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center 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