A good citizen should remain informed and aware of how their elected leaders are representing their district.

In turn, those representatives have a duty to communicate truthfully and responsibly when reporting on governmental matters.

U.S. Rep. John Joyce failed to meet that standard in his most recent newsletter, distributed on Oct. 5.

In reference to the recent federal government shutdown, he wrote: “Instead, Senate Democrats chose to hold the federal government hostage in exchange for a massive $1.5 trillion spending package that would fund far-left priorities like foreign climate projects and free healthcare for illegal immigrants.”

While it is true that Democrats have resisted a short-term funding bill, their stated goal has been to include provisions that restore or protect health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act and to reverse cuts in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (H.R. 1).

However, it is categorically false to claim that Democrats are seeking “free healthcare for illegal immigrants.”

Federal law explicitly bars undocumented immigrants from accessing Medicaid, ACA marketplace subsidies, or most other federal health benefits.

Lawfully present immigrants — such as refugees and asylees — may qualify for Medicaid immediately upon arrival.

If Representative Joyce objects to those individuals receiving health coverage through federal programs, that would be a fair and debatable position to hold.

Yet he did not make that distinction, and in failing to do so, he misled his constituents.

I appreciate Representative Joyce’s engagement with the community and commend the professionalism of his communications team.

Nevertheless, I urge him to avoid slanted or inaccurate statements in future correspondence. Honest representation requires fidelity to fact, not partisan embellishment.

Justin Barr, Bellwood