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Dear Friend,
Where Have All Our Leaders Gone?
As the government shutdown continues to drag on, with no end in sight, we ask ourselves, who is in the best position to lead our government back to work?
Government shutdowns are not new; there were eight during the Reagan Administration with the longest shutdown lasting 35 days in 2018 under the first Trump Administration.
The President has enormous leverage to end this shutdown. He can bring congressional leaders together, make reasonable compromises, and put the needs of everyday Americans above political posturing. The American people expect their president to be a problem solver, not a bystander. It is inexcusable that Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has not called members of the US House of Representative back to Washington to pass bipartisan legislation to address the funding of our government.
The House of Representatives is the “People’s House,” and it is the responsibility of the 435 elected officials who were voted by their constituents to represent the people directly through their designated districts across the United States. The House is meant to serve all Americans and act in the nation’s best interest, not simply carry out the President Trump and the Republican party's agenda. The GOP controls both the White House and the House of Representatives, but at what cost to taxpayers? We need all our leaders, Republicans and Democrats alike, in the House, the Senate, and the Oval Office, to step up, negotiate an end to the shutdown, and put the country before their parties.
The government shutdown is causing real harm to everyday working Americans. Approximately 750,000 federal employees are not working and not being paid and an additional 750,000 employees are deemed “essential employees” are showing up for work and not being paid. How are these every day working Americans supposed to pay their rents, mortgages, utility bills, insurance premiums and put food on their tables for their families if the federal government is not paying them the wages they are due? This domino effect is very serious and impacts the communities and neighborhoods we live in and call home.
I am proud of the leadership my father, Tip O’Neill, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives during the Reagan Administration provided during his tenure. He was a force of reason during fierce political fights with the President Reagan over domestic policy. Working with leadership on both sides of the aisle, compromises were made and displaying admirable civility, despite their deep divisions, they managed to put their differences aside for the benefit of our country.
One has to ask, where is the leadership from the Oval Office? The President seems more interested his tariffs, overseas trips, and his revenge tour across the country against the states that are too “blue” for his liking rather than meeting with Democrats and Republicans to adopt a budget that works for every American. The President prides himself on being a deal maker and as American citizens we should encourage him to act as such and represent the needs and concern of all Americans, not just his own.
The optics in Washington are horrible. Over the past week, Americans have witnessed the demolition of the historic East Wing to make way for President Trump's ballroom, funded by private donors all while hundreds of thousands of government employees are going without paychecks and trying to determine if they will have jobs when the shutdown ends. It is a “Marie Antoinette -Let Them Eat Cake” moment. This is not reality TV and the actions and inactions of our representatives have real life consequences.
Leadership is about priorities. Right now, the priority should be reopening the government and restoring confidence in Washington’s ability to function. The American people deserve action, not distraction.
Sincerely,
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Federal Government Shutdown
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John Cahill
Vice Chairman
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Ben Goldstein-Smith
Senior Director
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As the federal government shutdown approaches a full month and appears likely to surpass the longest government shutdown in history – the 35-day record set during President Trump’s first administration – tension continues to build. Several upcoming milestones now loom large on the political and policy landscape.
Congressional Democrats have, thus far, held the line and remained firm in their demand that any spending bill include an extension of enhanced premium tax credits (ePTC), that lower monthly health insurance premiums for individuals and families buying through Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces. The ePTCs increase the total amount of tax credits received by those already eligible and makes subsidies available to people with incomes above 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Without action, analysts estimate that 4.8 million people could lose health insurance and many more will lose access to subsidized coverage or see annual premiums increase dramatically when exchanges open on November 1. The ePTC expiration could also have a ripple effect on the broader health insurance market, including increased premiums costs for employer-sponsored plans, creating a government shutdown and healthcare crisis perfect storm. Regardless of the outcome of the shutdown, Congress may need to craft a healthcare package in the coming months, a process we’re closely monitoring.
Usually, Americans don’t feel the effects of a government shutdown right away, but that’s about to change. November 1 also brings an expiration of key social safety net programs like SNAP and Head Start. Any lapse could bring unprecedented political pressure on both sides of the aisle.
As we head into the busy Thanksgiving travel season, keep a very close eye on the air travel industry; flight disruptions have forced policymakers out of past shutdowns. The strain on FAA operations and staffing shortages could be the tipping point as well with this government shutdown. Air traffic controllers and TSA agents, while remaining on the job, will miss their first paycheck this week and a key rural airport subsidy that preserves access to remote airports will expire as well. Congress will be loath to be blamed for ruining their constituents’ holiday plans if delays and cancellations become rampant. Thus far, national polling shows that Republicans are taking slightly more blame for the shutdown so far.
While the shutdown continues, electoral politics have begun heating up. Congressman Seth Moulton announced a challenge to Senator Ed Markey in Massachusetts, former Republican Sen. John Sununu entered the fray in the New Hampshire Senate race and Sen. Susan Collins faces a tough challenge in Maine where a heated Democratic primary is underway. Nationally, New Jersey and Virginia will elect new governors next week; polls show Democrats Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger with slight edges. These off-year governor races typically represent a momentum building moment for the minority party in DC – the last two open seat races in New Jersey resulted in a 2009 victory for Republican Chris Christie preceding the 2010 Republican House wave and a 2017 victory for Democrat Phil Murphy preceding the 2018 Democratic House wave. Democrats hope to ride a similar wave into 2026 midterms but it's unclear if that will present a path out of the shutdown or simply harden each side against each other.
ONA is actively monitoring day-to-day, hour-by-hour developments surrounding the government shutdown and assessing potential impacts on clients’ immediate operations and long-term strategic objectives.
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Ben Josephson
Senior Vice President
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Chris Niles
Senior Vice President
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United Steelworkers represent thousands of members in the natural gas industry that helps keep many Massachusetts residents safe and warm. These workers are responsible for the ongoing maintenance of our natural gas infrastructure, fixing dangerous gas leaks and performing critical repair work. O’Neill and Associates has been proud to work for many years with the New England Gas Workers Alliance (NEGWA), an umbrella organization for USW local unions representing gas workers.
USW members often respond to emergencies and routinely protect the residents of the Commonwealth from dangerous conditions. This work often puts them in harm’s way. In 2023, a member of the United Steelworkers, Roderick Jackson of Cambridge, was working on Totten Pond Road in Waltham when a pickup truck plowed into the worksite, striking Brother Jackson, Waltham Police Officer Paul Tracey, and two other members. Brother Jackson and Officer Tracey lost their lives as a result of the injuries they sustained. Far too many workers have died on our highways and in cities and towns across the Commonwealth. Tragic events like this emphasize the dangers workers in this important industry face on a daily basis.
The USW has been working to advance important updates to the Commonwealth’s “Move Over Law” and recently held a lobby day for members on October 16th. The legislation USW is supporting, S. 2642 An Act Updating the Move Over Law” would amend the existing statute to include “utility vehicles.” This change would require drivers to exercise the extra cautions as required by the current "Move Over Law.” The bill would greatly improve safe working conditions for USW members by helping to ensure that motorists keep a safe distance from worksites. USW members met with members and staff in the House and Senate to advocate for this important change and pass along their own experiences on the job. The Senate passed S.2642 39-0 on October 16th. The bill now advances to the House of Representatives for their consideration.
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OA in the Community
All politics is local, and so are the best ways to give back. That is why supporting the work we do in the community is so important.
| | (Tom O’Neill addressing guests at the 2025 Tip O’Neill Diaspora Gala) | | (Nicholas Crossan, Chair of the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award Committee, presenting Danny Hutton with the 2025 Tip O’Neill Diaspora Award with Tom O’Neill) | | |
(Tom and Shelly O’Neill with Julie and David McCourt, 2024 Tip O’Neill Diaspora Honoree)
(Photos taken by Clive Wasson)
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2025 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards Dinner
The Donegal County Council celebrated the 2025 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards Dinner in Buncrana, Ireland on Friday, October 17, 2025. The Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award was first initiated in 2012 as a means of commemorating the centenary of the birth of the late Tip O’Neill. The event serves as a bridge between Ireland and its global community, reinforcing the bonds of kinship, culture and shared values.
This year, the Tip O’Neill Diaspora Awards Dinner honored Vincent Keavney, who served as the first Irish-born Lord Mayor of the City of London for 2021-2022; Danny Hutton, born in Buncrana, County Donegal in 1942 and emigrated with his family to Boston in 1947, and later settling in Los Angeles, where he became a founding member and lead vocalist of the iconic rock band, Three Dog Night, established in 1968; and Eileen Mulligan and Sean Donaghey, originally from Rashenny, Ballyliffin, and Cockhill, Buncrana, and spent 34 years in Sydney, Australia, where they established an Irish restaurant celebrating Irish culture and raising significant funds for Irish charities.
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Scoil Naomh Padraig receives cash grant from RISE Community Fund to invest in new technology
On October 17, 2025, Scoil Naomh Padraig in Drumfries, County Donegal, Ireland, received a grant to invest in new technology thanks to the RISE Community Fund supported by National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
Established by NBI Chairman, David McCourt, RISE has awarded over 150 cash grants across the country to rural organizations seeking to boost their digital ecosystems.
The latest funding in Drumfries comes from a call for entries that NBI had announced as part of its national roadshow, visiting locations where its new high-speed fibre broadband network under the Government’s National Broadband Plan is already driving significant benefits for rural communities.
Sorcha Harkin, Principal at Scoil Naomh Padraig, said, “As a small rural school, we take great pride in empowering our pupils with the very best opportunities. With this grant from RISE and NBI, we’re investing in new tablet devices as part of our efforts to accelerate reading in the school. Using technology helps us to differentiate activities to suit the needs of every pupil and makes assessments highly personalized. We’re extremely grateful to RISE and NBI for this grant, which means a great deal to our school community.”
Visiting Drumfries, David McCourt, Chairman of NBI and founder of RISE, was excited to come to the area and give back to the community with grants.
This was particularly rewarding to Tom O’Neill as the Dumfries school is the primary school his maternal great grandmother attended in Buncrana. Tom and Shelly are honored to serve on the RISE Board in Ireland.
| (Pictured: 25 students in the photo from First, Second and Third class, Drumfries National School. Left to right in the photo: Tom and Shelly O’Neill (RISE), Julie and David McCourt (RISE), Deputy Principal Aine Doherty, Tara Collins (NBI) | |
FAN EXPO Boston
Seven Letter once again represented FAN EXPO Boston as the event’s PR Team which managed media relations for the 3-day pop culture extravaganza. FAN EXPO Boston 2025 brought thousands of comic con fans to the Seaport in August, featuring celebrity guests including West Newbury native John Cena, comic creators, cosplayers, a panel about the MA film industry and fan experiences. Mark your calendars for FAN EXPO Boston 2026, August 7-9 at the Menino Convention and Exhibition Center that will feature a reunion of the original cast of The Lord of the Rings, An Evening with the Hobbits: In Celebration of 25 Years.
| (John Cena with Seven Letter’s PR Team and volunteers for FAN EXP 2025. From Left to Right, Cherie Larouche, Graham O’Donnell, Macsonny Onyechefule, John Cena, Ann Murphy, Eric Doroski, Izzy Nickel) | |
Annual Battle for the Bay Golf Tournament
The Annual Battle for the Bay Golf Tournament, a beloved community tradition, celebrated its fourth successful year this August. The event, sponsored by O'Neill and Associates, took place at Ferncroft Country Club.
Over 120 golfers from the greater Boston area participated in this friendly competition between the Charlestown and East Boston YMCAs. The tournament raised an impressive $70,000, which will be used to support vital youth and teen programs in both neighborhoods.
The Battle for the Bay remains a cornerstone of the local community calendar, fostering camaraderie, promoting healthy living, and making a lasting impact on the lives of young people.
| | (From Left to Right, John Adams, Andrew Adams, Phil Wettengel, Mike Badjo) | | |
Catholic Memorial High School Board of Directors
Chris Tracy has been named to the Catholic Memorial High School Board of Directors. Chris, a 2003 graduate of Catholic Memorial, is a Vice President in O’Neill and Associates City and Community Relations practice. He strongly aligns with the school’s values and mission to provide pathways to success for its students by creating opportunities inside and outside the classroom to explore their passions and strengths.
| | (From Left to Right, Ava Smith, Claire Beaumier, Lev Cohen) | | |
O’Neill and Associates is pleased to introduce our fall interns:
Ava Smith, a Senior at Boston University studying International Relations
Lev Cohen, Junior at Boston University studying International Relations
Claire Beaumier, a Senior at Boston College studying Political Science
Ava, Lev and Claire are mentored by OA’s government relations team who works on federal, state and local issues for our clients.
Over the past 25+ years O’Neill and Associates has mentored hundreds of college students who have gone on to a wide range of careers in both the public and private sectors.
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Welcome Cristo Rey Work Study Students
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O’Neill and Associates has been a proud Cristo Rey sponsor since the program was first established at Cristo Rey Boston in 2004,. Our CEO, Tom O’Neill has long served on the Board of Cristo Rey Boston and is a graduate of the school’s predecessor, North Cambridge Catholic High School. We support their goals of breaking systemic barriers, decreasing economic disparities and improving racial equality. The Corporate Work Study program gives students the opportunity to earn about 50% of their Cristo Rey Boston tuition. As a partner, we help close the gaps for college-bound students that have limited economic resources.
O’Neill and Associates are delighted to welcome our 2025 Cristo Rey Boston work study students Miracle, sophomore and Kaitlyn, a freshman. They are both incredibly excited to be a part of our team to learn more about our work and how we make impact in the community.
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