U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar called La Vernia resident Timothy Haight on Oct. 3, in response to a letter Haight sent to the congressman. Haight, a veteran of the Iraq War and employee at Fort Sam Houston, said he and his wife rely on federal paychecks and are both currently on furlough; he urged the congressman to work to avoid a government shutdown, saying "Please, don't let the GOP and the Tea Party shut down our government at federal workers (not to mention the many American citizens who rely upon our services) expense." Cuellar said he would continue to fight to reopen the government and restore pay to federal workers.