Republican members of Congress are in a bind

March 10, 2025

WASHINGTON - Constituent appeals to their representatives in Congress continued in earnest last week as a House budget resolution that would cut Medicaid, SNAP, and other public programs in order to pay for tax cuts for the rich and corporations went to the Senate for consideration. Calls for accountability to working families have been so widespread that the NRCC has urged members to discontinue town hall events in their districts – avoid their constituents, in other words. 

People also responded to last week’s joint address in which Donald Trump failed to defend unpopular DOGE cuts and rising costs and instead peddled lies like vastly overstating fraud in the Social Security system. Peoples’ response: Don’t come after the Social Security we’ve earned to pay for your tax cuts for the rich. 

Protestors Outnumber Supporters at Trump Tax Cut Event in Kansas: Well, this is awkward. Things didn’t go so well this weekend when folks tried to have a closed meeting in Kansas in favor of extending the Trump Tax Cuts. Check out this lede in the Wichita Eagle on the “rally”: “U.S. Rep. Ron Estes made a pitch for continuing President Donald Trump’s tax cuts to a friendly crowd of about 35 supporters Saturday, as more than 200 people gathered outside to protest Estes, Trump, and billionaire Elon Musk over deep cuts to federal spending and workforce.”

Fed up Wisconsinites with the group Opportunity Wisconsin are asking if anyone has seen their congressman (Rep. Derrick Van Orden (WI-03-R), who has refused to hold meetings in person with his constituents.

  • “Congressman Van Orden apparently doesn’t want to explain why he supports cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and so many popular programs that his constituents rely on. While other Wisconsin Republicans are willing to face their constituents and explain their positions, Derrick Van Orden has refused. He hasn’t just refused, he has threatened constituents, thrown outrageous insults, and doubled down,” the group wrote.

  • People are meeting without Rep Van Orden, in the meantime, to make their concerns heard:

Mark Pocan (@MarkPocan) on X: We had a great turnout at our town hall in Belmont today, with lots of people from @derrickvanorden’s district. People came as far as La Crosse, Tomah, Platteville, Potosi, and places in between. All would have loved to have had their own member of Congress listen to them.

In Michigan, 10,000 turned out for Bernie Sanders’ rally in a Republican swing district to voice their concerns about funding cuts, tax cuts for the rich, and more.

Jeremy Slevin (@jeremyslevin) on X

Over 10,000 people just came out to see Bernie Sanders and Shawn Fain in Warren, Michigan.

For context, 1,400 people came out for a rally in Warren during Bernie’s last presidential campaign.

Republican John James won this district by 6 points in 2024.

Concerned Nebraskans with the group Nebraska For Us reacted to their congressman’s (Rep Don Bacon) admission that Medicaid cuts were part of the GOP budget after the Congressman posted to X accusing a user of engaging in “hysteria” when expressing concerns about Medicaid cuts. Here’s what they said in response:

  • “No matter how Don Bacon and his Republican colleagues try to spin it, vital programs that working class Nebraskans rely on for necessary health care are in danger of dramatic funding cuts under their plan. People who are already in a difficult spot would struggle even more. Our representative must reverse course and do his part in standing against this. There is still time for him to do the right thing by opposing these massive cuts and prioritizing a fairer tax code that works for Nebraskans.” - Angie Lauritsen of Omaha and Nebraska For Us State Director

  • More than 350,000 Nebraskans rely on Medicaid for their health care needs, including seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. That figure also includes two in seven children across the state, including Rep. Bacon’s district. Another 380,000 Nebraskans are Medicare recipients.

Father and caregiver Chris Dunham of Feasterville, Pennsylvania testified on the Hill last about the impact Medicaid cuts would have on his family. Feasterville is represented by Rep Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01-R).

  • “Medicaid is nothing short of a lifeline for us. With Republicans proposing slashing hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid, all to pay for tax cuts for billionaires, our future is uncertain.” Watch Chris Dunham’s testimony here, beginning at 32:42: https://www.youtube.com/live/-8lQ-34abhs 

  • Chris left the paid workforce after his son, Will, was diagnosed with FOXG1 syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. Chris just recently qualified for a live-in caregiver stipend through Medicaid, and explained how that helped their family nearly get out of debt. 

  • To be connected with Chris Dunham contact Magen Eissenstat at magen@momsrising.org.  

People from Georgia, Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin and more worried about losing the Medicaid benefits they depend on to survive shared their stories and concerns with the health care advocacy group Community Catalyst. Here are just a few:

  • Kimberly J. (CO): "I have been on Medicare and Medicaid since I was 21, because I have MS. I’m about to turn 55. If Medicaid were taken away, not only would I lose my healthcare, but I would not be able to receive the medications that at least slow the progression of my MS."

  • ShaRhonda S. (GA): "I have a baby that has sickle cell disease, and also an autistic daughter who's on the spectrum. My kids are on expensive meds and the visits to the doctor are not cheap. The transportation van is paid through our Medicaid."

  • Christi C. (GA): "I have a 14 month old baby. I'm not even 40 years old yet and I have colon cancer. My husband works hard but with the cost of living already being higher than normal... I worked very hard for years also. We pay our taxes. If I lose my Medicaid.. I could and probably would die without my chemo. I'm leaving both of my kids without a mom.”

  • Contact Gena Madow, gmadow@communitycatalyst.org to speak with storytellers.

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Fair Share America is coordinating the widespread grassroots work in the states and helping to elevate voices and coalitions sounding the alarm on the devastating impact for families and state economics of deep budget cuts used to fund tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations.