Michiganders Frustrations Escalate As Congressman Tom Barrett Ducks Questions About His Recent Votes
Last night, Michigan Families for Fair Care, For Our Future, Fair Share, Committee to Protect Health Care, and Michigan League of Conservation Voters held a town hall in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District attended by Representative Tom Barrett’s constituents who gathered hoping to speak with their congressman on the issues impacting Michigan’s working class.
Some of the main concerns of the evening regarded the future of health care and food assistance following the cuts that are expected to impact hundreds of thousands of Michiganders, including $6 billion to hospitals in Michigan’s Medicaid program and the 1.5 million people that are likely to be affected by cuts to Michigan’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Despite repeated calls from his own constituents, Tom Barrett voted in favor both times to the Republican Tax Law, a piece of legislation that cuts funding for these programs.
Currently, over 2.6 million Michiganders rely on Medicaid for access to affordable health care services, and nearly 131,000 live in Representative Barrett’s district alone. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities predicts that the Republican Tax Law will devastate Michigan families. His vote has proven apathetic and ignorant to the condition of his own constituents, which would would have been apparent to the congressman had he chosen to show up.
“I rely on Medicaid as my husband's caregiver, my husband on Social Security & Medicare since he has had 5 strokes. His life was altered time and time again and no one knows when things will happen to them. I am deeply concerned about what the future holds for us and for others, even those who haven't had a life changing event yet.” said Cynthia Burton, an MI-07 constituent. “Congressman Barrett had repeated opportunities to stand up for us, but time after time he sided with billionaires and corporations over the health and security of his own constituents. This isn’t just about his donor’s bottom line. It's about real lives that will be harmed by his decisions. He’s turned his back on the people of his own state and community, something we won’t soon forget.”
“Veterans are losing their jobs in this administration. Tom Barrett is doing nothing to stand up for them.” said Ingham County Commissioner Ryan Sebolt in reference to recent actions by DOGE and the impact of the Republican Tax Law. “Everything that has been done since January 20th has been a negative impact for veterans and Tom Barrett has either sat by and let it happen or helped it happen.”
“People’s fear about the future of Medicaid and SNAP requires truthful reassurance and a plan of action from our incumbents. Instead, Tom Barrett continues ignoring his constituents and pushing an unfair agenda,” said Steve Lawson, Executive Director for Michigan Families for Fair Care. “We must hold Tom Barrett accountable for his voting record and demand that he start fighting for the working class, because although justice is blind, we can’t be blind to injustice.”
Photos Available HERE
