With drastic funding to Medicaid at risk by the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress like Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick who has supported a budget resolution projected to cut the program by as much as $880 billion, the Democratic National Committee is hosting a “People’s Town Hall” featuring U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego Saturday in Bucks County at noon.
“Brian Fitzpatrick has the opportunity to do the right thing and vote ‘no’ to save Medicaid for millions of Americans, including those in his district. As Fitzpatrick continues to bow down to Trump and the billionaire class, Democrats like Senator Gallego are taking the fight directly to their districts across the country,” Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin told the Bucks County Beacon.
The town hall stops aims to create voter awareness over funding cuts to essential lifeline programs for more than 71 million Americans nationwide – providing the tools for disenfranchised constituents to pressure their Republican representatives to “vote no on Trump’s dangerous budget proposal,” the DNC stated.
Gallego is traveling to Pennsylvania’s First Congressional District and will be joined by Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie, who is running against Fitzpatrick, “to engage the constituents Fitzpatrick is ignoring as he backs his party’s reckless budget resolution.”
“I believe elected officials should show up, listen, and answer to the people they represent. While Brian Fitzpatrick hides from town halls, I’m proud to stand in front of this community and talk about how we protect Medicaid and fight for working families,” said Harvie. “Our district deserves a Congressman who’s not afraid to face you and I’m ready to be that leader.”
Fitzpatrick did not respond to a request for comment.
“This town hall is a clear, early signal that Bob Harvie will have the support he’ll need to win his race for Congress in 2026. PA-01 will be critical to flipping the House and ensuring that Congressional Republicans are unable to cut the programs that Bucks Countians rely on such as Head Start, student financial aid, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid,” said state Senator Steve Santarsiero, who is also chair of the Bucks County Democratic Committee.
Funding and legislation for Medicaid and Medicare were established in 1965 under President Lyndon B. Johnson “to protect the health and well-being of millions of Americans,” the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website said.
“Indivisible Bucks County is thrilled about the upcoming visit from Senator Gallego. There is a wide gap between what Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick says about social safety net programs – and how he votes,” Kierstyn Zolfo, an event organizer for Indivisible Bucks County said. “He [Fitzpatrick] often signals his support, and then votes alongside his colleagues in the Republican Party to strip our neighbors of benefits and cancel the programs they depend on.”
The DNC’s “People’s Town Hall” initiative is targeting three other “vulnerable” incumbent Republican-held districts across the country, which include Tom Barrett (MI-07), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Mike Lawler (NY-17). It aims to provide voters ignored by their Republican representatives resources and know-how to hold them accountable and mobilize grassroots support before state midterm elections set for 2025 and 2026, the DNC website said.
If you go:
WHAT: People’s Town Hall in Pennsylvania’s First Congressional District in the “Fight to Save Medicaid”
WHO: Hosts U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego and the Pennsylvania Democratic Party
WHEN: 12 p.m., Saturday, May 10
WHERE: Bucks County, PA. For location details visit the Bucks County Democratic Committee website.
