Weekly Column: My Conversations with Southwest Michigan
Washington,
March 13, 2025
Over the weekend, I hosted a pair of telephone town halls with residents of Michigan’s 4th Congressional District. This format allowed our office to reach nearly 100,000 residents over the phone and online from all corners of the district.
Friday’s event was focused on the issues being discussed in Washington that directly impact seniors. Topics discussed included protecting Social Security both from a policy perspective and making sure seniors get the benefits and services they have earned. One caller from Allegan County said he and his neighbors were unable to get a response from the Social Security Administration. I explained that my office is here to help with issues just like this, and I had my caseworker reach out to him to get the process started. We also heard from a disabled veteran who wanted to discuss reforms being made at the VA and to be reinsured his benefits are secure. I also discussed DOGE and how the federal government is too large, but that we need to be thoughtful in our approach to reduce the size and scope. On Saturday, we discussed a wider variety of topics. Holly in Calhoun asked about how Congress is working to protect the Great Lakes, and I shared my efforts to fully fund the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to defend the ecology and the economy of the region. I later spoke with a woman from Ottawa County whose adult child relies on Medicaid to cover the cost of care. This is an example of why we need to protect Medicaid while addressing the waste, fraud, and abuse currently in the system so that the program continues to work for those who need it most. I also heard from a constituent in Van Buren County about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While we may not have seen eye to eye on all points, I know we both want the best outcome for America and Ukraine. Thank you to all those who participated. I look forward to hosting additional conversations like these in the future. If you need assistance navigating a federal agency, please contact my office at Huizenga.House.Gov. |
