Rep. Watson Coleman, NJCA, join constituents, unions and community groups in town hall calling out Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. for his support of Trump policies
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) joined hundreds of Congressional District 7 and District 12 residents, federal workers, NJ Family Care/Medicaid recipients, immigrants, unions, and community groups at a "Stop the Cuts" town hall organized by New Jersey Citizen Action (NJCA) to call out Representative Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-7) for his support of Trump administration policies. Since taking office, Trump's policies and executive orders have upended the lives of millions of Americans and threatened the integrity of our nation's democracy.
Many of the Trump administration's actions have been challenged in federal court. Still, speakers expressed their frustration on Kean's silence over President Trump and the Elon Musk-led DOGE overreaching their powers. This overreach has included the firing of countless federal employees, the gutting of key government agencies, the rolling back of environmental and climate protection initiatives, and the targeting and deportation of immigrants – including legal residents.
Participants also voiced their concerns regarding Kean Jr.'s recent vote in favor of a budget bill that proposes cutting $880 billion from health care services - a move that will devastate working families and vulnerable communities - to finance tax breaks for billionaires and corporations. This legislation would enable Trump and a GOP-led Congress to enact cuts to Medicaid, the ACA, SNAP, and other programs millions of New Jerseyans rely on.
Kean Jr.'s district has 73,200 Medicaid recipients, including 22,400 children and 8,000 individuals with disabilities.
"Republicans said they were going to bring down the price of eggs, end wars, protect our veterans, and fight inflation. In every one of these, they failed to keep their word," said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. "So why should we believe they're going to protect Medicaid when they're cutting funds from that budget? Why should we believe them when they say they're going to protect Social Security as they're shedding the very workers who help our seniors and those with disabilities every day? The people in New Jersey deserve to have a chance to ask these questions of their Representatives and they deserve to get answers."
"There are 1.8 million people enrolled in NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid," said Laura Waddell, NJCA Health Care Program Director. "That's 4 in 7 Seniors in Nursing Homes, 1 in 7 Medicare Beneficiaries, 1 in 3 Children, 1 in 7 Adults, and 1 in 3 people with Disabilities. In Congressman Kean's district, nearly 10% of his constituents are enrolled in Medicaid. We are talking about our most vulnerable people who can least afford a cut to their life-sustaining health care and coverage. Our representatives in Washington must stop playing games with peoples' lives and stand up for the health and wellbeing of New Jerseyans by stopping these inhumane cuts."
"The Trump-Musk administration's ongoing dismantling of government is already devastating New Jersey communities. Every day, we're losing funding for programs that help feed our communities and ensure clean air, water, and a livable climate," said Matt Smith, New Jersey State Director at Food & Water Watch. "Despite all this, Congressman Kean has supported the reckless Trump agenda at every step. Rather than cowering to the President and his pro-billionaire, anti-working class agenda, he should finally listen to his own constituents who are paying the price."
"Tom Kean Jr. can run, but he can't hide from the math. He refuses to meet with us because he knows his party's plan to extend Trump's tax cuts is indefensible," said Eric Benson, For the Many NJ, Campaign Director. "While billionaires like Elon Musk manipulate our democracy for their own gain, working families are left paying the price. New Jersey families know that education, transportation, and affordable healthcare are the real investments that make our communities strong. We need leaders who stand up for us, not sell us out."
Sponsors and participants for the Stop Cuts Town Hall included American Federation of Government Employees, American Federation of Teachers, Food & Water Watch, For the Many NJ, Health Professionals & Allied Employees, Jersey Shore Blue, Make the Road NJ, National Domestic Workers Alliance, New Jersey Citizen Action, New Jersey Education Association, Service Employees International Union, Working Families Power, and Indivisible groups?