DOGE cuts, Medicaid fears spark protests at GOP lawmaker offices across US
Some House Republicans have felt heat back home this past week after progressive groups urged Americans to protest the GOPβs handling of government spending.
At least six lawmakers saw protests at their district offices as they spent time with constituents during last weekβs recess to mark Presidentβs Day. Several others were confronted during town hall events held during the same period.
The demonstrations largely centered on Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which aims to slash $2 trillion in federal spending.Β
BLACK CAUCUS CHAIR ACCUSES TRUMP OF 'PURGE' OF 'MINORITY' FEDERAL WORKERS
"They have control of all of our personal information, and I donβt know that anyone except them knows what theyβre going to be doing with it," a protester outside the office of Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., said in a video captured by AZ Central. "I think itβs a terrible breach of security for everyone in this country."
A photo compilation by the Desert Sun showed dozens of people protesting at the office of Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., with signs like, "You work for us, not Musk."
People were also concerned about potential cuts to Medicaid and other federal programs as GOP lawmakers work to enact President Donald Trumpβs agenda via the budget reconciliation process.Β
Lawmakers are looking to cut billions in federal spending to offset the cost of extending Trumpβs Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as well as border security and national defense priorities.
Constituents outside the office of Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., last week pleaded with him to reject Medicaid cuts, according to local outlet WGAL. "I hope he doesn't touch Medicaid. I hope he does not defund it or try to cut it or anything like that," one demonstrator told the outlet.
Perry told the outlet in response to the protest, "Congressman Perry supports the right to protest. While Congress has yet to see a detailed plan to get our Country back on the path to fiscal solvency, Congressman Perry, as always, will keep the concerns and views of the 10th District at the forefront as he determines his vote on their behalf."
Other Republicans who saw protests at their district offices last week included Reps. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., and House Administration Committee Chair Bryan Steil, R-Wis.
Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., was among the Republican lawmakers who faced critics that jeered him at a town hall last week.
KEY CONSERVATIVE CAUCUS DRAWS RED LINE ON HOUSE BUDGET PLAN
It comes after progressive group Indivisible put out a memo encouraging activists to use last weekβs recess to protest House lawmakers at their home offices amid the leftβs backlash against Muskβs work.
"Recess is when Members of Congress go back home to host town halls, meet with constituents, and try to paint themselves as responsive to the people who elected them.Β It is also when MoCs think they can avoid public scrutiny β especially Republicans who want to dodge tough questions about their complicity in Trump and Muskβs coup," the groupβs site said.
Meanwhile, left-wing group Working Families Power and Opportunity Wisconsin organized the demonstration outside of Steilβs office, an online event notice showed.