Hundreds protest GOP, Trump agenda at Rep. Wittman event in Midlothian
VENN
CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WRIC) - Chants of “shame, shame, shame” echoed around an American Legion hall in Midlothian on Wednesday.
The chants came from the near 200 people who filed into the hall at an event hosted by Republican Congressman Rob Wittman’s (VA-01) office.
Wittman wasn’t in attendance, nor was he ever scheduled to be at the event, which Wittman’s office calls “Mobile Office Hours,”
Wittman’s constituents peppered a Wittman staff member for nearly two hours about a GOP budget resolution, which Wittman voted for on Tuesday, which they believe could lead to cuts to Medicaid.
“If you take away Medicaid funds, you are saying, that’s okay for this child to die,” said the mother of a child with lung disease.
Plus, they expressed concerns that the budget resolution could lead to cuts made to other key social services like SNAP.
“And Rob Wittman voted last night to cut that by 23%,” Tuckahoe resident Stephen Gura said, referring to the budget resolution that directs the House committee that oversees SNAP funding among other programs to make cuts over the next ten years.
Meanwhile, constituents were also upset over Wittman’s refusal to condemn President Donald Trump’s firing of thousands of federal workers.
“The termination was not based on my performance nor conduct. My agency's leadership will attest to that,” said Chesterfield resident Ebony Turner, who says she was fired from the IRS last week.
Wittman’s office turned down 8 News' request for an interview. However, in a statement, the Congressman said while he believes “enhancing government efficiency is important,” he believes that goal should be “pursued with greater compassion.”
On potential cuts to social services, Wittman repeatedly did not address our specific questions, but said, “My team and I are here to support the residents of Virginia’s First District during this challenging time.”
While Wittman wasn’t on hand in Midlothian on Wednesday, his district director did field questions and listened to concerns from constituents.
