Rep. Wittman constituents gather in Henrico to discuss budget concerns

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Dozens of Henrico County residents gathered on Saturday to discuss their concerns about budget decisions made by Republican Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) regarding Medicaid and other social services.

Wittman's constituents gathered in western Henrico on Saturday, March 1 at 10 a.m. for what multiple participants described as an event that was spread by "word-of-mouth."

The meeting was organized, not by Wittman's office, but by community members out of hope to share and voice concerns -- although Wittman had been invited to join for the opportunity to meet his constituents face to face.

"He was invited," said clinical social worker and U.S. Veteran Heather DeShone."Representative Wittman has not done a face to face town hall in years... I want to be able to sit across from my representative, for the country I served -- I served for this democracy -- and I want my voice to be heard in the same way."

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DeShone is a federal employee in Wittman's district, working for the Department of Veteran's Affairs. She is also a disabled U.S. Veteran herself, and receives medical care from the VA. 8News had the chance to speak with her about specific impacts she is seeing as a result of budget decisions.

"We are losing significant staff members from our local Richmond VA," DeShone said. "We are looking at having to return a whole lot of staff to a facility that can't accommodate them. All of these things are going to limit access to care for our veterans, for our local Richmond veterans, many of whom, this is their only source of medical care."

This comes after hundreds of other Wittman constituents gathered on Wednesday, Feb. 26 to protest not just the congressman, but the GOP as a whole in terms of their budget resolution, which some believed could result in Medicaid cuts.

There was also concern surrounding the recent uptick in federal firings due to decisions made by President Donald Trump.

8News also got the chance to speak with attendee Helen Wasz about how gatherings like this can help even those that don't believe they are affected as of right now.

"The issue that I'm most passionate about currently, is just unity, getting connected with other people in the area, you know," Wasz said. "I think what's happening now even if people aren't currently feeling it, everybody's going to be affected, it's just a matter of when that happens. I personally know people who have been laid off, let go, because of federal cutbacks."

According to those that attended, Wittman did not show up to the gathering, which featured Henrico residents ranging from veterans to federal employees voicing their own concerns and supporting fellow constituents in their apprehension.