By Erick Díaz Veliz, Michigan Advance
May 22, 2025
Around 30 people gathered outside the office of U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) Thursday afternoon to protest what they say is his lack of accountability, absence from public events since taking office, and his position on the federal budget bill.
“We are here to tell our representatives that we are watching them. Their votes have real consequences for real people; it’s costing lives. They think they can just cast their votes and be done, give all these tax cuts to the rich, and put blood on their hands,” Zahna Woodson, 31, from Caring Across Generations said. “This affects real people, this affects real lives, and it is detrimental to us. We have things to say, and they should come and face us.”
The protest was scheduled for noon, when demonstrators began arriving with signs criticizing the Trump administration and Rep. Barrett, while expressing support for Medicare and Medicaid services.
“We were hopeful that we could get Tom to vote no on this federal budget bill. We knew it was going to be hard, but we wanted our voices to be heard. Now, we’re shaming him for constantly voting against his constituents’ needs,” said Cecilia Garcia-Linz, 50, a member of the Sierra Club.
On Thursday morning, the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives approved the sweeping tax-cut bill dubbed the “Big, Beautiful Bill” by Donald Trump, sending it to the U.S. Senate.
Absent Tom Barrett, 7th District town hall meeting lets constituents express concerns, frustrations
In an “X” post, Rep. Barrett announced he voted yes, stating he did so to “deliver for hard-working families across mid-Michigan. Promises made. Promises kept.”
“We have thousands of supporters across the state of Michigan, and we will be impacted by this terrible budget bill. Seniors, veterans, and those who rely on Medicaid, like I did as a child and I do for mine, were able to survive and escape poverty because of these social services,” Garcia-Linz remarked.
The demonstration continued with various speakers emphasizing the defense of social services including Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare, which are currently considered under threat by the approval of the federal budget bill.
“I don’t know how many of you here are on Medicaid, but Medicaid and Medicare save lives,” said Judy Suess, 65, finishing her speech, followed by applause.
As the speeches came to an end, some protesters began chanting and waving their signs at passing drivers and pedestrians, with a few honking their horns in support of the cause.
Kimberly Smith, 65, a senior resident from Dewitt, was chanting and waving her sign passionately to the passing drivers until the end of the demonstration, and she explained her concern about these possible social service cuts.
“Social Security came about to bring seniors who have retired out of poverty years and years ago. Set to fund itself, and it does, and it was working just fine. Medicaid and Medicare help our seniors, our disabled, and those who need it, to keep them alive with the medical care they cannot have,” Smith said.
After about an hour, approximately 15 protesters headed to the office of U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) at the Federal building in Lansing to demonstrate after they learned through an email from the Sierra Club about her vote in favor of legislation repealing California’s EPA waiver.
In an email, members of the Sierra Club criticized Slotkin’s position.
“This standard has been one of the most powerful tools in reducing harmful air pollution, protecting our health, and fighting climate change in the United States. Trying to take away this authority is not only legally questionable, it would also have serious consequences for our health, our environment, and our economy,” the email stated.
In a press release, Slotkin emphasized her commitment to Michigan workers, noting that they live in the world’s auto capital and rely heavily on the automotive industry. She added that, as other states are beginning to reverse course on the policy, Michigan should consider doing the same.
“Today, I voted to prevent California and the states that follow its standard from effectively banning gas-powered cars by 2035. Michigan is the auto capital of the world, and as Michigan’s U.S. Senator, I have a special responsibility to stand up for the more than one million Michiganders whose livelihoods depend on the U.S. auto industry,” Slotkin stated.
The protesters then returned to Barrett’s office, where they ended the demonstration without incident.
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