From DPVA:
Where’s Wittman: Henrico Residents Demand Action on Healthcare and Layoffs
This past weekend, dozens of Henrico County residents gathered to voice their concerns over the House GOP’s budget blueprint—one that includes significant cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits—supported by Congressman Rob Wittman. WRIC reported that despite being invited, Wittman chose not to attend the meeting. This follows a similar gathering in Midlothian last week, where nearly 300 constituents expressed their frustrations about the budget and Trump’s attacks on federal workers. In response, Wittman’s office promptly removed both the Midlothian and Williamsburg locations from his “mobile office hours” list on his website.
WRIC: Rep. Wittman constituents gather in Henrico to discuss budget concerns
- “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.’”
- “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.’”
- “According to those who attended, Wittman did not show up to the gathering, which featured Henrico residents ranging from veterans to federal employees voicing their concerns and supporting fellow constituents in their apprehension.”
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