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400+ Glens Falls, NY Residents Join Rep. Balint and Colleagues in Elise Stefanik District for Town Hall Event

“Americans need to hear directly from Progressives on our vision for the future. A future where life can be easier, where dreams and opportunities feel within reach, and no one worries about deciding between health care and making rent.”

Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) joined local leaders, unions, and her colleagues Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-20), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-7) to expose how Republican policies are harming the region and answer attendees’ questions. Over 400 people attended the Progress for the People town hall organized by Indivisible Adirondack-Saratoga, Citizen Action of New York, Communications Workers of America, and the Progressive Caucus Action Fund (PCAF) in Glens Falls, NY on Friday. 

The Republican budget law, signed by President Trump on July 4th, is expected to cost 17 million Americans their health insurance and take food away from 40 million people in order to funnel billions to tax giveaways for corporations and the ultra-wealthy and turbo-charge the administration’s mass deportation machine. 

Americans need to hear directly from Progressives on our vision for the future. A future where life can be easier, where dreams and opportunities feel within reach, and no one worries about deciding between health care and making rent. We can build an America that truly works for working people and delivers real progress on the things that matter.” said Rep. Balint. “In Glens Falls, Elise Stefanik refuses to listen to or show up for her constituents. And Americans need us to stand up for our democracy, for our rights, and for our freedom to live without the crushing burden of corporate greed. I’m so proud to cross the border to New York with my colleagues to make sure every voice is heard.”

“I was so proud to join my Progressive Caucus colleagues in Glens Falls to highlight the devastating consequences of the GOP’s Big, Ugly Bill for working families here in New York and across the nation,” said Rep. Tonko.  “We heard powerful stories from so many community members who are already feeling the impact of this disastrous legislation, and those voices will guide us in Washington as we continue our fierce advocacy on behalf of those we serve. While Republicans hide from defending their indefensible budget, my colleagues and I stand firmly with our communities and stand ready to give them the tools they need to join us in fighting back.”

“Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill is an assault on every person who calls this country home and a shameful betrayal of our shared humanity,” said Rep. Pressley. “That’s why I was proud to join Reps. Balint and Tonko to let the people of Glens Falls, of the Massachusetts 7th, and across the country know that we refuse to accept this injustice as an inevitability, and we will always fight for you. Trump and Republicans – like Rep. Elise Stefanik – refuse to face their constituents because they know their policy violence will make people across America sicker, poorer, hungrier, and more vulnerable. We will not let them hide from their cuts to healthcare, to food assistance, to abortion care – because lives depend on it and families deserve more.”

The town hall provided a chance for community members to get their questions answered, find resources, connect to local organizations working for community justice, and hear about a progressive vision for our nation. Questions focused on the harm caused by the Republican budget bill, threats to health care, rising costs for working people, and the need for elected representatives to be truly accountable to their constituents.  

“It was so inspiring to see three Congress people show up to answer questions in a Town Hall in our district!” said Doreen Miller, a member of Indivisible ADK/Saratoga. “Our Congress person, Elise Stefanik, has not shown up in years to talk to us and explain her reasoning for her votes.  We need representation in Congress too!”

“Glens Falls showed up tonight because folks are sick of paying higher prices while billionaires get giveaways, and they want answers,” said Catherine Rowland, PCAF’s Director of Government Affairs & Access. “Tonight was about making sure communities get those answers and giving real people a platform to demand better from this Republican Congress.”

“CWA is very proud to stand with our fellow labor, community, and elected allies to help foster both discussion and a plan to fight back against these continued attacks on our jobs, livelihoods, and freedoms." said Dennis Trainor, Vice President CWA District 1. "Many of those currently in power have abandoned working families and laid waste to our communities and the unions that have helped build them over generations, and we will not sit idly by while the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill" deepens the country's affordability crisis and leaves millions without healthcare and out of work. We will make sure that every New Yorker understands the impact of this bill, and who is responsible for the biggest tax cuts for the wealthy, while taking away healthcare from millions of Americans."

“We are under attack by a cruel budget that strips health care, food, and opportunity from working people while lining the pockets of billionaires,” said Ravo Root, Lead Organizer at Citizen Action of New York. “When our neighbors come together like this—sharing stories, building power, and demanding accountability—we remind those in Washington that we are organized, we are watching, and we will not stop until our communities get the justice and investment we deserve.”

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