After both our representatives Carol Miller and Riley Moore voted for a budget resolution that sets up extreme cuts in funding for health care, SNAP (food assistance), free meals for school children—the list goes on—it was reported that GOP leadership gave behind-closed-doors advice to not hold town halls with their constituents back home. Which could only mean they’re feeling a bit worried that their vote to hurt everyday people in this country is not going over well.
I hope here in West Virginia we can give them every reason to be worried. Because in the hallowed words of the Big Lebowski, "This aggression will not stand, man." That's why we are calling on our representatives to hold in-person town hall meetings during their spring recess starting March 17th.
Here are three ways you can pressure our representatives to hear from West Virginians about the dire impact these cuts will have:
1. Call your U.S. House representative’s office and ask them to hold a town hall during March recess. Not sure who your U.S. House member is? Find out here.
Rep. Riley Moore: (202) 225-2711 (D.C. office) or (304) 350-6987 (District office)
Rep. Carol Miller: (202) 225-3452 (D.C. office) or (681) 945-6556 (District office)
Sample Script: My name is __________ and I live in __________. I was very concerned by Representative Miller/Moore’s vote on the House budget resolution and I am calling on him/her to meet with West Virginians who would be impacted by cuts to Medicaid and SNAP by holding an in-person public town hall during the March recess.
2. Call U.S. Senators and ask them to reject any cuts to Medicaid and SNAP food assistance. Senators represent the full state, so you are represented by both and can/should contact both!
Senator Shelley Moore Capito: (202) 224-6472 (D.C. office)
Senator Jim Justice: (202) 224-3954 (D.C. office)
Sample Script: My name is __________ and I live in __________. The House budget would be very harmful for West Virginians and our economy, and violates President Trump’s commitment to lowering costs for residents by increasing health care and food costs for many families. I am asking Senator __________ to reject ANY cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.
3. Post on social media, tagging your representatives with the hashtag #WVRecessTownHall, calling on them to hold a town hall with constituents during the March recess.
Sample social media posts:
✔️ Medicaid and SNAP are essential to West Virginians, but they’re being put on the chopping block to fund tax cuts for the wealthy and businesses. @reprileymoore must meet with constituents who’d be harmed by cuts to these programs in the House budget #WVRecessTownHall
✔️ The budget advancing through Congress could cut Medicaid and SNAP by $1.1 trillion, the same amount the top 1% would receive in tax cuts. @repcarolmiller, please prioritize programs critical to West Virginians, not more tax breaks for the wealthy. #WVRecessTownHall
✔️ West Virginians elected @sencapito to lower costs for West Virginians, but cuts to Medicaid and SNAP would increase health care and food costs for families. No cuts to Medicaid or SNAP. #WVRecessTownHall
✔️ West Virginia has:
500,000 residents on Medicaid
277,000 residents on SNAP
ZERO billionaires
@JimJustice_WV no cuts to Medicaid or SNAP #WVRecessTownHall
✔️ We all know someone who relies on Medicaid & SNAP. Cuts will take away health care and food from kids and families, put health care jobs in jeopardy, and worsen our state’s care crisis. @sencapito must stand with West Virginians and protect Medicaid & SNAP #WVRecessTownHall
If you are partial to the quick click action, send an email and consider personalizing it!
In the face of these threats to our health and economy, the people of West Virginia deserve answers from our representatives who voted to support these cuts. And we need to hear from our Senators whether or not they will stand up for us. For musical inspiration today, how about Tom Petty’s "I Won't Back Down".
No I'll stand my ground
Won't be turned around
And I'll keep this world from draggin' me down
Gonna stand my ground
And I won't back down
The people of West Virginia won't back down. Thank you for raising some ruckus with us today!
Learn more about the West Virginia Economic Justice Project and sign up for updates.