GLENS FALLS, NY – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Congresswoman Becca Balint (VT-AL) joined advocates, union members, and community members in Glens Falls for a town hall to expose how Republican policies are harming the region, answer attendees’ questions, and present a more just, equitable vision for the nation.

Since January, President Trump and Republicans in Congress have pushed policies that cut essential services and increase the cost of health care, groceries, utilities, student loans, and more — all while handing massive tax breaks to corporations and the ultra-wealthy. The Republican budget law threatens working families in New York, Massachusetts, and across the country.

The Republicans’ “Big Ugly Bill”, signed by President Trump on July 4th, is expected to cost 17 million Americans their health insurance and take food away from 4 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. 

Glens Falls, NY is currently represented in Congress by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik who did not respond to the invitation to join.

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

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.”

“Events like this are so important for our community,” said Samantha Herman, a member of Indivisible ADK/Saratoga. “Many in the community identify as Republican, but are being harmed by the policies of those who are meant to represent them. Town halls such as these should be more common so the people can understand what is happening and ensure their voices are heard.”

Congresswoman Pressley has been an outspoken critic of Trump and Republicans’ harmful legislation since its inception.

• Upon the passage of Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill, Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning the cruel legislation.
• Rep. Pressley joined colleagues at a press conference imploring the House to reject the cruel and harmful legislation.
• Rep. Pressley joined the Congressional Black Caucus and over 100 colleagues in stalling a vote on the Big, Ugly Bill.  
• Rep. Pressley and Rep. Diana DeGette, Co-Chairs of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, filed an amendment to the bill to protect and expand reproductive healthcare.
• Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning the Senate’s passage of the Big, Ugly Bill and vowing to continue fighting it using every tool available.
• Ahead of the third anniversary if the Dobbs decision, Rep. Pressley and her colleagues stood in solidarity with Planned Parenthood and condemned the proposed cuts to reproductive healthcare under Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill.
• Rep. Pressley and author Darrick Hamilton authored a Washington Post op-ed in which they discussed the regressive, ineffective “Trump Accounts” provision of Republicans’ reconciliation bill and urged Congress to instead embrace Baby Bonds to advance economic justice.
• Rep. Pressley rallied with advocates from Caring Across Generations, Care Can’t Wait, and partner organizations to protest Trump’s and Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill that proposes disastrous cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other essential programs and would leave communities sicker, poorer, and more vulnerable.
• Ahead of the House’s vote on the bill, Rep. Pressley delivered an impassioned speech on the House floor in which she made a direct appeal to her Republican colleagues to oppose this cruel and harmful bill.
• Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech in which she slammed the bill’s proposed Medicaid cuts, which would decimate reproductive healthcare in America and worsen maternal health outcomes.
• Rep. Pressley co-hosted a press conference with Color of Change to oppose the Republicans’ cruel and harmful budget reconciliation package, which would gut critical programs like Medicaid and SNAP.
• Rep. Pressley rallied with caregivers, advocates, and fellow lawmakers at a 24-hour vigil to protect Medicaid from Republicans’ cruel budget cuts that would devastate communities across this country.
• In the House Oversight Committee’s markup of the Republican reconciliation bill, Rep. Pressley demanded Republicans answer to the families who would go hungry by way of this reconciliation bill – and she was met with silence.
• In the House Financial Services Committee’s markup of the Republican reconciliation bill, Rep. Pressley condemned the bill’s proposed cuts to Medicaid and shared the story of Mary Marinelli, a 70-year-old hospice nurse from a Republican district in Michigan whose family depends on Medicaid to care for their autistic son.
• In an impassioned speech on the House floor, Rep. Pressley slammed Republicans’ cruel and callous budget resolution that would slash Medicaid and other critical government services to pay for trillions of dollars in tax giveaways for Donald Trump’s billionaire donors.

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