Protesters rally outside Rep. Walberg’s office against federal budget cuts threatening essential services

Protesters gathered outside U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg’s office in Niles on Monday, voicing opposition to his support for budget cuts that could impact crucial assistance programs such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as well as lead to job losses for essential workers.

The demonstration was organized by the Coalition for Democracy, a grassroots group representing residents of Cass and Berrien counties. Protesters submitted an official letter condemning Walberg’s votes in Washington, D.C., and demanding he take action to protect vital social programs.

The House Budget Committee released a sweeping budget blueprint last week, allowing for at least $4.5 trillion in tax cuts while slashing federal spending by $1.5 trillion over the next decade. The resolution, which narrowly passed 217 to 215, directs the House Committee on Education and Labor — on which Walberg serves as chair — to cut at least $330 billion over 10 years. The committee oversees funding for programs such as Pell Grants, which provide financial aid to college students, President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which enforces workplace safety regulations.

“Congressman, this level of cutting is not going to happen without real pain to thousands of your constituents, and it will not be offset by the proposed tax cuts,” wrote Jim Pedersen, president of the Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans, in a letter submitted to Walberg.

Additionally, Walberg voted in favor of a proposal by the House Energy and Commerce Committee to cut at least $880 billion through 2034, targeting critical medical assistance programs like Medicaid and Medicare.

“These programs support people’s jobs everywhere,” Naomi Ludman, a member of the Coalition for Democracy, said. “So far, these cuts have taken very little from billionaires and corporations while pulling equal amounts of funding from Medicare, Medicaid, and food assistance programs that actually help everyday people.”

The federal resolution has yet to specify exactly where these budget cuts will take place, but Ludman fears that K-12 education funding, including resources for special needs children, could be disproportionately affected, harming low-income families the most.

The letter also raised concerns over the continued data-sharing practices between the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new agency linked to tech billionaire Elon Musk.

“We’re expecting from him is to speak up and represent his district,” Ludman added. “He’s voting against the people that he represents.”

Najifa Farhat is a staff reporter for Watershed Voice.