Progress for the People Town Halls
Glens Falls, NY| Warren, MI| Scranton, PA
Phoenix, AZ| Bethlehem, PA | Racine, WI
Residents and reporters interested in learning more can reach out to: info@progressivecaucuscenter.org.
The Progressive Caucus Action Fund held town halls across the country to meet communities where they are, lift up the issues that matter most to working families, and advance bold progressive solutions. These town halls brought together progressive leaders, union and faith allies, Indigenous and frontline voices, and trusted local partners to engage in conversation, build power, and promote progressive policies.
Our Progress for the People town hall series convened communities in states the country to confront the harms of the 2025 Republican budget law and the Trump administration’s attacks on our rights, freedoms, and future. Through these events, we worked with partners to expose the real-life consequences of harmful policies and highlight the progressive alternatives that put people first.
The tour spotlighted urgent priorities for 2025 and 2026, including:
Lowering costs for families
Fighting corporate power
Tackling the climate crisis
Protecting and investing in public education
Strengthening unions for better jobs and wages
Racine, Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s 1st congressional district
“If the last 18 months have shown us anything, it’s that Trump and Congressional Republicans don’t give a damn about regular people. Costs have skyrocketed, from healthcare to gas to groceries, yet Republicans’ top priority was handing millionaires and billionaires another massive tax break. Democrats are committed to putting working people first, not just those who can afford to be members of Mar-a-Lago. ”
“As working families face a crisis of rising costs, Trump’s disastrous policies are making life unaffordable, ripping our families apart, and attacking our fundamental rights. I am committed to ensuring a government that works for working people, not a government that ensures corporations and the fascists in the administration profit from our pain.”
The Racine community packed Racine Memorial Hall for the latest Progress for the People town hall. Held in partnership with Families Over Billionaires’ “Who Pays” Bus Tour, the event allowed the audience to ask questions of special guest Members of Congress, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04), Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02), Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02), Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03). The audience also heard from Kristen Crowell, Executive Director of Families Over Billionaires, and Racine Mayor Cory Mason, while former Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler moderated the conversation. Community members shared their concerns about ICE raids, the costs of health care, U.S. foreign policy, gun violence and more.
The event was organized by 350 Wisconsin Action, Better Taxes Action Fund, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Family Friendly Wisconsin, Families Over Billionaires, For Our Future Wisconsin Action Fund, Hands Off Kenosha, IBEW Wisconsin State Conference, Main Street Action, Opportunity Wisconsin, Our Wisconsin Revolution, Progressive Caucus Action Fund, Voces de la Frontera Action, Wisconsin Education Association Council, and Working Families Power. The Progressive Caucus Action Fund, Families Over Billionaires, and Better Taxes Action Fund sponsored the event.
“The American people are hurting under Trump and Republicans as prices skyrocket on everything from gas to groceries to electricity. And the juxtaposition could not be clearer as we held this event to hear directly from working people, at the same time that Vice President Vance was hosting a $10,000 per couple fundraiser just a few miles away in Milwaukee. While they pander to multi-millionaires and billionaires, Democrats are showing up in every corner of this country to hear directly from the people.” ”
“Democracy is strongest when people come together to listen, ask tough questions, and hold their elected leaders accountable. That’s why we’re in Rep. Steil’s district, my birthplace, to highlight how Republican policies have made life harder and more expensive for Wisconsinites. While Republicans provided tax handouts to billionaires, Wisconsinites are losing their food assistance and are struggling to afford health care. ”
“The people we spoke with at today’s town hall are doing everything right but still getting crushed by higher food prices, higher health care costs, stagnant wages, and a lousy economy built for billionaire profits and corporate greed. Folks in Racine and across America deserve a hell of a lot better than politicians who vote against their interests and then try to hide from the consequences. ”
Bethlehem, PA
Pennsylvania’s 7th congressional district
“While families across Pennsylvania struggle with the rising cost of groceries, utilities, prescription medications, and other necessities, this administration has prioritized rewarding billionaires, political insiders, and corporate interests. These town halls are an important way for Members of Congress to hear from the public about the biggest issues they are facing and help drive our work in Congress. I appreciate everyone who came out to share their opinions as active participants in our democratic republic.”
Pennsylvanians from across the Lehigh Valley gathered in United Steelworkers (USW) Local 2599’s Van Bittner Memorial Hall Thursday evening for the fifth stop of the Progress for the People town hall tour. Members of the Bethlehem community packed the room to hear a people-centered vision for the future and ask questions of special guest Members of Congress. The event was organized by the Progressive Caucus Action Fund (PCAF) and a broad coalition of national and local groups. PCAF and Better Taxes Action Fund sponsored the event.
The town hall featured Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04) and Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), who joined union workers and community leaders, including Families Over Billionaires Executive Director Kristen Crowell and USW Local 2599 Vice President Greg Yemm. Action Together NEPA Advocacy Director Kristin Volchansky moderated the conversation.
“One of our most essential duties as representatives is to listen to our communities — to show up. That was at the heart of our conversation in Bethlehem. I’m grateful to the devoted organizers and the residents of Lehigh Valley who shared their questions and concerns, and I am heartened by such a strong commitment to our future. We are at our very best when we are engaged in our democracy.”
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona’s 1st congressional district
“Tonight, we heard directly from Arizonans about the rising costs and real-life consequences of the Trump Administration’s policies on working families. While billions are spent on ICE to tear families apart, too many people are losing health care and struggling to afford groceries. Arizonans deserve a transparent government that works for them, and I will keep fighting to lower costs and hold this administration accountable.”
The latest stop in the Progress for the People town hall series took place on Friday in Phoenix, Arizona. Arizonans gathered to meet with special guest Members of Congress, ask questions, and hear a progressive, people-centered vision for the future.
The town hall featured Congresswomen Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), and Emily Randall (WA-06). The Members of Congress joined union workers, community leaders, and Arizona State Representative Oscar De Los Santos, Minority Leader of the Arizona House of Representatives, who moderated the conversation.
President Trump and Republicans in Congress have cut essential services and driven up the cost of health care, groceries, utilities, and student loans – all while handing massive tax breaks to corporations and the ultra-wealthy. At the same time, the administration’s attacks on immigrants have torn apart our communities and undermined due process and the rule of law. And there has been zero accountability for corruption and abuse of power at the highest levels.
Audience questions touched on these issues, as well as the local economy, breaking up monopolies, ICE’s atrocities, humane foreign policy, voting rights, trans rights, and Indigenous rights.
“I’m grateful for the hundreds of Arizonans who chose to spend their Friday night sharing how this Administration is hurting our families. I hear similar from my neighbors – costs are going up and life isn’t getting easier. Meanwhile, Trump is spending billions of taxpayer dollars on a war he started while slashing funding for our local hospitals, food for hungry kids, and programs that lower energy prices. This isn’t right. We’re going to keep fighting for a government that works for everyone, not just Trump’s billionaire buddies.”
“What we heard tonight are the real-life consequences of decisions being made in Washington without our communities in mind. Families are being torn apart, costs are skyrocketing, and basic rights are under attack—while Trump and the Republicans continue rewarding their donors and special interests. We will keep organizing, speaking out, and demanding a government that puts people first.”
“The people of Phoenix deserve to be heard, and if Congressman Schweikert won’t show up for them and Republicans won’t address their problems, then I’m proud that my colleagues and I showed up and listened. While Republicans in Washington continue to ignore these issues, we will keep working to meet Americans where they are, listen to their concerns, and deliver for them.”
Scranton, PA
Pennsylvania’s 8th congressional district
“Today was proof positive that families in Scranton, throughout Pennsylvania, and across the country, are sick and tired of being told their struggles are not real and that the cost of living crisis is somehow a con. The real con was Donald Trump promising to lower prices on day one.”
Community members from across Northeastern Pennsylvania gathered in downtown Scranton on Saturday for the third stop of the Progress for the People town hall tour. The event was organized by the Progressive Caucus Action Fund, Action Together NEPA, SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, Pennsylvanians Together in Action, Pennsylvania Policy Center, Make the Road Action PA, Rural Organizing, Main Street Action, Affordable Pennsylvania, United Steelworkers, For Our Future PA Action Fund, and Working Families Power.
The town hall featured Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02), and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), who joined local leaders, union members, and residents to expose how the Republican budget law is impacting Pennsylvania families, respond directly to constituents’ questions, and outline a people-centered vision for change.
The Republican budget law, signed by President Trump on July 4th, is a direct assault on working families. It slashes essential services like health care, food assistance, and education, all while showering corporations and the ultra-wealthy with massive tax giveaways and accelerating the administration’s mass deportation agenda. These cuts are expected to cost 15 million Americans their health insurance and take food away from 4 million people.
“I was so proud to join my colleagues today in Scranton, PA to talk to people about the issues that they are dealing with every single day. The American people are hurting under Trump and Republicans – from rising costs on everything from health care to electric bills, to immigration attacks on our neighbors and loved ones. Democrats are showing up in every corner of this country and if Republicans refuse to come out and hear from their constituents, we will.”
“I was glad to join my Progressive Caucus colleagues in Scranton to discuss the devastating impacts of the Big ‘Beautiful’ Bill on hardworking Pennsylvania families. Americans deserve to hear directly from their elected officials – and they deserve to hear the truth.”
“What I heard today in Scranton is what people all across the country are saying: those at the very top are doing better than ever, while everyone else is falling further behind. Trump and his Republican lapdogs like Representative Rob Bresnahan—who flies to work in a private helicopter—are building an A+ economy for greedy corporations and billionaires while the rest of America works more and more for less and less.”
WaRRen, Mi
Michigan's 10th congressional district
“During an affordability crisis, while 60% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, Trump’s Big Budget Betrayal is the largest transfer of wealth from working people to the billionaire class. It will kick 450,000 Michiganders off their health care by making the largest cut to Medicaid in history. At the same time, health insurance premiums are skyrocketing for 20 million Americans. I’m joining Rep. Balint in Macomb County to let our neighbors know that we will fight back and not let Republicans get away with betraying our families with their devastating cuts to health care, food assistance, and the programs that working families rely on.”
Community members gathered in the United Auto Workers’ (UAW) Region 1 pavilion on Saturday, November 15, 2025, for the second installment of the Progress for the People town hall series. The event was organized by Michigan United Action, Fair Share America, United Auto Workers Region 1, Reproductive Freedom for All Michigan, Macomb Defenders Rising (Indivisible), United for Respect Education Fund, Working Families Power Michigan, Michigan Families for Fair Care, Michigan Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Main Street Action and the Progressive Caucus Action Fund (PCAF).
The gathering featured special guests Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and Rep. Becca Balint (VT-At Large), who joined local leaders, unions, and community members to expose how the Republican budget law threatens Michigan families, answer constituents’ questions, and share their vision for people-centered change.
The Republican budget law, signed by President Trump on July 4th, is an attack on working families. It guts essential services like health care, food assistance, and education, all while showering corporations and the ultra-wealthy with massive tax giveaways and accelerating the administration’s mass deportation agenda. These cuts are expected to cost 15 million Americans their health insurance and take food away from 4 million people.
“Millions of Americans stand to lose access to health insurance, food assistance, and quality education, yet Republicans continue to revel in their power at the expense of Michigan families. I’m honored to be here today with my friend and colleague Rep. Rashida Tlaib to remind Americans that we are not backing down. We will not allow Republicans to strip away our rights while they enrich themselves. Here in Warren, Rep. James refuses to show up and we won’t let Michiganders go without a voice in Congress.”
Glens Falls, NY
New York's 21st congressional district
“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.”
“Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill is an assault on every person who calls this country home and a shameful betrayal of our shared humanity.”
Over 400 people attended a 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, August 22, 2025.
The event brought together community members, local leaders, unions, and special guests Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-20), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-7), and Rep. Becca Balint (VT-at large) to expose how Republican policies are harming the region and answer attendees’ questions.
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.
“We can build an America that truly works for working people and delivers real progress on the things that matter.”