Gabe Amo
04/04/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/04/2025 18:11
Amo Hosts District Town Hall on Defending Rhode Island Values and Pushing Back on Trump Administration
RIVERSIDE, RI - Last night, Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01) held a district town hall to answer questions from Rhode Islanders in the First Congressional District and outline his plans to combat the chaos and confusion of the Trump administration. Over the course of more than 2 hours, Congressman Amo was joined by Attorney General Peter Neronha to discuss how he is defending Rhode Island values through legislation, litigation, communication, and agitation.
Topics raised by Rhode Islanders included President Donald Trump's illegal federal funding freeze, efforts to eliminate federal agencies, and steps Congressman Amo is taking to hold the Trump administration accountable and protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid from Republican cuts to pay for tax breaks for billionaires.
"Whether it's Trump's illegal federal funding freeze, his disastrous tariff proposals, or DOGE and Elon Musk shutting down federal agencies, residents in Rhode Island's First Congressional District are understandably worried," said Congressman Amo. "I organized this district town hall with Attorney General Neronha to hear concerns, answer questions, and talk about our concrete plans to respond. We need to think globally and act locally - and last night we did just that."
"Since day one, this President and his Administration have used fear tactics, intimidation, and chaos to try and subvert the rule of law and consolidate power through a number of unconstitutional executive actions," said Attorney General Neronha. "Just yesterday, my Office secured another victory against one of these actions, because we are on the right side of the law. In order to protect our democracy and the rights of Americans everywhere, we need to boldly counter this behavior by asking questions, demanding answers, and acting accordingly. Last night, Rhode Islanders did just that, and I thank Congressman Amo for organizing this opportunity."
"I would like to thank Congressman Gabe Amo for choosing East Providence to host this important nonpartisan town hall meeting," Mayor Bob DaSilva said. "Any opportunity to hear directly from our neighbors is important to helping push the needle forward to creating a brighter future for both our state and community."
Photos of the event can be downloaded here.
BACKGROUND
Since the start of President Trump's administration, Congressman Amo has been laser focused on opposing dangerous executive orders, illegal federal funding freezes, harmful efforts to shut down federal agencies, and the elimination of basic protections for immigrants and our LGBTQ neighbors.
In the last 73 days, Congressman Amo:
- Introduced legislation to prevent reckless firings and half reductions in force at federal science agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Introduced amendmentsto the Republican budget resolution to prevent harmful Republican cuts.
- Joined delegation colleagues at a Butler Hospital to emphasize how Republican-proposed cuts to Medicaid will harm Rhode Islanders seeking behavioral and mental health.
- Visited critical organizations like the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and the Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. Community Center to defend the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program from Republican cuts.
- Opposed the shutdown of the US Agency for International Development and called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to stop undermining their lifesaving work around the world
In addition to these actions, Congressman Amo has sent letters to:
- President Donald Trump calling on him to immediately rescind tariffs on Mexico and Canada.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding clarity on how aid organizations can access the humanitarian aid funding waiver.
- House Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Brian Mast requesting a hearing with Secretary Rubio and Director of Foreign Assistance Peter Marocco to get answers on the federal funding freeze and their shutdown of USAID.
- Acting Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Matthew Memoli decrying attacks on NIH funding and research.
- Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to demand DHS support the work of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to support cybersecurity efforts across the country.
- Acting Office of Management and Budget Director Matthew Vaeth to promptly confirm all transportation and infrastructure funding, including $220 million for the Washington bridge, will be released to Rhode Island.
- Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. strongly urging HHS to reverse the decision to rescind public engagement in health care rulemaking.
Congressman Amo has also set up a link on his website for Rhode Islanders who'd like to share their story about how the Trump administration is affecting them: