Reps. Sylvia Garcia, Joaquin Castro Hold Town Hall on Fight to Protect Seniors' Benefits

HOUSTON, T.X. - Today, Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29) hosted a town hall focused on protecting the essential benefits that millions of Texans rely on to survive. She was joined by Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), CEO of El Centro de Corazon Marcie Mir, Social Security Administration worker and AFGE Local 3184 president Joel Smith, Health and Wellness Leader at Kroger Dr. Marla Fielder, and Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Annette Ramirez for a powerful and personal conversation with local seniors about what's at stake as Republicans continue pushing cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP.

Held at the Deputy Darren Almendarez Community Center in Houston, the event gave constituents a chance to speak directly with their elected officials about the reality of rising costs. From medication and groceries to housing and utility bills, seniors across TX-29 and Texas are feeling the pressure, and many expressed real concern about what could happen if these safety net programs are weakened or stripped away.

Congresswoman Garcia underscored the urgency of the moment, warning that Congressional Republicans and the Trump administration are once again targeting the very programs that keep working-class families and seniors afloat.

"This country has made a promise: if you work hard, if you contribute with every paycheck, then you should be able to retire with dignity and peace of mind. That promise is Social Security," said Congresswoman Garcia. "These programs are lifelines, plain and simple. You paid into them. You earned them. You count on them. And I'm here to tell you we are not going to let anyone break that promise."

"There's real concern in San Antonio, in Houston, across Texas, and throughout the country about the changes the Trump administration is trying to make to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and food assistance," said Congressman Castro. "What we're seeing is an attempt at a radical transformation of American society - and most of these changes would be devastating for the communities we represent. It's an effort to take money from people who've worked hard all their lives, from programs that are often lifesaving, and hand it over to the wealthiest corporations and individuals in this country."

Congresswoman Garcia warned that the real goal of the Trump administration is to tear down the safety net and hand over those dollars to billionaires and big corporations, all while communities like TX-29 are left to bear the cost. From crippling Social Security offices to spreading misinformation about benefits, the administration seeks to create chaos, then use it as cover to destroy programs people rely on every single day.

But the Congresswoman made one thing clear: she's not backing down. She pledged to keep fighting in Washington and here at home to defend the promises this country has made to its people. Whether it's holding the line against reckless cuts or making sure every constituent has access to the help they've earned, she's committed to standing with those who stand to lose the most.

Click here to view photos from the event.