Lafayette, LA – U.S. Congressman Cleo Fields (D) hosted a town hall meeting at the Delta Grand Theatre in Opelousas on Monday evening, engaging with concerned local residents about several pressing issues. The event, which was part of Fields’ ongoing grassroots campaign efforts, marked his sixth town hall since February and provided an opportunity for him to discuss critical topics, including potential Medicaid cuts, the proposed tariffs under President Donald Trump’s administration, and the future direction of the U.S. Department of Education.
The congressman addressed a fired-up audience, who raised questions and voiced concerns about the implications of these national issues for Louisiana. Fields opened the discussion with a critical assessment of the current political landscape, remarking on the lack of bipartisan cooperation in Washington.
“I’ve never served in Congress when the Democrats didn’t control the House, they didn’t control the Senate, and they didn’t control the White House,” Fields stated. “This Congress and this White House are very content on doing it alone, and I think that’s not good for America.”
The town hall quickly shifted focus to one of the most urgent concerns for Louisiana residents: the potential cuts to Medicaid. Fields pointed out that 1.4 million people in Louisiana rely on Medicaid for their healthcare needs, making the state particularly vulnerable to any reductions in the program. He stressed the far-reaching consequences these cuts could have on the state’s low-income citizens and the overall state budget.
“Louisiana is a state that’s gonna be drastically impacted by any Medicaid cuts because so many of our citizens depend on Medicaid as their way of healthcare,” Fields explained. “It would be a drastic cut—not only to the state budget, but to the lives of the people who rely on it for their health and wellbeing.”
With the proposed changes to Medicaid threatening to unravel critical healthcare support for many Louisianans, Fields urged constituents to take action and voice their concerns. As the evening drew to a close, he encouraged those in attendance to contact the White House directly to express their opposition to the policies they believe will harm Louisiana.
The meeting, which was both informative and interactive, exemplified Fields’ commitment to engaging with his community and listening to their concerns. With an emphasis on the importance of voter participation, Fields reminded attendees that their involvement could shape the future of policies affecting their lives.
“We need your voice, we need your action,” Fields said, urging those present to not only stay informed but to actively participate in the democratic process.
Fields’ town hall meeting underscored the ongoing concerns of Louisianans and highlighted the role of local lawmakers in advocating for their constituents’ needs in Washington. As the political climate continues to evolve, Fields’ efforts to engage directly with his community remain an essential part of his ongoing campaign.