By Bo Tefu

California Black Media

Local residents gathered at the New Hope Family Life Center in San Bernardino for a town hall hosted by members of the Black American Political Action Committee (BAPAC), National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), and the San Bernardino NAACP. The forum provided opportunities to engage directly with Congressman Pete Aguilar, who represents California’s 33rd Congressional District, to discuss key issues affecting the region.

Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) spoke candidly about the challenges posed by the Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts, particularly the potential impact on healthcare programs like Medi-Cal, which serves underserved communities in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. He expressed concerns about the $4 trillion budget cuts over the next decade, highlighting the risks to healthcare and education, especially for vulnerable populations. “This is a budget that could slash $880 billion from healthcare, which would make it more difficult for our residents, our neighbors, and our kids to access the care they need,” Aguilar said. “We need to fight these cuts with everything we’ve got. It’s about protecting our communities.”

During the discussion, Aguilar also stressed the importance of local governments and public education funding, noting how cuts to Title 1 schools and support for students with disabilities could harm the community. “This isn’t just a budget fight. It’s about the future of our children, our healthcare, and our families. We need to stay vigilant,” he added.

The event also gave attendees the chance to ask questions about immigration, social security, and the future of national policies, reinforcing the need for continued grassroots activism.

Former Assemblymember Cheryl Brown emphasized the importance of speaking directly with elected officials. “We need to ensure that the community understands that our elected officials should be in touch with the people they represent. We must show up, especially in districts represented by Republicans, to ensure they hear the concerns of their constituents,” Brown said. “It’s crucial that we all stand together, because these issues affect us all.” Many attendees expressed being unsettled with the direction the country is heading and urged action to advocate for their communities’ needs. “We need to take action now,” Brown concluded, “Our voices must be heard.”