A day after President Donald Trump gave his the first formal address to Congress of his second term, Colorado Springs U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank backed and defended Trump’s policy decisions during an inaugural virtual town hall meeting.
The event took place less than a week after more than 60 demonstrators stood outside the Republican congressman’s local office, protesting his vote to approve Trump’s proposed budget, which includes an $880 billion budget cut that would likely affect Medicaid benefits.
Crank pushed back against the notion that the resolution would eliminate Medicaid benefits during Wednesday’s event, saying that the budget proposal “creates efficiencies” within Medicaid to ensure only those who qualify for the program receive its benefits.
“There’s a lot of scaremongering going on by groups out there,” Crank said. “It kind of angers me when I hear the folks that are out there saying that there are cuts to Medicaid.”
The event began with Crank discussing Trump’s congressional address, saying he saw Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green’s interruption of the address as disrespectful to both the president and the political establishment.
“As long as I serve you, I will never insult the ‘People’s House’ like the left did last night,” Crank said. “I was shocked and I was disappointed for the institution of the House of Representatives.”
Crank added that he co-sponsored a motion to censure Green that will be voted on Thursday on the House floor.
Additionally, Crank took a call from a retired veteran asking about making veterans care more efficient. In his response, Crank said he would “never support” cutting veterans benefits, and that he would hold Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins accountable for ensuring services and benefits would not be affected by a planned a reduction in the VA workforce.
Crank also discussed his endorsement of plans to eliminate the U.S. Education Department, highlighting the need for the government to reduce its $36 trillion debt. He also asserted that eliminating the Education Department would allow for teachers to be paid more and for parents to have a greater say in what their children are being taught.
“You don’t want your congressman deciding on what kind of books should be in a library or what the curriculum should be,” Crank said. “It’s not an attack on education in any way; it’s a way to think of it differently.”
Callers asked Crank about a variety of topics, including the proposed state assault weapons ban, U.S. Space Command’s continued presence in Colorado Springs, and navigating political civil discourse.
No callers asked Crank about the protests outside his office last week.
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