ICYMI: Congresswoman Frederica Wilson’s Tele-town Hall, Featuring Panel of National Leaders, Draws over 60,000 Listeners

On Wednesday, August 27, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) held a tele-town hall with multiple former Democratic Cabinet members and national leaders to discuss the contents of H.R. 1, ‘Big, Ugly Law,’ and its ramifications for Americans. The tele-town hall also highlighted the threats to American democracy that this White House presents.

Angela Rye, co-host of “Native Land Podcast” served as the moderator for the event, and the special guest speakers included Julie Su; former Secretary of Labor; Miguel Cardona, former Secretary of Education; Joe Neguse, House Assistant Democratic Leader; Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee; Kathleen Sebelius, former Secretary of Health and Human Services and Governor of Kansas; and Sui Chung, Executive Director of Americans for Immigrant Justice.

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson said, “This Big, Ugly Law is doing real damage to the communities I represent, including attacks on Americans' access to healthcare, food assistance, and an education. This law is simply heartless, and people will die. On top of that, we’re facing a national crisis with an administration pushing authoritarianism day-in and day-out. So, whether it's litigation, legislation, protesting, or fighting fire with fire, we must fight back, and Democrats are ready to give it our all because this moment demands that we rise to the occasion.”

Over 60,000 people tuned in to the event via their phones, the Congresswoman’s Facebook page, YouTube, and Website.

Angela Rye, who served as the moderator of the tele-town hall and is the co-host of The Native Land Podcast, highlighted the magnitude of this administration’s regressive policies and said,  “I did not realize how close to Jim Crow we would be in 2025, but thanks to Project 2025 and all of its implementations, more than 60% so far, we are where we are. The fight continues.” 

House Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse said, “The policies embedded in the Republican budget bill will harm families in every corner of the country — slashing healthcare for millions, cutting federal food assistance, and increasing the deficit by trillions. Democrats will continue to engage in critical conversations with our communities, helping folks navigate the impacts of this disastrous bill — and I’m grateful to Congresswoman Wilson for allowing me the opportunity to do exactly that and take part in today’s town hall.”

Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jamie Raskin, said, “It’s getting pretty authoritarian out there, with Trump ordering troops into the Capital City, appeasing dictators like Putin, Orbán, Xi and Erdoğan, and sending masked men in unmarked cars to disappear our neighbors without warrants,” said Rep. Raskin. “During this tense moment in history, solidarity and vigilance will be our watchwords. That’s why I’m grateful to Rep. Frederica Wilson, a true servant of the people, for her great hard work and for having me speak with her Southeast Florida constituents to share how House Democrats are fighting back for the Constitution and the rule of law.”

Former Secretary of Labor, Julie Su, said “From our personal health care coverage to the American workforce, it is undeniable that Trump’s economic policies are negatively impacting Americans nationwide. Trump’s Big Ugly Bill in particular slashes investments in health care, nutrition assistance, education, and manufacturing, and so much more in order to pay for tax giveaways for the wealthy, representing the largest transfer of wealth in modern American history. It is critical that we communicate and explain to our communities the cruel consequences of his Administration’s actions.”

Former Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, said, “This isn’t a red or blue issue; this is a kid issue when we talk about education. Hungry kids are hungry kids, and that’s what we’re going to have, probably affecting red states even more than blue states, because red states in many parts of our country are more dependent on federal funding. When you cut funding for science, when you cut funding for research, when you cut funding for public education, you are doing our enemies’ work for them.”

Former Secretary of Health and Human Services and Governor of Kansas, Kathleen Sebelius, said,  “What is really going to hurt Floridians in this bill are all the cuts being made behind the scenes with the Affordable Care Act. In Florida alone, this bill will mean that 600,000 people will lose their health coverage, and most of those folks are in the marketplaces. Barriers are going to be put up; people will not be able to automatically re-enroll. The paperwork challenges for both the Medicaid population and the Affordable Care Act population are extensive, and it’s designed to let people fall into big holes. When their lives are busy and they are trying to pay rent and take their kids to school and get gym shoes, they forget that there’s a limited enrollment period. They forget that they didn’t have the right document at the right time, and there is no grace period. There’s no opportunity to file a reprieve until the following year.”

“As over $100 billion taxpayer dollars are being poured into immigration enforcement and detention under H.R. 1, many immigrant families are living in fear — changing daily routines, avoiding public spaces and their children’s schools, and even hesitating to seek necessary medical care,” said Sui Chung, Executive Director of Americans for Immigrant Justice. “Our nation has aspired to be a symbol of fairness and the rule of law. Ensuring due process for immigrants not only safeguards them from harm and violations of human rights but also strengthens the stability of our communities and the integrity of our justice system.”

Multiple immigration organizations, including Americans for Immigrant Justice, have formed a coalition called RAISE, a rapid response hotline for immigrants at risk of detention or deportation. If any communities are facing an ICE raid and need assistance, please call RAISE’s hotline at 1-888-600-5762 or visit their website for immigration resources at www.Raise.is.

The event opened with remarks from Congresswoman Wilson, followed by remarks from Angela Rye and the esteemed national experts and leaders, each of whom discussed different aspects of the ‘Big, Ugly law’ and the threats to American democracy. The remainder of the event was dedicated to audience questions for Congresswoman Wilson and the different speakers.

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson also urged listeners to call Republican members of Congress, Republican Senators, and the White House to apply pressure and express their discontent with the administration.

For the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate Switchboard, call (202) 224-3121. For the White House Comment Line, call 202-456-1111.

For the full video link to the tele-town hall, click here.

For Congresswoman Frederica Wilson’s previous statement on the ‘Big, Ugly Law,’ click here.

• The ‘Big, Ugly Law,’ signed into law, is expected to do the following:
• Cuts $1.3 trillion from health care and food assistance, while giving $1.3 trillion in tax breaks to households making over $500,000.
• Strips coverage from 17 million Americans and raises premiums, co-pays, and deductibles for millions more.
• Makes the largest cut to SNAP in U.S. history, affecting 42 million people—including 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 4 million people with disabilities, and 1.2 million veterans.
• Raises household energy costs by $400 on average, eliminates millions of jobs, and causes $197 billion in lost wages and $290 billion in lost investment.
• Adds $4 trillion to the national debt, including $700 billion in interest.
• Gives millionaires an average $80,000 tax cut while raising taxes on the bottom 20% of families.
• Jeopardize free school meals for the at least 19.4 million kids who are eligible for free meals because of their household’s participation in SNAP or Medicaid, among other programs.