WALBERG STOPS IN BERRIEN COUNTY FOR TOWN HALL

By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
DOWAGIAC, MI – U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg made a stop in Southwest Michigan last week as part of his tour of the district during Congress’ August recess. Walberg held a Town Hall last Wednesday at the Dowagiac Public Library before a standing-room-only crowd of at least 50 people.
Walberg’s tour of the district also included stops at schools, businesses, and small towns across southern Michigan. He represents the fifth district, which spans towns and counties from Lake Michigan to Lake Erie. The goal of August’s tour of the district was to promote the provisions of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” signed into law on July 4.
Walberg addressed a number of issues at the Dowagiac Town Hall, ranging from how the One Big Beautiful Bill has helped taxpayers, farmers and small business to how tariff revenue will help decrease the deficit and debt. He also answered questions about issues like public broadcasting funding and the National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C.
“I have looked forward to being back in the district,” Walberg said at the start of the Town Hall. He noted Washington, D.C. has been an “active place” this year with the passage of the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill and the Recissions Act of 2025, both of which he said will “right size” the government, the economy, and the budget.
The format of the Town Hall was for Walberg to answer questions people wrote out on notecards. There was some back and forth between the Congressman and attendees with people disagreeing with his views and sometimes shouting out things like “get your facts straight” and “what about Epstein?”
One of the big concerns raised by residents was how the tariffs imposed by President Trump will impact small businesses and farmers. Walberg said the Trump administration and Congress have taken steps to reduce costs for small businesses and farmers and help them grow.
He called tariffs “a tricky issue”, noting that while he is for fair and free trade, he also is for making sure other countries don’t penalize U.S. farmers and manufacturers. He pointed out that the tariffs are bringing in revenue that will ultimately reduce the federal deficit and debt. “We want other countries to succeed, but not on our backs,” he said.
“No billionaire tax cuts were given,” he added. “We made tax cuts permanent for you and small business. If we didn’t pass it, you all would have received a 27 percent tax hike on Jan. 1, 2026.”
People were also concerned about cuts to education and the environment. Walberg said more money than ever is going to protect the Great Lakes and that the government shouldn’t have its “thumb on the scale” when it comes to renewable energy and electric vehicle credits. As for education, he said his view is that education decisions are best when they’re made locally by parents and communities.
Another issue of concern for people was what they called the cut in SNAP food benefits. Walberg countered that assistance has not been cut to those who meet the program requirements and the only so-called cuts have been in the areas of waste, fraud, and abuse.
Several of those attending the Town Hall questioned whether Walberg thinks for himself or just follows whatever the President says. “I think and vote for myself,” he said. “I was named the most bipartisan member of Congress in 2015. I work in a bipartisan manner when I can.”
“I have never lied that I am a conservative Republican,” he added. “I consider myself a Washingtonian. President Washington said we should have parties, but with the state of the current Democratic party, I don’t want to be part of that.”
One of the overarching issues that people came back to in their questions was their fear that the country is drifting toward authoritarianism, especially with the deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C.
“I can’t reduce your fears to your satisfaction,” Walberg said. “I am for federalism and local control … I will stand up to the administration if they cross the line in protecting citizens. Washington is a federal district that Congress and the President can control. The fact is that even those of us in Congress can’t walk the streets. If you’re opposed to having safe cities, I can’t help you.”
Walberg concluded by saying that he will continue to do Town Halls, both in person and remote, despite the threats that have been made against him and his family. “I represent this district proudly and will continue to do so,” he said. “We can disagree, but people need to realize this doesn’t happen in other countries.”