With a federal government shutdown in effect, leaders — including U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney (MD-District 6) and members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus — went on a tour in Germantown at the Upcounty Regional Services Center, a local one-stop shop for assistance with things like healthcare and food.
The Center continues to support residents during the shutdown. On Wednesday, MCM talked to a single mother who comes to the Upcounty Hub, located within the center. The Hub gives food and other essentials like diapers to residents in need.
Clarksburg mom Maryam Naz said the shutdown would be worse for her if not for the hub — “because this is the only source I’m getting this stuff.”
“We remain committed to working with our colleagues, to restore essential services, to reopen the government, and to rebuild the trust voters have placed in us,” McClain Delaney said during a press conference outside the services center. “And we cannot let this shutdown break us.”
“We saw and talked to people who are providing food assistance and distribution — fresh fruits and vegetables that keep families healthy — all here, and those are the kinds of services that are at stake with cuts to Medicaid,” said U.S. Rep. Nanette Barragán (CA-District 44).
“All of us who are in the government know we’ve got to make difficult choices sometime,” said County Executive Marc Elrich, “but I can tell you a choice that we don’t make… do I fund things that people need or do I give tax cuts to incredibly wealthy people.”
“As we know the saying, that how a society treats those who are most vulnerable is a sign of that society and that community,” County Council President Kate Stewart said. “And here in Montgomery County we treat people with respect and dignity, every single person, and provide those services. And we are going to continue to do that with the wonderful partnership we have at the federal and state level and we are going to push back on all of these cuts.”
