Hundreds of people gathered together for the “Benefits Over Billionaires” town hall meeting with U.S. Representative Ro Khanna in Bakersfield on March 23. Bakersfield, located in District 22, was one of California districts that are currently held by Republicans. Which are currently represented by Republican lawmakers David Valadao (CA-22), Young Kim (CA-40), and Ken Calvert (CA-41).

Khanna led the town hall to urge leaders to be accountable to the people. He challenged Rep. Valadao, who represents California’s 22nd District, to meet with constituents and explain his votes, especially on Medicaid cuts.

“In America, leaders don’t hide,” Khanna said. “That’s why I’m here to listen and give voice to your concerns.”

“Benefits Over Billionaires” town hall in Bakersfield. 

Khanna criticized Republican plans to cut Medicaid by $880 billion. Two-thirds of residents in the 22nd district rely on Medi-Cal for health coverage, which is 67% of residents.

“People need to know that this budget gives tax breaks to the wealthiest while cutting healthcare for working families,” he said. “We just need three Republicans to show courage and stop these cuts.”

The 22nd District includes parts of Kern, Kings, and Tulare counties, including cities Bakersfield, Hanford, and Visalia.  

 “David Valadao is more loyal to Trump than his own constituents,” he said.

He also criticized Donald Trump and Elon Musk for backing policies that could cost veterans their jobs. “One-third of federal employees are veterans. What right do they have to call them unqualified?” 

“Benefits Over Billionaires” town hall in Bakersfield. 

Disability Rights Advocate German Cervantes also spoke at the town hall about how Medicaid has changed his life, providing coverage for things like physical exams, prescription glasses, dental care, and braces. 

Cervantes, who has autism, explained that Medicaid gave him the independence to pursue opportunities like joining a video game design program and working with nonprofits. He called on Congressman Valadao to increase funding for Medicaid, so others can have the same life-changing support.

“Congressman David Valadao, as your former intern, upgraded our resources, upgraded our Medicaid with extra funding and extra resources,” Cervantes said. 

A crowd of people at “Benefits Over Billionaires” town hall in Bakersfield. 

The town hall also featured Dr. Randy Villegas, a community organizer and educator, who shared his story of growing up in poverty in Bakersfield. He spoke about working to support his family and relying on programs like WIC and school meals. 

“My mother was one of the 40,000-plus women in this district who relied on programs like WIC to make sure we had baby formula to make sure I was fed and my siblings were fed,” he shared. 

Villegas criticized Republican proposals to cut funding for essential services like school meals and Medicaid, he said these cuts would hurt working families and increase medical debt.

“Two out of every three bankruptcies in the United States are tied to medical debt. That doesn’t happen in other countries around the world and it shouldn’t be happening here,” Villegas said. 

Dr. Randy Villegas, a community organizer and educator, speaking at the “Benefits Over Billionaires” town hall in Bakersfield. Villegas is asking the crowd to rise their hand if they or a loved one relies on programs like Medicaid, SNAP or WIC.

The event also had an open forum for community members where Khanna responded to community concerns about constitutional rights, economic inequality, and government accountability.

An attendee questioned why the government subsidizes corporations instead of helping people in need. Khanna agreed and criticized subsidies for Big Oil and Big Pharma while working families struggled with healthcare cuts. He called for taxing billionaires to support essential programs.

“If I, as the representative of the district with the most billionaires, can say we should tax them more, why is it so hard for the other 434 members of Congress?” he asked.

“Benefits Over Billionaires” town hall in Bakersfield. 

Jennifer, a local educator, voiced concerns about the lack of clear action steps from the Democratic Party.

Khanna agreed and suggested strategic organizing in districts and encouraging door-to-door campaigns and phone banks to spread the message about harmful Medicaid cuts.

Tony, a local resident,suggested that Democrats hold weekly press conferences to counter misinformation from conservative media. 

Khanna agreed and said, “Our messaging is too fragmented. We need a new generation of leaders to step up and deliver a clear, unified message.”

U.S. Representative Ro Khanna speaking at the “Benefits Over Billionaires” town hall in Bakersfield. 

Healthcare worker Shirley Toddman McNeese raised her concerns about Medicaid cuts, pointing out that both nursing home residents and their caregivers rely on the program for survival. “The majority of nursing home workers use Medi-Cal because they can’t afford their job’s insurance. What happens to the residents with no family if Medicaid is cut?”

“It’s a death sentence,” Khanna reposned.  He said the devastating impact of Medicaid cuts on vulnerable communities and pledged to fight to protect the program. “This isn’t politics. This is people’s lives,” he said.

Khanna also addressed a question from Betty Flint, a retired teacher, about the future of the U.S. education system. She raised concerns about unequal school funding and the need for better education to ensure all students graduate literate. 

Khanna agreed, pointing out that in his district, some schools spend $30,000 per student while others only spend $16,000, and said this needs to be fixed. He also mentioned the importance of teaching technology from an early age to prepare students for the future.

Khanna argued that cutting the Department of Education was both “morally wrong” and “stupid,” especially with growing global competition. He said investing in education is key to making America stronger in the 21st century.

Photo Gallery: Hundreds of people gathered together for the “Benefits Over Billionaires” town hall meeting with U.S. Representative Ro Khanna in Bakersfield, CA on March 23.