PHOENIXVILLE–U.S. Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan took constituents on a rollicking, vast and informative ride over the past year and a look into the future, for her seventh “State of the Sixth,” address, at the Colonial Theater, on Monday evening.
About 500 residents of Chester and parts of Berks counties packed the theater and heard Houlahan talk about what she said are “difficult and dividing times for the community”—those in her 6th Congressional District.
The Congresswoman said she chose to not talk politics so much, but policy, during a time when she said, “long-standing checks and balances are really being tested as I’ve never seen before.”
Several times she discussed President Donald Trump, the acts of Congress and the “Big Beautiful Bill” (BBB) as things last year that caused changes, while highlighting both the good and the bad.
She gave an hour-long slide presentation featuring about a dozen alphabetized categories–from Agriculture to Housing to Veterans, and then answered audience questions for 30 minutes.
Houlahan started off by talking about ICE intervention and immigration, which has been a hot topic recently in Phoenixville, with well-publicized arrests.
“No family should have to live in fear,” the Congresswoman said.
She then said she has full confidence in Phoenixville Mayor Peter Urscheler and Phoenixville police officers, state Representatives Chris Pielli and Paul Friel, Chester County Commissioners and all 100 local police organizations in the county.
When speaking about agriculture, the U.S. Rep talked about how $1.86 billion “draconian” budget cuts to the SNAP program have hurt both individuals and farmers.
She said that thankfully some projected USDA funding cuts were stopped thanks to pushback and lawsuits
Houlahan suggested some concerns of farmers could be addressed: Fix the immigration system and expand visas; protect SNAP programs; not punish those with disabilities; and protect smaller farmers.
When talking about energy, the Congresswoman received a round of applause when she said that climate change is real. She suggested a bigger push for solar energy production and energy independence, which the BBB has limited.
With housing, everyone obviously needs a roof over their head. Houlahan noted that Trump fired almost half of the HUD workforce. She noted that Berks and Chester counties are some of the few places experiencing growth.
“We should expand access and affordability for everyone by supporting HUD, first time buyers, keeping people in existing homes, focusing on homelessness and increasing the housing supply.”
Healthcare has become more expensive with BBB and Trump.
“We can protect healthcare by not letting subsidies lapse, lowering prescription costs, investing in healthcare workers and supporting the 988 mental health help line.”
Houlahan quoted her folks on education, “Your education is literally the only thing that can’t be taken away from you.”
She said that dismantling the Department of Education is unconstitutional.
“We need to invest in our children,” she said. “We are not doing enough of that.”
When talking about the economy, she called for more workforce ownership of companies and a raise of the minimum wage, which would be the first time since 2009.
She also said that tariffs have cost the average family from $1,100 to $2,400 in one year.
When talking about national security, Houlahan called for the firing of Pete Hegseth.
The veteran and congresswoman said we should keep supporting our service men and women and continue to modernize the military. Recent 15 percent pay raises are a good thing.
“We want to make sure that every person who wants to serve our country can and does,” she said.
Foreign policy was a major topic of discussion. Wars are won before they are fought and the “D” stands for Defense, she said.
“Chaos is our current policy,” she said. “Brute force is our current policy.
“Support diplomacy.”
Houlahan also said that three quarters of the members of Congress support Ukraine but that will never come to a vote, because of the way the system is structured.
With immigration, “There is always room for more…people who come here with something to offer.”
When talking about veterans, she noted the many cuts to services.
“Honor veteran’s service, not just on Veterans Day.”
Mayor Urscheler chose audience questions for Houlahan to answer.
The first concerned data centers which the congresswoman said that we should make sure the data centers are paying their fair share.
Houlahan favors more tax credit for the manufacturing of solar energy through a bi-partisan approach.
She said we are in a “very bad place” concerning the Doomsday Clock and a possible nuclear conflict and is not in favor of total disarmament.
The congresswoman is very worried about election security and said that some of the Trump plans at the federal level are unconstitutional and “none of it makes a lot of sense.”
Like several matters, she said we should contact and press our two senators into positive action. With immigration, detention centers might be handled on state, local and hyper local levels and it might be a private matter.
Houlahan closed by saying that the 6th District is an important part of the country and to keep the conversations open.
“Take care of yourself and find something that gives you a purpose,” she said. “Try to focus on what we can focus on that we have in common.
“Our democracy doesn’t just run on its own. It requires participation. It requires courage.
“Fear can’t paralyze us. Please continue to stay informed.”
She then quoted Ben Franklin.
“It’s a Republic, if we can keep it.”