Constituents visit Des Moines office and tell Rep. Nunn to ‘Fight for Iowa families’

Des Moines, Iowa – On Thursday Congressman Zach Nunn’s constituents visited his Des Moines office to deliver a ‘Hands Off!’ petition started by Food & Water Watch, with more than 400 signatures. 

The petition calls on Nunn to oppose the billionaire-led dismantling of the federal government, stop scapegoating vulnerable populations, and to oppose cuts to vital programs—including SNAP school lunches, and Medicaid—to pay for tax handouts for corporations and billionaires.

Evan Schultz, a peer support specialist at the Central Iowa Center for Independent Living in Des Moines, said he relies on Medicaid to have in-home health care for three hours in the morning and one hour at night, allowing him to live on his own. 

“Medicaid is the only thing that covers in-home long-term care, and that's for individuals with disabilities and individuals who are aging, at any income level. So individuals that are aging or individuals with disabilities who want to stay in their own home rely on Medicaid for that,” Schultz said. “I'm advocating for Medicaid sustainability so individuals of all disabilities and ages can stay in their own homes. With regard to cost, better to get four hours of care in my own home than 24-hour around-the-clock service in a nursing home. Plus, I'm able to enjoy my life and be involved. I would also like to put a plug in for home health aides and home care agencies.” 

The constituents’ request is simple: for Rep. Nunn to oppose cuts to safety net programs, as well as critical agencies that ensure clean water and safe food. Karen Maass, a retired physical therapist for children in public schools who went on to become a home health worker, was frustrated with the reasoning for massive cuts under consideration for safety net programs. 

“If our legislators try to cut Medicaid — which they're looking at because they want to fund more tax cuts to the wealthy — consider that Medicaid funds, what, 60% or so of care centers?” Maass said. “If legislators take all the social safety nets away, it won't matter if you have a little bit of money or you don't have a little bit of money.”

Terry Moore-Guzmán, a retired IT professional, said she is fed up with cuts to programs that hard working Iowans rely on.  

“‘Hands off’ Medicare, Social Security, and the VA,” Moore-Guzmán said. “I’m finally retired and I paid into these programs I need. My son is a veteran and uses services at the VA medical center in Des Moines. He joined the Air Force on 9/11, and was being sworn in the morning that the planes hit the towers. He’s had multiple deployments and worked in the Air Force Intelligence. I find it shameful: How could Rep. Nunn vote to cut programs that support people that need them?”

Constituents encouraged Rep. Nunn to oppose tariffs instead of doggedly backing them, protect SNAP, demand due process and stand up to Trump. Iowans have many questions for their Representatives.

“When will he hold a public town hall?" Polly Antonelli, a retired educator, said. “One that is publicized, open-to-the-public, and in a large venue. He needs to answer to us. He needs to hear us, not his hand-picked audiences that he has at his private events. He needs to hear the rest of us.”