Photo: House.gov
Rep. Mike Haridopolos, a freshman U.S. Congressman from Florida’s District 8, recently hosted a town hall via teleconference, addressing a wide range of constituent concerns, from government waste to border security, healthcare, and national security. Haridopolas’s district encompasses the Florida Space Coast from Titusville to Vero Beach. The Town Hall was largely centered on the role of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), economic policies, and federal workforce reductions. Florida Media Now attended the call.
DOGE
Haridopolo clarified to the conference attendees DOGE’s role, calling its employees government workers with security clearances. Haridoolas credited the department with uncovering billions in waste and fraud, though he acknowledged that mistakes can sometimes occur. One caller questioned the lack of transparency regarding DOGE’s findings, prompting Haridopolos to direct constituents to the agency’s website for proof.
Federal Job Cuts
Photo: House.gov
Concerns about the federal workforce and spending cuts were also prominent. relatively high number of space coast employees are federal workers, with NASA being one of the region’s largest employers. While Haridopolos lamented recent job losses among newly hired federal workers, he emphasized the necessity of budget cuts to address the national deficit. He pointed out that many federal employees are protected by unions, making it a lengthy process to reduce the workforce.
In response to a caller’s suggestion that reductions should happen over four years rather than abruptly, Haridopolos stated that there wasn’t that much time, noting that former President Trump’s buyout offer led 75,000 workers to leave voluntarily.
Illegal Immigration
On the topic of national security, one caller raised concerns about migrants being held at Guantanamo Bay, to which Haridopolos objected to the term “migrants,” instead referring to them as individuals who entered the country illegally. Another caller questioned why officials in sanctuary cities were not being held accountable for what he saw as subversion of federal laws. Haridopolos generally agreed, citing violent acts committed by illegal immigrants.
Tax Cuts
Several constituents voiced concerns about economic policies, including tax cuts for the wealthy and pharmaceutical manufacturing. One caller argued that tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires did not make sense given the deficit, but Haridopolos contended that such cuts benefit the middle class the most. On pharmaceutical manufacturing, a caller proposed bringing production to Florida to reduce dependence on overseas suppliers, a suggestion Haridopolos supported.
Voting Rights
source: Wikimedia
The discussion also touched on voting rights, with one caller asking about Haridopolos’ stance on the SAVE Act, which would restrict voting rights to U.S. citizens, excluding green card holders and other non-citizens. Haridopolos voiced his support for the act and agreed with the caller’s concerns regarding mail-in voting, though he noted that ID requirements for mail-in ballots are already in place.
Social Issues
Concerns about government overreach also surfaced during the call. A caller criticized book bans and restrictions on reproductive rights, arguing that personal liberties were being eroded. Haridopolos responded that he supports individual rights but believes they should not infringe on others. He cited his role in ensuring that transgender girls (whom he referred to as “boys”) do not compete in girls’ sports, aligning with his broader stance on meritocracy.
Healthcare
Healthcare issues were another major topic. One caller raised concerns about rising healthcare costs despite reduced services, blaming insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Haridopolos agreed, citing cases of fraud, including an unnamed company (widely speculated to be United Healthcare). He emphasized that government intervention is needed to address these issues, adding that Medicaid’s free services contribute to increased costs for others. Another caller asked about funding for Alzheimer’s research, which Haridopolos acknowledged as a vital priority.
Foreign Policy
Foreign policy was briefly discussed, with one caller questioning the U.S.’s shifting stance on NATO and Ukraine. Haridopolos called the war in Ukraine a tragedy with mass casualties on both sides, pointing out the billions in aid already provided. He argued that wars must eventually come to an end and credited Trump for pushing toward that resolution. He also criticized Europe for not contributing its fair share, stating that the U.S. is no longer in a post-World War II era where such support is necessary.
“Chemtrails”
For the conspiracy theorists among us, the town hall also included some unconventional concerns, including one caller’s question about “chemtrails” and their alleged presence in Arizona’s skies. Haridopolos said he would look into the issue, drawing a comparison to concerns over drone activity from months prior. He suggested that if chemtrails existed and were not harmful, authorities should be transparent about them.
Green Energy
The final question of the town hall addressed green energy. Haridopolos expressed support for an “all of the above” approach, advocating for the use of both fossil fuels and renewable energy. He spoke at length about the benefits of fossil fuels and criticized China and India for contributing more to global carbon emissions while not adhering to the same environmental regulations as the U.S.
As the hour-long town hall concluded, Haridopolos informed attendees that he needed to return to the House floor to cast a vote, wrapping up a session that provided insight into his priorities and legislative efforts. Later, on Facebook, Rep. Haridopolis posted, “Thank you to everyone who joined my first Telephone Town Hall!”
If you would like to reach Representative Haridopolis, you can do so at the following:
