Constituents press senators on SNAP cuts, heat and smoke protections, and seasonal firefighter benefits

Constituents at the town hall raised questions about nutrition assistance, protections for agricultural and wildfire workers, and benefits for seasonal firefighters.

Eddie Melendres, a community organizer, said nearly 70% of his county’s residents rely on SNAP and Medicaid and asked how senators would restore broad SNAP access, protect immigrant community members and expand benefits for seasonal wildland firefighters. Senator Merkley called recent federal changes to nutrition and Medicaid ‘‘a big ugly betrayal’’ that added red tape and said Democrats will try to reverse those provisions. He described bills he has introduced to protect field workers from heat and smoke by ensuring water and the ability to stop work in hazardous conditions.

On firefighters, Merkley said he supports enabling firefighters to work year round — including forest management, prescribed burns and thinning — to retain skills and keep pay competitive. He credited tribal approaches and forest management strategies for helping prevent catastrophic summer fires, and supported higher pay to retain skilled crews.

Why it matters: Constituents described ripple effects from SNAP restrictions on local stores and household stability. Senators said legislative and oversight tools can help restore benefits and provide workplace protections but cautioned that enactment requires congressional action and funding.

Next steps: Senators said they will pursue legislation and amendments on worker protections and nutrition program reversals; no statutory text or funding totals were provided during the town hall.