Upcoming congressional forum will allow residents to voice concerns on federal cuts

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — A statewide advocacy group is touring Louisiana cities and hosting congressional forums to address concerns about ongoing changes within the federal government. The group will host a public meeting for citizens to share their concerns this week.

10,000 Women Louisiana will join Indivisible North LA to welcome citizens for an open forum to discuss the rapid changes under the Trump Administration and cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency, Doge.

Melissa Flournoy is a Shreveport native and former state representative, now the board chair of 10,000 Women Louisiana. She said the organization was initially founded by mothers concerned about their children leaving the state to find better employment opportunities.

“We’re seeing our best and our brightest being lured away to other states,” Flournoy said.

She will travel back to Shreveport this week to host the public meeting, at which citizens will be able to ask questions of elected officials.

“People have a lot of concerns and our elected officials need to hear from the voters. So we really are trying to create an opportunity for people to come out and listen to what people are concerned about and share their concerns in a non-partisan, non-denominational way,” Flournoy said.

They will address the ongoing changes in Washington during the first 100 days of the Trump Administration and Doge’s major cuts.

“I think there’s a lack of transparency. There’s so many cuts and so much information that’s come out in this initial 100 days with cuts to major agencies, the Department of Education, cuts in health care, cuts to USAID. I just think there’s a lot of folks not really sure what’s going on. What we’re hearing is fear of cuts to Medicare and Social Security, and access to health care, and how cuts will affect education and higher ed, and universities. So the idea is for citizens to share their concerns then we report back to our elected officials,” Flournoy said.

The congressional forum will take place Thursday night from 6 to 8 p.m. at Grace Community Methodist Church, 9400 Ellerbe Road, Shreveport. You can register through the group’s Facebook page.