Central Florida Democrats protest federal budget cuts

Democrats in Central Florida are expressing strong anger over federal budget cuts led by President Donald Trump. They are especially worried about the future of Social Security and other essential federal programs. Following the November elections, Democrats have started to protest more actively. They are rallying at congressional offices and holding events even in traditionally Republican areas. One recent event in Winter Springs drew over 150 people who were frustrated that U.S. Rep. Cory Mills, a Republican, did not attend to answer their questions. At the Winter Springs event, organizers set an empty chair on the stage to represent Mills, accompanied by a photo and signs suggesting he was afraid to engage with constituents. In addition, about 300 people participated in a "Save Social Security" rally in the nearby community known as The Villages, where many seniors expressed concern about cuts to their benefits. Local Democrats say they want to raise awareness about the impact of federal spending cuts and hold Republican lawmakers accountable. They are eager for face-to-face debates with GOP officials, accusing them of hiding from tough questions. The group Indivisible planned these rallies and is organizing similar events in the coming weeks. In some cases, GOP congressmen have faced confrontational town halls, with angry constituents demanding answers about cuts to federal programs. To manage this backlash, some Republicans have turned to virtual town halls to avoid in-person confrontations. The debates over spending cuts are becoming more heated as seniors and others worry about the potential loss of benefits. Many believe cuts to Social Security could severely impact their lives, with some attendees of recent rallies stressing that these changes would hurt not just Democrats, but Republicans as well. Amid the growing unrest, local Democratic leaders are determined to keep the pressure on their representatives, hoping to influence future decisions on federal spending and social programs.