By PAUL FREIBERGER
Special to the Bulletin
Congressman Josh Harder, D-Tracy, (CA-9) addressed approximately 40 members and guests of the Manteca Democratic Club at its monthly meeting on May 27, focusing on the challenges facing San Joaquin County and outlining his priorities for the months ahead.
Harder discussed the healthcare crisis, corruption in the Trump administration, and the path to flipping the House in the upcoming November elections.
“It was encouraging to hear the Congressman's optimism about our future and his clear agenda for how we can recover from the corruption and challenges of this administration," said Don Claus, President of the Manteca Democratic Club. "Our members left feeling energized and ready to do the work ahead.”
Healthcare cuts hit home
Harder called the cuts to Medi-Cal "probably the biggest under-the-radar story" of the moment. He noted that half of Manteca residents are on Medi-Cal and warned that the cuts will result in 50,000 San Joaquin County residents losing health insurance. Approximately 1,000 doctors and nurses could be laid off locally, he said.
"If you go on Covered California today, it is twice as expensive to buy health insurance as it was a year ago," Harder said. “Even if you're not on Medicare, it's going to affect your healthcare coverage as well if we have more crowded emergency rooms and overstretched hospitals.”
Harder said that he has been working with St. Joseph's Medical Center and the University of the Pacific to establish a new medical school in Stockton, the first in the region, to train doctors who will stay and serve the community.
Local projects defunded
Harder highlighted two local projects that lost federal funding due to what he characterized as political retaliation against California: a $50 million hydrogen energy plant in Lodi that would have lowered PG&E electricity rates, and more than $100 million for San Joaquin County levee construction.
“Many of the homes in Manteca are in a flood zone," Harder said. "They took a hundred million dollars that had been granted to San Joaquin County to build more levees away from us."’
Corruption and accountability
Harder called the current administration "the most corrupt on record" and pointed to a proposed $1.8 billion settlement with the IRS that he characterized as a "slush fund" for Trump administration allies. He emphasized that flipping the House would enable subpoena power and investigations to expose the full extent of financial misconduct.
"I do not believe any American supports the blatant corruption that this administration has engaged in," Harder said.
A message of hope
Harder observed that voters feel betrayed by high prices, Middle East conflicts, and ongoing corruption.
"He has betrayed America on all three," Harder said.
Harder outlined a Democratic Party agenda focusing on: lowering costs, fixing healthcare, and ending corruption. He stressed the importance of not just opposing the administration but offering an affirmative vision.
"The only way we're long-term beneficiaries is if we actually have a governance agenda that's going to fix these problems," he said.
Harder praised the Manteca Democratic Club for its growth and engagement, and took questions from attendees on topics including PG&E rates, immigration policy, and state efforts to offset federal cuts.
Manteca Mayor Gary Singh and Manteca Councilman Mike Morowit were also in attendance at the meeting.
