By Lindsay Peyton

More than 500 individuals piled into the gymnasium at Evergreen High School on Saturday, July 8, to pose questions and voice their concerns to Senator Maria Cantwell. 

When the Democratic leader took the microphone, they erupted into applause. She waved and gave a thumbs-up to the crowd. 

Before opening the floor for questions, Cantwell started the event by asking the audience to take action. 

“If you have any free time, these are things you can help us with,” she said. 

First, she suggested sharing healthcare stories in support of the Affordable Care Act. 

Then, she asked the audience to sign a petition against the Federal Communications Commission’s move to slow down certain websites – and join the effort to preserve net neutrality. 

Cantwell also proposed fighting against President Trump’s effort to scale back federal lands. 

“They’re going to use this as an excuse for the current president – who is no Teddy Roosevelt – to roll back the Antiquities Act,” she said. “You can sign up now for commentary with the Interior Department.”

Cantwell also asked the crowd to support measures charging coal companies for use of federal lands – and to participate in a comment period now open. 

She also implored citizens to protect Bristol Bay, explaining that a recent reversal of President Obama’s policy by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) threatens the largest salmon estuary in the world. 

Most of the attendees at the town hall meeting asked questions about healthcare. 

“Will you support Medicare for All?” Julian Gantt asked. 

Cantwell said her focus is on stopping the current proposed healthcare bill. 

“Access to healthcare is a right,” she said. “You shouldn’t be in financial ruin in the U.S. just because you have a medical emergency.”

Cantwell said she will support efforts to provide affordable healthcare coverage for everyone. 

Gantt hopes she will join with Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal in the Medicare for All, universal healthcare overage effort. 

“To me, it’s a no-brainer,” he said. “We need to try to make sure Medicare is accessible to everyone in the U.S. Medicare is hugely popular with people all over the country. It’s a good system. Let’s just expand it. It’s the right, moral thing to do.”

Cantwell also answered questions on gun violence, affordable housing, military efforts, environmental concerns, immigration and energy policies. 

“We need to become as efficient as we possibly can,” Cantwell said. “I so believe in the renewable energy market.”

She also told the crowd that she believes Russia should be held accountable for its intrusion into U.S. election. 

“This interference cannot stand,” she said. “We need to have a very thorough investigation.”

The senator also promoted her proposed bill – created with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch Rep.-Utah – called the “Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act.”

Cantwell said the bill is part could help protect constituents against the rising cost of living. 

“This crisis is real,” she said. 

Cantwell is planning a number of town hall meetings around the state. For more information, visit www.cantwell.senate.gov.