Ridgefield Resistance Hosts Jim Himes

Congressman Jim Himes was the guest speaker at Ridgefield Resistance's (RR) meeting on May 4 at St. Stephen's Church in Ridgefield. RR members came prepared with10 comprehensive questions covering his vote to extend Section 702 (about warrantless surveillance); the Trump administration's corruption; his confidence in the intelligence community given the political appointees heading these agencies; the resilience of checks and balances; how to fight the massive detention centers designed to warehouse human beings; controlling ICE; plans to ensure that leaders who uphold the rule of law prevail in the midterms; protecting voting from DHS and military encroachment; Supreme Court reform, and racial justice.

RR had not provided the questions in advance, but Himes was fully conversant with the issues. Most members were largely supportive of his approach, including those with heightened concerns about Section 702.

Himes then opened the floor to spontaneous questions during his nearly hour-long visit. On the farm bill, he admitted it left him "on thin ice" — not an area of focus — but he addressed it well. Another member asked about democracy vouchers, a program active in Seattle for ten years designed to increase civic engagement. Himes said he was not familiar with the program and would look into it.