Trahan, Moulton Tell Local Business Audience Trump Tactics Should Worry Both Parties

Congressional Reps. Seth Moulton and Lori Trahan, both Democrats, argued the Trump administration’s slashing of already-approved Congressional spending in the name of fraud, waste and abuse; illegal layoffs of federal employees; and an unprovoked verbal attack on the president of Ukraine by the president of the United States should worry Republicans as well as Democrats in a joint appearance yesterday at the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Congressional Breakfast.

Trahan represents Massachusetts 3rd Congressional District, which includes Haverhill and Methuen. Moulton represents Massachusetts 6th Congressional District, which includes Groveland.

Moulton said, “It shouldn’t matter what your politics are. We all should be on the side of freedom. We should all be on the side of democracy. We should all know who our friends and enemies are.”

A veteran of the United States Marines, Moulton said he believes Trump administration policies are scaring Americans needlessly and leaving an opening for the enemies of Democracy to undermine 250 years of American history and values. Trahan, a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, spoke at length on the impact she believed cuts in federal spending, including Medicaid, would have on her district and more specifically on the three hospitals in the Merrimack Valley—Lawrence General, Holy Family Haverhill and Holy Family Methuen, which recently merged into one healthcare system.

“Without adequate funding, they are going to face staffing shortages, reduced services and financial strains, and could force closures,” Trahan said.

The annual event, held this year at Michael’s Function Hall in Haverhill, is a chance for local business leaders to hear directly from their Congressional legislators about their priorities as well as to an opportunity to share their concerns and business successes with their Washington representatives, said Chamber President Michael Bevilacqua in introducing the event.

Moulton, who is a member of the Congressional Committee on Armed Services, said keeping

America safe is his biggest priority. He said in his opinion the tact that President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance took in their meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky three days earlier to discuss a cease fire with Russia ended up making Americans less secure

“No one wants this war to drag on forever. But you don’t end it by selling out our friends, putting them in the worse possible negotiating position and defending a dictator,” Moulton said.

Both representatives said they recognized their own party needed an overhaul, that Democrats had, in Moulton’s words, “fumbled” the last election.

Nancy Gardella, the executive director of the North of Boston Visitors and Convention Bureau, asked whether there was any chance the Trump Administration would reverse its planned 25% tariffs on Canadian goods as one response by our northern neighbors has been to cancel planned vacations to the North Shore. Gardella said Canadians represent 12% of the region’s tourists and noted that tourism is the third largest industry in Massachusetts.

Moulton said flatly, “I would look to other markets because a lot of Canadians are not coming.”

While both representatives lamented the chaotic atmosphere the Trump administration has brought to Washington, they pledged to continue working hard for the American people regardless of party affiliation. Trahan said she is urging their constituents to contact each of their offices with their specific stories about how Trump administration policies have impacted their lives.

“You deserve a government that works for you,” Trahan said.

U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan at the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Annual Congressional Breakfast. (WHAV News photograph.)

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton at the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Annual Congressional Breakfast. (WHAV News photograph.)