In a heartfelt address during her visit to Benton Harbor, Michigan, Senator Elissa Slotkin praised the young women from the local Boys & Girls Club who recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for programs at risk under proposed federal budget cuts.
Slotkin, who has now served as U.S. Senator for Michigan for seven months, credited the youth advocates for helping to organize her visit, noting that the very space in which she was speaking had been chosen because of their leadership. The senator’s remarks made clear that their advocacy left a lasting impression on her — and served as a powerful example of civic engagement.
“We are here tonight in this space is because those ladies came to Washington to lobby me for funding that’s being cut for or under threat of being cut by President Trump, particularly for the Boys and Girls Club.” Slotkin said, recalling their visit to her Senate office. She applauded the students for embodying the values of direct political participation and standing up for their community at a time when critical youth programs are under threat.
The students traveled to D.C. to push back against cuts to federal funding for youth development programs. The stakes are especially high in places like Benton Harbor, where these kinds of youth programs can make a massive difference in a young person’s life. The cuts proposed by Trump will jeopardize the stability of these services nationwide.
Slotkin’s remarks struck a balance between gratitude and urgency. She acknowledged the power of young constituents not only as participants but as leaders capable of influencing national policy. By naming the young women directly and thanking them in front of their peers and mentors, she reinforced a broader message: that advocacy matters, and that lawmakers are listening.
The senator also took a moment to address the crowd behind her — literally. Slotkin turned on the midwest charm and turned to people seated behind her on stage. She didn’t just make sure they could see her, she apologized for having her back to them. It’s a small gesture, but it shows the larger message that she’s bringing to the country – public service is about showing up and making sure no one is left behind.
Slotkin’s visit is part of a multi-day swing through southwest Michigan, but her decision to open with thanks to a group of local teen girls may be the most enduring takeaway. At a time of deep national division, she framed their advocacy not as partisan defiance but as proof of what young people can accomplish when they speak up — and are heard.
