For the second Sunday in a row, protesters gathered in Hermantown outside the office of Congressman Pete Stauber on March 2.

Demonstrators lined an intersection of Highway 53 as before, holding signs and chanting slogans.

Many were there to voice their frustrations with Representative Stauber, after the House passed an initial budget plan, which critics say could cut funding for Medicare.

Several Minnesota State GOP lawmakers have expressed concern over these cuts. In February, 14 Republican members of the state legislature sent a letter to President Trump as well as Minnesota’s GOP congressional delegation warning what Medicare cuts would mean for the state, especially in rural communities.

“Healthcare is a major employer in rural Minnesota,” the letter said, “Reductions in already-too-low reimbursement rates would not only limit access but would also reduce pay and services, hugely impacting rural economies and the rapidly growing aging population in Greater Minnesota.”

It also warned that less federal funding would mean either a loss of services or “drastically” raising property taxes to make up the difference.

WDIO has reached out Rep. Stauber’s office for an official comment on the protest but have not yet received a response. Should one be given, it will be posted here.