Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick understands the mood of her district.

“The people are mad as hell,” she said at a town hall at The Pride Center in Wilton Manors.

The Dolphin Democrats hosted the event, giving people a chance to connect with their congressperson and ask questions. The meeting came as she was headed back to Washington for debates and votes on the Republican budget.

Topics ranged from cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid to immigration fears and discussed the Trump administration laying the groundwork to deport Americans.

“This world isn’t safe for a lot of us, and I understand this.”

Many of Trump’s constitutionally-questionable policies are implemented through executive orders, and Cherfilus-McCormick has joined myriad lawsuits to stop them in the courts.

“Half of all this stuff is not legal. It’s not authorized by law or Congress.”

The budget bill is perilous for many. The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” – as it's known – is making its way through the House of Representatives. It cleared a major hurdle on Sunday evening, but its eventual fate is still uncertain.

“What this budget does is screw us,” she said.

But it’s also an opportunity to put Republicans on record. Do they truly support gutting social safety nets? She says this week will be telling.

She also addressed the fears of the LGBTQ community.

“It’s the demonization. Look at what they’re doing in the LGBTQ in the military. Stripping all the healthcare and regular benefits are being cut. Banning books. Research being cut and funding clinics ... reducing cultural competency.”

“When they say ‘Make America Great Again,’ it doesn’t include any of us in here.”