U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, spent a couple hours in St. John Monday night, answering voter questions about the war with Iran, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the upcoming election.
During the community conversation, Mrvan explained why it’s important for him to meet with constituents.
“I do my very best to absorb it and move forward,” Mrvan said. “Never give up hope that our government isn’t about engagement and civil activity, meaning being involved. Never, ever give up hope on that.”
Mrvan hosted two community conversations in Northwest Indiana Monday. The first was at 2 p.m. at Chesterton Town Hall, and the second was at 5:30 p.m. at the VFW Auxiliary Post in St. John.
“He’s discussing issues that affect our nation, our state and Indiana’s first congressional district,” said Mark Lopez, Mrvan’s senior advisor.
Lopez directed residents to write questions down on cards, which he read off to Mrvan during the meeting. After Mrvan answered those, he had about half an hour to take additional questions from audience members.
At the St. John conversation, Mrvan started his talk by giving his background and moved to speaking on the U.S. war with Iran, which started after President Donald Trump launched a Feb. 28 “surprise attack” on the country, according to the Associated Press. The attack, launched in partnership with Israeli leadership, killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of other senior figures.
Mrvan told constituents Monday night that these “are trying times,” adding that he voted for a war powers resolution, which would give lawmakers an opportunity to demand congressional approval before any further attacks are carried out. The Trump administration was unable to say what immediate threat Iran posed, which was a concern to Mrvan, he said.
Mrvan wants to know the administration’s plan and goals before soldiers are sent to fight, he said.
“My authority is to make sure that, as a member of Congress, before we send men and women into conflict, I have a full understanding of what is the end game, how do you define success, what is going to be in humanity, and what is the mission,” Mrvan said. “I think it’s vitally important to understand where Iran’s nuclear facilities are, who’s in control of them, who is protecting them, what the government will look like, and if there will be boots on the ground.”
The congressman also expressed how important he believes veterans are to the U.S., saying that he voted for funding and expansion of the PACT Act, which helps provide Veterans Affairs health care and benefits to those exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances.
Mrvan answered multiple questions related to ICE and U.S. Department of Homeland Security funding, which he said he didn’t vote for. Mrvan also didn’t support a $220 million advertisement former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem released before she was fired from the role, and he’s concerned about the department’s funding going forward.
Mrvan told voters that he supports secure and closed borders, but he wants ICE agents to act in a humane way.
“I want to make sure that we have accountable actions from ICE and border patrol,” he said. “Specifically, what I’m asking for is making sure there are body cameras if you are not on a secret mission or secure mission. They should remove their masks, have identification as far as their name or badge number, and have to wear body cameras.”
The congressman also addressed concerns with the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE America Act, which would require Americans to prove they are citizens when they register to vote, mostly through a valid U.S. passport or birth certificate. It would also require valid photo identification before voters cast ballots, according to Post-Tribune archives.
Mrvan doesn’t support the legislation and told attendees that Indiana has some of the safest voting practices in the country, including by requiring identification to vote. The SAVE America Act suppresses people’s votes, he said.
Even as worries about election security and federal takeover arise, Mrvan said he believes things will be fine.
“These are trying times, so I want to be careful,” Mrvan said. “I am an optimist, and I believe in our democracy through and through. … I understand that we have a lot of things going on, and a lot of measures that look like it’s not a democracy. But the fact of the matter is when it comes to the election, we will hold an election, and elections have consequences.”
