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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know US Affairs/ Community News India Times (March 28, 2026 - April 3, 2026) April 3, 2026 5 Rep. Shri Thanedar Hosts Town Hall With Focus On Iran And ICE I ndian American Congressman from Michigan Shri Thanedar, an outspoken critic of the Iran war and ICE opera- tions in his state, held a Town Hall March 21, 2026, inviting constituents to air their views and get updates. Ques- tions from attendees went beyond Iran and ICE to healthcare, social security, and local amenities as well. “I had a great time hearing from constituents at my town hall this past Saturday! It was an honor to discuss every- day concerns with local Wayne County families and what I can do in Congress to address them. I want to thank everyone who came out to participate,” Thanedar said in an email blast. Here are some of the questions he got and the answers he provided: Q: Where does the money come from to pay for the daily cost of the war in Iran? It comes from our defense budget, which is supposed to be controlled by Congress, not the President. That’s why I will vote NO on any additional funding the President requests for the war in Iran. Q: What are some issues you see in common between different parts of the district, and what are some solutions to them? Access to housing, our aging sewer sys- tem, and issues relating to transportation and infrastructure are all faced by constit- uents across our district, which I’ve fought to address by securing federal funding for local projects to solve them. Q: How do we reduce funding allocated to military/ defense and transfer to health care, Medicaid, SSI, SNAP, ETC.? Congress has to pass a budget every year that reflects our country’s priorities. I believe we should redirect billions from our bloated defense spending over to pay for things at home like healthcare and food assistance, but we need 218 votes in Congress for that to pass. However, that is something I fight for every year. By a StaffWriter NY Comptroller Candidate Raj Goyle Arrested Protesting With Climate Activists In Albany I ndian American candidate for NY State Comptroller Raj Goyle was ar- rested March 25, 2026, afternoon by NewYork State Troopers outside the Attorney General’s Office in Albany. He was among more than a dozen climate advocates protesting Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal to what they consider a “roll back” of key provisions of the NewYork climate law. “I was just arrested in Albany. We can’t afford to dismantle our state climate law. The time to act is now. Thank you for standing in solidarity,” Goyle posted on X. Goyle was handcuffed inside the State Capitol after joining demonstrators calling on state leaders to uphold the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and reject proposed changes that some activists say would delay enforce- ment and weaken the state’s climate com- mitments. “The people of NewYork fought hard for this law, and we’re not going to let it be quietly dismantled to protect corpo- rate profits,” Goyle is quoted saying in a press release. “This is about whether the government works for people or for the industries that have delayed action for decades.” Goyle claimed he is the only candidate to pledge to divest from fossil fuels from day one, while also serving as a watchdog for utility rates and the expansion of data centers. “At a time when families are strug- gling with rising costs, the answer isn’t to weaken our climate law. It’s to take on the root of the problem, fight for climate justice, lower energy costs, and invest in a future that actually works for working people.” The Climate Leadership and Commu- nity Protection Act, passed in 2019, set some of the most ambitious emissions reduction targets in the country. Goyle joined a coalition of organiza- tions including Renewable Heat Now, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Bedford 2030, NY Communities for Change, NYPIRG at CCNY, NYC-DSA, Popular Democracy for Climate, Extinction Rebel- lion NYC, Climate Defiance, Food &Water Watch, Third Act, and Rise and Resist NY. Goyle is the founder of Phone Free NewYork and the former board chair of the 5BORO Institute, a public policy think tank in NewYork City. A former Kansas State lawmaker, Goyle has worked as a civil rights lawyer at the American Civil Liberties Union and was CEO and co-founder of Bodhala, a technology company which was acquired in 2021. By a StaffWriter PHOTO:SCREENSHOT FROMVIDEO PROVIDED BY GOYLE\S CAMPAIGN. PHOTO :@INDIAATUN,NYVIDEO GRAB Raj Goyle being arrested in Albany with other climate action advocates March 25, 2026. Raj Goyle arrested at protest in Albany. PHOTOS:OFFICE OF REP.THANEDAR Rep. Thanedar’s town hall where constituents have the opportunity to ask questions and voice their opinions to him at March 21, 2026 eveny. Rep. Thanedar greeting a constituent at his most recent town hall.