Republicans Face Angry Constituents
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Some GOP House representatives have taken a beating at town halls during the current House recess. Questions have focused largely on health care, though constituents have also asked questions about campaign finance, the president’s tax returns, government funding and a host of other issues. Here’s a round-up of key moments in some of the town halls this week.
Tom MacArthur, Willingboro, NJ
Rep. MacArthur co-authored the amendment that prompted many Republicans who otherwise would have opposed the GOP health care legislation to vote yes. He hosted a town hall that ran near to five hours. Many attendees, including a variety of local politicians, queried him extensively about health care. He was booed repeatedly during his responses. Watch:
MacArthur also fielded questions on the president’s tax returns. Constituents were angry at his votes against forcing the president to disclose his tax returns. MacArthur pushed back.
Rod Blum, Dubuque, IA
Rep. Rod Blum has had one of the more memorable moments of the recess during his town hall. A constituent questioned him whether he really represented his constituents if he accepted campaign contributions from outside the district. Blum’s response, that the town hall was an "official congressional event" and campaign finance is “politics” drew jeers from the crowd.
Raul Labrador, Meridian, ID
Rep. Raul Labrador proclaimed, "No one dies because they don’t have access to health care." The emergency room nurse asking him questions disagreed, and so did most of the audience.
Dave Brat, Richmond, VA
Rep. Dave Brat’s town hall in Richmond got off to a rocky and contentious start. At just three minutes in the local GOP representative to the Virginia House, Amanda Chase, threatened to have vocal audience members removed by security.
Later, amidst vocal opposition, Brat addressed government funding. He spoke out against the use of continuing resolutions, saying that congress should be voting on "full budgets".
Tom Reed, Hinsdale, NY
Rep. Tom Reed, like Rod Blum in Iowa, was questioned about who he’s actually representing by supporting the GOP health care plan. A constituent pointed to a recent poll that showed only 17% of the American public supported the law. In his response, Reed side-stepped and moved on.
Democratic House members will also hold town halls this week. We’ll do a round-up of those meetings next.
Did you attend a town hall this week? What are your questions for your reps? Use the Take Action button to let them know!
— Asha Sanaker
(Photo Credit: Steve Depolo via Flickr / Creative Commons)
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