Republicans are reportedly holding fewer town hall events during their Congressional recess amid protests over President Trump and issues like health care.
Republicans in Congress are reportedly shying away from in-person town hall meetings with constituents amid growing protests over President Trump’s policies.
According to a Vice News report on data by Legistorm, 292 Republican lawmakers have just 88 of such events scheduled during a two-month period this year compared to 222 from the same time frame in 2015.
The site also points out that nearly half--or 35--of the sessions set for early 2017 are for one Wisconsin representative, Jim Sensenbrenner.
NPR reports that Republicans including Jason Chaffetz of Utah and Diane Black of Tennessee have recently held such in-person events, but they faced vocal crowds who expressed frustrations over health care and other policies.
Meanwhile, some representatives such as Lee Zeldin of New York and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee have reportedly canceled or distanced themselves from previously scheduled appearances, notes CNN.
Vice News says that conservative lawmakers are instead “opting for more controlled Facebook Live or ‘tele-town halls,’ where questions can be screened by press secretaries and followups are limited.”
While some Republicans have blamed the chaos on people they allege have been paid to disrupt the events, liberal groups claim they are simply providing the public with outreach information like the Tea party has done in the past.
