Aug 17, 2011
Back at Home: House Republicans Face Angry Constituents During Accountability August
It’s not a pretty picture for House Republicans back at home. From town hall meetings to protests at their office, voters are once again outraged that House Republicans chose to protect Millionaires and Big Oil instead of protecting Medicare during the debt ceiling debate.
Take a look for yourself.
MI-01/2: With Congress on break, constituents vent about debt deal [Detroit Free Press]
Back at home in their districts, Michigan's members of Congress are expecting -- or already getting -- an earful from voters. "No one's been throwing me a birthday party," said Huizenga, who is holding a town hall meeting tonight at the Grand Haven Community Center. [… ] Two years ago, anger about health care reform helped turn the 2010 elections into a Republican rout. Now, some voters want to know why their new Republican representatives -- Huizenga in western Michigan and Dan Benishek in the Upper Peninsula -- supported a debt ceiling deal they believe paves the way for future government spending, even though it calls for cuts. [Detroit Free Press, 8/10/11]
NY-19: Protesters decry Hayworth's vote on budget, Medicare [The Journal News]
“Epstein said she showed up at an afternoon rally Monday outside Rep. Nan Hayworth's office here to protest the congresswoman's support for a Republican budget proposal she says puts Medicare in jeopardy. ‘People under 55, she just threw them under the bus,’ Epstein, a retiree from Somers, said. ‘She didn't say that, but I'm reading between the lines. I'm afraid for my children and grandchildren.’ […] ‘I'm really concerned that Nan Hayworth and her Republican colleagues believe we should be balancing the budget on the backs of the people who can least afford it,’ said Mel Tanzman of Mohegan Lake. […] ‘We want them held accountable for what they voted for, which in the case of Nan Hayworth is she wanted to make Medicare into a voucher system,’ said Joe Mayhew.” [The Journal News, 8/9/11]
NH-01: Constituents blast Rep. Guinta over debt ceiling [Union Leader]
“U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta met with a raucous crowd yesterday at the Dover Senior Center, where constituents sounded off on everything from Medicare to subsidies for oil companies to the raising of the debt ceiling. […] One major point of contention was Medicare […] In April, Guinta voted in favor of a Republican budget that would change the system so that those participating in Medicare would select what type of coverage they want. Carole Appel, of Dover, blasted the change, saying it would essentially privatize Medicare.” [Union Leader, 8/9/11]
NE-01: Nebraskans voice economy worries [Omaha World Herald]
“If the overflow crowd of an estimated 150 people provided a barometer of the electorate just a week after Congress narrowly averted a government default, the voters are angry, fearful and skeptical. And they're not afraid to let their elected officials know it. […] More than a few in the audience said that right now, some Americans feel the pain more than others. Loopholes and tax breaks that allow the wealthy and corporations to avoid paying taxes were prime targets.” [Omaha World Herald, 8/9/11]
NH-01: Granite State seniors unimpressed with Guinta's vote on debt and budget deal [Fosters Daily Democrat]
“As discussions turned to the recent debt and budget decision, those present spoke up, saying Guinta and other lawmakers had made a mistake. […] However, some in the crowd said they did not feel many lawmakers were looking out for the people's interests.” [Fosters Daily Democrat, 8/9/11]
CO-04: Voters voice anger at Cory Gardner town hall meeting [The Coloradoan]
“The audience sometimes directed its frustration at Gardner, particularly when Democrats thought he was evading questions. Bob Massaro, a Fort Collins Democrat, asked Gardner to explain why he believed tax cuts stimulated economic development when job growth was far higher under Bill Clinton than George W. Bush, despite Bush's tax cuts in 2001 and 2003. […] When Massaro pressed the question again, Gardner did not directly answer.” [The Coloradoan, 8/8/11]
NY-13: Demonstrators rally outside Rep. Michael Grimm's New Dorp office [Staten Island Live]
“A large number of protesters gathered outside Rep. Michael Grimm's New Dorp office this afternoon, expressing their disappointment in the Republican's vote on the debt ceiling. Approximately 75 demonstrators took part, chanting and holding signs that read ‘Where are the jobs?’ and ‘Restore the American Promise.’ Protesters lined up across the street from Grimm's 265 New Dorp Lane office.” [Staten Island Live, 8/8/11]
CO-04: Constituents let Gardner hear it in Loveland town hall meeting [Denver Post]
“About 300 or so packed a conference room at American Eagle Distributing this morning, with many having sharp comments either for or against the freshman congressman. Some accused Gardner of attacking Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid while cozying up to corporations and huge oil companies during his first year in Congress. […] Sean Risatti, who described himself as an independent voter, said he was generally pleased that Congress was trying to attack the national debt, but he said Gardner was too easy on big business. ‘Not one person came for closing corporate tax loopholes. How could you not suggest that?’ Risatti said.” [Denver Post, 8/8/11]
NE-01: Fortenberry town hall packs them in [Journal Star]
An overflow crowd of more than 200 people showed up near the dinner hour to question and engage Rep. Jeff Fortenberry about the size of government, spending reductions and the role revenue should play in eliminating budget deficits and reducing the national debt. […] Confronted by one questioner who said he's ‘the biggest spender’ in Nebraska's congressional delegation, Fortenberry said he's ready to ‘put my budgeting credentials on the table.’” [Journal Star, 8/8/11]
NH-01: Guinta gets earful on debt [Concord Monitor]
“The people who crowded into Hooksett Public Library last night to hear from U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta applauded when a man said he was disappointed with the debt ceiling agreement because it cut too little spending. They applauded too when another man said lawmakers shouldn't have settled spending "on the backs" of the poor and middle class. […] Charles Balban, to tell Guinta that even if his own benefits were safe he worried his son and grandchildren would earn less than he did. Balban said he was concerned about the deficit but felt the wealthy should pay more. ‘Why is it once again on the backs of the American people, the middle class and the poor, when we've already been taken advantage of,’ he said. [Concord Monitor, 8/5/11]
AR-02: At Town Halls, Griffin Grilled by Both Sides [Arkansas Democrat Gazette]
“U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin got an earful Thursday from both sides of the political divide in the 2nd Congressional District during town-hall meetings […] ‘We are your employers, and you need to spend time listening to us,’ said Curtis Rose, a Faulkner County Tea Party member. […] ‘What about bringing in revenue to alleviate the problem?’ asked Cornelius Roberts of Little Rock. ‘The House wastes time sending stuff to the Senate, no way in the world it’s going to pass.’ [Arkansas Democrat Gazette, 8/5/11]
NH-01: Guinta Under Fire After Debt Ceiling Vote [WMUR]
“Several members tea party activists voiced their disapproval with Guinta's vote both during and after the meeting. […] Democrats pressed the congressman on labor issues, tax policy, and the environment, but they too took issue with his debt ceiling vote. ‘They set up this super committee of just 12 people who will be free, if they can agree, to make any cuts at all, whatsoever, to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid,’ said Terry Lochhead, of the N.H. Alliance for Retired Americans.” [WMUR, 8/4/11]
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