Lawmakers eschew town hall meetings
Sixty percent of House lawmakers across the county – and all but one in Maryland – are forgoing town hall-style meetings with constituents during the August recess period, according to a review released Monday by the nonpartisan group No Labels.
The group, founded by Democratic and Republican centrists, surveyed individual offices on Capitol Hill. The only member of Maryland’s delegation actively holding town hall meetings is Rep. Andy Harris. The Baltimore County Republican announced another meeting in Fruitland, Md., for Tuesday.
“Washington must hear from all Americans, not a handpicked few who (pass) a partisan litmus test or can afford to donate,” said William Galston, a co-founder of the group and a former advisor to President Bill Clinton. “Our concern is that elected officials are only hearing from their respective partisan bases and will not expose themselves to criticism.”
The number of town hall meetings scheduled by lawmakers dropped precipitously after the summer of 2009, when voters who were upset about health care legislation turned out in droves. The response forced the then-Democratic majority in the House to alter the legislation and was considered a significant victory for the Tea Party movement.
The No Labels survey found that 68 percent of Democrats and 51 percent of Republicans are ditching the meetings. Congress will return to Washington after Labor Day.
Comments
Well, speaking for residents of the 6th Congressional District of Maryland that don't live west of Taneytown, I can tell you the last time we saw Roscoe Bartlett was on a milk carton at the Graul's in Hereford.
I am not even sure Roscoe Bartlett knows his district actually does go all the way to the Susquehanna River.
He doesn't campaign here, he doesn't show up for community events, and you don't see hide nor hair of him, ever.
If Bartlett was to be plucked by space aliens and be taken bodily into the heavens, I am not sure anyone in his district would actually notice.
Posted by: Gunpowder Chronicle | August 22, 2011 8:54 PM
Lawmakers do not have the staff to screen the constituents like O'Bama's crew does prior to his arrival. After being asked policy position questions at Cardin's Towson University town hall meeting and being told it was full, the message is clear. If you disagree you are not welcome. I'll never waste time trying to see either of our useless windbags called Senator ever again.
Posted by: GHCinNottingham | August 22, 2011 10:58 PM