Recent town halls have been packed, loud, and passionate as citizens push back on the Trump administration's executive orders, troubling Cabinet picks, and the Republican-led efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Representatives have left events early, snuck out the back door, or simply refused to schedule anything, forcing their constituents to find them.
Senator on the run! Why didn't you stay and answer questions, @SenatorFischer? #LNK #TownHall @NebraskaDems @indivisibleLNK @SuitUpNEB pic.twitter.com/BPKn0E6VaY
— Girlsplain Me (@girlsplaining) February 22, 2017
As they should. Congresspeople work for you. Here are 11 creative options constituents have tried so far to get their representatives' attention.
Yes, having your representative attend a town hall would be ideal, but if they can't or won't show up, host the event without them. It's still an opportunity for constituents to meet, share concerns, and mobilize for action. Constituent-led efforts in Tampa, Florida; Loudoun County, Virginia; Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Vista, California, are underway this week.
.@DarrellIssa Over 2000 of your constituents were looking for you at a #townhall they hosted for you tonight. #WhereIsIssa pic.twitter.com/DXXC0C4TtS
— TashiLynn (@TashiLynnCA) February 22, 2017
If your rep won't schedule an event, take your concerns straight to them. That's what constituents of Reps. Kevin McCarthy and Devin Nunes did when they gathered outside a fundraising dinner the Californian Republicans were attending in Bakersfield and demanded a town hall.
Constituents gather, hoping to share their concerns with McCarthy and Nunes and push them to schedule official meetings. Photo by Lynn Scotts Runyan, used with permission.
That's what the people of Martin County did. Their parody of Meghan Trainor's "Dear Future Husband" asked Rep. Brian Mast (R-Florida) to come to Martin County for a town hall meeting. Mast announced a veteran's town hall in the middle of the afternoon on a Friday (ignoring the song's request), but it's a start.
Rep. Paul Cook (R-California) hasn't yet held an in-person town hall, and his district is starting to get worried. They have a website devoted to finding him, and a creative search party taped a few missing flyers to milk cartons at a local store. Can't hurt right?
@RepPaulCook We're beginning to get really worried about you congressman Cook. These milk jugs are in the stores across the 8th #PrayforPaul pic.twitter.com/pfoYNF6XGa
— Where Is Paul Cook (@WhereIsPaulCook) February 21, 2017
Citizens around the country are signing petitions requesting their representatives come home to host an in-person town hall. This petition to Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colorado) has more than 20,000 signatures. A similar petition to Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) has more than 32,000.
Gardner (left) and Blunt (right). Photos by Alex Wong/Getty Images and Mario Tama/Getty Images.
Twitter user @madeline_says has made and sent multiple requests to her congressman, Rep. David Rouzer (R-North Carolina). Whether on her way to work or after a run, Madeline has made time to reach out to her elected official. It's a shame he can't be bothered to do the same for his constituents.
Good morning @RepDavidRouzer!
— Mrs. Madeline (@madeline_says) February 21, 2017Request 16 for a town hall in #wilmingtonNC #IDontWannaWorkEither @suitupILM pic.twitter.com/abEMw6wbmQ
Following last year's election, the people behind the grassroots group Tuesdays With Toomey host protests every Tuesday at the Pennsylvania senator's offices across the state. Someone even brought a sousaphone. Things are getting serious.
#TuesdayswithToomey Today. #RealPA pic.twitter.com/4Wr0ajYDVp
— Tuesdays With Toomey (@TuesdaysToomey) February 21, 2017
For Valentine's Day, Twitter user @TechnicallyADoc asked Sens. Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham (both R-South Carolina) out on a date — to discuss health care. Scott piggybacked on Rep. Mark Sanford's town hall on Feb. 18, but no word from Graham.
Going to @SenatorTimScott & @LindseyGrahamSC's offices w/#valentines—asking them on a date to healthcare #TownHall!
— SISTER HOEBOT (@TechnicallyADoc) February 14, 2017#resisttrumptuesday pic.twitter.com/8ivrky2KXi
You know what's better than one card? Thousands of postcards delivered to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan requesting an in-person town hall in his southeastern Wisconsin district.
We're gonna need more trucks. Photo by iStock.
If the 70,000+ postcards don't get Ryan's attention, this billboard in his hometown of Janesville, Wisconsin, may do the trick.
Our billboard is up! Chip in $5 or more today so we can keep it up for the entire week https://t.co/DklXneODMY pic.twitter.com/N9S6QIPgjg
— Stop the Speaker (@StopTheSpeaker) February 19, 2017
If they refuse to listen, if they refuse to meet, if they refuse to acknowledge they work for everyone and not just the people who put them in office, then let them know you will do everything within your power to relieve them of their post.
If they're not up for the challenge of being an elected official in the age of resistance, then find and support someone who can. Maybe it's you!
Likes Posted on: December 17, 2024
Likes Posted on: December 17, 2024
Leave a Reply