Showing them what democracy looks like
Every year, I hold a town hall in each of Oregon's 36 counties. I'm proud to have hosted over 1,100 open-to-all town halls during my time in the Senate. Hearing from and being accountable to the people who elected you is an essential part of being an elected official.
Over the last few weeks, there have been news reports of Republicans holding town halls that result in the inevitable: angry constituents scared about the lawless actions of the Trump-Musk administration threatening their family and way of life.
Instead of listening to these concerns and taking their constituents seriously, Republicans are doubling down, and have even declared they will stop hosting in-person town halls.
Politico: No more in-person town halls, NRCC chief tells House Republicans. The chair of the House GOP's campaign arm told Republican lawmakers Tuesday to stop holding in-person town halls amid a wave of angry backlash over the cuts undertaken by President Donald Trump's administration.
This cowardice is shocking.
I was encouraged by the recent news of Republicans being forced to justify their extreme agenda to their constituents, but now they're running scared, too afraid to face their own voters.
Republicans are hoping they can get away with ramming their dangerous and radical agenda through Congress without anyone noticing. Well rest assured, people are taking note, and I will not let them go quietly. I will continue making as much noise as I can about how the Trump-Musk administration is making Americans less safe.
Republicans are on defense trying to explain why they've ceded Congress' power of the purse and oversight authority while an unelected billionaire raids through personal data, slashes critical services, and fires thousands of hardworking people.
Slowly but surely, we are seeing more and more communities take it upon themselves to stand up for our democracy – and remind Republicans what democracy looks like.
I will keep holding town halls because I believe that nothing is more important or powerful than constituents telling their representatives what should be done. And I encourage everyone – no matter what state or district you're in – to attend town halls if you can.
More soon,
Ron
