As many politicians have retreated from facing constituents in person at town hall meetings over the last few months, Idaho's Raul Labrador is bucking the trend by scheduling two town halls later this month.
The first public event the Republican congressman will hold is Wednesday, April 19. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Meridian Middle School Auditorium. Labrador's second town hall will be held at Mission Aviation Fellowship in Nampa on April 24; it also starts in the evening at 6:30.
Following the inauguration of Donald Trump as President, a lot of Republican members of Congress have faced loud criticism at public events in their districts for going along with the President's agenda and controversial policies. The blowback from constituents prompted many legislators across the country to cancel or suspend planned town hall meetings.
Labrador is the first member of Idaho's Washington delegation to hold a town hall meeting under the Trump Administration. Labrador's colleague in the House, Congressman Mike Simpson, says he doesn't like in person meetings with groups of constituents worrying they turn into shouting matches. He prefers tele-town halls where a small group of people pre-register to be on a phone call with him.
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