Republican federal lawmakers are defending their choice not to attend public forums with their constituents. Central Ohio Republican Congress members Pat Tiberi and Steve Stivers did not attend town hall meetings in their districts this week designed to discuss health care and the GOP's plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The meetings were organized by constituents frustrated by what they call a lack of access to their elected representatives. Organizers held the forums without Stivers and Tiberi. Tiberi chairs a House health subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the law. A spokesperson for Stivers said his meeting was organized by a Democrat running for Hilliard City Council and had speakers that include the former chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, meaning the event was partisan in nature. Noting the hostility he’s seen at these meetings around the country, Republican U.S. Senator Rob Portman of Ohio is calling for civility. Ohio Public Radio's Andy Chow reports.
Ohio’s Republican congressional members were invited to public meetings around the state this week. These forums were organized by liberal groups and mostly all of the federal lawmakers did not attend. Republican U.S. Senator Rob Portman didn't, and says these events, which have featured loud, disruptive protesting, are not productive.
Portman: “Let’s be more respectful to one another, let’s listen to each other not just insist on each other getting into a fight. I think this is about how to we find common ground and solve problems.
Portman referred to other public events that he’s attended this week. However, local organizers argue that a public appearance and a forum with constituents are two different things.