Campaign Action
Just because Trumpcare failed, for now, doesn't mean activists are taking August off. No, they're still showing up to let their Republican representatives know just how much they'll pay for trying to take health insurance away from millions. If they bother to show up, that is. Virginia Republican Rep. David Brat is in the no-show category, refusing to come to a townhall at the invitation from healthcare activists.
"We're concerned because it’s like the zombie bill," said Carolina Lugo, a leader with Together We Will RVA, noting that Republican legislation to repeal and replace the federal health-care law keeps getting "resurrected . . . when it appears to most rational people that it is done."
But Brat, who was jeered and shouted down during the two town hall meetings he presided over earlier this year, said he will not attend.
"It is clear these individuals are more interested in scoring political points with TV cameras running than in having a constructive dialogue about issues," Brat said in an email. "I will not spend 90 minutes being shouted at by individuals who have already demonstrated they have no interest in a productive exchange of ideas."
Those would be individuals who also happen to be something called "constituents," who Brat is supposed to be representing. But Brat is too much of a snowflake to face people who disagree with him. Over on the other side of the country, in California, Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa did agree to show up for his constituents, but chose the route of not actually listening to them.
LaMalfa stood his ground on stage as person after person ripped into him for his votes and positions on healthcare and climate change, as well as for his unyielding support for President Trump. […]
When shouts and boos rained down on him, he chastised the crowd saying, “I have the mic folks. Yep, boo away.”
Say this for LaMalfa, though. According to this account in the Los Angeles Times, he's the only California Republican who is having town meetings—for the entire month of this August recess.