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Town Hall Briefing: Congressional Town Hall: Of Tums, Death Panels and ‘Shut Your Hole’

posted onFebruary 21, 2017

Article snippet: IOWA FALLS, Iowa — Republicans home for the congressional recess have been greeted with an earful at town hall-style meetings. Many lawmakers have no such meetings scheduled — sparing them the possibility of a YouTube moment — but opening them up to criticism that they are ducking their constituents. A number of other Republicans will be hearing from constituents on Tuesday, and reporters for The New York Times will be there to gauge the sentiment. Come for the stories, stay for the videos. ■ Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa started the first of two meetings in rural counties and was greeted by a standing-room-only crowd in Iowa Falls, with questions about the United States’ relationship with Russia, health care and several other issues. The Times’s Thomas Kaplan was there. (@thomaskaplan) ■ Representative Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, one of President Trump’s high-profile supporters in the House during last year’s campaign, will hold a meeting at 3:30 p.m. Central time in her suburban Nashville district. The Times’s Trip Gabriel (@tripgabriel) will be there. ■ One lawmaker who has been active in the debate over replacing the Affordable Care Act, Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, will hold a meeting at 4 p.m. Central time. Look for coverage from The Times’s Emmarie Huetteman (@emmarieNYT). ■ Representative Dennis A. Ross of Florida will hold a meeting at 5:30 p.m. west of Orlando. Check back for updates from The Times’s Lizette Alvarez (@LizetteNYT). Chris ... Link to the full article to read more

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