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Brat Gets an Earful at Virginia Town Hall

Congressman was booed when he defended Trump

Rep. Dave Brat, R-Va., heard constituents’ concerns about health care and immigration. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Rep. Dave Brat, R-Va., heard constituents’ concerns about health care and immigration. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Judging by the reaction of the crown, Rep. David Brat, R-Va., might not have accomplished his mission in a town hall meeting on Tuesday.

Brat was heckled and booed in a restaurant conference room in Blackstone when he defended President Donald Trump and his stances on health care and immigration, The Associated Press reported.

“People are very nervous and anxious after the Trump win,” Brat said. “So my goal tonight is to help allay some of those anxieties.”

 

On Tuesday, Trump took to Twitter and accused “liberal activists” of ginning up a lot of the anger that Republican — and in some case Democratic — members of Congress are facing back in their districts.

But some in the audience pointed out that they lived in the district.

One constituent, Jim Adams, said he was worried about taking away health care from poor people.

Brat responded by saying Republicans are still working on a replacement for the Affordable Care Act, but that current proposals will cover people with preexisting conditions.

Sanjay Rajput, expressed his concerns about Trumps immigration policies, and reminded the congressman that moderates and liberals in his district were paying attention.

“I don’t feel a certain point of view is being well represented,” Rajput said.

Trump supporter Sharon Ellis said some of the protester’s anger was misdirected.

“It seems like they are dog-piling a good man,” she said.

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