COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) — Greater than 200 folks converged on an japanese Nebraska highschool auditorium Tuesday night for a city corridor held by Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Flood.
Solely minutes in, a cacophany of jeers, boos and indignant calls for for solutions revealed most had been there to voice their displeasure with the congressman.
It was unfamiliar territory for Flood — a former speaker of the Nebraska Legislature and in style politician in his deep purple state.
He had picked Columbus, Nebraska, for his first in-person city corridor this 12 months, the hometown of Republican Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and the seat of a county that voted almost 3-to-1 for Trump in November.
Flood was the newest Republican member of Congress to face backlash at residence over actions by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Division of Authorities Effectivity to slash authorities spending. These actions have sparked worry among the many public that in style applications like Medicaid, Medicare and Social Safety providers and advantages could possibly be minimize.
“My main concern is that I believe what Trump and Musk are doing are way beyond the boundaries of how things should be done in a democracy,” Pat Lostroh stated as she stood in line to get into the occasion. She traveled from David Metropolis, greater than 30 miles (53 kilometers) away, to attend.
Trump has repeatedly stated he “will not cut Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits,” however Musk — the world’s richest man and one in every of Trump’s most influential advisers — has made remarks that recommend in any other case. He has referred to as Social Safety “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time” and hinted that it could possibly be a main goal in his effort to downsize the federal authorities.
Whereas worry of cuts to social providers dominated the dialogue, these attending voiced a variety of considerations, from outrage over the administration’s lack of assist for Ukraine towards Russian invasion to fears that the U.S. Postal Service can be gutted and privatized.
Most additionally gave Flood credit score for displaying up in individual to listen to considerations. He’s amongst a handful of GOP Home members who’ve bucked the suggestion of their chief, Home Speaker Mike Johnson, to chorus from holding public conferences with constituents.
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Flood stated he was ready for the indignant response.
“I know that there are some angry people in my congressional district,” he stated following the occasion. “I also know there’s a lot of people who feel like America’s back on track. Tonight, I put myself here because I think there’s there’s value just in allowing somebody to come express themselves.”
