U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, will hold his first town hall meetings of the year this weekend despite some of his Republican colleagues being confronted with angry crowds at recent gatherings.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Reed said he’s learned a lot at the more than 200 town hall meetings he’s held in his 11-county 23rd Congressional District over the past six years.
“I encourage people to participate in these town hall meetings,” Reed said.
The congressman has scheduled meetings for 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. Saturday at the Humphrey Volunteer Fire Department, followed by another from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Allen Town Hall in Fillmore. Two other meetings are scheduled for Chautauqua County earlier Saturday.
“To represent people, you’ve got to listen to people. We will continue to be accessible,” he said. “We try to bring input from these town halls into the solutions we’re advocating for in Washington.”
Reed, elected to a fourth term in November, acknowledged that some of his Republican colleagues have recently had bad experiences in their town hall meetings.
Many town hall attendees have expressed concern over what they feel is Republicans’ haste to repeal the Affordable Care Act without a clear plan to replace it.
Reed said he did not plan to change his town hall format to require advance registration like some other Republican congressmen have.
“We’re not changing the format,” he said. “It’s worked well for us. We do our best to provide as much access as possible and listen to as many people as possible.”
Reed was asked Tuesday whether he would vote for a replacement or repair plan for the Affordable Care Act that included a block grant to states like New York, which expanded its Medicaid access.
“That was the conversation of the day,” he replied, referring to how lawmakers might deal with the Medicaid expansion issue.
Reed said he is among those leaning toward a block grant system based on a per capita cap.
Reed said he welcomes a “robust debate” but insists both sides must respect each other.
“I represent 717,000 people,” the congressman said. “There’s no way we will agree all the time.”
ADDRESSING ANOTHER national topic, Reed said national security adviser Gen. Michael Flynn “made the call he thought was appropriate” in resigning.
“The president is determined that he is going to look for leaders and accountability.” Reed said.
Flynn was accused of misleading Vice President Mike Pence and other White House officials about the extent of his discussions with the Russian ambassador to the United States regarding Obama administration sanctions.
“I’m sure that post will be filled in short order,” Reed added.
He said he thought Lt. Gen. Joseph Kellogg Jr. would be a good choice.
Asked about the series of controversies and what have been perceived by some to be missteps that have marked the first three weeks of President Donald Trump’s administration, Reed, who was a member of Trump’s transition team, said the slow cabinet member confirmation process in the Senate was partly to blame.
“Hopefully, that pressure will start to be alleviated,” Reed said. “They are starting to get their sea legs. They are going to get stronger and stronger as they move on.”
