Wis. congressman holds civil town hall as others turn hostile
PEWAUKEE, Wis. — A room packed with citizens fearful of Donald Trump's presidency grilled Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner for nearly two hours Saturday, keeping it cordial as other town halls across the country have grown heated.
Sensenbrenner, a 20-term congressman representing areas west and north of Milwaukee, gamely fielded questions on potential changes to the Affordable Care Act, Trump's immigration executive orders and how to save Social Security and Medicare. He did so in front of about 70 citizens at Pewaukee Public Library, where another 100-plus people were turned away because of the room's size.
Asked a few times about Republican pledges to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, Sensenbrenner assured questioners that he would work to keep three parts of the law: a ban on coverage denial due to pre-existing conditions; a ban on lifetime coverage caps; and a provision that allows many children to remain on their parents' coverage plans until age 26.
But Sensenbrenner said other significant details of any replacement, including how to pay for those three parts of Obamacare, remain up in the air.
"This is still under discussion, this is still under negotiation, and it's all still got to be costed out to see the total net cost to the taxpayer," Sensenbrenner said.
On Trump's executive order temporarily suspending entry of citizens and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, Sensenbrenner said it was "not properly drafted" and Trump "ought to try it again" with new language. A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked the executive order on constitutional grounds, and multiple media reports have said Trump is considering a rewrite to the order.
Sensenbrenner also fielded calls to both preserve and change Social Security and Medicare, the nation's two most expensive entitlement programs. While cognizant of concerns about the financial future of both programs — drastic cuts would be necessary in coming decades without any changes to funding or benefits — Sensenbrenner gave a simple reason for why no alterations are being made: There's no public consensus on what those changes should be.
"I don't think that even if you had the three members of the Blessed Trinity coming up with a Social Security solution, we would find the necessary support for Congress to vote on it and pass it," he said.
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Sensenbrenner, who routinely holds more town halls each year than nearly all members of Congress, is wrapping up a four-day, 12-meeting swing through his district. His visit comes as large, sometimes aggressive crowds have descended on GOP town hall meetings across the country.
Nearly all 70 citizens in attendance Saturday opposed Sensenbrenner's political stances, often raising signs reading "DISAGREE" when he expressed opinions. With the exception of a few shouting outbursts, the crowd and Sensenbrenner remained civil.
Mary Lamb, 71, of Waukesha said most people were "respectful, but frustrated" by Sensenbrenner's responses.
"I like the privilege of being able to ask questions," Lamb said. "But I'd also like an answer to those questions. Sometimes, I felt there was circle-talking and non-answering of questions."