|
It was unfamiliar territory for Flood — a former speaker of the
Nebraska Legislature and popular politician in his deep red
state. He had picked Columbus, Nebraska, for his first in-person
town hall this year, the hometown of Republican Nebraska Gov.
Jim Pillen and the seat of a county that voted nearly 3-to-1 for
Trump in November.
Flood was the latest Republican member of Congress to face
backlash at home over actions by President Donald Trump and Elon
Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to slash government
spending. Those actions have sparked fear among the public that
popular programs like Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security
services and benefits could be cut.
“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 said as she stood in line to get into
the event. She traveled from David City, more than 30 miles (53
kilometers) away, to attend.
Trump has repeatedly said he “will not cut Social Security,
Medicare or Medicaid benefits,” but Musk — the world’s richest
man and one of Trump’s most influential advisers — has made
remarks that suggest otherwise. He has called Social Security
“the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time" and hinted that it could
be a primary target in his effort to downsize the federal
government.
While fear of cuts to social services dominated the discussion,
those attending voiced a wide range of concerns, from outrage
over the administration's lack of support for Ukraine against
Russian invasion to fears that the U.S. Postal Service will be
gutted and privatized.
Most also gave Flood credit for showing up in person to hear
concerns. He is among a handful of GOP House members who’ve
bucked the suggestion of their leader, House Speaker Mike
Johnson, to refrain from holding public meetings with
constituents.
Flood said he was prepared for the angry response.
“I know that there are some angry people in my congressional
district,” he said following the event. “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.”
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
