Slaughter: Town hall meetings are conduit for misinformation
Rep. Louise Slaughter said she will not host in-person town hall meetings to discuss reform of the health care system, but will hold giant conference calls with constituents instead.
The powerful Democrat said she held meetings during the health care debate of 1993 but is concerned that people have showed up to recent meetings with guns, as one man did outside a town hall with President Obama in New Hampshire.
“I think it’s a way to disseminate misinformation,” Slaughter said. “They’re not debating things that are in the bill.”
By discussing the bill, H.R. 3200 over the phone, she can reach as many as 9,000 constituents, including those who couldn’t make a meeting or those who lack child care, she said.
Slaughter’s absence at town hall meetings has caused some residents to ask where she is, and “Where’s Louise?” buttons have been spotted at rallies. Tele-town halls allow constituents to ask questions, but the format does not allow Slaughter to see signs or buttons.
Rep. Chris Lee, R-Clarence, Erie County, has also chosen tele-town halls instead of in-person events.
Slaughter, chairwoman of the House Rules Committee, supports H.R. 3200 and said the Democrats are prepared to pass it without support from Republicans.
