March 18, 2025

Just four days into March recess, and it’s already been another rough one for lawmakers who rubber-stamped devastating budget cuts to fund billionaire tax breaks.

The heat is on, and instead of facing their constituents, many are in hiding—ducking town halls, avoiding in-person meetings, and hoping voters will forget. But the people aren’t letting up. 

From packed meetings to public protests, communities are demanding answers, and no amount of dodging will make this outrage disappear.

VIEW FROM THE STATES

Arizona: KGUN - Despite Ciscomani's absence, neighbors share concerns at town hall surrounding federal job and spending cuts

Regardless of [Ciscomani’s] absence, Stevenson remained hopeful that the turnout would send a strong message to representatives. “We show up for each other, and we show up for our families and our communities,” she said. "We are not alone," Stevenson said. "As long as we continue to keep our representatives accountable, show them that we are watching, and that we're willing to take action.”

Iowa: KQAD - Quad Citizens make their voices heard at Stand Up For Your Constituents town-hall

“We need to come together in rooms like this, all over the country, so that it’s not just numbers on one side of the aisle but on the other side of the aisle too, so that folks start saying – ‘wait a minute, my constituents want me to do something different. I’m going to listen to my constituents and not billionaires.’”

New York: SI Live - Let’s talk, protesters say: Rally at Staten Island Rep. Malliotakis office demands town hall meeting

Jennifer Fanelli of Oakwood wants a town hall meeting with the congresswoman to finally have a chance to ask questions after previously unsuccessful attempts to get in touch. “As a Staten Islander, [Malliotakis] has to represent all of us. I’ve called her office, I’ve called her Bay Ridge office, I’ve called D.C., she’s not picking up. We don’t have to agree on everything but she needs to respond. The fact that there’s this many people in a borough that doesn’t get this active — she’s ignoring us.”

Michigan: WXMI - 'What a waste of this office': Protesters again demand in-person town hall from Rep. Huizenga

"What a waste of this office," said Jo Bird, a protester on Friday. "He's supposed to be our public servant and we feel like we're serving him." … "We're here because our heart and soul is being cut," Bird said. "It's just terrible."

Minnesota: KAXE - Lack of 'town halls' frustrates MN voters

"There's a lot of pent-up anger, frustration and I think that the only way to alleviate that is to have open dialogue. We're not at war with each other," he explained. Vroman's congressman, Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Duluth, could not be reached for comment. Protesters have gathered outside his office to demand a town hall.

Nevada: KRNV - Northern Nevadans return to Congressman Amodei's office to protest

"We're looking for our congressman to have an explanation, to have answers. It's not too much to ask of people in Reno and his constituents in rural Nevada," said Virginia Larmore, an Indivisible Northern Nevada member. "He's supposed to be a representative in a representative government. And how is he supposed to represent us if he's not present?"

California: SF Gate - Tahoe residents are calling their congressman every day. He won't answer.

“I know I’m not alone — so many neighbors are asking for a District 3 town hall with Kevin Kiley,” Shaffer said. “But it feels like Rep. Kiley doesn’t want to hear from the people he is paid to represent and serve. Our community deserves to be heard — that’s our right.”

Florida: TC Palm - Hundreds of Protesters Demand a Town Hall with U.S. Rep. Brian Mast

"People are angry. We needed an actual town hall, and that's the message that we planned to try to deliver, and that is still our message," Straehley said. "We want an actual town hall, not just a few questions and comments on a noisy street corner."

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Contact: Kristin Sosanie (kristin@fairshareusa.org) or Ashley Woolheater (ashley@fairshareusa.org)