- Congressman Neal Dunn held a telephone town hall event Monday night.
- Constituents were able to call in with questions or submit them through an online forum.
- Main concerns raised included tariffs, national security, social security, and cuts to the VA.
- Watch the video for a recap of the event, how community members are feeling, and what they would like to see next.
UPDATED BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT FOLLOWING THE TOWN HALL:
Congressman Neal Dunn held a telephone town hall Monday night that lasted just over an hour.
The Congressman began with the latest developments in D.C. related to seeking out waste and fraud in government spending.
One of these highlights included DOGE saving $140 billion with their cost-cutting recommendations since President Trump took office in January.
Neighbors called in with questions or sent them in through an online forum.
Some concerns raised included tariffs, national security, social security, and cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Congressman Dunn noted that in his entire region only 20 VA employees out of 6600 were cut; all recent hires.
"My staff and I remain in contact with the VA health facilities that serve the district and we will continue to monitor operations so we ensure that access to healthcare is not impacted," said Congressman Neal Dunn.
In relation to social security, Dunn said no living person has lost their social security and he remains committed to keeping local offices and protecting social security.
"Social security is an indispensable lifeline for our nation’s seniors," said Dunn. "Republicans are committed to preserving social security benefits for all those who are eligible."
After the town hall, Lawrence Rester shared his thoughts.
"The questions were very softball questions but there were at least a couple that went in the direction that were okay,good, thank you for asking that question," said Rester.
Rester added he did have some follow up questions to some of the points raised.
"It would have been nice to have a more interactive town hall because you know it could have been, hey you mentioned that, but you could into a little more detail," said Rester.
ABC 27 reached out the Congressman’s team following the town hall for a statement and for information on whether the Congressman plans to hold a town hall in person. We have not yet heard back. Rester said he would still be interested in a town hall in person for a chance to ask those follow up questions.
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
Community members have been rallying to hear from Congressman Neal Dunn, now they will have a chance.
The congressman is expected to hold a tele-town hall Monday evening.
We’re looking into how effective town halls can be in hearing from constituents amid announcements from Republicans nationwide to not hold in person town halls.
For the last two weeks, neighbors have been calling on Congressman Neal Dunn for answers on the state of social security and the department of veterans affairs amid federal cuts, including layoffs at the VA and planned SSA office closures.
They will now have a chance to ask those questions during an tele-town hall event.
How are you feeling ahead of tonight's town hall?
“Hopeful, in a way, hopeful,” said local veteran activist, Lawrence Rester.
“Well, I'm disgruntled,” said Leon County senior citizen, Faye Johnson. “That's the mildest way I can put it. This was supposed to be a request for a face-to-face meeting.”
This town hall comes after organization efforts throughout Tallahassee for Dunn to do something about what is happening federally.
In a statement Monday, his office provided this statement from the Congressman. "I'm looking forward to having a productive discussion with my constituents to provide an update on my work in Washington, take questions directly from them, and highlight important topics that are driving the national conversation."
While some are grateful for the opportunity, some neighbors, including locally elected officials, are not sold on the way the town hall will happen.
“Many of us feel like the tele-town hall format is just a way to direct traffic and only answer the questions that he wants to answer,” said City of Tallaahssee Commissioner Jeremy Matlow. “I hope he does answer the hard questions, it would be a great and a good first step.”
As for the tele-town hall approach, Evan Power, Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, said tele-town halls are more effective in allowing for conducive conversation.
“Being able to answer questions from constituents and talking to a wide range of constituents at their convenience is a better use of time for everyone and you screen out the activists who make the story about them rather than policy,” said Power.
While some Leon County seniors were discouraged about the format, they say it will not deter them from getting answers to their questions.
“Please tell us what he's going to do. Something very specific, concrete, to save the social security and Medicare system,” said local activist, Barbara DeVane.
Monday’s town hall will be online and begin at 7pm. The link to the town hall can be found here on the Congressman’s website.
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