BILLINGS – Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-MT) held a telephone town hall meeting on Wednesday night.
A Gianforte spokesman said those on the phone call want the shutdown to end and for border security to be resolved.
In response to a survey of callers, border security was the top issue, followed by out-of-control spending and healthcare, according to Gianforte’s office, though they did not say how many were surveyed.
Congress should not be paid if the government isn’t open, according to 97% of those surveyed, according to Gianforte’s office. Fifty-seven percent thought President Trump should talk about border security and immigration in his State of the Union address.
It’s uncertain when or if the president will give the address after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rescinded the invitation, citing the government shutdown.
Rep. Gianforte said he supports the president.
“I stand with President Trump in reforming our broken immigration system and securing our border,” Rep. Gianforte said. “I stand with ICE agents and other law enforcement officials that are protecting our communities from violent criminals that are here illegally.”
“The whole thing could be solved in 45 minutes if (House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi and (Senate Minority Leader) Chuck Schumer came to the table. It’s a crisis situation and we must secure the border,” Rep. Gianforte added.
The Republican also said he is encouraged that there is less animosity and divisiveness than is reported and he regularly meets with Democrats away from the US House of Representatives.
-David Jay reporting for MTN News
