Some South Florida Congress members hold town halls

In South Florida, some members of Congress are still holding town hall meetings despite the overall trend of avoidance among their peers. U.S. Representatives Lois Frankel and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick conducted meetings in their districts this week during the congressional recess. Cherfilus-McCormick referred to these gatherings as "family conversations" because they often involve open and honest discussions, even when people express frustration. Many constituents are demanding in-person meetings to voice their concerns and seek action from their representatives. Traditionally, town halls were more subdued events where representatives shared accomplishments and answered questions. Now, they have become a platform for expressing anger, particularly toward Republicans due to recent government actions associated with former President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk’s efficiency agenda, known as DOGE. As anger grows, Republican leaders are advising their members to avoid in-person town halls, fearing backlash from constituents. In contrast, Democrats are stepping up to hold these events, painting Republicans as unresponsive to public concerns. Some Democratic lawmakers are facing criticism too. Cherfilus-McCormick noted that many constituents feel disappointed with Democrats, describing their anger not just towards Republicans, but also towards party members for insufficient opposition to GOP policies. While some lawmakers, like Debbie Wasserman Schultz, have shifted to virtual town halls instead of traditional meetings, others, like Cherfilus-McCormick and Frankel, continue to engage actively in person. They emphasize the importance of these face-to-face connections to better understand their constituents' needs. However, not every representative is holding town halls. For instance, constituents of U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz expressed frustration after finding out he had no planned meetings, prompting dissatisfaction from voters seeking information and support. Overall, while in-person town halls are less common, those that occur reflect deep community concerns and serve as vital communication channels between representatives and their constituents.