GOP congressman heckled at Nebraska town hall

Republican Representative Mike Flood faced an openly hostile audience during a town hall in Lincoln, Nebraska, where residents repeatedly heckled and shouted him down over his support for President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and policy package signed into law in July. Knewz.com has learned that Flood, who said about 750 people attended the event at Kimball Hall, tried to walk constituents through the legislation’s health care provisions but was met almost immediately with loud chants that drowned out much of his presentation.

The town hall was off to a tense start

The town hall erupted within minutes of Representative Flood taking the stage. The congressman said, “I know this is probably going to be met with some resistance … I want the opportunity to tell you and talk to you about health care in the bill we just passed.” But the audience jeered as he spoke, making it difficult for him to continue. Flood insisted he wanted to explain the legislation directly, saying, “The only way we’re going to get through tonight is if I get a chance to tell you why I voted, because ultimately I represent you, and you will have your say.”

The bill’s effect on Medicaid angered the audience

The bill’s impact on Medicaid quickly became a flashpoint. Audience members accused Flood of backing legislation that strips health care from Nebraskans, a charge he rejected. “So, here’s a question. Do you think that people who are 28 years old that can work and refuse to work, should get free health care?” Flood asked. The question drew an unfriendly response from the crowd. “I don’t think that a majority of Nebraskans agree with you,” he added. Flood argued that the changes would not affect “anybody that’s disabled, that is of senior age and unable to work, anybody that is pregnant or the vulnerable.” When one constituent pressed him, questioning how he could justify taking health care away from Nebraskans, Flood brushed off the concern. “We have a state where our infrastructure is going to be supported, is going to be funded, and is going to be available for the people that need it. If you are able to work, and you’re 28 years old and you choose not to work, you don’t get free health care in America. If you are in this country illegally, you do not get free health care in America,” he said.

“Tax the rich!”

Taxes proved to be another major flashpoint. As Flood defended provisions such as eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, the audience began chanting, “Tax the Rich! Tax the Rich! Tax the Rich!” Flood countered by saying, “If we adopted the Democrats’ plan in the last Congress to tax the rich, it would generate $50 billion, which does not take us close to where we’re going. And it cuts job creation. It cuts business creation. It cuts the ability for employers to invest in their businesses.”

Flood receives strong pushback from the audience

“This bill is a middle-class tax cut,” the GOP representative said at one point, which received strong pushback and boos from the audience. “I read the bill. … Is every bill perfect? No. But I supported this bill,” he added. While Rep. Flood took several questions on a wide range of topics, the audience remained unsatisfied, and as the town hall came to a close, they yelled, “Vote him out!”

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