Trey Hollingsworth appearance draws praise, contempt

April 01--Two different groups of people greeted U.S. Rep. Trey Hollingsworth when he visited Monroe County on Friday.

Inside the Liberty Ball Room and Banquet Center, smiles and applause were the reaction to the visit by the Republican representative for Indiana's 9th congressional district. Hollingsworth was the keynote speaker at the annual Monroe County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner.

"My experience with Trey, from start to finish, is that this guy is a class act," county Republican Party Chairman William Ellis told the crowd gathered for the dinner. "Everything I have seen from him is the real deal."

But outside, Hollingsworth was not receiving similar accolades.

Rather, if the congressman had used the front entrance as some of his fellow elected Republicans did, he would have been met by a crowd of people carrying signs and chanting calls for Hollingsworth to hold a town hall-style meeting, as well as criticism of some of his votes so far in Congress.

Brenda Stern, with Indivisible Bloomington, said the rally was organized to demonstrate to Hollingsworth that Democrats live in the 9th District too, and they would like their voices heard.

Many gathered outside felt that the congressman is shirking a duty to interact with constituents in his district who may not share his stance on issues from health care to environmental protection.

"We get the personal touch, we talk to his website," said Tom Duffy, chairman of Democracy for Monroe County.

Abby Ang, speaking for Indivisible Bloomington, said the goal of the rally was to put some added pressure on Hollingsworth to respond to constituents who feel he has neglected them.

Ellis said he believes the Hollingsworth is willing to have meaningful conversation with his constituents. But, said Ellis, what some people are looking for in calling for town hall-style events is not a chance to have civil dialogue.

"From what I've seen, most groups don't want a town hall meeting, they want a screaming session," Ellis said. To illustrate his point, he mentioned examples of other Republican Congress members berated by the public at town hall-style meetings.

But Ellis said he is open to Democrats who really want to talk. He said he respects the crowd that gathered outside peacefully, even if they do not agree on all issues.

"That's what democracy sounds like," said Ellis, paraphrasing Vice President Mike Pence.

In prior interviews with the H-T, Hollingsworth has been indirect about whether he would consider holding a town hall-style meeting. He has directed people to go to his website and sign up to meet him or staff at events to talk about policy.

Questions for Hollingsworth

The Lincoln Day Dinner was one such event, where some constituents had a chance to talk about policy with the congressman. While Hollingsworth was the keynote speaker, he yielded some of his time to answer questions from those who paid to attend.

Health care was one issue both those inside and outside were concerned about.

Those outside were concerned that recent attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, will negatively affect many who rely on it for health insurance, especially vulnerable populations such as the sick and elderly. Hollingsworth is among legislators who believe the Affordable Care Act needs to be repealed.

While Hollingsworth did not have to vote on the latest proposed legislation to repeal the ACA, some wondered why Hollingsworth remained undecided for so long while the process was being discussed.

Hollingsworth said he wanted to do his due diligence before passing anything, because he believes that is what Americans and Hoosiers would expect of him.

Another reason he was undecided for so long, Hollingsworth said, has to do with his coming from a business background.

"If you say 'yes' the first day, you never are going to get anything more," Hollingsworth said.

He said he wanted to have the ability to negotiate to ensure that whatever is presented is the best possible deal.

But it is because of concerns such as the future of health care that local Democrats believe it is so important that the congressman meet with constituents.

"Representative Hollingsworth has yet to hold a town hall meeting or hear from people who would be adversely impacted by repeal of the Affordable Care Act," Mark Fraley, chairman of the Monroe County Democratic Party, said in a news release. "While President Trump roots for the system to 'collapse,' we need someone in Washington who is looking after patients."

Hollingsworth to local GOP: It is a swamp in Washington

Every stereotype about the way things are done in Washington, D.C., is true, U.S. Rep. Trey Hollingsworth said.

The congressman was the keynote speaker at the Monroe County Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner on Friday.

"We have to fix a culture in Washington that doesn't work for Hoosiers and Americans," Hollingsworth said. "I peered over the wall, and it is a swamp there."

Nonetheless, Hollingsworth said, he is optimistic, because November changed things. He said a new wave has come to Washington, D.C., and finally the American people will be heard.

He said making sure that the voice of the people is represented within the halls of Congress is something he will continue to fight for while in office. Hollingsworth said he makes 300-500 random calls a week to constituents in his district to learn more about what the people want to see done or changed or what they're concerned about.

"Sometimes the conversations are a little tough; sometimes the conversations are great," Hollingsworth said. "But I want to hear every person's perspective and do what I can, even within a tough legislative schedule, to make sure that first and foremost the will of the people is being reflected."

Hollingsworth said putting people first is one of the reasons he supports the concept of term limits on members of Congress. He said legislators should be made to live under the laws they enacted as a reminder that they are to serve the public.

Hollingsworth said he also wants to work to create more economic opportunities for Americans. As a business owner, he understands how government regulation can hurt hard-working Americans who are trying to develop a small business, he said. That is why he supports rolling back some of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, he said. In addition, he has introduced a bipartisan bill he said would reduce the regulatory burden on small and medium-sized businesses.

Another important goal for him as congressman, he said, is getting back to the Constitution and the concept of limited government. Hollingsworth said he will remain an advocate for constitutional rights.