WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced Feb. 19 they will not attend the State of the Union speech on Tuesday, Feb. 24 and will instead co-host a live on-line town hall that day with People’s Town Hall to offer all Oregonians the opportunity to ask questions as well as share their ideas and viewpoints.
“Sitting through Donald Trump’s unhinged ramblings about his unconstitutional schemes does nothing to help Oregonians justifiably concerned about his attacks on the economy and the law as well as his desperate diversions from the Epstein investigation,” Wyden said. “Rather than hearing a so-called State of the Union from a self-absorbed liar, I’ll hear the truth from my fellow Oregonians in the best state of the union.”
“After a year in office, Trump has made America poorer and sicker,” said Merkley. “We know Trump says one thing but then does another. He ran for president promising to help working people, but in office he’s only helped the rich and powerful. Trump is putting up red tape for families and rolling out the red carpet for billionaires. Every day of the week, I’ll choose to boycott the wannabe dictator and connect with Oregonians.”
The online town hall on Feb. 24 will begin at 2:30 p.m. and can be watched here on YouTube. Oregonians who want to ask a question during the virtual town hall can submit their questions in advance here.
"Direct dialogue with our leaders is a cornerstone of our democracy, and it's never been more important for our elected representatives to listen to the people they work for: their constituents,” said Nathan Williams of People's Town Hall, a town hall series from the founders of Town Hall Project. “People's Town Hall is proud to host this important conversation with Senators Wyden and Merkley and their fellow Oregonians."
Both Sen. Wyden and Sen. Merkley hold a town hall in each of Oregon’s 36 counties every year.
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