OCEANSIDE – More than 1,000 people showed up at two town halls on Saturday to hear Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, explain his stances on a variety of hot-button issues.
The nine-term congressman, who narrowly won reelection last year, spent upwards of three hours at the Junior Seau Recreation Center fielding questions from constituents. He was the first Orange County House member to hold such an event.
Issa addressed concerns regarding the repeal of Obamacare, calls to defund Planned Parenthood and the Environmental Protection Agency, and ties between members of President Donald Trump’s cabinet and Russia.
No answer came without a smattering of jeers.
When pertinent, attendees held up signs that said “Agree” on one side and “Disagree” on the other.
Though Issa said the Affordable Care Act is not affordable, he said that some provisions should remain intact, such as children staying on their parents’ health care plan through age 26. He said mental illnesses should be covered, and that he would fight against what has been described as an age tax, charging older Americans more for health care, “with every bone in my body.”
He said he has his own plan to replace Obamacare, but didn’t say how he would vote on the Republicans’ health care bill.
Issa also said Planned Parenthood and other women’s health agencies should remain funded. And he endorsed an independent investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
While Issa answered questions inside, a couple hundred protesters outside held signs praising the Affordable Care Act and urged Issa to “Do your job!” A chorus of “Show me what democracy looks like/This is what democracy looks like” and “Darrrrr-elllll” chants echoed down the shore.
Dmitry Demidov, who has lived in America for 21 years and is critical of the Trump administration’s ties to Russia, wore a Russian-styled police hat as he stood outside the building and held a red banner that read “Make Russia Great Again.”
Among those inside were veteran Democratic activist Mike Levin, who recently announced his candidacy for Issa’s seat in 2018. When Levin asked about the EPA and climate change, Issa said he does not support reducing the agency’s funding.
The EPA “is not a Republican or a Democratic organization,” Issa said. “It’s an organization that has a mandate and I will continue to support sensible aspects of that mandate and funding for it.”
Cancer-survivor Karen Abrams, of Encinitas, who attended both town halls, said Issa “gave the proper sound bites that people want to hear,” but didn’t provide much insight into how he planned to back up his claims.
Many members of Indivisible groups attended the forums; the past couple months, members of the grassroots political movement have marched to Issa’s office daily in an attempt to air their grievances with him and the Trump administration.
About two weeks ago, Issa appeared outside of his office and fielded questions for 90 minutes.
“Now more than ever, we need to be able to speak to our members of Congress,” said Ellen Montanari, a 63-year-old Solana Beach resident and a member of Indivisible 49 out of San Diego. “He (Issa) owes us that much.”
Joe Sillstrop, 59, wore a “Make America Great Again” cap to the first town hall. He traveled to Oceanside to show his support for Issa, to “encourage him to keep up the good work and focus on what’s important,” he said.
The Solana Beach resident said he understood why many attendees were upset, but hoped Issa knew there also were people there behind him.
“Keep up the good fight, keep up your enthusiasm,” Sillstrop said, encouraging the congressman. “You’re not unappreciated.”
Cade Gilbert, 10, and Ava Crozier, 9, woke up at half past 5 to attend the first town hall.
The Ladera Ranch children wore matching white shirts that read “Congress is playing Russian Roulette with my future.”
“The current administration is shaping the future for our young children,” said Crozier’s mother, Valerie, who said her daughter missed a youth soccer game to attend the event. “There’s too much at stake to do nothing. It’s important for them to know early what issues are in front of them, and it’s important for them to take a stand.”
Contact the writer: 714-796-7724 or bwhitehead@scng.com
