Congressional Staffers Dispute No Labels Town Hall Report

Get your news from a source that’s not owned and controlled by oligarchs. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily.


Congressional staffers are pushing back against a report by the group No Labels that claims nearly 60 percent of members of Congress did not schedule free, public town halls during the August recess.

Here’s what Ellis Brachman, a spokesman for the House Democratic Caucus, wrote in an email on Wednesday:

I’m sure No Labels had the best intentions in trying to put this report together—but it’s so riddled with errors, many of which even a simple internet check would have caught, that the result is at best incredibly misleading. I can’t speak for House Republicans, many of whom it’s been widely reported are hiding behind pay walls to keep a friendly crowd, but House Democrats are out in their districts listening to their constituents at Town Halls and all sorts of other events. Anyone claiming differently is very misinformed.

A No Labels spokesman didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. You can the group’s original report here.

BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

payment methods

BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

payment methods

We Recommend

Latest

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Subscribe

Support our journalism

Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

Donate