U.S. Rep. Gianforte holds statewide town hall

U.S. Congressman Greg Gianforte held his first statewide townhall of 2020 on Tuesday, January 28 and according to a press release from the Gianforte camp, the telephone meeting was listened to by some 100,000 Montana residents including some from Whitewater.

“I enjoy meeting with and talking to Montanans throughout the state, listening to their concerns, and answering their questions. Last night’s statewide town hall and the feedback I got from folks back home guide me as I serve Montana,” Gianforte said. “I look forward to continuing to connect with Montanans throughout the year.”

Many of the questions Montanans posed to Gianforte related to forest management, health care, issues with the VA, taxes and spending, and President Trump’s new trade deals, the release states.

During the town hall, Gianforte posed five questions to Montanans to gauge their opinions on various topics. The questions and answers follow:

1. What do you believe is the most important issue facing America today? 29% border security; 28% out-of-control spending and debt; 18% rising health care costs; 11% the environment and climate change; 9% national security and the military, and 5% the economy and good paying jobs.

2. Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats voted to impeach President Trump. Do you believe the Senate should vote to remove President Trump from office? 85% no and 15% yes.

3. What should be Congress’s top priority for 2020? 37% cleaning up Washington; 27% rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse and reducing spending; 19% securing the border and 17% bringing down health care costs.

4. Do you believe the grizzly bear has recovered and should be removed from the endangered species list? 82% yes and 18% no.

5. When it comes to holding town hall events, do you prefer statewide town halls, like this, or physical town hall meetings? 81% statewide town halls and 19% physical town halls.

Montanans may sign up to participate in Gianforte’s statewide town hall events by calling staff in his Washington office at 202-225-3211 or texting REPGIANFORTE to 833-TXT-LIVE.