Rehberg Hears from Record-Sized Crowds in Three Montana Counties; 13 More Listening Sessions to Go
BILLINGS, MT - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, kicked off his tour of 16 Montana Counties on Thursday with 3 listening sessions covering Stillwater County, Sweet Grass County and Park County. While town halls have been the subject of national headlines as a result of the backlash against some ideas being considered in Congress, Rehberg’s efforts have generated large, engaged crowds.
“The people I’ve been hearing from aren’t all that impressed with what’s happening in Washington, and they want to know that someone is listening to their concerns,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee who visits each of Montana’s 56 counties every congressional term. “Frankly, the insight I pick up from hearing directly from the folks I represent is invaluable to my ability to represent Montana effectively. That’s why I visit all 56 counties each Congress. I can’t imagine trying to do this job in a bubble of special interests and Washington insiders.”
While many Congressional leaders have recently approached town halls with trepidation, Rehberg scheduled and publicized listening sessions in sixteen counties, among the most nationally. The first three, held on August 6th, were attended by record-sized crowds that overwhelmed the rooms that had been reserved.
At the same time, Rehberg received requests via telephone, email and Facebook to hold even more listening sessions throughout the state, indicating a telling dichotomy: while some members of Congress are cutting back on the number of public meetings they hold, the American people are asking for more.
“I wish I could visit all 56 counties this month,” said Rehberg. “Rest assured, if I haven’t already been to your county in 2009, I’ll be there soon.”
By the end of the month, Rehberg will have visited the following 49 counties in 2009: Beaverhead, Big Horn, Blaine, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Fergus, Flathead, Gallatin, Garfield, Glacier, Golden Valley, Hill, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Liberty, Lincoln, McCone, Meagher, Missoula, Musselshell, Park, Petroleum, Phillips, Pondera, Powder River, Prairie, Ravalli, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Silver Bow, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Toole, Treasure, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, and Yellowstone.