Rep. Gaetz holds town hall in Ponce de Leon

Congressman Matt Gaetz held a town hall in Ponce de Leon as a part of his “Open Gaetz” day in his district.

The freshman Republican has made communication with constituents a top priority over his first four months in Congress.

“I don't think they should go to Washington to meet with their congressman,” the congressman said.

So he came to them.

Earlier in the day, Gaetz met with first-responders, attended a city council meeting, and spoke with students. Then, came the town hall.

The congressman spent an hour and a half talking to constituents about topics that are always in the headlines: issues like immigration reform, the environment, or the GOP Health Care bill.

But he said he was most surprised about a topic that came up while he was teaching a civics class earlier in the afternoon.

“I was at Ponce de Leon High School, and students kept asking about the national debt, and how it was affecting their lives," Rep. Gaetz said. "It's why as a part of every Open Gaetz day I visit schools, because so many of the decisions that we make in Congress today will have an impact on the next generation than they do on the current generation.”

Pat Cook, who drove two hours from Pensacola to address Rep. Gaetz, wanted to discuss his voting record.

“I want to talk to him about some of the issues that he's been voting with down the line with President Trump and supporting his agenda," Cook said. "It's not too late to turn the corner. He can change his mind, he can start doing things that Floridians want, like saving the environment and saving the EPA.”

But Gaetz said, he has no qualms about voting in step with the president.

“I support Donald Trump and I think he's a bold conservative leader, and I think he's leading the country in the right direction,” Gaetz said.

And to keep his district heading in the right direction, he said regardless of disagreement, he will continue to hold town halls like this one.

"Whether people want to show up with ideas, or encouragement or even criticism, it's my job to stand up and take it, and ensure that we've got open access to the people in our district to their member of Congress," he said.

Representative Gaetz will be holding another town hall next Thursday in Pensacola.