Vermont Congressman Peter Welch and upstate New York Congressman Bill Owens, both Democrats, held telephone town halls with their constituents Monday evening.
Vermont Congressman Peter Welch held his town hall with Vermonters solely to discuss the president’s plan to have a limited and proportional strike to respond to chemical weapons use in Syria. He says the idea is weighing heavily on Vermonters.
Welch says he was among the members that asked Obama not to take action unless he allowed Congress to vote. He has seen “enormously engaged discussion and expressions of big concern” in Vermont. Beverly Dowell from Lyndon has a grandson in Afghanistan who has served two tours of duty.
On the western side of Lake Champlain, New York 21st District Congressman Bill Owens held a constituent telephone town hall at the same time. He told callers that the economy continues to produce jobs, a key issue for him and the district.
Callers brought up a gamut of issues, including NSA surveillance. Others asked for his help with a federal agency. Connie from Mooers had concerns about agriculture.
Dave from Hudson Falls, meanwhile, raised questions about the future of the Postal Service.
Peter Welch is Vermont’s only Congressional representative. Bill Owens’ district is one of the largest east of the Mississippi, covering an area of about 16,000 square miles.
