Rep. Janelle Bynum calls Republican-backed tax bill ‘trash' during town hall in Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. () — U.S. Representative Janelle Bynum (D-OR) held a town hall in Portland Tuesday night, in part to rail against the Republican-backed tax bill she voted against.
The public event was open to all and focused on her pushback against the policies of President Donald Trump's administration. It was the second town hall in a 10-part series this summer, taking place across Oregon's District 5.
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The Lewis and Clark College Agnes Flanagan Chapel in Portland hosted Rep. Bynum's self-described 'Give 'Em Hell Tour' event, representing the sixth total town hall she has helmed since joining Congress.
Many people at the town hall expressed worry about the future, especially when it comes to potential cuts to Social Security, Medicaid and SNAP benefits, all targeted in the piece of legislation.
The , which Bynum called 'trash' at one point, recently passed the Republican-controlled House of Representatives by a razor-thin margin. Nicknamed by its supporters as the 'big, beautiful bill,' it includes huge spending reductions, stricter requirements for federal aid programs, and increased border funding, among other things. The 1,000-page document also slashes billions from SNAP or food stamps. The bill is now headed to the U.S. Senate.
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Bynum has joined in condemning the bill. On Tuesday night, she emphasized that she voted 'no' during the reading of the bill, which went late into the overnight hours, in Washington D.C. last week.
'One of the reasons we're having these townhalls is to raise awareness and put public pressure on my Republican counterparts to not cut things that are so precious and important to Americans,' Bynum said.
Bynum's constituents expressed similar disdain for the proposed law. However, others at the town hall also criticized the lawmaker for other issues, such as her stance on the Israel-Gaza war.
At one point during the proceedings, a couple of people heckled Bynum for what they said was in protest of the congresswoman allegedly accepting funds from pro-Israeli groups. However, emcees at the event quickly shut down the commotion.
One woman asked why Bynum voted 'yes' on the Laken Riley Act, a law aimed at cracking down on immigrants charged with certain crimes.
'What are you doing to make up for this shameful vote, protect immigrants, and protect due process?' the woman asked.
Bynum will be in Albany next week, the third stop in her 'Give 'Em Hell Tour.'
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