Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., faced a challenging town hall meeting in Seward, Nebraska, where he admitted to not having read the “Big Beautiful Bill” before voting for it, prompting significant audience backlash. The event, livestreamed on YouTube, featured attendees questioning Flood about various topics, particularly a provision that makes it harder for judges to enforce contempt orders. Flood, a law graduate, expressed disappointment in not being aware of this stipulation, emphasizing his commitment to the rule of law and the effectiveness of federal courts under the Biden administration.
As he attempted to address the crowd’s anger, he reiterated his lack of knowledge about the provision prior to voting and cited efforts to communicate his concerns to his Senate colleagues once he learned of its inclusion. However, his explanations did little to quell the audience’s discontent.
Attendees pressed him on issues ranging from Medicaid cuts to changes in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), with one individual branding him a “fascist” and questioning his commitment to health care, citing the potential cuts from the bill. Flood responded defensively, denying the label and emphasizing his American identity while countering that the bill’s cuts would not primarily affect Nebraskans but rather undocumented immigrants.
As interactions intensified, Flood attempted to pivot the conversation back to the audience, asking for their stance on benefits for undocumented immigrants, which prompted a unified “Yes” from the crowd. Flood’s remarks on this matter suggested a disconnect with the audience’s sentiments.
Despite winning re-election with 77.6% of votes in Seward County, Flood’s town hall reflects ongoing tensions Republicans face in engaging their constituents post-Trump’s presidency.
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