SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
With federal workers in North Alabama increasingly anxious about sweeping cuts pushed by the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), local Republican lawmakers are noticeably absent from the public stage.
As a March 22 town hall in Athens approaches, organizer Sean Phillips remains hopeful that U.S. Rep. Dale Strong will appear. If not, Phillips says a chair will be left empty in protest. “We’re not hearing from the people elected to protect us,” Phillips said. “Silence is not leadership.”
Strong’s office has not responded to requests for comment, joining other Alabama GOP Representatives—Barry Moore, Robert Aderholt, Gary Palmer, and Mike Rogers—in staying silent ahead of next week’s congressional recess. Strong’s team told WHNT-TV he remains accessible through roundtables, mobile office hours, and telephone town halls.
The quiet comes after House Speaker Mike Johnson advised Republicans to skip in-person town halls, citing disruptions from protestors. Many town halls that have occurred recently have turned tense. In North Carolina, Rep. Chuck Edwards was shouted down for over an hour by constituents angry about federal cuts.
The issue is particularly felt in North Alabama’s 5th Congressional District, home to more than 28,000 federal workers—7.6% of the workforce—mostly tied to Huntsville’s booming aerospace and defense sectors.
“He’s just silent,” said Susan Griffin of the group Indivisible. “Huntsville thrives on federal investment. Without it, we lose our livelihood.”
While Republican lawmakers in Alabama have largely avoided public forums, U.S. Senator Katie Britt has held small “Coffee with Katie” gatherings in Washington, D.C. Her office said she prioritizes face-to-face time with Alabamians visiting the capital, but it’s unclear if she’ll host any events in-state.
Alabama’s two Democratic members of Congress, Reps. Shomari Figures and Terri Sewell, are doing the opposite. Figures is hosting a town hall in Mobile, while Sewell is urging elected officials to listen to fearful constituents concerned about healthcare, Social Security, and other threatened programs.
“If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen,” Figures said.
Former U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, known for his town hall tours during the 2017 backlash over Obamacare repeal efforts, said he believes strongly in showing up—even in tough crowds. “They were controversial, but worth doing,” he said. “If I were still in office, I’d keep holding them.”
Research from Columbia University shows Alabama held 480 town halls between 2013 and 2023, ranking 21st among states. But the frequency has dipped in recent years.
Gary Palmer, a Republican representing Alabama’s 6th District, said in a recent radio interview that he won’t hold a town hall due to “paid agitators.” He instead promoted Tea Party-style rallies aimed at supporters. “These are not constituents,” Palmer claimed, dismissing the usefulness of his 2017 town hall.
However, at the time, Palmer publicly stated those attendees weren’t paid protestors. Now, constituents are pushing back on social media, calling on him to face voters and stop “sneaking into town for photo ops.”
Frustration is also mounting on Rep. Strong’s Facebook page, where commenters demand he meet with the broader public—not just attend curated appearances. Many in his district report confusion about a rumored telephone town hall, with no clear information shared by his office.
Democrats nationwide are using the town hall vacuum to their advantage. Vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has launched a series of “People’s Town Halls” in Republican-held districts, promising to amplify concerns the GOP is ignoring.
Back in Huntsville, Indivisible has planned a mock event to spotlight the absence of representation. “This isn’t just about politics,” said Rep. Sewell. “It’s about doing the job we were elected to do—listening to the people.”
