Culberson faces raucous town hall
700 constituents show up to question Republican on travel ban, immigration
In one of Houston’s first confrontational town hall meetings hosted by a member of Congress this year, U.S. Rep. John Culberson weathered blistering blowback by constituents who packed a middle school auditorium on Saturday afternoon.
For most of the raucous 90-minute meeting, the congressman struggled to answer questions over shouting from many of the 700 attendees.
“You know what, folks? I’m either going to answer the question, or we’re just going to spend the time yelling,” Culberson told the crowd.
But there were lighter moments, such as when a bright-yellow stuffed Big Bird was raised into the air during a question about funding public television.
Initially organized as a tightly controlled meeting for people living in the district, identification was checked, signs and bullhorns were prohibited and attendees were told only written questions — randomly chosen — would be fielded by the congressman.
By the time all seats were filled, hundreds remained outside. An unofficial police count placed the number who didn’t get in at around 500.
The congressman, facing those he represents, suspended the rules and allowed people to interact with him.
The first question was about President Donald Trump’s travel ban. Culberson invited Kendall Bousquet, a community engagement specialist for Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, to come to the front, take the microphone and read her submission, which inquired about the impact on refugees.
“We have to make sure that we know who’s coming into the United States,” he said, to boos and signs waved by people who brought them despite prohibitions.
Culberson remained affable, asking the crowd to be “courteous and polite” as people who opposed his answers — or him — barked back. Hundreds of red and green paper squares, some of which were confiscated by aides, made it into the hall as a way for attendees to silently signal agreement or disagreement.
Other Houston town halls have either happened without the member of Congress — namely events organized by voters last month seeking access to Sen. Ted Cruz or Rep. Kevin Brady of The Woodlands, both Republicans, during the congressional recess — or with a representative in ideological step with constituents, such as what turned into anti-Trumpcare rally two weeks ago hosted the Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Houston Democrat.
Culberson has represented the 7th Congressional District since 2001. The C-shaped jurisdiction covers a small portion of western Harris County and several high-income enclaves including Bellaire and the villages in west Houston.
Moments of consensus between the crowd at Spring Branch Middle School and Culberson turned on mutual support of flood-control funding for west Houston and continued federal money for scientific research.
The town hall came one day after a Trump-backed GOP health care bill was pulled from House consideration. Culberson said he would have voted in favor.
“This bill was designed to get us to first base,” he said in an interview before the town hall. “This is the first step. We will regroup and hit it again. … One of my fundamental promises to my constituents was to repeal and replace Obamacare.”
Other questioners included Claudia Macias, a descendant of Mexican immigrants, who asked what Culberson would do to protect children brought to the U.S. without documentation and their families — many of whom, she said, are not the “bad hombres” Trump said he would prioritize for deportation. The congressman responded that she “should not be concerned” because “dangerous criminals” were the main targets for removal.
“As you have heard from the crowd today, that is not what is happening,” Macias, an early-childhood education consultant, replied to loud applause.
Some people who showed up weren’t trying to get inside.
A vehicle demonstration emerged across the street from the school with mostly anti-Trump signs that adorned parallel-parked cars. The progressive Indivisible group, which organizes to oppose the president’s agenda, employed banners, signs and bullhorns to blare their messages and chants.
“What makes Houston so beautiful is the diversity of the people here, and our voices aren’t being heard,” said protester Tara Johnson, 43.