U.S. Rep. Visclosky’s annual town hall forums start Jan. 18

U.S. Rep. Peter Visclosky is holding a series of town hall forums Jan. 18-19 across Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties to gain insight from citizens on their concerns concerning the federal government.

Visclosky spokesman Kevin Spicer said Visclosky, D-Gary, now in his 18th term, is looking forward to hearing from residents about their issues and how he can best serve them.

The forums come as Congress and President Donald Trump wage a battle over Trump’s demand for a $5.8 billion border wall, one of his cornerstone campaign promises.

The tiff led to a government shutdown that’s left 800,000 federal workers without their paychecks, some federal parks trashed, and airport security jeopardized as some unpaid TSA workers call off sick.

Visclosky said reopening government is a priority.

“It is unacceptable that the political leadership does not exist to find common ground so that basic gov-

Visclosky Town Hall schedule

ernment operations can fully and effectively be provided for the benefit of all Americans,” he said in a statement.

“I will continue to work for a reasoned resolution of the current impasse so that we can get about the work of governing our country.”

Visclosky’s easy November win over his GOP challenger meant he eclipsed former U.S. Rep. Ray Madden’s mark for longevity when the House convened last week.

Among his goals is legislation establishing the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore as a national park. The measure passed the House last year, but failed to emerge from committee in the Senate as the Trump administration didn’t favor it.

Visclosky plans to try again this year.

Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.