It seemed like there was only one solution for the string of issues voiced during a town hall hosted by Rep. Alan Lowenthal at Millikan High School Monday evening: Vote this November to flip control of Congress.
“This nightmare will continue if you don’t vote,” the liberal congressman told hundreds of constituents who filled the East Long Beach school’s auditorium.
At the town hall, Lowenthal offered his stance and proposed solutions to a myriad of issues, but acknowledged that without the support of Republican colleagues who control congress it will be up to voters in this year’s midterm elections to elect Democrats if they want to sway key issues.
Lowenthal at Town Hall: If You Want to Affect Change “2018 Is Right Around the Corner”
The issues discussed Monday ran the gamut: immigration, the environment, healthcare, social security, gerrymandering, voting rights and foreign affairs. Leslie from Long Beach asked a question via Facebook Live: how can there be bipartisan support on legislation? (Last names were not disclosed for those asking questions on social media platforms.)
Lowenthal said he has tried to meet with Republicans on issues that both parties can agree on, like the environment, but suggested that some colleagues across the aisle fear going against their leadership.
“The endangered species here are the moderate Republicans too scared to stand up,” he said.
Lowenthal also answered questions about the reunification of families separated at the U.S-Mexico border, a recent hot topic that has put the Trump Administration under fire.
He talked about his experience visiting a Texas detention center about a month ago where he witnessed children detained in a large cage and mothers crying.
“This could be my parents,” he said. “We’re talking about people leaving a horrible situation.”
James, 10, from Long Beach voiced his support for immigrants and DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy that let eligible undocumented youth known as Dreamers stay in the country with a guaranteed pathway to citizenship.
“I think this immigration problem is getting out of hand,” said James. “Does Trump even care?”
Lowenthal agreed with his sentiment and noted that the immigration issue should have been fixed in 2013 when there was broad-based support. While the court system seems to be the only thing currently saving Dreamers at risk of being deported, he pointed to a possible solution that involves getting 30 House Republicans to sign a “discharge petition” that would sidestep House leadership and bring passable legislation to the floor, according to The Atlantic.
“Short of that, if we can’t get 30 Republicans to pass DACA protection in a bipartisan way, we will have to wait until after the election,” Lowenthal said. “That’s it.”