CONGRESSMAN HOLDS TOWN HALL MEETING, ADDRESSES CONCERNS

U.S. Congressman Jeb Hensarling (Tx. Dist. 5) held a town hall meeting in Athens on Thursday. Over 50 of Hensarling's constituents were in attendance to hear him.

Hensarling told the crowd not all members of Congress hold town hall meetings.

“I think they are important,” he said. “You need to hold me accountable. I benefit from ideas from town hall meetings.”

Hensarling fielded some tough questions, including a question from a retired school teacher about her Social Security. Because of her teacher's retirement, she is being denied part of her Social Security. She wanted to know how the congressman would help retired teachers reclaim their entire Social Security income.

“I think you may be better off being part of the Texas Teacher Retirement,” Hersarling said. “Social Security is going broke. It won't be around for my 11 year old to draw.”

Hensarling said, “Because of the Windfall Elimination Provision in Social Security, teachers have come out much better.”

The Windfall Elimination Provision affects how you calculate your retirement or Social Security benefits.

Hensarling was asked a number of questions about why Congress, with control of both houses, was not getting much accomplished

In a press release to the Athens Review, Hensarling said, “The American people expect and deserve a Congress and White House that works together to forge common sense solutions that address the real problems that families are facing. Unfortunately, President Obama and his administration continue pursue the ‘my way or the highway approach’ to governing that focuses on advancing his own agenda, instead of addressing the real problems that families are facing today.”

Other concerns were about passing an immigration law. There was a suggestion that any immigrant who has lived in the U.S. two years, committed no crimes, does not take welfare and pays income tax, should become a citizen.

“I want people to be economic assets in America,” Hensarling said. “The first thing we need to do is secure our borders.”

Hensarling said a ruling is expected in June about the future of Obamacare. The Supreme Court will decide if government subsidies are legal in states that  chose not  set up health exchanges.

“I believe if the Supreme Court rules properly, it will be the end of Obamacare,” he said.

One of the final questions concerned impeachment procedures against Obama.

“A president can only be impeached if he is “convicted of treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors,” said Hensarling.