This past weekend, Virginia’s five House Republicans—Rob Wittman (VA-01), Jen Kiggans (VA-02), John McGuire (VA-05), Ben Cline (VA-06), and Morgan Griffith (VA-09) - escaped to the Ritz-Carlton in Miami. Back home, their constituents gathered at their offices asking them to host town halls to address their concerns about the House Republicans’ budget blueprint that will gut funding for Medicaid and SNAP benefits and Donald Trump’s increasing attacks on Virginia’s workforce and economy.

Despite these growing calls, the National Republican Congressional Committee is telling Republicans to avoid holding in-person town halls, according to a report from Politico. One of Kiggans' constituents shared with the Virginian-Pilot this weekend that they simply want to discuss the hardships facing thousands of Virginians losing their jobs. Similarly, a constituent of Wittman’s told WRIC that they want him to address the job losses at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the impact it will have on veterans’ medical care. 

“Virginia’s House Republicans are hiding from their constituents and failing in their duty to serve as they raise prices, layoff Virginians, and attempt to gut funding for critical programs. But they are showing their true colors - cowards who are afraid to face the very people they swore to represent and be accountable to,” DPVA Chairwoman Susan Swecker said. “Virginians deserve better than these out-of-touch leaders who are more interested in protecting their political careers than addressing the needs of their communities."