3/26/2011, Congressman Brooks Hosts Town Hall in Athens

Huntsville, AL – Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) this morning hosted a Town Hall at Athens State University. Following an introduction by Athens State University President Robert Glenn, Brooks took questions from constituents for an hour and a half on subjects ranging from Libya to tax reform.

On Libya:  “Are we going to do the same thing for other countries that we have done in Libya? Where we are spending our treasury at this point, and perhaps lives at some point? [President Obama] consulted with the Arab League and with the United Nations… but he has not consulted with the United States Congress.”

“First, we don’t have the money to pay for it. It’s 3 to 9 billion dollars to pay for a six-month no fly zone, keeping in mind that we really don’t know how much our allies are going to pitch in, how much is going to be the United States’ burden, and how much is going to be the burden of our allies.”

On the importance of NASA:  “It’s about furthering the horizon of Americans. That’s important to me, and I think it’s important to our country, because it sets us apart in a positive way from everybody else:  technologically, intellectually, [through] achievements, economic capabilities, you name it.”

On tax reform:  “I have co-sponsored the fair tax…. It’s going to take a very large ground swell from the population to get that changed. If I have the opportunity to vote for the fair tax or the flat tax, I’m going to do it.”

On a government shutdown:  “The ball is in [the Senate’s] court. We have given them six months in this fiscal year to pass some kind of budget. If they fail by April the 8th, then that is the deadline I hope House leaders will communicate to the Senate next week.”

“Ultimately, we have to have a budget, and the Senate has to act.”

On GOP dedication to spending cuts:  "The Republicans are absolutely 100% united on our goal. But just as a football or basketball team might be united on their goal, we can have a difference of opinion on strategy... . But our goal [to cut spending] is constantly the same.”

For constituents who missed the event in Athens, Congressman Brooks plans to hold another town hall this spring.

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For photos from this event, click HERE.

For a copy of the handout from the Town Hall, click HERE.

For media articles about this event, click HERE.