Business Breakfast Turns Hostile As GOP Rep. Fields Trump, Health Care Questions

UNITED STATES - FEBRUARY 07: Todd Rokita, R-Ind., conducts a news conference at the RNC after a meeting of the House Republican Conference, February 7, 2017. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
UNITED STATES - FEBRUARY 07: Todd Rokita, R-Ind., conducts a news conference at the RNC after a meeting of the House Republican Conference, February 7, 2017. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call) (CQ Roll Call via AP Images)
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Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN) faced tough questions on Saturday at a breakfast event with local chambers of commerce, which are typically friendly territory for Republicans.

A few attendees at the breakfast said they weren’t fans of either Rokita or Donald Trump and peppered the congressman with questions about the President, health care and climate change, according to the Journal-Review.

Members of the audience repeatedly interrupted Rokita as he tried to answer questions, prompting the congressman to ask the crowd to be civil, the Journal-Review reported.

“This is a free country and we have free speech rights,” Rokita said, per the Journal-Review. “But, we also have to be civil. I learn from constructive dialog, but I will not tolerate disruptive discussion because that is not fair to people who came to exchange ideas and learn something.”

The congressman also addressed House Republicans’ failed attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare, arguing that Republicans need to take their time replacing the law.

“We learned we need to take more time and get it right,” Rokita said, per the Joural-Review. “We need to explain it better to get the next one passed.”

 

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