Pelosi, Hoyer: Protests ‘un-American’

House Democratic leaders are going on offense against those protesting healthcare reform legislation at lawmaker town hall meetings across the country.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi described the disruptions as “simply un-American” in an op-ed for USA Today co-authored by Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.

“Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American. Drowning out the facts is how we failed at this task for decades,” Pelosi (Caif.) and Hoyer (Md.) wrote.

The two described the protests as “an ugly campaign” meant to misrepresent healthcare legislation, disrupt public meetings and prevent a civil dialogue between lawmakers and their constituents.

The two singled out the hanging in effigy of Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-Md.), and protestors holding a sign displaying a tombstone of Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas.).

Democrats have also set up a “war room” in Hoyer’s office to provide members with immediate health policy answers and updates from leadership offices. A number of lawmakers have either cancelled town halls or decided against having them entirely because of protests or the fear of protests.

Republicans have insisted the protests are spontaneous grass-roots efforts.

–Ian Swanson