Protesters who have interrupted town hall meetings are guilty of committing “political terrorism,” one Democratic lawmaker said Wednesday.
Rep. Baron Hill (D-Ind.), a centrist Democrat, said that he can tolerate political differences, those who have shouted down congressmen and senators at town hall meetings across the country in recent weeks have taken things to a different level.
“I don’t mind people disagreeing with you, but just to blow up a meeting is an act of political terrorism,” Hill told the Louisville Courier-Journal.
“They have only one purpose in mind and that’s to blow up the meetings that are being held and that serves no one, ladies and gentlemen,” he said of the protesters, according to WISH-TV. That outlet is also reporting that Republicans have demanded an apology from Hill over the terrorism words.
Those comments come after lawmakers have had to fend off the highly-publicized interruptions from constituents during the August recess, reflecting some dyspepsia over the healthcare reform plans before Congress.
House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said earlier Wednesday that the town hall meetings are part of the healthcare battle, which he characterized as a “fight for the heart and soul of the United States of America.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) said that he nationally televised town hall, which included unfavorable outbursts, was “terrific.”
Update, 2:50 p.m.: Hill has made similar comments on camera about the protesters before: