Responding to an invitation from Rep. Jake Auchincloss (MA 4th CD), approximately 400 people took seats in Newton North High School’s theatre to hear and engage with him. According to his staff, over 600 people had said they planned to attend the Sunday afternoon event, among them local elected officials and political activists. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, State Rep. Kay Khan, State Rep. Ruth Balser, State Rep.-Elect Amy Sangiolo, and State Rep.-Elect Greg Schwartz accompanied the Congressman into the auditorium, where he paid special tribute to retiring State Representatives Khan and Balser.
Acknowledging that many in the audience came to ask questions, Rep. Auchincloss began with a brief update on his Congressional initiatives including:
- Ongoing efforts to control pharmaceutical costs by regulating Pharmacy Benefits Managers
- Chairing the Fentanyl Working Group seeking to halt the illegal distribution of the drug from China and Mexico. Fentanyl causes 100,000 deaths annually.
- Working to curtail the surge in antisemitism on college campuses
- Working to protect federal research funding from the Republican control of all three branches of the federal government, which will have serious consequences for individuals and communities
- Working to prevent 18-21-year olds with criminal records from purchasing guns, and working to promote safe gun storage laws.
As he delivered his Congressional update, two long lines of questioners formed along the center aisles of the auditorium. Since the time allotted for the town hall was one hour, it was clear that not everyone in line would be able to ask a question. The group included a range of ages, although most were older.
By far the most contentious questions centered on Israel and the war in Gaza, with some accusing Israel of genocide, and one person suggesting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be arrested for war crimes in keeping with the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant. Rep. Auchincloss repeatedly explained that the U.S. is committed to protecting Israel’s right to exist and that a “cease fire” depended on that. When one of the people in the question line began a long statement against Israel’s action in Gaza, many in the audience spoke out saying, “We don’t want to hear it.” At the same time, some in line thanked the Congressman for his support of Israel. He asked how many in the audience had loved ones in Israel, and a significant number raised their hands, and he responded that he was acting on behalf of his constituents. He noted that he repeatedly voted to support aid for the people in Gaza. And he praised the Biden/Harris Administration for what he called a strong foreign policy agenda.
Responding to questions related to the incarceration of drug users, Rep. Auchincloss made a distinction between criminals who profit from selling drugs and those who are incarcerated because of drug use. He said that illegal drug use should be treated as a mental health issue rather than a crime. He praised programs instituted by Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian that focused on treatment and rehabilitation.
Among the questions Rep. Auchincloss was asked was: What can be done to resist the proposed initiatives of the incoming administration, and what can constituents do to help? He responded that he would be focused on the confirmation process including for nominees Pete Hegseth, RFK, Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, and Kash Patel. One questioner asked about the projected depletion of Social Security in eight or ten years, to which Rep. Auchincloss said that Elon Musk could not eliminate either Social Security or Medicare, but he offered that both programs could be made more efficient.
Another attendee asked Rep. Auchincloss about climate change and asked, “What are you doing about plastics?” He acknowledged the growing focus on removing and controlling plastics and bipartisan legislation to control fossil fuel emissions.
A Newton housing advocate thanked the Congressman for his securing federal money to upgrade the Newtonville Commuter Rail station and his support for more transit-oriented housing development. Rep. Auchincloss emphasized the value to the community in meeting the needs for housing through multifamily construction close to public transportation. In November, the Congressman joined with six colleagues to form a bipartisan group — the Yes In My Backyard (YIMBY) caucus — to expand local development of affordable housing.
At the end of the session, a young man explained that his transgender friends were terrified about their safety. Rep. Auchincloss responded that he shared concerns about a “wannabe dictator,” but he said he and his colleagues would “triage the areas where he wants to do the most damage.”
Among his constituents attending the Town Hall was thirteen-year-old Arthur Shuhaiber with his younger brother Alan and their father Jeffrey. Arthur is a Newton middle-school student and came because he admires and wanted to meet his Congressman. He told Fig City News that he wanted to hear about climate change, Israel, and a reduction in inflation. On the foreign policy front, Arthur believes that Netanyahu and Trump need to end the war in Gaza, and he is concerned that the Ukraine/Russian war will lead to an astronomical death rate. He told Fig City News that he wants to become involved in politics and run for office.
