Rep. Leonard Lance, R-7, was met with a more polite, though, still relatively combative, house full of constituents at his 44th Town Hall meeting - his fourth of the year - on Tuesday, May 30, at the Roy Smith Theatre at Union County College in Cranford.
A drastic departure from his recent events at Raritan Valley Community College and Mount Olive High School, the entrance to the theater was completely devoid of any protesters or signs, with the only exception being two lonely Trump protesters as the meeting emptied out later in the evening.
Lance moved directly to randomly drawn questions from the crowd.
Budget
The first questioner, Jean Crowley of Cranford, asked Lance where he stood on the Trump-proposed budget, which she said cuts Pell grants, food stamps, Medicaid, and Social Security benefits while giving "the rich huge tax cuts"
"I do not support it," said Lance to loud cheers and applause. He reminded the audience that the president proposes budgets but the appropriations committee in Congress, and Congress itself, votes on the budget.
When Lance mentioned that Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-11, chairs the appropriations committee in the House, his name was met with loud boos from the room, apparently a reaction to that representative's avoidance of meeting constituents in similar settings to Lance's meetings and his vote in favor of changing the Affordable Care Act.
Lance said he thinks the cuts area too significant, including the cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He noted his belief that the Gateway Tunnel is "very important" to New Jersey and New York and that he favored continued funding of the National Endowments for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as well as the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
Despite his opposition to many proposed cuts, he does agree that the budget should be balanced eventually, and does not think the budget will be passed as proposed.
Michael Collins, of Cranford, said he commended Lance's support for the NEA, NEH and public broadcasting, but asked Lance if he disagreed with proposed budget cuts in Medicaid, food stamps, and similar social programs.
Lance said he supported the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). But he noted that under traditional Medicaid the state is reimbursed at 50 percent, while under the ACA-expanded Medicaid the state is reimbursed 90 percent for the working poor.
Lance said he did not vote for Trumpcare because the expanded Medicaid program instituted under the ACA would have been eliminated. Because the Supreme Court ruled that forcing all 50 states to expand Medicaid was unconstitutional, states that didn't expand Medicaid were unhappy about the fact that those states which did expand Medicaid are getting a 90 percent reimbursement.
"I am for the 90 percent reimbursement, and I am going to fight (this.)
Lance said he does favor funding for the programs Collins asked about, but does want the budget eventually to be balanced. He asked Collins if he was in favor of raising taxes to avoid significant cuts.
"It seems to me not irrational to raise taxes upon those with incomes of several millions of dollars, who have the most to spare in our society," Collins said to loud cheers. "I don't necessarily need anymore - I have taken a student loan in order to finish my graduate funding, but if I never see another red cent from the government it doesn't bother me at all."
He said he is more concerned about the people in the country at large that need help.
Lance said he voted to continue the tax cuts for certain Americans which sent the tax rate back up to 39.6 parent, but reaffirmed his desire to balance the budget and that taxes should not be lowered for taxpayers in the top of society.
"We do certainly have essential responsibility in the areas you have suggested," Lance said.
NATO
Ken Springer, of New Providence, commented that President Donald Trump had just returned from his first overseas visit where he "cuddled up to the autocrats in Saudi Arabia, and snubbed many of our NATO allies."
"It seems to me that this alienation of our NATO allies and cozying up to Russia is just what Vladimir Putin wants to happen."
When he asked Lance if he is satisfied with the direction of the administration's foreign policy, and if not, what he intends to do about, the crowd cheered and clapped loudly.
At first, Lance responded to the unasked question of the difficulty of peace between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
"I favor democracy in the Middle East and clearly Saudi Arabia is not a democracy," Lance said. "Israel is the only true democracy in the Middle East and I am a very strong supporter of Israel."
He then said he is a "strong supporter of NATO and believe in Article 5," the part of the NATO charter in which all partners respond to an attack on one as attack on all, which met with loud applause.
He called NATO "an indispensable organization not only benefiting Europe but benefitting the United States" and that he will urge congress to fulfill our NATO funding responsibilities.
"I also think that some of our NATO allies should do a better job of defense spending in their countries."
Russia
Alan, a registered Republican from Somerset, said "I think the clear criminality in the current administration and lack of outcry from the party in control of the government leads me to believe that the Republican Party is becoming morally bankrupt. I cannot see myself voting for any Republican for any office for the foreseeable future.
He asked Lance when he will call out the president and the Republican leadership about the president's refusal to disclose his tax returns and disclosures related to "the obvious financial self-interests of the Trump family and the (investigation) into collusion with the Russians."
After loud applause and cheers from fellow constituents, Lance said he feels the newly appointed special counsel will most likely subpoena the tax returns and related documents.
"I support the special counsel, Mr. (Robert) Mueller, I think that is an excellent step," Lance said. "I think that Mr. Mueller will investigate the matters that you raise and will do so in an impartial and above-board manner.
"I criticize the president where I disagree with him, and I indicate where I support him. I certainly think that a fair and impartial investigation into the whole Russian situation should occur, and I think that Bob Mueller will do a superb job.
"And let the chips fall where they may."
Climate Change
After a strong favorable reaction to that comment, Ann Gilson of Springfield asked Lance his thoughts on climate change and his thoughts on Trump's move to leave the Paris climate change accord.
"I believe climate change exists, I've stated that repeatedly, and I believe that human beings are responsible in significant part for climate change, and hope (that) the administration will not leave the Paris agreement."
He said even if the president decides to leave the accord, which he did days after the town hall, that doesn't mean the country can't continue to move in the direction of lowering pollution, and he favors that.
Lance also noted that he is opposed to both the Pilgrim and PennEast pipelines in other parts of the state.
Gun Control
Linda Engleby, of Bernardsville, co-chair of the Million Mom March in Somerset County some years ago, asked Lance his thoughts on concealed carry gun permits and other gun issues.
"You argue that current state law would undermine the rights of gun owners in other states, but what about our rights? " Engleby asked. "Why don't we get a say about what we want in our communities and our state? Do you still support legislation that will make New Jersey less safe?"
She was met with explosive applause and shouts of agreement.
Lance expressed concern that people with carry permits are arrested when they travel through the state and are really not aware of our laws.
"I believe in the Second Amendment, but I also believe that what is appropriate for a state in the Rocky Mountain west might not be appropriate for New Jersey."
Donald Trump
Martin Carroll, of Watchung, introduced himself by saying that Lance probably already knows him because he sends him "about four faxes a day."
"This administration is the most foul administration I have ever seen in my life. The stench that comes from Washington can be smelled in my hometown. The Republicans are (proving) themselves to be a bunch of spineless do-nothings, and I pledge to you that on the day President Trump leaves the White House, I will be one of the people across the street cheering and having a party."
Easily the most explosive cheering, shouting and extended clapping of the night came from the crowd.
"Thank you," Lance said. "Your comments are similar to your emails."
Privacy
Vicky Letterman, of Summit, asked about Lance's votes to strike down internet neutrality and privacy restrictions despite massive public comment in favor of both to the FCC. She said that robo-calls are the top consumer complaint, but the Republican National Committee wants to allow ringless voicemails to telephones, which garned loud boos from the audience.
"Why it is even a question whether people own or have control over their private information of their phones is beyond me," Letterman said.
She questioned Lance's campaign contributions from major telecom industry corporations such as Verizon and AT&T, based in his district.
Lance said that this is a dispute between the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and that he does favor equal treatment for ISP and "edge providers" but feels this should remain an issue for the FTC, not the FCC.
As for the campaign contributions, Lance said that there is a large presence of telecommunications corporations in the seventh district, so contributions are not unusual, but that he does favor an open internet and will "always vote my conscience" despite contributions to his campaigns.
Immigration
Jenny Hughes of North Plainfield said she feels "we shouldn't be balancing the budget on the back of the poor."
"Some of us wouldn't mind paying our fair share or maybe even a little more," she said.
"I agree," Lance said.
She asked where Lance stands on immigration reform and the current threat of deportation to immigrants.
"We should concentrate on removing those here illegally who have committed crime," Lance said.
He said comprehensive reform is best, but he is not in favor of full amnesty or of removal of "dreamers" who came here as small children. He said he does favor allowing those immigrants to get citizenship for volunteering to serve in the military.
Lance said that he realizes that some immigrants have followed the rules and are waiting in line to become citizens, but that even undocumented immigrants should be able to get on that line as well.
Medicare
Bill Farr, a retired physician from Summit, asked how many in the room were over 65 years of age, and many hands went up.
"You are all part of a single-payer health care system - it's called Medicare," Farr said.
He said Medicare is twice the size of Canada's health care system, about the same size as England's and smaller than that of France or Germany.
"It's really embarrassing to watch Congress fumbling around trying to figure out what to do about health care when we already know how to do this," Farr said. "We've done it for over 50 years and it's one of the most successful programs in health care."
He said when he turned 65 he was relieved, and wondered why everyone else didn't have it.
"I do not favor a single payer system," Lance said. "I believe in building on the system we have."
Lance asked Farr if he would approve of requiring physicians to join, because he thinks the the American Medical Association (AMA) would not support that.
Farr said he would, and noted that the AMA only represents 15 percent of doctors, and the majority of physicians actually do support single-payer. He asked if Lance would be willing to sit down and talk about it, to which Lance said "absolutely."
Planned Parenthood
Kathy Sheridan of Cranford was the last questioner.
"I don't think congress has any idea of what Planned Parenthood really does," she began.
She told her story about being a "DES daughter" - her mother was given Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic estrogen developed to supplement a woman's natural estrogen production, to avoid a ninth miscarriage. DES daughters were found to have a higher risk of cervical cancer.
"I have never had a normal pap smear," Sheridan said.
Sheridan said that doctors recommended a pap smear every three months, but insurance only paid yearly, so she went to Planned Parenthood in Flemington for the other tests.
"It was the pap smear after my annual exam that detected cancer," she said. "Three months earlier I had no cancer. If I had to wait another year, the cancer would have advanced and I might never had been able to have children.
"Thirty two years later I can say that Planned Parenthood saved my life and the lives of my three children," Sheridan said.
Lance noted that the House recently passed government funding for the rest of this year and it included funding for Planned Parenthood, although not for abortion procedures. He said he was one of only a few Republicans who voted in favor, and that about 100 Republicans voted it down.
He said he supports the Hyde Amendment, in place since 1976, which prohibits federal funds for abortion. He asked how many in the room support the Hyde Amendment, and not one hand went up. When he asked who was against it, nearly every hand, if not every, went up amidst cheers and applause.
"This is an issue where I may disagree with the majority, but I favor the Hyde Amendment," Lance said.
He was met with again loud boos.
"But you are supposed to represent the constituents," yelled a voice from the crowd. "You represent us. We're telling you what our conscience is. If you like Apple but you work for Microsoft, you shouldn’t be there."
Sheridan asked if Lance would try to convince those other 100 Republicans to vote as he did.
"I try to lead by example, and certainly hope that others will share my point of view, but I do support the Hyde Amendment," Lance said.
"I don't think the Hyde Amendment is likely to change anytime soon," was his last word on the topic, and the end of the night's questions.
The 7th Congressional District includes all of Hunterdon County, the Somerset Hills communities of Bernardsville, Bedminster, Far Hills, Peapack-Gladstone and Bernards Township, the Watchung Hills communities of Warren, Watchung and Long Hill, Mine Hill, the Chesters and Washington Township, Mount Olive, Dover, Roxbury and Mount Arlington, as well as parts of Union and Warren counties.
This town hall meeting can be viewed online on the Union County College livestream page at livestream.com/UCC-TV/events/7435309/videos/157280286.