Angry constituent to California congressman Doug LeMalfa: 'May you die in pain'
About 400 residents in Chico gathered for a town hall meeting hosted by the GOP representative.
A Republican congressman from California was met with a biting remark from a constituent during a town hall meeting on Monday (7 August): "May you die in pain".
The comment came from an angry elderly voter, who was upset about Representative Doug LaMalfa's support for the House GOP plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Los Angeles Times reported the constituent, who was among the reported 400 residents at the Chico town hall, was holding a sign reading "Lackey for the Rich!".
"I think that your vote to throw 22 million people off of health is reprehensible and in the service of the rich," the resident told LaMalfa. "I hope you suffer the same painful fate as those millions that you have voted to remove health care from. May you die in pain."
The unidentified man was jeered by some fellow constituents in attendants, audio from a Facebook video posted by North State Public Radio revealed. Unfazed, he reportedly shot back: "I'm not a nice person."
LaMalfa replied to the resident: "We pray for our constituents, too, sir." He then stood by his vote on a healthcare repeal. Senate Republicans failed to pass a "skinny repeal" bill late in July, prompting the ire of President Donald Trump.
"People across the board are being hurt by this," LaMalfa said about the ACA, which is better known as Obamacare. He was met by a series of boos, The LA Times reported. "I have the mic, folks. Yep, boo away," he answered.
According to NBC News, constituents were not only bothered by LaMalfa's healthcare stance but his support of Trump's on a number of issues, including climate change and taxes.
"I don't buy the idea that man-made activity is responsible," LaMalfa said about climate change.
Despite calls for LaMalfa to resign, the congressman said town hall meeting as "pretty good" compared to a previous meeting he held earlier this year.
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