One of the most liberal members of Congress will spend time in Tucson next week meeting with voters rather than attend Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration.
Congressman Raúl Grijalva calls it an act of defiance against the President-elect and the Republicans in Congress working to dismantle the Affordable Care Act.
“My absence is not motivated by disrespect for the office, or motivated by disrespect for the government that we have in this great democracy. But as an individual act — yes, of defiance — at the disrespect shown to millions and millions of Americans by this incoming administration, and by the actions we are taking here in this Congress,” he said in a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Grijalva announced he would attend two events highlighting the impact a repeal of the ACA would have in his congressional district.
“I will be at home in Arizona, meeting with seniors, the immigrant community, folks that care about the environment and climate change, healthcare providers,” he said. “Rather than participate in the inauguration, I will be participating in my district and reaffirming, and renewing, this democracy, and the people that are part of it.”
On Wednesday, Jan. 18, the congressman will take part in a roundtable discussion at the El Rio Community Health Center. On Friday, inauguration day, Grijalva will meet with members of the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans at his Tucson office to listen to their concerns about Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake as well as Reps. Martha McSally and Tom O’Halleran have all stated they plan on attending the inauguration.
