Record number of people tune in to virtual town hall with Nebraska congressman Bacon

More than 17,000 people listened to a virtual town hall with Omaha-area Congressman Don Bacon Tuesday evening.

That’s the largest audience of any event Bacon has hosted since first taking office in 2017. He said he averages around 6,000 people for virtual town halls and 300-400 at in person ones.

During Tuesday's hour long call-in period, Bacon was asked questions regarding cuts to government agencies like the Department of Education, National Weather Service and U.S. Postal Service.

Bacon said he supports the mission of the Department of Government Efficiency and credited the work done to reduce the projected annual deficit from $2.3 trillion to $1.7 trillion.

However, he said the method of mass firings and program cuts from Elon Musk - instead of cabinet secretaries - was the wrong move. He also said he would work to protect funding for Medicare and Medicaid, the U.S. Postal Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and special education, whether it's through the Department of Education or not.

He said many people want to see Congress respond to these cuts immediately, but it takes time for the legislative branch to enact its budgetary authority.

“Congress's main power is the power of the purse primarily, and it takes a while to turn that ship around and get that done," he said. "It takes a while for the courts and the Congress to get their power and to be that equal branch, but I surely do think that Congress could do more."

The general ire around DOGE and proposed spending cuts was similar to what was expressed during Congressman Mike Flood’s town hall in Columbus last week.

But unlike Flood’s raucous event, there were no boos, chants or applause heard through the phone lines.

Speaking with the media afterwards, Bacon said he chose the virtual format because it allows for a bigger audience and is kid friendly.

“You cover more issues, it's more civil, and people could call if they don't agree with me, but at least you're having a chance to ask a hard question or something you don't agree with and I need to respond to it," he said.

He also acknowledged a reason for Flood's in-person preference.

"Mike Flood, one of the reasons he likes doing it, to be candid with you, and I think it's a good point, he does it because he thinks it makes the far left look bad, right? And I believe that's true," Bacon said.

Bacon said he will continue his commitment to holding town halls each quarter, but didn’t say when his next one will be or if it will be in person.