1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

On February 6, 2026, during a face-to-face meeting with staff from the office of Ryan Mackenzie, constituents were told he does not hold in-person town halls because he “fears for his safety.” While safety is important for everyone, avoiding public forums entirely is not an acceptable substitute for representation. Town halls are a basic responsibility of elected officials. They are how members of Congress hear directly from the people they represent — about healthcare costs, veterans’ services, education funding, taxes, small businesses, and the everyday challenges families face. Even his own staff acknowledged that it is important for a congressman to understand the real issues constituents are experiencing. You cannot claim to value constituent concerns while avoiding constituents themselves. Public service requires accessibility and accountability. Tough questions are not threats — they are democracy in action. If policies are strong and votes are defensible, they should withstand public scrutiny. Rep. Mackenzie works for us — not the other way around. His decisions shape our healthcare, our schools, our jobs, and our rights. We deserve the opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns, and receive answers in a public forum. We, the undersigned constituents, call on Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to: ● Schedule and publicly announce regular in-person town halls across the district ● Provide open Q&A sessions with no pre-screened questions ● Ensure accessibility and adequate security so events are safe for everyone Representation requires presence. Accountability requires courage. It is time for Rep. Mackenzie to meet with the people he serves and hold real town halls.