Garamendi Joins More than Twenty House Democrats in Congressional Twitter Town Hall on the GOP “So Be It” Budget

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, over twenty House Democrats joined together in a Twitter Town Hall hosted by Rep. John Larson (D-CT), chair of the House Democratic Caucus, Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), co-chair of the New Media Working Group, and Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA), to field questions live via Twitter about the budget and the “So Be It” Republican spending bill. During the hour of the event, #AskDems – the hashtag to follow the Town Hall – was the 3rd most discussed topic nationally (and the 1st was a paid for campaign).

"Members of Congress need to go where We the People are, and that increasingly means social media platforms like Twitter," said Rep. John Garamendi (CA-10). "The Internet is tearing down the gates that used to divide representatives from the public. Community-wide open conversations are now possible online. Public research helped create the Internet; it’s about time public servants utilized it to its fullest potential. With my fellow House Democrats, it’s an honor to join the conversation."

"Democrats in Congress are hearing nonstop from our constituents about their concerns with the irresponsible GOP spending bill. This Twitter town hall is a chance for us to directly respond to those concerns," said Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01), the Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. "I want to thank Congressman Honda and Congressman Garamendi for their great work putting this together, and all the Members and the American public for their overwhelming response."

"Using new technologies, Democrats continue to push the envelope in connecting with the American public," added Rep. Mike Honda (CA-15), co-Chair of the House Democratic Caucus New Media Working Group. "In organizing this national town hall, House Democrats are reaching out to an America that is enraged with the Republican attack on working families, seniors, women, children, students and our economy. The tweeting voices are drawing a line in the sand, saying enough is enough – all in 140 characters or less."

In addition to Larson (@RepJohnLarson), Honda (@RepMikeHonda), and Garamendi (@RepGaramendi), Members participating in today’s Town Hall included: House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) (@WhipHoyer), and Reps. Karen Bass (D-CA) (@RepKarenBass), John Conyers (D-MI) (@repjohnconyers), Joe Courtney (D-CT) (@connecticutjoe), Diana DeGette (D-CO) (@RepDianaDeGette), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) (@mauricehinchey), Mazie Hirono (D-HI) (@maziehirono), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) (@RepEBJ), Hank Johnson (D-GA) (@RepHankJohnson), Ron Kind (D-WI) (@RepRonKind), Doris Matsui (D-CA) (@DorisMatsui), Brad Miller (D-NC) (@RepBradMiller), Jim McDermott (D-WA) (@RepJimMcDermott), Jim McGovern (D-MA) (@RepMcGovern), Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) (@RepPerlmutter), Charlie Rangel (D-NY) (@cbrangel), Tim Ryan (D-OH) (@timryan), and Paul Tonko (D-NY) (@paultonko).

The House Democratic Caucus New Media Working Group establishes and shares new media best practices with Members of the House Democratic Caucus to promote broader and more effective engagement with their constituents. Over the last year, the Working Group has held briefings with industry leaders like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Google while fostering partnerships with these companies to develop substantive tools for constituents to better connect with their representatives.