Duncan Responds to Constituents' Questions

Area residents had an opportunity to find out what Congressman Jeff Duncan was doing to represent their interests Thursday night during a Town Hall Meeting at Dacusville United Methodist Church.

Duncan fielded questions on government spending, health care reform, job growth, gun control, labor unions, and environmental legislation.

"Talking to him is like preaching to the choir," said Butch Hendricks of Dacusville. "I feel like he represents us, he speaks what we feel."

Duncan reassured Frances Santerli that he would continue to fight the efforts of the National Labor Relations Board to protect Boeing's interest in South Carolina.

David Norton of Dacusville asked Duncan what the U.S. Congress was going to do to help small business owners and when the federal government will allow banks to start lending money.

"Fifteen of the 17 major banks in South Carolina are under an Office of the Comptroller of Currency, a division of the Treasury Department, they're under a consent order," Duncan said.

"They have a business plan, but it's not a business plan with the guise of making money for the bank. "It's tying the hands of banks and they're scared to death of loaning money."

Dacusville business owner Amanda Bauknight said she would like to hear more about what Duncan plans to do to protect natural resources, but overall she approves of the congressman's efforts.

"I really think that he's thoroughly informed," Bauknight said. "I don't think he's up there to look good or further his own ambitions."

Rodney Hall, president of the Dacusville Business Association asked the congressman what he was doing to protect citizens' right to bear arms.

"I am a strong advocate for the Second Amendment," Duncan said. "As far as I'm concerned, everything that the U.N. proposes will be struck down by the United States Congress."

Duncan also responded to Hall's question about health care reform by saying regulations in Presidents Obama's health care reform bill are making it too difficult for employers to provide employee coverage.

"Do I make the necessary changes in investments to meet the government regulations in that Obamacare or do I hold my money and wait to see what the Supreme Court does," Duncan asked.

"Those employers are uncertain about what to do."

Congressman Duncan has been holding 'Listening Sessions' and speaking events across the district for the past two weeks. His last stop will be at the Easley Rotary Club meeting at West End Elementary at 12:30 on Tuesday, Sept. 6.