COLUMBUS, Neb. -- Nebraska's First Congressional District Rep. Mike Flood hosted a town hall meeting in the city of Columbus on Mar. 18, despite Speaker of the House Mike Johnson advising Republicans not to host in-person town hall meetings.

"I think they are very important. It's part of the process, it's healthy, and it's civil discourse. Nebraskans are great people. It doesn't matter tonight if they are Republicans or Democrats. More than anything, we're all Americans. We are going to have a discussion tonight about what they think is going right, and what they think can change," Flood said.

Flood gave an update on the priorities he has been working on for the city and Nebraska's First Congressional District. He spoke and answered questions regarding the national debt, Social Security, veterans, and the Job Tax Act, to name a few. Many in attendance came to hear what was being done on behalf of Nebraskans but were met with several sounds of booing, yelling, and obscene gestures from disgruntled audience members.

"I'm sure there are extremists on both sides that can't seem to have a civil discourse," said audience member Douglas Pearson. "That used to be something that was possible in this country, but if your mind's made up, and you really don't care what they have to say, you're just going to yell, suppress, and disrupt. I don’t want to be part of it."

"Don't do it because somebody gets his feelings hurt and wants what he wants," said audience member Mindy Smith. "It's not helping anybody but Trump. Whatever Trump decides, it is only helping him."

"This was a great opportunity, but when I leave here, I can go to bed a better congressman now that I know how people feel," said Congressman Flood.

Rep. Mike Flood will have another town meeting this coming August, but has not released the time and dates. 

Click the link to learn more and watch the full town hall meeting: https://www.youtube.com/live/GW2hRMYVhjQ?si=8Qz--rquXFLD6Kvx