Trying to add a payment method? You can do this on the 
QuickTake:
Community members brought up concerns including presidential immunity, loss of birthright citizenship, money in politics and election integrity.
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley shared a list of 10 different types of corruption “that are now haunting our federal government” and asked attendees at a town hall meeting in Springfield Thursday, Sept. 10, to join the conversation.
“We are looking at national issues regarding our Constitution, the separation of power, our laws being violated, our norms being violated in ways that we never thought would happen here,” Merkley said during a “Stop the Corruption” meeting at the Bob Keefer Center.
Merkley, joined by U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle, presented the about 200 attendees with a list of 10 forms of corruption and asked them to place stickers on posters identifying their priorities. Dark money in elections, an unethical Supreme Court and silencing free speech were among the top issues listed.
After audience members cast their votes, the legislators asked attendees to share why they chose an issue before requesting ideas on what could be done about each one.
In regards to the U.S. Supreme Court, audience member Jensina Hawkins said she’s an adopted Korean baby and a naturalized United States citizen.
“If President Trump succeeds with this Supreme Court in removing birthright citizenship, not only I but my four American-born children will be deported to a country we have never been to, we don’t speak the language of, and this is after my parents did everything right,” Hawkins said.
The Supreme Court in June upheld birthright citizenship, saying it’s guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, striking down a Trump executive order declaring that children born in the United States of parents who are unlawfully or temporarily present in the United States do not qualify for citizenship. Trump has tried again to limit birthright citizenship with narrowed executive orders, facing more court challenges.
Another attendee brought up concerns about the court’s 2024 ruling on presidential immunity, which held that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution for official acts.
“Everyone who knows the context and the right of our Constitution knows how terrified the founders were about a president who proceeded to operate outside the bounds of the law,” Merkley said in response.
Another audience member said the Federal Communications Commission needs to be readjusted and its chairman, Brendan Carr, removed. According to news reports, talk show host Jimmy Kimmel said this week he did not air an interview with Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate James Talarico after threats from the commission, which regulates television.
Speakers brought up concerns about election integrity, with one 74-year-old woman saying she’d never had to worry about her vote being cast and another expressing he was “extremely concerned” about the November election.
“We’ve seen the attempts to stop vote by mail, to threaten people in the Postal Service, and we have to fight back,” said Hoyle, a Democrat who represents the 4th Congressional District, which includes Eugene and Springfield. “This is the most important election of our lifetime. So, number one, vote. Get other people who don’t want to be engaged in the process to vote. And if you want to get engaged as an election protection observer, we can help facilitate getting you training for that.”
Trump has attempted to restrict mail-in voting, with executive orders leading to court challenges. In Oregon, state and local election officials say ballots will go out to voters as usual this election cycle.
One attendee said she chose “dark money in elections” as a top issue because the richest man in the world – Elon Musk – is giving money to organizations in the election and in foreign countries’ elections.
During the event, two audience members spoke over the legislators about concerns, including Mark Brauner, who criticized Merkley and Hoyle for receiving money through political action committees and asked the legislators when they would call what is happening in Gaza a genocide.
“I’ve held consultations throughout the Middle East on how we have a path forward, but that’s not today’s topic. But happy to have that conversation at another time,” Merkley said, as Brauner shouted while standing on the bleachers.
After the town hall, attendee Larry Myers said he thought the legislators were well-prepared “and tried to conduct it the best they can.”
“There’s obviously a lot of intensity and interest and worry,” Myers told Lookout in an interview. “When I even say that, it gets me.”
Myers, an 84-year-old Lane County resident, said he’s “desperate to be part of a fair election” and is going to look into volunteering with Common Cause, an organization referenced by Hoyle during the town hall that has an election protection team.
Merkley also held “Stop the Corruption” town hall meetings Thursday in Portland and Medford.
