Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez booed during town hall in Vancouver

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — U.S. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) was greeted to the sound of booing during her fourth town hall with hundreds of her constituents in Vancouver Thursday night.

The second-term congresswoman received tough feedback from those who voted for her, facing major backlash for her vote in support of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, among other things.

Most people at the town hall started booing immediately after Gluesenkamp Perez stepped onto the stage. The congresswoman was not able to get many words in throughout the entire hour-long event.

Many people at the event who spoke with KOIN 6 News said they wanted their voices heard. People who voted for Gluesenkamp Perez expressed disappointment with some of her political stances.

The SAVE Act that Gluesenkamp Perez voted for would require all Americans to prove their citizenship when voting. It's a bill she said won't pass in the Senate.

"Americans believe that only US citizens should be determining the outcome of American elections. And any idea that I am standing to disenfranchise people is patently false," Gluesenkamp Perez said.

"I came here to hear what she has to say. Unfortunately, it always sounds like the same thing," said Anna Brouns, a longtime District 3 resident.

Brouns explained that while she understands he representative's hands may be tied, she still wants more to be done. She said she wants Gluesenkamp Perez "to be angry."

"I wish that she would stand stronger and voice more of like, 'This is what I'm doing. I'm doing x, y, z. I'm talking to the Republicans. I'm trying to get them to shift.' That would be helpful. Instead of talking about shop class," Brouns said.

As Gluesenkamp Perez closed out her town hall, it was clear from the vocal disapproval in the audience that many constituents were still not satisfied with her message.

"I am committed to being here and present and available and accountable and trying to have as productive of a conversation as we can," Gluesenkamp Perez said.

KOIN 6 News Reporter Ariel Iacobazzi asked if she could speak with Gluesenkamp Perez briefly after the event. Her team said "no," saying they had to get the congresswoman out of there for "security reasons."