Hundreds of people packed the gym at Thurston High School in Springfield on Sunday, pressing U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, and U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Lane County, on immigration enforcement, election security and the limits of executive power.
Many of the questions focused on federal authority and whether Congress is exercising meaningful oversight, raising concerns about the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches.
Merkley opened the town hall by urging attendees to remain respectful during disagreements, describing the forum as an example of what he called “the Oregon way.”
“That way we can do something that’s so rare in America, where anyone from any point of view can express their feelings,” Merkley said.
Early questions centered on political engagement and who is showing up to public forums. One Springfield resident said most outreach from political parties has come in the form of fundraising emails, with little information about policy or next steps.
“I just keep getting emails wanting money, but it doesn’t say what we’re going to do,” the attendee said. Looking around the crowd, the speaker added, “It’s all old.”
Merkley said he’s focused on ringing the “alarm bells” about a “strongman state effort by President Trump.” He also criticized Trump-era policies, saying cuts to federal nutrition and healthcare programs were used to fund tax breaks for wealthy Americans, leaving working families worse off.
Hoyle pointed to economic inequality issues — such as mounting student loan debt and unaffordable housing — as major sources of frustration among young voters.
It is not “a left-right issue. It is a top-bottom issue,” Hoyle said.
Several questions focused on the release of federal files relating to Jeffrey Epstein. Hoyle said Congress passed bipartisan legislation aimed at making the files public.
“I don’t care who’s in them, Democrat, Republican, don’t care,” Hoyle said. “If you rape children, you should be punished. Period.”
Merkley said only a fraction of the files have been released.
“They have produced only 1% of the files,” he said, adding that lawmakers are seeking additional disclosures for a second set of records at the Treasury Department involving “$1.5 billion of suspicious activity reports” through potential new legislation.
Questions about immigration enforcement prompted some of the strongest reactions of the afternoon. One attendee asked whether Merkley and Hoyle would oppose federal spending bills that do not include additional oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security, drawing applause from the audience.
Merkley said ICE has abused the law and the Constitution, citing concerns about due process and the agency detaining U.S. citizens. He also said ICE should be dismantled, saying reform efforts have failed to address constitutional concerns.
Hoyle agreed with Merkley’s concerns about ICE’s actions and said she would oppose funding bills that lack meaningful oversight, saying, “What is happening is illegal” and unconstitutional.
Questions then turned to war powers and executive authority. Asked whether Americans should prepare for war, Merkley said protesting is one way that citizens can help protect democracy.
Hoyle criticized military action taken without congressional approval, framing the issue as a constitutional obligation rather than a partisan issue.
“If we are going to send troops into a foreign country, that should come to Congress,” Hoyle said.
As the town hall ended, attendees raised concerns about election security and voting access.
Hoyle described protecting elections as the “most important question of the day,” while Merkley called the ballot box the “beating heart of our republic.”
