Parking was at a premium at Highland Village City Hall on Saturday afternoon, and it was standing room only inside for a public forum with 26th Congressional District U.S. Congressman Michael Burgess, M.D. The huge turnout was accommodated, as Highland Village’s elected officials set up extra chairs in two overflow rooms, equipped to allow residents to see and hear everything going on in the main room where Burgess addressed the crowd. Originally set to last an hour, Burgess stayed until all questions were answered, and the forum ended around 4:30 p.m., about an hour and a half later that first expected.        

    Highland Village Mayor Dianne Costa introduced Burgess, saying that politically, today is one of the most important times in our lives because of issues in the forefront and concerns for the present and the future. About the Congressman himself, who was first elected in 2002, Costa said, “He shies away from nothing.” Burgess demonstrated that quality in answering questions during the forum, taking time to answer in detail. “I know you are paying attention. I feel empowered by it, and I thank you,” Burgess said in his opening remarks to the crowd. The first topic discussed was the massive bill passed by the house just one day earlier, commonly referred to as the “cap and trade” bill. While many Democrats say the legislation will reduce global warming by limiting the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by power and chemical plants, oil refineries and major manufacturers, most Republicans say they are worried that it will push up electricity and fuel prices.    

     Burgess did not vote for the bill and he said his office received 300 calls on Friday, with 293 of the callers opposed to the legislation and only seven callers stating their support. The 1,200 page bill still has to be passed by the Senate if it is going to become law and Burgess said he predicts if passed, the bill would create a scenario ripe for scandal. “It is the next Enron,” said the congressman. The importance of whether the bill passes the Senate or not cannot be over emphasized, as Burgess said, “It is the future of our country that is at stake.” Burgess said if you want to influence your senators, contact them in an organized three or four day “burst” to point out that people are watching this and they are concerned. “Tell them you saw what happened in the House, and you hope it doesn’t happen in the Senate,” he added.    

     His areas of expertise are many as Burgess is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and three of its subcommittees: Health, Energy & Environment, and Oversight & Investigations.  He is also a member of the bipartisan, bicameral Joint Economic Committee. Health care has always been a major concern of the congressman who practiced medicine for many years before being elected to serve, and he told those in attendance that he had been in 60 hours of healthcare hearings during the past week. “I feel a very keen sense of obligation as I sit on that (Health) Committee,” Burgess said, adding that he is not in favor of requiring people to have insurance coverage. “Mandates just don’t work; 15% of people don’t even file taxes,” he stated. To learn more about Burgess’s efforts on the health care front, visit healthcaucus.org. After Burgess’s opening remarks, the forum was opened up to a question and answer format. Many residents waited their turn to ask a question and Burgess answered them all. Bursts of applause were frequent, both for Burgess and for the residents who turned out to spend a hot Saturday afternoon giving their opinions and hearing the congressman’s views on many different issues facing our community and the nation.