Keller speaks with constituents during town hall

U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, R-Kreamer, touched on subjects that included border security, infrastructure legislation and election reform during a recent telephone town hall meeting with constituents.

Keller, who represents the 12th Congressional District, which includes Lycoming County, responded to a number of people who called him with questions about government policies and legislation.

The lawmaker launched the outreach event by telling listeners he is working on such issues as opening up veterans’ personnel records, pushing for healthy milk for children as well as proper labeling of products by the Food and Drug Administration.

He also noted his efforts toward fighting for improved security at the U.S.-Mexican border.

President Joe Biden, he said, has reversed some of the Trump administration policies on border security that worked.

“We need to reinstate those policies,” he said.

Keller noted that Vice President Kamala Harris finally visited the border, but failed to meet with U.S. families living in those areas who live in fear of illegal immigrants.

He said the U.S. Constitution calls for the U.S. to secure its border.

“I will do everything I can within the law to hold the administration accountable,” he said. “Right now, we have a crisis at our southern border.”

Keller said the $1 trillion infrastructure bill being pushed by Biden should not include money for other programs.

He noted a Republican bill, which does not include non-infrastructure programs, would be just $400 million.

“We do need to focus on our infrastructure,” he said. “We need to make sure that when we tell people we are working on infrastructure, we are doing it.”

Keller said a priority of his is to fight against the too-common practice of legislators slipping pork or additional measures into bills.

Keller said the U.S. is getting through the COVID pandemic, and more people are getting back to work. However, China must be held accountable if it was responsible for COVID-19 spreading to the U.S.

In response to a caller concerned about defunding police and officers quitting their jobs, he said he is working to ensure departments have the resources they need to fight crime.

Another caller expressed concern about the teaching of critical race theory.

Senate Republicans introduced legislation condemning a requirement for teachers to be trained in it and several states have invoked the theory in legislation on how race can be taught in schools.

Keller said, “Kids need to be taught how special America is. I will do everything I can to let people know how great America is.”

When asked about voter I.D., he said it’s a state issue, and something he was behind when he backed giving out free I.D.s while a member of the Pennsylvania State House.

He said lawmakers in Harrisburg are working to ensure there is integrity in voting.

When Keller said the voting laws are more generous in Georgia than they are in Biden’s home state of Delaware, a caller advised him that such was not the case.

Another caller spoke out against turning one’s back on the U.S. Flag.

“The flag stands for so much that is great,” Keller said. “We should respect our flag because of veterans who have supported our nation. We should respect that flag every day. We should not tolerate people who do not respect that flag.”

In response to caller who claimed he is still waiting for a stimulus payment, Keller advised him to contact his office if he continues to have problems.