In Norfolk, Rep. Bobby Scott says Congress should respond to Charlottesville violence by bolstering civil rights protections

Aug. 15--NORFOLK -- Many of the 200 or so people who came to U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott's town hall meeting Monday night wanted to talk about health care and other concerns. But not before the congressman asked them to focus on Saturday's deadly violence in Charlottesville.

After asking for a moment of silence in honor of three people killed in events related to the incident, Scott condemned the scores of white supremacists, who came to Charlottesville waving Nazi flags and regalia or Confederate battle flags for what they called a "pro-white" demonstration.

"Hate-filled violence is not welcome. We would appreciate it if they just go home and leave us alone," Scott said, drawing applause from a largely supportive audience in Norview High School's auditorium.

Heather Heyer, a Virginia paralegal demonstrating in opposition to the white supremacists, was killed and others were injured when they were rammed by a hit-and-run driver. Two state police officers, Lt. Jay Cullen and Trooper Berke Bates, died when their helicopter crashed outside the city after they had been patrolling above the demonstration.

Scott, a Newport News Democrat, said he's pleased that many in both political parties strongly criticized those who sparked the violence but alluded that it wasn't enough for legislators to simply voice disapproval. To show their words aren't empty rhetoric, legislators should pass laws to strengthen civil rights protections and enhance voting rights, he said.

"When we see the actions that are taken then we'll know whether their words mean anything or not," Scott said.

Leigh Anne Woodside of Norfolk told Scott during the town hall that in light of the violent confrontation Saturday, involving many who do not live in Virginia, she worried about proposed national concealed-carry reciprocity legislation that would allow a concealed gun permit in any state to be honored in any other state.

Scott said he opposed the bill.

Others who stepped up to the auditorium microphone had other pressing concerns.

Lisa Hollifield of Chesapeake, who buys subsidized health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, was near tears when telling Scott that she and her husband, who has major medical problems, are losing coverage because her provider, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, announced Friday it will no longer offer individual ACA plans in Virginia. Anthem is the third insurer to announce it's dropping participation because of uncertainty in Washington as legislators argue about repealing or overhauling the ACA.

"We're not going to have any health companies left" if something isn't done, Hollifield said.

Scott said the ACA, also known as Obamacare, has flaws that Congress needs to fix but is functioning well considering that it has made improvements in coverage and slowed the increases in health care premiums.

But President Donald Trump can kill the ACA by failing to properly administer it, including enforcing the requirement that almost everyone buy health insurance, Scott said.

"This administration came in saying they're not going to enforce the mandate. ... How does the insurance company price their product?"

"The ACA is alive and well but if this administration doesn't administer it right, they can kill it," he said. "They know it's not perfect but it is better than what we had."

Bill Cabell, a Norfolk businessman who employs 80 people, told Scott that he supports the health care law because it allows him to provide coverage for his workers.

"There has got to be a way to fix this," Cabell said. "It's on a good path."

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