Congressman Schrader, Senator Merkley host town hall in Keizer

Salem Mayor Chuck Bennett introduces U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader and Senator Jeff Merkley at a town hall event at Claggett Creek Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Keizer, Ore. The two United States congressmen answered audience questions about their work for about an hour. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, right, presents a flag to Jon Reeves with the Mid Willamette Valley Community Action Agency at a town hall event at Claggett Creek Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Keizer, Ore. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

Jon Reeves with the Mid Willamette Valley Community Action Agency stands with U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader, left, and Senator Jeff Merkley, right, at a town hall event at Claggett Creek Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Keizer, Ore. Reeves was presented with a American flag by Senator Merkley. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader, left, and Senator Jeff Merkley, right, speak at a town hall event at Claggett Creek Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Keizer, Ore. The two United States congressmen answered audience questions about their work for about an hour. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

Eighth grader Tressan Keller asks a question of U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader and Senator Jeff Merkley at a town hall event at Claggett Creek Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Keizer, Ore. The two United States congressmen answered audience questions about their work for about an hour. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley speaks at a town hall event at Claggett Creek Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Keizer, Ore. Merkley and U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader answered audience questions about their work for about an hour. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

Audience members applaud as U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader and Senator Jeff Merkley speak at a town hall event at Claggett Creek Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Keizer, Ore. The two United States congressmen answered audience questions about their work for about an hour. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

Audience members applaud as U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader, right, and Senator Jeff Merkley, left, speak at a town hall event at Claggett Creek Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Keizer, Ore. The two United States congressmen answered audience questions about their work for about an hour. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

Silverton resident Karen Bennett asks a question of U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader and Senator Jeff Merkley at a town hall event at Claggett Creek Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Keizer, Ore. Bennett asked what else constituents can do besides donate money; Merkley and Schrader encouraged people to engage, volunteer and speak out about important issues to them. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader, right, and Senator Jeff Merkley, left, speak at a town hall event at Claggett Creek Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Keizer, Ore. The two United States congressmen answered audience questions about their work for about an hour. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader speaks at a town hall event at Claggett Creek Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Keizer, Ore. Schrader and Senator Jeff Merkley answered audience questions about their work for about an hour. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader, left, and Senator Jeff Merkley, right, speak at a town hall event at Claggett Creek Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Keizer, Ore. The two United States congressmen answered audience questions about their work for about an hour. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

A standing-room only crowd listens as U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader and Senator Jeff Merkley speak at a town hall event at Claggett Creek Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Keizer, Ore. The two United States congressmen answered audience questions about their work for about an hour. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

A standing-room only crowd listens as U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader and Senator Jeff Merkley speak at a town hall event at Claggett Creek Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Keizer, Ore. The two United States congressmen answered audience questions about their work for about an hour. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley speaks at a town hall event at Claggett Creek Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Keizer, Ore. Merkley and U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader answered audience questions about their work for about an hour. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

Kathy Ottele with the American Cancer Society asks a question of U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader and Senator Jeff Merkley at a town hall event at Claggett Creek Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Keizer, Ore. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

Eighth grader Anita Navarro asks a question of U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader and Senator Jeff Merkley speak at a town hall event at Claggett Creek Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Keizer, Ore. The two United States congressmen answered audience questions about their work for about an hour. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

Salem resident Seshu Ganta, center, asks U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, left, a question following a town hall event at Claggett Creek Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Keizer, Ore. Merkley and U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader answered audience questions about their work for about an hour. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley answers questions after at a town hall event at Claggett Creek Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Keizer, Ore. Merkley and U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader answered audience questions about their work for about an hour. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal

U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader speaks to constituents after a town hall event at Claggett Creek Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Keizer, Ore. Schrader and Senator Jeff Merkley answered audience questions about their work for about an hour. MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journal