Residents of Texas’ 22nd Congressional District gathered on April 14 at the Fort Bend County Precinct 4 Annex Building, 22333 Grand Circle Drive in Katy, for a public town hall organized by local community leaders and residents. Despite repeated invitations, Congressman Troy Nehls did not attend or respond.

“The town hall was organized in response to growing frustration over Rep. Nehls’ failure to host a public town hall in four years since taking office,” said a spokesperson for Fort Bend County Commissioner Dexter L. McCoy, who organized the event. McCoy, a resident of CD-22, joined constituents in calling for greater transparency and engagement from their congressional representative.

Residents voiced concerns on a range of issues, including veterans’ services, public education, healthcare, and the need for accessible, responsive representation in Washington.

The event follows a grassroots movement that escalated last month, when Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and former Congressman Beto O’Rourke visited Fort Bend County to host a town hall at the request of local organizers. Commissioner McCoy pledged at that event to help create space for constituents to gather and be heard during the April Congressional District Work Period. Although Rep. Nehls was invited to attend Monday’s event, he did not respond to the invitation.