Republicans worry about violent protests

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House Republicans have been discussing best safety practices in the wake of protests against the repeal of Obamacare
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers invited Rep. David Reichert to speak before a closed-door meetings, as he's a former top sheriff
Reichert explained to his fellow lawmakers how to safely hold a town hall meeting and how to secure their district congressional offices

By Nikki Schwab, U.s. Political Reporter For Dailymail.com

Published: 14:33 EST, 8 February 2017 | Updated: 18:13 EST, 8 February 2017

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As protests against the repeal of Obamacare gain steam, Republican lawmakers are huddling to talk about best practices to keep lawmakers and aides safe.

Politico is reporting that House Republicans held a closed-door meeting yesterday, with House GOP Conference Chairwoman, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers inviting a fellow Washington State Republican, Rep. David Reichert, to speak.

Reichert is a former sheriff.

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Rep. David Reichert, R-Wash., addressed his fellow Republican lawmakers and gave them tips on how to safety hold a town hall and how to secure their congressional offices

Rep. David Reichert (right), walking with Rep. Paul Ryan (left) in 2013, talked to House Republicans about certain safety measures they can take in the wake of protests

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (pictured), the GOP Conference Chairwoman, invited Rep. David Reichert to speak to House Republicans, as he's a former law enforcement officer

The ex-law enforcement officer, who was named Sheriff of the Year by the National Sheriffs' Association in 2004, recommended that lawmakers plan out a physical exit strategy at every venue they speak, sources told Politico.

He also recommended that congressional offices have back doors, as another means for lawmakers and staff to escape. Glass front doors should be replaced with ones made of a heavier material and dead bolts should be installed.

Additionally, sources told the web publication, Reichert recommended installing an intercom system, so that guests coming into congressional offices are forced to identify themselves and their purpose before they can come inside.

'The message was: One, be careful for security purposes. Watch your back. And two, be receptive. Honor the First Amendment, engage, be friendly, be nice,' Republican Study Committee Chairman, Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., told Politico.

'Because it is toxic out there right now,' Walker continued. 'Even some of the guys who have been around here a lot longer than I have, have never seen it to this level.'

Speaker Paul Ryan also spoke to House Republicans about how to engage with constituents in a 'congenial' way, reported Politico

Speaker Paul Ryan reportedly also stood up at the closed-door meeting and spoke about how to engage with constituents in a 'congenial' way.

Democrats are suggesting that the GOP belly-aching over safety is to serve as a distraction, as polls show support for the Affordable Care Act is growing in the wake of repeal threats.

'I think what you're seeing is Republicans trying to use security to try and hide themselves from their constituents because they have no plan for a replacement and very little support from Donald Trump,' Rep. Ruben Gallego, an Arizona Democrat, told Politico.

'They're going to use so-called security to keep people away,' Gallego added.

The protests against Republicans aimed at keeping Obamacare in place mirror those that occurred in 2009 and 2010 when Democrats were pushing for the law.

As the Tea Party movement was gaining steam in the aftermath of President Obama's election, activists would show up at town halls hosted by Democratic lawmakers and often shout them down over healthcare reform.

In a way those efforts worked, as the Affordable Care Act passed Congress with zero Republican votes.

The split remains today, but now the protests are coming from voices across the aisle.

Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., had to be escorted out of a town hall by police after protesters took over the venue. They followed him out shouting, 'Shame on you!'

Arizona Republican, Rep. Marth McSally, had 125 protesters outside her office yesterday, according to the Arizona Daily Star, as they encouraged her to hold a town hall meeting

Last weekend, hundreds of progressive activists showed up at a town hall meeting hosted by California Republican, Rep. Tom McClintock, forcing the lawmaker to leave the scene with a police escort.

Organizers of the protest told the Los Angeles Times they were associated with the group, Indivisible.

Created by former Congressional staffers and launched in December, the organization promotes using Tea Party tactics against Republicans and Trump.

Yesterday, 125 protesters showed up at the offices of Arizona Republican, Rep. Marth McSally, according to a reporter from the Arizona Daily Star.

McSally told the paper Tuesday that she would not be attending a town hall thrown by progressive grassroots groups, despite a petition asking her to do so reaching 1,000 signatures. By Wednesday the petition had reached 2,000 signatures.

'[The forum] is about trapping people in a political ambush for political theater,' the congresswoman said.

A group called 'McSally Take a Stand,' was leading the efforts alongside Nasty Women and Bad Hombres of the East Side, Pantsuit Nation Tucson, Progressives of Southern Arizona and Indivisible Tuscon.

The local county Democratic party also encouraged Democrats to attend.