U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas fielded questions from a sampling of 12,000 listeners during a recent tele-town hall.

The House representative of the 9th Congressional District complimented each community the caller was from, including his largest populations of constituents in Williamsport and Lebanon.

To a question on trade, Meuser said the reciprocal tariffs — on a 90-day pause and capped at 10% for most countries except for China, which was hit with 125%, were predicted by President Donald J. Trump. He noted how before 75 countries have come to the table to negotiate.

A Williamsport caller brought up the imagery of Trump’s golf outings.

Meuser countered that by saying former President Joe Biden was “flying to Europe like you and I go up and down the street.”

Meuser stressed how Republicans had a plan in place to create a more stable marketplace, bringing higher wages, lower inflation, cut taxes and would result in more investment, more markets opening up and better living conditions.

“Letting foreign countries get away with this does not bring prosperity in the U.S.,” Meuser said.

A caller mentioned how high taxes are and she did not believe that someone on a fixed income and retired should pay for real estate taxes.

Meuser’s answer hinted at a possibility he was interested in running for governor because he pointed toward legislation out of Harrisburg, including that of Rep. Russ Diamond regarding property tax reform.

A caller from Warrensville was concerned about scam calls, particularly those from non-working numbers.

Meuser agreed with him, saying skilled con artists are using AI technology to prey on elderly and unsuspecting individuals.

He agreed there should be more ways of combating this on behalf of consumers.

A caller asked if Congress would be better at meeting budget deadlines rather than threatening shutdowns before agreeing to continuing resolutions.

He noted how the fiscal year ends on Sept. 30 and begins on Oct. 1, and that lawmakers have become accustomed to passing continuing resolutions. He said it has “become the easier way to go.”

He noted that he believed the country was on the right path under leadership by House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Meuser admitted that he gets disappointed and frustrated at times with his Democratic friends and colleagues and that Trump and the Republicans were steering the nation in the right direction, delivering results and making America better again.