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We invited Missouri Rep. Mark Alford to a Q&A with his constituents. Here's what he said

A man wearing a blue suit stands at left holding a microphone and gesturing with his left hand. To the right, people seated in chairs listen inside a large meeting space.
Carlos Moreno
/
KCUR 89.3
Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Alford addresses the crowd assembled for KCUR's town hall in Belton, Missouri on June 16, 2025.

KCUR hosted a town hall in Belton, Missouri, with Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Alford of the 4th Congressional District. He answered questions from constituents about what's happening in Washington — including the Trump administration's immigration policies and tariffs, recent protests, and violence against lawmakers.

About 100 people were in attendance for a town hall Monday, June 16, with Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Alford of Missouri's 4th District. The event, held at Belton Memorial Station, was put on by KCUR's community engagement team and moderated by Up To Date's Steve Kraske.

Outside a large group of protesters gathered, carrying upside down American flags and signs criticizing the Congressman and the Trump administration.

Alford spoke briefly with protestors prior to the event, and talked inside about his hope to revive civil conversations.

"I know we're not all going to agree," Alford said in his opening remarks. "I know some of you in this room didn't vote for me, and sure as hell aren't going to vote for me the next time around."

A man wearing a blue suit and tie stands outdoors on one side of yellow "caution" tape. He is facing a crowd of people who are angrily holding protest signs facing him.
Carlos Moreno
/
KCUR 89.3
Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Alford meets with an angry crowd of protestors prior to his Up To Date town hall meeting on June 16, 2025 in Belton, Missouri.

In February, Alford was met with a critical crowd at a Belton coffee shop, who confronted him over government layoffs that impacted the Kansas City area.

Once KCUR's town hall began, Alford fielded questions from audience members and a live stream about abortion, education funding, gun control, public media funding, cuts to Medicaid and more.

As chair of the Oversight, Investigations and Regulations subcommittee for the U.S. House Small Business Committee, Alford discussed the negative impact that tariffs are having on farmers and small businesses.

The congressman said he's "not a huge fan of tariffs," but argues that they're working to pressure countries to reach trade deals with the United States. He echoed President Trump's comments that Americans need to "break the addiction" of buying cheap goods.

"It is going to be a little bit painful for some business owners who have been relying on goods from China," Alford said. "I think what you're going to see, though, in the next month or so... we're going to have more of an even playing field."

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Alford also defended the president's "One Big Beautiful Bill," in response to audience questions about the national debt and taxes. According to the Congressional Budget Office, rich people in America would receive nearly all the benefits from the GOP legislation — while the poor would be even worse off.

"I think we are going to have the strongest economy of my lifetime in six months," Alford said.

You can watch the full, unedited conversation below. A condensed version aired on KCUR's Up To Date on Wednesday.

KCUR previously held a town hall with Democratic Reps. Sharice Davids (Kansas 3rd) and Emanuel Cleaver II (Missouri 5th) in April.

Our community engagement team has also reached out on multiple occasions to each U.S. Senator from Kansas (Republicans Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran) and Missouri (Republicans Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt), as well as the the other U.S. House representatives whose districts cover the Kansas City metro area.

This episode was produced from a community forum organized by KCUR's Community Engagement Team: Laura Ziegler, Ron Jones and Zach Perez.

Stay Connected
When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
When you listen to Up To Date, I want you to understand decisions being made in the city, feel inspired by community members, and empathize with people who've had different experiences. As an Up To Date producer, I connect you to the news through conversations with community members and elected officials. Contact me at elizabeth@kcur.org or on Twitter at @er_bentley_ruiz.
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