Rep. Burlison Hosts Telephone Town Hall with Missouri Constituents

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Eric Burlison hosted a telephone town hall on January 13, 2026, with thousands of constituents across Missouri's Seventh District to provide an update on congressional activity and hear directly from voters. Burlison discussed major legislative actions from the first half of the 119th Congress, including the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, and outlined priorities for the months ahead. Constituents raised questions on healthcare affordability, federal spending and debt, election integrity, Second Amendment protections, government accountability, and U.S. foreign policy. Burlison emphasized that Republicans must use the remainder of the Congress to deliver results and lower costs for families rather than coast into the midterm elections.

Click here to watch the full town hall.

On healthcare affordability and rising insurance premiums

Constituents expressed frustration with skyrocketing employer-sponsored insurance costs and limited choice under the Affordable Care Act.
Rep. Burlison: "The average annual premium for family insurance (in 2000) was around $6,000. Today, that cost is $27,000. This is why people can't afford to buy a home. If health care had followed normal inflation, families would be paying about $11,000 instead. That extra $16,000 is what's crushing affordability."

On healthcare reform and the MAHA plan

Burlison outlined his proposal to replace employer-controlled insurance with patient-directed health spending.
Rep. Burlison: "We need to send the money to the people and let the patient purchase the insurance that's best for them. When employers pick your insurance, they're picking your network, your prescriptions, and your care. That's why people are angry with the system."

On federal spending, interest rates, and housing affordability

Callers asked why homeownership has become increasingly out of reach for young families.
Rep. Burlison: "The best thing we can do to make homes more affordable and reduce mortgage rates is control federal spending. When the federal government goes into debt, it becomes the largest buyer of debt, competing with homebuyers and small businesses and artificially driving interest rates higher."

On capital gains taxes and increasing housing supply

Burlison discussed proposals to encourage homeowners to sell second properties to first-time buyers.
Rep. Burlison: "Capital gains tax is a tax on the government's own failure to control spending. You didn't get richer. Your dollars just became worth less. Of all the ideas out there, reducing or eliminating capital gains taxes makes sense."

On avoiding another government shutdown

Constituents raised concerns about a repeat of last year's shutdown.
Rep. Burlison: "We've already passed six of the 12 appropriations bills. The more bills we pass, the less leverage there is for a shutdown. I would bet we are not going into another shutdown."

On calls to impeach President Donald Trump

One caller demanded impeachment of President Trump.
Rep. Burlison: "I disagree with that view. I don't agree with the president on everything, but I certainly don't believe it warrants attempting to impeach the president."

On the National Firearms Act tax and Second Amendment protections

Constituents asked why the registration process under the National Firearms Act was not fully repealed.
Rep. Burlison: "I was the one member pushing this in conference. The Senate parliamentarian stripped the registration language. Zeroing out the tax sets this up for a successful court challenge, and if that fails, the White House should act. I wish it were done in law, but we made real progress."

On checks and balances and presidential authority

A caller accused Congress of failing to restrain the executive branch.
Rep. Burlison: "Presidents have conducted limited actions since Thomas Jefferson. Disagreeing politically does not make something unconstitutional. When a president crosses that line, that's when Congress should act."

On auditing and ending the Federal Reserve

One constituent questioned the Federal Reserve's power and lack of accountability.
Rep. Burlison: "I call the Federal Reserve the creature from Jekyll Island. I support auditing the Fed, and I would vote to end the Fed."

On fraud, Department of Justice enforcement, and recovering taxpayer dollars

Callers asked whether those responsible for large-scale fraud would be held accountable.
Rep. Burlison: "I am appalled at the level of fraud we've uncovered. Hundreds of billions of dollars went to criminals. If they're in the United States, we should arrest them, prosecute them, and recover what we can."

On ending taxpayer-funded benefits for individuals in the country illegally

Burlison addressed immigration and federal spending priorities.
Rep. Burlison: "If we do a second reconciliation package, it should end any and all taxpayer dollars going to people who are here illegally."

On election integrity and the SAVE Act

Constituents asked about legislation to secure federal elections.
Rep. Burlison: "The SAVE Act requires proof of citizenship to register to vote, voter ID in federal elections, same-day voting, paper ballots, and reforms the census so illegal immigrants are not counted. It passed the House. The Senate needs to take it up."

On parental rights in education and health care

Burlison responded to concerns about federal involvement in family decisions.
Rep. Burlison: "Parents should have the final say, not federal bureaucrats. I believe parents should control their children's lives, not Washington."

On U.S. foreign policy, Iran, drug cartels, and Greenland

Callers raised concerns about military action and national security.
Rep. Burlison: "We cannot have a nuclear Iran, but that doesn't mean invasion. When it comes to drug cartels, the same protocols used in the war on terror are being applied to narco-terrorists. And the president is not going to take Greenland by force. He wants a deal."

On the Republican agenda in 2026

Constituents asked whether Republicans have a plan beyond past accomplishments.
Rep. Burlison: "It's go big or go home. We cannot coast into the midterms. If we don't fix health care now, we will end up with a single-payer system like Canada, and I don't want to see that happen."

On representing southwest Missouri

Burlison closed by reflecting on his role in Congress.
Rep. Burlison: "It is a true honor and privilege to represent southwest Missouri. I come home every weekend to talk to real people, and I need to hear the hard truth to do this job well."