Two years into the pandemic, congressional Republicans are holding fewer town halls than Democrats. But they're far more likely to brave constituents - and perhaps the virus - in person.
Democrats have held 54 percent of this year's 862 town halls, according to LegiStorm data. Only one-fourth of Democrats' 469 town halls have been in person, with the party instead opting for telephone, Facebook, Zoom and other online formats.
Republicans, meanwhile, have hosted two-thirds of their 393 town halls in person - many without any apparent COVID-19 precautions.
Before the pandemic, virtual town halls were the exception, not the norm. In the same time period in 2019, Democrats held 93 percent of their town halls in person. Republicans held 82 percent in person. Since then, members have experienced an increase in the number of physical threats against them. Many have hired security.
Both parties are still holding fewer town halls overall. Compared to the same period in 2019, Democrats have held 28 percent fewer town halls. Republicans have held 18 percent fewer.
