Update: Congressman’s rep responds to Houston County Dems disappointed in rally no show

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – UPDATE: 41NBC got in touch with a representative from Congressman Austin Scott’s office after Houston County Democratic Party members slammed the U.S congressman for not being present at their health care rally last Thursday.

Congressman Scott’s secretary Rachel Ledbetter says their reasoning for not attending the rally  in front of his office was simply because they were not notified the event was happening.

Scott’s office closes at 5:00 P.M. Ledbetter says that’s why no one was there during the rally, which was scheduled from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

But, whether during their office hours or not, she says Congressman Scott would have been unable to attend regardless as he is out of the country.

“If we had been informed of the event in advance or if it had been during hours our office was open, Rep. Scott would not have been able to attend. He is currently leading a group of his colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee on a multi-nation trip to visit our troops overseas,” she said in an email response.

Ledbetter says if they had known, they could have requested a representative be present.

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – About a dozen members of the Democratic Party in Houston County showed up to rally for health care in front of the office of Congressman Austin Scott.

Members say they wanted to share their concerns for rural and national health care with Congressman Scott but were outraged to find he wasn’t there and the office was closed.

Middle Georgia Democratic Women President Wilhemenia Jackson Sibley says they’d had the permits for the event two months in advance and that Scott’s office was aware the rally was happening.

“It’s about health care, about rural hospitals closing to those who have to travel miles for emergency care, and we’re just concerned for rural health care in Middle Georgia.  We would like to think that Congressman Scott is also concerned about it,” she said.

41NBC attempted to call the office of Congressman Scott to find out why they didn’t attend the rally or send a representative, but were unable to reach anyone.

Rally-goers brought signs and held them up on the side of the road so they could still get their point across–even if Congressman Scott wasn’t present to see it himself.