U.S. Rep. Blake Moore met with Summit County voters at the Richins Building for a candid conversation about national issues as part of a town hall series he hosted this week.

The Republican spent an hour and a half on Tuesday meeting with constituents to answer questions about, and defend his position on, key issues ranging from U.S. foreign policy and national security to voter fraud and fiscal responsibility. 

Moore is serving his second term as Park City’s representative in Utah’s First Congressional District and is seeking reelection this fall. He highlighted the importance of Republican participation in November to help bring former President Donald Trump back into office and ensure the GOP retains the House majority, which it holds by a slim margin.

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About 25 people attended the event, most of whom appeared to be fellow party members.

Summit County Councilors Malena Stevena and Chris Robinson as well as County Clerk Eve Furse were also there.

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Attendees grilled Moore about his support for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). 

The House recently approved a bill to reauthorize the act for two years with large bipartisan support, but members rejected an amendment that would have required the federal intelligence agencies to obtain a warrant.

According to the Bureau of Justice Assistance, FISA “establishes procedures for the authorization of electronic surveillance, use of pen registers and trap and trace devices, physical searches, and business records for the purpose of gathering foreign intelligence.”

It has received criticism from both parties as a violation of the constitutional right to privacy.

Moore and Rep. Celeste Maloy voted in favor of the act while Reps. John Curtis and Burgess Owens were against it. Moore defended his vote as a way to protect Americans from “real threats.”

“My entire approach to FISA is two things: It has to be reformed and it cannot expire. That is a valuable national security tool that has never, ever been proven and taken to court for violating the Fourth Amendment,” he said. 

There was also a lot of conversation about House support to provide $95 billion in military, financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. 

A woman in the audience asked Moore if he thinks Ukraine could actually win, saying she feared there weren’t any soldiers left and Americans would be sent over soon. 

The congressman responded that the emergency aid would help put the country in a position of strength and give officials time to see what position they’re in later this year or in early 2025.

“If Trump wins, we can give him an opportunity to find an answer to this conflict, and I think he’d be committed to it,” Moore said. 

Some audience members opposed the military-industrial complex, questioned if the REPO Act is stealing or asked if there was accountability for where the money is going and how it’s being used. 

Moore said Republicans are unsupportive of an “endless war,” and that he believed Trump would do well in charge. However, the group became concerned voter fraud would prevent that from happening.

The congressman dispelled myths about Democrat states registering undocumented immigrants to vote and said the issue is not large or widespread. Moore noted drops in President Joe Biden’s approval ratings, affirming Trump can secure the November win.

The group also discussed the Hunter Biden laptop controversy, House Republican infighting, term limits, bipartisanship, Chinese land ownership in the U.S. and border security as well as the Inflation Reduction Act and the national debt.

Attendees remained engaged throughout the afternoon. Many praised Moore, a steady conservative, for taking time to stop in the Park City area. 

Moore also provided a bit of advice for the Republican candidates vying for a spot on the all-Democrat Summit County Council. He highlighted the importance of building relationships and getting to know your neighbors.

“We’re not so far apart,” Moore said.

The congressman made appearances at town hall events in Ogden, Syracuse and at the Hill Aerospace Museum on Wednesday.