In an effort to address questions regarding Congress and what’s going on in Washington, Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) will hold a “Congress in your Community” town hall meeting on Monday, April 1 11 a.m. in the Selma City Council chambers, on Broad St.

The meeting is part of a weeklong series in which Sewell will visit several areas in the 7th Congressional District to address concerns and issues felt by residents.

“I just think it’s really important, especially now that we’re in the throws of the sequester, to really have the chance to talk with my constituents one-on-one to hear what their concerns are,” Sewell said.

Sewell explained that she hopes residents who attend the meetings learn about all the resources that are available to them through Congress and realize how decisions made in Washington can affect them.

“It’s important now more than ever to understand what resources are available from the federal government,” Sewell said. “For me, it’s about bringing the resources and the opportunities and making it accessible to the people I represent.”

Other than Selma, Sewell will also visit Thomasville, Butler, Camden, Demopolis, York, Carrollton, Eutaw, Greensboro and Marion.

Topics of budget cuts, deficit reduction and governmental resources, among other issues, will be discussed at the meeting.

“We’re really excited about it,” Sewell said of the tour. “I think this is a good way to create conversation and let folks know what’s going on in Washington and how our office can be helpful to them.”

Sewell said often times residents feel far removed from the decisions being made in Washington, and she hopes that through holding these meetings to distill that mentality.

“It’s about making our office accessible to the people we represent,” she said. “Many people don’t understand what their congressional office can do [for them]. It’s really about listening to the concerns of the people I represent so I’m in a better position to represent them back in Washington.”