A raucous crowd repeatedly shouted down U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions as he defended Republican health care and other policies at a town hall in Richardson.

More than 2,000 people filled an auditorium at Richardson High School on Saturday for the boisterous town hall where Sessions regularly was drowned out by yelling from critics in the crowd.

At one point, while promoting Republican efforts to replace the Affordable Care Act, Sessions said, "I understand why you're so frustrated. You don't know how to listen."

When he offered extended explanations to questions posed to him, the crowd at times chanted, "Yes or no?"

The audience grew particularly animated over questions about defunding Planned Parenthood, Russian interference in U.S. elections and federal budget cuts proposed by President Donald Trump.



"The town hall meeting that we had today in Richardson enabled everyone a chance both for and against me to have a chance to speak their mind or at least that’s what it was supposed to be. What happened is a bunch of people showed up and were really loud and wanted to overtake the place and wanted their point of view or perspective to be heard. I heard it,” Rep. Sessions told NBC 5 after the meeting.



More than 600 questions were submitted. Sessions responded to about 30 during the two-hour meeting.



Rowlett Mayor Todd Gottel asked the questions on behalf of the audience.

NBC 5's Meredith Yeomans was at the event, see her tweets from the event below:

Long line of people waiting to get into town hall meeting in Richardson with @PeteSessions. @NBCDFW pic.twitter.com/AUkgqJ6pDm — Meredith Yeomans (@YeomansNBC5) March 18, 2017

Tense atmosphere inside venue where @PeteSessions town hall is about to begin. Hundreds still waiting to get inside. pic.twitter.com/Sng7h25DSb — Meredith Yeomans (@YeomansNBC5) March 18, 2017

.@PeteSessions introduction to crowd met with shouting at town hall meeting in Richardson. Sessions asking people to be respectful. @NBCDFW pic.twitter.com/kXavkNpDeG — Meredith Yeomans (@YeomansNBC5) March 18, 2017

.@PeteSessions walks out to standing ovation from a crowd of 1,000+ at town hall meeting. @NBCDFW pic.twitter.com/zkn6zaY6nI — Meredith Yeomans (@YeomansNBC5) March 18, 2017

"Do your job!" chants crowd as @PeteSessions tries to give health care presentation at town hall meeting. @NBCDFW pic.twitter.com/1CMQqBnMDM — Meredith Yeomans (@YeomansNBC5) March 18, 2017

Loud applause after question about wanting to see Pres. Trump's tax returns. @NBCDFW pic.twitter.com/MpSY0q24Xt — Meredith Yeomans (@YeomansNBC5) March 18, 2017

Hundreds of questions left "and we're only on page 2" moderator tells rowdy crowd @PeteSessions town hall. @NBCDFW pic.twitter.com/OBJ8gosIbS — Meredith Yeomans (@YeomansNBC5) March 18, 2017