Tea partiers say their message to North Carolina lawmakers is to join other states that are suing to stop health care reform.
Some Tea Party members walked the halls of the legislative building Monday, waiting for the opening session.
"We just want to get our word out that there are a lot of people in this country that aren't for this health care reform!" exclaimed Jean O'Brien, Wilson tea partier.
Tea partiers are convinced their elected representatives aren't hearing their concerns.
"We want them to vote to have North Carolina join the 13 or 14 other states that are against the health care bill," O'Brien explained.
At first, tea partiers were told their state Senator A.B. Swindell was tied up with budget issues.
"We're gonna go protest!" Wilson tea partier Bobby Pitman said with excitement. "We're gonna march and protest. Peacefully!"
But minutes later they found Senator Swindell standing next to an elevator.
"There he is, right there!" someone yelled.
Swindle told the group the health care bill is a federal matter, not one handled by state lawmakers.
Pitman replied, "Well, I just feel as our representative, you could at least read the bill even though it's a national [issue]."
The Senator responded, "We have enough to do here."
Among other issues faced by lawmakers is a state budget that Senate Democrats say will not contain teacher pay raises and bonuses for state employees who were furloughed last year.
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