To: Rep. Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), Rep. Bryan Steil (WI-1), and Sen. Mitch McConnell (KY-1)
Congressional Leaders: Perform Your Checks and Balances on Donald Trump
The Honorable Leaders of the Republican Party
The United States Congress
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Speaker Ryan, Leader McConnell, & Congressman McCarthy,
On November 8, 2016, approximately 25 percent of the American people elected Donald J. Trump as the next President of the United States of America. He was elected without winning the popular vote. During this election we were divided as never before. The vitriol on both sides has surpassed that of any election seen in our lifetimes. Acts of hate on a level not seen in decades have erupted since the election. President-elect Trump promised to be a president for all Americans; we count on you to hold him to his promise. Therefore, we ask you to help mend the breach, on behalf of all Americans. With this in mind, we request the following:
1. Protect the entire Constitution from any infringement, particularly the 1st Amendment, as ardently as the Republican Party has in the past fought for the 2nd Amendment;
2. Publically reject hate-speech and actions, and hold elected and appointed officials, as well as citizens, to legal account for such actions so all Americans, regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation, can continue to feel safe in their country;
3. Provide support for the rights of women and racial, religious and sexual minorities;
4. Work with members of the Democratic Party to find solutions for all Americans;
5. Provide children and persons with pre-existing conditions with paths to gain insurance;
6. Focus any tax cuts on working poor, and not on the wealthy or corporations who can most afford to contribute to our country;
7. Continue to fund public education so our children may receive the best this country has to offer, and gain the skills to carry it through to the future;
8. Continue to fund the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and similar initiatives, that they may persevere in their research for the benefit of all Americans;
9. Protect our National Parks System and environment in accordance with scientific evidence and consensus for our children to enjoy in the future;
10. Hold President-elect Trump and his cabinet accountable in their conflicts of interest due to their extensive business holdings;
11. Work to ensure all appointed positions are filled by fully qualified nominees; and
12. Provide support for the men and women who have been victims of sexual abuse.
We hope you take this petition as intended, as a first step towards rebuilding unity in our great country. While we may have different opinions on politics and policies, we are all American, and all believe in our fundamental rights as laid out in the Constitution. Do not allow the fears of many Americans, laid bare in the past year and a half of campaigning, to be realized with the curbing of our rights to religion, free speech, assembly, and a free, investigative press. The American people look to you to perform your checks and balances on President-elect Trump with as much vigilance as you did President Obama. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Concerned Citizens of the United States of America
The United States Congress
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Speaker Ryan, Leader McConnell, & Congressman McCarthy,
On November 8, 2016, approximately 25 percent of the American people elected Donald J. Trump as the next President of the United States of America. He was elected without winning the popular vote. During this election we were divided as never before. The vitriol on both sides has surpassed that of any election seen in our lifetimes. Acts of hate on a level not seen in decades have erupted since the election. President-elect Trump promised to be a president for all Americans; we count on you to hold him to his promise. Therefore, we ask you to help mend the breach, on behalf of all Americans. With this in mind, we request the following:
1. Protect the entire Constitution from any infringement, particularly the 1st Amendment, as ardently as the Republican Party has in the past fought for the 2nd Amendment;
2. Publically reject hate-speech and actions, and hold elected and appointed officials, as well as citizens, to legal account for such actions so all Americans, regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation, can continue to feel safe in their country;
3. Provide support for the rights of women and racial, religious and sexual minorities;
4. Work with members of the Democratic Party to find solutions for all Americans;
5. Provide children and persons with pre-existing conditions with paths to gain insurance;
6. Focus any tax cuts on working poor, and not on the wealthy or corporations who can most afford to contribute to our country;
7. Continue to fund public education so our children may receive the best this country has to offer, and gain the skills to carry it through to the future;
8. Continue to fund the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and similar initiatives, that they may persevere in their research for the benefit of all Americans;
9. Protect our National Parks System and environment in accordance with scientific evidence and consensus for our children to enjoy in the future;
10. Hold President-elect Trump and his cabinet accountable in their conflicts of interest due to their extensive business holdings;
11. Work to ensure all appointed positions are filled by fully qualified nominees; and
12. Provide support for the men and women who have been victims of sexual abuse.
We hope you take this petition as intended, as a first step towards rebuilding unity in our great country. While we may have different opinions on politics and policies, we are all American, and all believe in our fundamental rights as laid out in the Constitution. Do not allow the fears of many Americans, laid bare in the past year and a half of campaigning, to be realized with the curbing of our rights to religion, free speech, assembly, and a free, investigative press. The American people look to you to perform your checks and balances on President-elect Trump with as much vigilance as you did President Obama. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Concerned Citizens of the United States of America
Why is this important?
The recent election has spurred the fears of many Americans for an assortment of reasons, whether fear for personal safety, for the continued defense of the Constitution, or for the position of Americans abroad. In recent days even outspoken Trump supporters have professed concerns with some of President-elect Trump's actions and appointments.
While activism is vital, we must not forget that Congress is the first and most powerful check against the Executive Branch. We must continue to remind Congress that we hold them to their responsibilities towards the American people, regardless of partisanship or party affiliation. Congressional leadership must be reminded that we the people are watching, and we the people expect them to act for the wellbeing of all Americans.
While activism is vital, we must not forget that Congress is the first and most powerful check against the Executive Branch. We must continue to remind Congress that we hold them to their responsibilities towards the American people, regardless of partisanship or party affiliation. Congressional leadership must be reminded that we the people are watching, and we the people expect them to act for the wellbeing of all Americans.