Dear Colleague on Protecting the American People from Domestic Terrorism

October 29, 2018
Press Release
Image removed.

October 29, 2018

Dear Democratic Colleague,

Our nation has endured a heartbreaking week of violence and hate: the horrific anti-Semitic hate crime at the Tree of Life synagogue on Saturday, a white supremacist murdering two in a supermarket after targeting a predominantly African American church, and mail bombs sent to public leaders, colleagues and the press.

We all join in mourning for the victims and their families, and in gratitude for the heroism of our first responders and law enforcement.  We are also proud of our Pittsburgh-colleague Mike Doyle's dignity and devotion to his community.  As the Tree of Life synagogue's Rabbi Myers said of this hate crime, "Many will just see this an attack upon the Jewish community.  It's not.  It's an attack upon America."

As Members of Congress, we take a solemn oath to support and defend the Constitution and protect the American people.  On Sunday, we marked 9 years since President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act passed by the Democratic Congress.  In contrast, this GOP Congress has consistently turned a blind eye to domestic terrorism.

Our Ranking Member Bennie Thompson has been a tireless leader in the effort to compel the Homeland Security Committee to focus on domestic terrorism, but Republicans consistently refused his requests for hearings.  In this Congress alone, Republicans have rejected five separate requests from Homeland Security Democrats for bipartisan hearings on the urgent threat of domestic terrorism and mass shootings.  Today, Ranking Member Nadler and Judiciary Democrats have also called for an emergency hearing on hate crimes and domestic terrorism.

While the GOP attempts to divide and distract the public from their tax scam for the rich and their assault on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and people with pre-existing conditions, Democrats across the country are focused on bringing people together.  We pledge a new Congress focused on what unifies us, not what divides us – guided by our agenda: For The People:

  • Lower your health costs and prescription drug prices;

  • Raise your wages with strong economic growth by rebuilding America;

  • Clean up corruption to make Washington work for you.

In this all important final week, only by relentlessly driving home our For The People message of health, jobs and integrity in government will we win a better future for all Americans.

best regards,

Image removed.