- United States
- Mich.
- Letter
I am writing to express my deep concern over the alarming rise in anti-transgender rhetoric in Congress and to urge you to take immediate action to enforce the House's rules of decorum. Recently, 213 Members of Congress, led by Equality Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Sarah McBride and Chair Rep. Mark Takano, sent a letter condemning this disturbing trend and calling for your leadership in addressing it.
The use of slurs and dehumanizing language during official proceedings is not only a violation of House rules but also a direct attack on the dignity and rights of transgender Americans. This rhetoric has gone unchecked, with no action taken by the Chair or Speaker Pro Tempore to maintain decorum. As Speaker, you have the responsibility and authority to ensure that all members, regardless of party affiliation, adhere to the standards of respect and civility that our democratic institutions demand.
The letter from your colleagues represents a diverse cross-section of the Democratic caucus, including leadership and members from various ideological backgrounds. Their unified voice underscores the urgency and importance of this issue. I strongly urge you to heed their call and take the following actions:
1. Publicly condemn the use of dehumanizing rhetoric against transgender individuals and other marginalized communities.
2. Enforce the House's rules of decorum consistently and without bias.
3. Ensure that members of the Republican conference understand and abide by these rules.
Our nation faces many challenges, and Congress should be focused on addressing these issues constructively. By allowing hateful rhetoric to persist, we not only fail to protect vulnerable communities but also undermine the integrity of our legislative process.
I believe in the power of love, understanding, and respect to bridge divides and create a more inclusive society. As my representative, I ask you to lead by example and take a stand against hate and discrimination. Your actions on this matter will demonstrate your commitment to upholding the values of equality and dignity for all Americans, including our transgender neighbors, friends, and family members.
Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. I look forward to seeing concrete steps taken to address this problem and restore civility and respect to our nation's highest legislative body.