1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

Are you going to tolerate toxic racist slurs from members of Congress against their colleagues? Rep. Jen Kiggans (Va.) made a statement publicly agreeing with a radio host that Hakkem Jeffries should “get [his] cotton-picking hands off of Virginia.” I am disgusted by the blatant racism of that comment. But other members of the Republican Party are also spouting unacceptable bigotry. Have you made a statement saying Kiggans should resign? I ask you to condemn her statement publicly, bring a vote of censure to the table and call for her resignation. Congress needs to get its house in order and NOT PERMIT racist abuse and slanders by elected representatives who are supposed to work for us. Kiggans unfortunately is not alone in her unacceptable conduct. I am appalled by the abuse perpetrated by some other members against colleagues. You are surely aware of Rep Andy Ogles' calls to de-naturalise Mayor Zohran Mamdani ? Randy Fine's attacks on Rep Ilhan Omar? Kiggans, Fine and Ogles are bringing Congress into disrepute. They are normalising racist abuse. They are spreading division and creating a climate for hate crimes. If you repudiate this, please, speak out, call for censure and resignation. If you remain silent you tell us that bigotry and racism by members of Congress is acceptable. I expect leadership and a good example from members of Congress: you work for us. We say NO to conduct that would get a person disciplined or removed from other employment. Silence is compliance. Please, take action, speak out. Propose censuses and call for resignations of Kiggans, Ogles, Fine.