An open letter to the U.S. Congress

STATES RIGHTS FOR ME BUT NOT FOR THEE

2 so far! Help us get to 5 signers!

I want to know my elected Congress members’ stance on states rights. I’m assuming you’re all for them since y’all back and promote sending so much of the federal government’s responsibility back to the states. It’s a common mantra in the GOP. So, what do you think about DJT demanding a “full throated apology” from Maine Gov. Janet Mills in his spat with the state over transgender athletes, implying his administration will continue to target the state unless he gets one? Apparently her “we’ll see you in court” when he threatened to pull federal funding from the state if it failed to ban trans athletes didn’t sit well. So he did what he does when he’s displeased. He demanded investigations into Maine, including probes launched by the Depts of Education, Health and Human Services and Agriculture. “While the State of Maine has apologized for their Governor’s strong, but totally incorrect, statement about men playing in women’s sports while at the White House House Governor’s Conference, we have not heard from the Governor herself, and she is the one that matters in such cases,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Therefore, we need a full throated apology from the Governor herself, and a statement that she will never make such an unlawful challenge to the Federal Government again, before this case can be settled.” The WH has threatened to halt federal funding for schools to force compliance with its Title IX interpretation and the president’s executive order. Their interpretation. I guess that’s why the governor said see you in court. Actions taken included a temporary pause in USDA funding for Maine’s school system, which would have affected programs directly benefiting Maine’s farmers and foresters to the tune of millions of dollars. Which it rescinded 2 days later. Earlier this week, USDA cleared the Univ. of Maine of Title IX violations, saying it had “clearly communicated its compliance” with Title IX guidance under the Trump administration. But on Wednesday, the Dept. of Education’s Office for Civil Rights told Maine’s state education department that it had concluded its investigation. The federal agency determined the state was violating Title IX, offering the state Department of Education “an opportunity to voluntarily agree within 10 days or risk imminent enforcement action including referral to the U.S. Department of Justice.” So let’s review. The USDA. The Dept. of Education. HHS. And finally the DOJ were all lined up against the state of Maine because they had issues with an ‘interpretation of an Executive order.’ Do you agree with weaponizing the federal government against a state? Did you back Gov. Abbott when he basically ignored the Biden administration over immigration at our southern border in the name of states rights? Or do you agree with governance by presidential domination over states?

▶ Created on March 22 by Debbie

Sign Petition

Already signed?

  • Promote this campaign to get it texted to potential signers
  • Share this page or image
    A shareable card that reads "tell the U.S. Congress: STATES RIGHTS FOR ME BUT NOT FOR THEE" followed by "text sign PDAAFR to 50409"
  • Text INVITE PDAAFR to ask your friends to sign via text or email
  • and post around campus or on your community bulletin board
  • Use the iOS app to share with your contacts
  • Join our Discord and connect with fellow organizers
  • Upgrade to Premium to unlock more features and make sure we can keep delivering
Share on BlueskyShare on TwitterShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare on WhatsAppShare on TumblrEmail with GmailEmail

Fund texts of this petition

Drive more letter deliveries by funding text appeals to users. Become a member to double your reach per dollar.