A NOTE FROM CHRISSY

My Annual State of the Sixth Town Hall

On a Monday night late February, I held my sixth annual State of the Sixth town hall in the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville. Normally, 150-200 people attend, but this year we had over 600 people (standing room only) and had to turn away hundreds. The evening is always both a look back at what I and my team worked on and accomplished for our community and an open Q&A to talk about whatever is top of mind. What was top of mind this year, of course, are the reckless and dangerous actions by this White House and what I and all of us can do to push back.

JAN. 6 RIOTERS Pardoned

Although our new President swore to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution, he has been regularly ignoring and disrespecting it. The pardon is a Presidential right granted by the Constitution, but we can add our new President to the list of men who have abused it. It was a shock to most of us – including Republicans – when, on his first day in office, he pardoned 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants, including the most violent of rioters. This is an affront to law enforcement officers and a reckless and dangerous abuse of power.

That's why my colleagues Dan Goldman, Jason Crow, Eric Swalwell, and I, along with law enforcement officers there that day, held a press conference to condemn the pardons. As public servants elected by the people, for the people, we have a responsibility to condemn political violence, not condone it.

Why I voted "no" on the Laken Riley Act

I am endlessly frustrated by the willingness of Congressional leadership to abdicate our responsibility to enact smart, strategic, and long-overdue immigration reform. In January, I voted "no" on the Laken Riley Act, a bill that prioritizes the deportation of undocumented immigrants who are simply accused of committing a crime. I voted no because it’s unconstitutional and I take my oath to “support and defend” the Constitution seriously. 

Less than sixty Democrats voted yes on this bill and it’s now law. After the role immigration and border security played in the November election, I can understand why that number was so high but it’s still disappointing. We need commonsense immigration reform that will make meaningful and permanent change – without sacrificing our values and trading away constitutional protections. You can read my op-ed on this here.

Benjamin Franklin in the U.S. Capitol

Did you know that there is no statue of Pennsylvania’s very own Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin, on the U.S. Capitol tour? In a historic building with over 100 statues of historic figures?!? I’m working to change that in time for next year’s America250 celebration and was thrilled that my bill to bring a statue – created by a Pennsylvania sculptor – passed the House in late February. Now on to the Senate!