Dear Friend,

 

At the close of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked, “Well, Doctor, what have we got – a Republic or a Monarchy?”

 

Franklin famously responded, “A Republic, if you can keep it.”

 

That is the existential question facing our nation right now:  Can we keep our durable yet still fragile democracy?

 

During nearly three years in office, President Donald Trump has:

• run roughshod over the guardrails of our democracy, repeatedly placing himself above the law;

• stonewalled Congress at every turn, thumbing his nose at our constitutional system of checks and balances;

• employed racist rhetoric to stoke divisions in our country, attacking and demeaning Americans based on their race, religion, and ethnic origin; and

• viciously attacked and denigrated the free press, dangerously branding it the “enemy of the people.”

 

And now we know that the President pressured a foreign leader to investigate a political opponent while blocking vital security assistance for that country.  In doing so, he placed his personal political interests above the national security interests of the American people.

 

For his disregard for our Constitution and his oath of office, for his cynical effort to stoke divisions in our country, and for the damage he has inflicted on our democracy and our standing around the world, I believe Donald Trump should be impeached.  

 

As a member of the House committee leading the impeachment inquiry, I will be relentless as we work to hold this president accountable.

 

But I refuse to let impeachment detract from our fight to improve the lives of the American people.

 

Just last month, a key House committee approved my legislation to cut the price of prescription drugs for every American. And we have advanced legislation to tackle climate change, rebuild our infrastructure, increase the minimum wage, eliminate pay inequity, ensure high speed internet service in rural America, and make a college education more affordable.

 

Senator Mitch McConnell is doing all he can to block our agenda in the Senate.  But the Democratic House will persist, and we will ultimately prevail.

 

In less than a year, the American people will go to the polls and decide which party they trust to rebuild our middle class, invest in our future, and save the planet.  And when they vote, they will know which party held President Trump accountable for his actions in office.

 

I need your help to return to Congress to work with a new Democratic President and a Democratic Congress to get this country back on track, improve the lives of working Americans, and invest in our future.

 

Will you support my efforts by making a contribution now to my reelection campaign? 

 

I would greatly appreciate a contribution of $10, $25, $50 or $100 – or whatever amount you can afford.

 

I remain grateful for your friendship and support.

 Peter Welch