January 13, 2017
Senator Name and Address (see spreadsheet)
Dear Senator (Name),
I am concerned with some of the early actions taken by the Republican members of the House of Representatives in this 115th Congress, and am worried that they may not act in the best interests of the American people. Specifically, I was troubled by their proposed rules change to strip the Office of Congressional Ethics of its independence, and while that rule change was not successful, another rules change did pass. The House will now consider transfers of federal lands to local governments to be cost free to the American people, whether or not this is the case. This action appears to signal an attempt to reward Republican House members’ friends and supporters at the expense of the rest of the country. It is in direct conflict with the 2010 PAYGO law, and would likely lead to higher federal budget deficits.
In light of these early actions, I feel the House is likely to conduct business in a way that will be damaging to the federal government, and thus, the American people. The likely repeal of the Affordable Care Act without a planned replacement and the defunding of Planned Parenthood are just two issues of concern. Both actions would disproportionately affect women and children, especially those who have fewer options for alternative healthcare.
Consequently, I ask you and your fellow senators to act as protectors for the American people. Please take every action you feel is necessary to ensure that the next two years are not ones in which the federal government is hobbled to the point that it can no longer serve the people. Additionally, do everything possible to make sure an Affordable Care Act replacement is ready to go at the same time that people covered by the current law, including those benefiting from Medicaid expansion, lose their coverage because of the likely repeal.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
A One Man Think Tank 