Attorney General Barr needs to go
Dear Friend,
Attorney General William Barr's actions this week have been shameful and disgraceful. He admitted, under oath, while testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday that he had not even read the underlying evidence Special Counsel Mueller submitted with his report before making his decision that the president did nothing wrong. That's absurd. And when the House gathered Thursday to question him further, he didn't show up.
The attorney general of the United States is the people's lawyer, responsible for enforcing the nation's laws evenly and equally, regardless of anyone's title or position. Attorney General Barr has shown time and time again that he is either unwilling or unable to do that when it comes to evaluating the actions of the president. And that's why I have called on him to resign.
Congress has a constitutional duty to perform oversight of this administration, and we are not going to sit back and let this administration – or any other – prevent us from fulfilling that responsibility.
While we continue to investigate the president's actions and work to hold his administration accountable, we cannot allow it to distract us from accomplishing all of the other important things we set out to do this year – including combatting our ongoing climate crisis and protecting people's health.
Speaking of health, one of the biggest threats to the health of our young people is the growing use of tobacco and nicotine products among middle and high school students. Studies have shown that almost all adult smokers – 94%, in fact – started smoking before they reached the age of 21.
Studies have also shown that raising the minimum legal age to buy tobacco products to 21 nationwide would decrease our nation's overall smoking rate by 12%.
Twelve states and the District of Columbia have already passed laws to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco products to 21, and on Tuesday, in an effort to protect our young people from the dangers of smoking at an earlier age, I introduced a bipartisan bill to do the same nationwide.
In addition to protecting people's health, we also need to protect the health of our environment. Right now, we are in the midst of climate crisis and we must take immediate action to combat these environmental problems.
On Thursday, the House passed an important measure – H.R. 9 – to block President Trump's shortsighted and dangerous decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement. This is a bill I strongly supported to send a message to the rest of the world that we are still with them in this global fight to end this climate crisis.
That same day, I joined with several other members of Congress to introduce legislation that would permanently protect nearly 60 million acres of untouched national forests from the threat of increased logging. Right now, the Trump administration is considering opening up millions of acres of our pristine national forests to loggers – despite a federal rule that's been in place for nearly 20 years to specifically protect those areas.
Our bill would block the Trump administration from opening that land up and ensure it remains protected for future generations to enjoy.
As we look ahead to next week, I just want to thank you again for the privilege you've given me to serve as your voice in Washington. It truly is an honor and it's one I've never once taken for granted. Knowing that you and your family have placed your trust and confidence in me to represent you in Congress is what drives me everyday to work as hard as I can.
So, thank you again for all of your support.
As always, if you have any questions or need any more information you can always visit my website at www.degette.house.gov, where you can read my positions on issues and learn about the different ways my staff can assist you. While you're there, be sure to visit the "Contact" page and send me an email about what matters most to you and your family.
And finally, if you haven't done so already, be sure to share this email with your friends, family and neighbors so that they too can be a part of this important dialogue.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Diana DeGette
Member of Congress