More Than 100 Former Members Of Congress Urge Leaders: Put Solutions Over Party
Bipartisan Letter: “We call upon you, in this time of crisis, to put the good of the country above all else.”
(Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, January 26, 2021) – FMC, the association of Former Members of Congress today released the full text of a letter from its Former Members to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
In the letter, signed by 128 members of FMC, former Members of both parties and an Independent called on Congressional leaders to put aside the extreme tribalism and partisanship that has gripped the nation, as they seek solutions to the massive challenges that face the United States. The letter reads in part, “We are imploring our Congressional Leadership, specifically Leaders McConnell and Schumer, and Speaker Pelosi and Leader McCarthy, to lead by example. Be an example to the Democratic and Republican caucuses by promoting those voices that seek solutions rather than divisions.”
The letter was featured in an article in The Hill on Tuesday morning and was referenced last week in the New York Times.
“We have to have leaders of the country now, not leaders of parties,” said FMC President Charles Boustany (R-LA), “That doesn't mean talking about bipartisanship for cameras, and it doesn't mean giving up our principles. It does mean giving up on the idea of "winner takes all" and instead finding common ground to solve the problems we have to solve.”
“Without work on both sides of the aisle, we will not be able to recover, as a country, from COVID,” said L.F. Payne (D-VA), President-Elect of FMC, “More importantly, we will not be able to work together, as Americans, to move our country forward. The leaders in both houses of Congress have an opportunity to talk to their Members, to cool the temperatures of tribalism and to remember that we're all Americans.”
FMC is a non-advocacy, non-partisan group founded in 1970 and chartered by Congress in 1983. It is a voluntary alliance of former U.S. Senators and Representatives, working to strengthen Congress in the conduct of its Constitutional responsibility through promoting a collaborative approach to policy making; and to deepening the understanding of our democratic system.