50,000 signatures reached
To: Mitch McConnell and the Senate
Stop Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham’s Senate coronavirus coverup
The Senate is endangering themselves and their staff in order to push forward a Supreme Court nomination just weeks before the election -- something they flat-out refused to do just 4 years ago, when the GOP held Merrick Garland’s confirmation for over 9 months, stating that a confirmation to the Supreme Court should not happen in an election year. We are currently just three weeks from election day.
These public figures are showing a complete disregard for human health by refusing to require regular testing of all members, their staff, and those who work in Congressional buildings--and they’re refusing such an obviously and basic safety measure because they know there’s a good chance more of them are going to test positive for Covid-19.
We demand immediate testing, tracing, and quarantine measures that are in strict accordance with CDC guidelines for all Senators and those who work around them.
Why is this important?
I have been in quarantine ever since I found out I may have been exposed to the Covid-19 virus by Donald Trump, his family, and his staff, at the first presidential debate. I have had to confront the reality of the coronavirus both in attending the debate and in my own personal life with the passing of my father, and it’s the continued negligence and heedlessness of the GOP that has left me and my loved ones in this predicament.
My father is one of the 210,000 people who has died because of Donald Trump and the GOP’s improper handling of the coronavirus pandemic. I refuse to allow these people to continue to be so thoughtless and negligent with people’s lives.
I know firsthand how dangerous this virus is, and I am certain that anyone that has been exposed to it must follow CDC guidelines for quarantining and tracing.
And yet, Instead of prioritizing the health of Senators, staff, and employees of the Capitol, Mitch McConnell and GOP Senators are pushing forward with hearings on the Supreme Court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett without any required testing.
This is all during a potential coronavirus outbreak in the Senate during a global pandemic.
In just the past two weeks, Utah Senator Mike Lee, Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, and North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis have all tested positive. Not only that, more than 30 senators attended meetings, fundraisers, and massive rallies without masks, and it is glaringly obvious that COVID-19 is spreading among the White House and Republican political community. We cannot risk more lives in the ruthless pursuit of political power.
The priority for the GOP should be to minimize and contain the impact of a White House and Senate coronavirus outbreak, rather than using this moment to push forward a power grab for the Supreme Court ahead of election day.
Mitch McConnell and the Senate must investigate the scope of the outbreak and protect the health and safety of government officials, their staff and constituents, and the country as a whole.
While anyone can be susceptible to infection, the disregard for masks and distancing by Republican leaders has intensified the spread and put their ability to govern at risk. Schools, businesses, and communities across the country are taking greater precautions to try to confront this pandemic—the Senate must do the same.