Conservative Action Project
January 14, 2021
Washington, D.C.
CRUZ, HAWLEY, BROOKS, AND COLLEAGUES FOLLOW THE CONSTITUTION
Conservatives
condemn the violent actions that
took place at the United States
Capitol last week. Our
self-government is founded upon the
rule of law, and violence as a form
of protest is never acceptable.
Unlike most Democrats, we condemned
the violent actions of rioters over
the summer. We condemn the recent
violence with equal vigor.
But one thing is also clear: the actions of 8 Senators and 139 House members, including Sen. Josh Hawley, Sen. Ted Cruz, and many others, who intended to or did debate the certification of certain states’ 2020 electors is not, and never will be, tantamount to violence. The right and ability to object to electoral certification is written into the Constitution and housed in the procedural rights of those who represent us.
It is why Democrats in the House, and in one case, the Senate, rose to object to elections in 2001, 2005, and as recently as 2017. Those Democrats – which include currently sitting Reps. Clyburn, Davis, Grijalva, Hastings, Jackson-Lee, Lee, Pallone, Schakowsky, Thompson, and Waters– were not assigned motives of treason, or sedition, or violent overthrow of the government, and for good reason. Our representatives using the constitutional and procedural rights afforded to them as elected officials is not, by definition, an incitement to violence.
Our self-government exists to deliberate, debate, and resolve issues of consequence to the country. Exiling or in any way punishing those who try to use the bodies as they were intended – as national forums where voters see their concerns raised and considered in a democratic fashion – will diminish what has made our republic strong. It sets a precedent that foreshadows a dangerous disintegration of the consensus that has held us together: a respect for dissent, a vigorous but respectful airing of views, and peaceable resolution by democratic means.
Moreover, we reject opportunistic attempts by some to use last week’s events as a pretext to dismiss legitimate concerns about election irregularities, and illegal and unconstitutional actions. The 2020 election was conducted in an unprecedented manner: largely by mail, and in a way that overwhelmed the capacities of many states. It is not at all unreasonable to review the manner in which votes were counted.
Indeed, if the goal is to restore faith in future elections, then a comprehensive review and analysis to determine what went wrong, what went right, and what is in need of reform should be a critical next step.
The violence committed at the Capitol was reprehensible and without defense. The overwhelming majority of protestors were peaceful, however, and did not participate in criminal activities. They are still Americans, their concerns still matter, and they cannot be wished away by legislators as inconvenient.
Our politics should be where we solve problems. It should not be a forum for violence, or for politically motivated purges. Moving forward from here will require more speech, not less; more deliberation, not demagoguery. Moves to punish or to exile will not build us up, they will only serve to marginalize, radicalize and destroy. We urge all our leaders – and all conservatives – to oppose them.
But one thing is also clear: the actions of 8 Senators and 139 House members, including Sen. Josh Hawley, Sen. Ted Cruz, and many others, who intended to or did debate the certification of certain states’ 2020 electors is not, and never will be, tantamount to violence. The right and ability to object to electoral certification is written into the Constitution and housed in the procedural rights of those who represent us.
It is why Democrats in the House, and in one case, the Senate, rose to object to elections in 2001, 2005, and as recently as 2017. Those Democrats – which include currently sitting Reps. Clyburn, Davis, Grijalva, Hastings, Jackson-Lee, Lee, Pallone, Schakowsky, Thompson, and Waters– were not assigned motives of treason, or sedition, or violent overthrow of the government, and for good reason. Our representatives using the constitutional and procedural rights afforded to them as elected officials is not, by definition, an incitement to violence.
Our self-government exists to deliberate, debate, and resolve issues of consequence to the country. Exiling or in any way punishing those who try to use the bodies as they were intended – as national forums where voters see their concerns raised and considered in a democratic fashion – will diminish what has made our republic strong. It sets a precedent that foreshadows a dangerous disintegration of the consensus that has held us together: a respect for dissent, a vigorous but respectful airing of views, and peaceable resolution by democratic means.
Moreover, we reject opportunistic attempts by some to use last week’s events as a pretext to dismiss legitimate concerns about election irregularities, and illegal and unconstitutional actions. The 2020 election was conducted in an unprecedented manner: largely by mail, and in a way that overwhelmed the capacities of many states. It is not at all unreasonable to review the manner in which votes were counted.
Indeed, if the goal is to restore faith in future elections, then a comprehensive review and analysis to determine what went wrong, what went right, and what is in need of reform should be a critical next step.
The violence committed at the Capitol was reprehensible and without defense. The overwhelming majority of protestors were peaceful, however, and did not participate in criminal activities. They are still Americans, their concerns still matter, and they cannot be wished away by legislators as inconvenient.
Our politics should be where we solve problems. It should not be a forum for violence, or for politically motivated purges. Moving forward from here will require more speech, not less; more deliberation, not demagoguery. Moves to punish or to exile will not build us up, they will only serve to marginalize, radicalize and destroy. We urge all our leaders – and all conservatives – to oppose them.
The
Honorable Edwin Meese III Attorney General President Ronald Reagan (1985-1988) |
Alfred
S. Regnery Chairman, Conservative Action Project President, Republic Book Publishers |
The
Honorable J. Kenneth
Blackwell Chairman Constitutional Congress, Inc. |
The
Honorable Bob McEwen U.S. House of Representatives Former Member, Ohio |
The
Honorable Jim DeMint Chairman, Conservative Partnership Institute Member, US Senate (SC 2005-2013) |
Ed
Corrigan Vice Chairman, Conservative Action Project President & CEO, Conservative Partnership Institute |
Kelly
J. Shackelford, Esq. Chairman, CNP Action, Inc. President and CEO, First Liberty Institute |
David
Bozell President ForAmerica |
The
Honorable Morton C.
Blackwell President The Leadership Institute |
L.
Brent Bozell, III Founder and President Media Research Center |
Wesley
Denton Chief Operating Officer Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI) |
Penny
Y. Nance President & CEO Concerned Women for America |
Herman
Pirchner, Jr. Founding President American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC) |
The
Honorable Colin A. Hanna President Let Freedom Ring, Inc. |
Jenny
Beth Martin Chairman Tea Party Patriots Citizen Fund |
The
Honorable Becky Norton
Dunlop White House Advisor President Ronald Reagan (1981-1985) |
Rachel
Bovard Senior Director of Policy Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI) |
William
L. Walton President Council for National Policy |
Mary
Vought Executive Director Senate Conservatives Fund |
The
Honorable T. Kenneth Cribb,
Jr. Chief Domestic Advisor President Ronald Reagan (1987-1988) |
The
Honorable Donald Paul Hodel U.S. Secretary of Energy (1982-1985) U.S. Secretary of Interior (1985-1989) |
The
Honorable Matt Schlapp Chairman American Conservative Union (ACU) |
Marjorie
Dannenfelser President Susan B. Anthony List |
Lt.
Gen. William G. Boykin
(Ret.) Executive Vice President Family Research Council |
The
Honorable Tony Perkins President Family Research Council |
Daniel
Schneider Executive Director American Conservative Union (ACU) |
Myron
Ebell Leader, EPA Team Trump Transition (2016-17) |
Frank
J. Gaffney Executive Chairman Center for Security Policy |
Stephen
Stockman U.S. House of Representatives Former Member, Texas |
William
Shaker CEO Washington Marking Group |
Anne
Schlafly Cori Chairman Eagle Forum |
Eunie
Smith President Emeritus Eagle Forum |
Colleen
Holcomb President Eagle Forum |
Judson
Phillips Founder Tea Party Nation |
Dr.
Teryn B. Clarke Neurologist Newport Beach |
Kevin
Freeman Founder NSIC Institute |
Benjamin
R. Case Private Citizen |
Sal
Russo Co-Founder and Chief Strategist Tea Party Express |
Troy
J. Andrews CEO Paradigm Midstream, LLC |
Karen
England Executive Director Capitol Resource Institute |
Richard
Wright Owner R & S LLC |
The
Honorable Gary L. Bauer President American Values |
Lori
Roman President American Constitutional Rights Union Action |
Ron
Pearson Executive Director Conservative Victory Fund |
Marcia
G. Taylor CEO Bennett Family of Companies |
Gerard
Kassar State Chairman NYS Conservative Party |
Richard
G. Scurry VP Business Development 14all, Inc. |
Mat
Staver Chairman Liberty Counsel Action |
Seton
Motley President Less Government |
J.
Christian Adams President Public Interest Legal Foundation |
Jack
Park Conservative Activist and Donor Law Offices of Jack Park |
Dr.
Richard Rounsavelle Trustee Media Research Center |
Kielle
C. Horton President The Lindsey Foundation |
Willes
K. Lee President National Federation of Republican Assemblies |
The
Honorable Diana Denman Presidential Appointee/President Ronald Reagan The Reagan Legacy Forum |
Saulius
“Saul” Anuzis President 60 Plus Association |
James
L. Martin Founder & Chairman 60 Plus Association |
Donald
L. Woodsmall Managing Member Arromid, LLC |
Michelle
Easton President Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women |
Rick
Scarborough President Recover America Now |
Mike
Davis Founder and President Article III Project (A3P) |
Kay
R. Daly President Coalition for a Fair Judiciary |
Khadine
Ritter Chairman Eagle Forum of Ohio |
G.
Eric Georgatos Executive Producer America Can We Talk? |
Reverend
Frank Pavone National Director Priests for Life |
Dr.
Alejandro Antonio Chafuen Chairman and Acting President Hispanic American Center for Economic Research |
Rob
Chambers Vice President AFA Action |
Rob
Gluskin Managing Partner Gluskin Investment Partners |
C.
Preston Noell III President Tradition, Family, Property, Inc. |
William
W. Pascoe, III Board Member Tea Party Patriots Action |
Chad
Connelly President Faith Wins |
Art
Ally President Timothy Partners, Ltd. |
Richard
Norman Founder and President The Richard Norman Company |
The
Honorable George K. Rasley
Jr. Managing Editor ConservativeHQ.com |
Robert
Keith Fischer Meeting Coordinator Conservatives of Faith |
Joan
Holt Lindsey President Lindsey Communications |
The
Honorable Peter J. Thomas Chairman The Conservative Caucus |
Terry
Schilling Executive Director American Principles Project |
Bill
Shaker CEO Washington Marketing Group |
Lee
Beaman CEO Beaman Ventures |
Barbara Ledeen | Bill
Johnson President American Decency Association |
Ron
Robinson President Young America’s Foundation |
Leigh
Bortins Owner Classical Conversations |
Dr.
Christopher C. Hull Senior Fellow Americans for Intelligence Reform |
Rick
Manning President Americans for Limited Government |
Robyn
Sachs President RMR & Associates |
Lewis
K. Uhler Founder and President National Tax Limitation Committee |
David
Hirsch Managing Director RSI Realty |
Amapola
Hansberger President Legal Immigrants for America |
Andresen
Blom President Hawaiian Values |
Rebecca
Hagelin CEO United in Purpose |
Elaine
Donnelly President Center for Military Readiness |
Paavo
Ensio Chairman Universal Minerals Group |
Sandy
Rios Director of Governmental Affairs American Family Association |
Dr.
Daphne Patai Emeritus Professor University of Massachusetts Amherst |
Don
L. (Bebo) Lee President New Mexico Federal Lands Council |
Caren
Cowan Publisher New Mexico Stockman magazine |
Tim
Throckmorton President Lifepointe Ministries |
Dr.
Jeffrey Satinover Managing Director Sterling Institute |
Floyd
Brown President Western Center for Journalism |
The
Honorable Eileen J. O’Connor Founder Law Office of Hon. Eileen J. O’Connor PLLC |
Paul
Gessing President Rio Grande Foundation |
Randy
M. Long Founder Long Business Advisors, LL |
John
Richardson President Protect Americans Now |
Jeffrey
B. Mendell Chairman & CEO JBM Realty |
James
R. Tovar Development Director National Legal and Policy Center |
Dr.
Donald van der Vaart Senior Fellow John Locke Foundation |
Nancy
Schulze Founder, President Republican Congressional Wives Speakers |
Tim
Wildmon President American Family Association |
The
Honorable Mark Finchem State Representative Arizona Legislature |
Bradley
Johnson President Americans for Intelligence Reform |
Simina
Farcasiu Founder and CEO Lower48 Analytics |
Debra
Burlingame Co-founder 9/11 Families for a Safe & Strong America |
George
C. Landrith President Frontiers of Freedom |
Karen
Hartman Paralegal Heartbeat International |
Clare
Lopez Founder/President Lopez Liberty LLC |