A group of 17 freshman House Republicans wrote a letter to President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday, the day of his inauguration, in hopes of bridging the partisan divide in the aftermath of tensions that bubbled to an attack on the U.S. Capitol building two weeks ago.
“After two impeachments, lengthy inter-branch investigations, and, most recently, the horrific attack on our nation’s capital, it is clear that the partisan divide between Democrats and Republicans does not serve a single American,” the letter, authored by Texas Rep. Beth Van Duyne, stated.
The representatives provided a hint that they could vote in favor of more coronavirus relief, given it is “targeted.” Biden last week revealed a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan.
“We hope to work with you to extend targeted, meaningful coronavirus relief for families and businesses, protect Americans with pre-existing conditions, strengthen and modernize our infrastructure, enforce our antitrust laws against emboldened technology monopolies, and restore our economy struggling in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic,” the letter said.
Letter signatories included North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn, who tweeted, “Cry more, lib,” on election night in November when it was clear he would win his congressional seat; and Michigan Rep. Peter Meijer, who last week voted in favor of impeaching President Trump for “incitement of insurrection” on the U.S. Capitol.
Other freshman Republican firebrands, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert, did not sign the letter.
“We firmly believe that what unites us as Americans is far greater than anything that may ever divide us. In that spirit, we hope that we can rise above the partisan fray to negotiate meaningful change for Americans across the nation and maintain the United States’ standing as the best country in the world,” the letter said.
