Dear [firstname],
Another busy week in Washington, D.C. has unfortunately been dominated by ongoing failures of leadership and barriers to getting real work done. As the war in Iran continues and prices keep climbing higher, I’m taking every opportunity I can to advocate for our district and to deliver the solutions we need. This week, I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be a leader – how irresponsible leadership in D.C. hurts us, and how strong moral leadership in our own community can strengthen us. |
One of the most frustrating elements of this war in Iran is the apparent division among negotiators and defense officials in the Trump Administration. As a member of both the House Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, I know that our national security and the safety of our servicemembers require a clear-eyed, responsible, and consistent military strategy. |
Instead, we are seeing an alarming pattern of high-level military officials either resigning or being removed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Last week, the Secretary of the Navy, John C. Phelan, resigned suddenly. Earlier this month, Army Chief of Staff General Randy A. George was fired without cause. Secretary Hegseth also directed both General David Hodne, who leads the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command, and Major General William Green Jr., the Army’s chief of chaplains, to retire this month. |
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Dismantling our military chain of command would be illogical and dangerous in any context. But the pattern of firing and removing senior military officials and civilian appointees while we are actively fighting an unauthorized and unpopular war is beyond irresponsible. It is insulting to the high-level military officials who have dedicated their lives to service, only to be forced out of an increasingly politicized military. And it is disrespectful to the men and women still in uniform now left to serve without the guidance and expertise of these senior officers forced to leave. This reckless hollowing out of our defense operation puts our entire nation at risk. Secretary Hegseth is not the leader we deserve, and most certainly not the one we need. |
Yesterday, I had a chance to talk to Secretary Hegseth about my concerns with his competency and strategy. I asked him directly why General George was fired – his response was unsatisfactory, to say the least. Secretary Hegseth could not provide any explanation at all for General George’s firing. He also had no answer when I asked him to estimate how much longer the war in Iran might take, or how much more it might cost American taxpayers. |
Instead, he evaded simple questions and tried to attack me and my Democratic colleagues, further politicizing what should be an apolitical conversation about our servicemembers and security. I want to tell you exactly what I told him: Democrats, it turns out, are patriots as well. We serve in uniform. We admire our uniformed servicemembers. And we love our country just as much as Republicans do.
In fact, my service, admiration, and love of country are exactly what drive me to continue holding Secretary Hegseth accountable and working against the threats of this war. |
I also want to share some thoughts on the three Members of Congress who have recently resigned from their offices, amid allegations and investigations of sexual assault or fraud. These former Members abused their offices and violated the trust of the communities that elected them to serve. This is not normal. Crimes, corruption, and cover-ups should not be commonplace in our government. It corrodes the credibility of Congress, pulls time, attention, and resources from work to improve our constituents’ lives, and fuels a system of corrupt governance that serves no one but these Members themselves.
Representing our community in Congress is an incredible and humbling honor, and I expect every one of my colleagues to respect the job as such. We should be held to high standards of conduct and expected to use our positions in Congress to uplift our communities. When any of our leaders fail to meet these standards, you will always find me on the side of justice and accountability. |
As I try to reflect our own community’s values in Washington, connecting regularly with our local faith leaders is one of the ways I can meaningfully understand the principles guiding you and your neighbors. While I was at home recently, I was grateful for the opportunity to meet with twelve faith leaders from across our community. |
Leaders of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Quaker, Baha’i, and Unitarian Universalist backgrounds from places of worship across Chester and Berks Counties joined me for an open and honest dialogue. I listened as they candidly shared concerns about wars abroad, injustice at home, and the value of coming together in conversation across faiths. In the words of one leader, when we listen and connect as individuals, we understand that we are more alike than different and that “these people don’t bite.” When we sit with one another and share our perspectives and our pains, we all understand each other better. I’m thankful for the candid conversation we shared, and the reminder that the many faiths woven together throughout our district are the very essence of what makes us special. |
Each conversation I have with our community helps me better represent you in Congress and reminds me what an honor and privilege it is to do so. |
Chrissy Houlahan U.S. Member of Congress
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