League of Women Voters Urges Voters to Demand Legislators Defend the Constitution

MENASHA, WI—(WISS)—Executive orders have made news since President Donald Trump took office in January. Some of those orders are seen as unconstitutional. The League of Women Voters (LWV) of Appleton-Fox Cities and the League of Women Voters of Winnebago County came together to encourage Fox Valley voters to contact their federal legislators about what they see as a crisis for our democracy.

The LWV is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization that works to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone’s representation in our democracy. 

Linda Bjella, President of the LWV of Appleton-Fox Cities, told the crowd that on the 105th anniversary of the founding of the League of Women Voters, the national organization, the chapters from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico sent an urgent letter to all congressional leaders.

“ Writing on behalf of over a million League members,” Bjella said, “The letter demanded that Congress exercise its Article one, constitutional authority to quote, protect the rule of law, defend the constitution, and end the overreach by the executive branch of the government, unquote.”

Article One of the U.S. Constitution gives power to Congress, the branch of government closest to the people, as it comprises elected senators and representatives. 

“Congress has granted the power to create our laws, the power of the purse, and oversight over the other branches. Federal government agencies created by Congress cannot be dismantled without the consent of Congress. Money appropriated by Congress cannot be unilaterally paused or impounded by the executive,” Bjella said.

“We demand that our congressional representatives–Democrats, Republicans, and Independents–honor their oaths and protect us, their constituents, from this breathtaking power grab by the executive branch of the government.”

At Issue for League of Women Voters: Unconstitutional Actions

Margy Davey, the president of the LWV of Winnebago County, listed the executive actions the U.S. LWV sees as unconstitutional.

• An attempt to end birthright citizenship in the United States in violation of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
• The firing of 17 Inspectors General without giving Congress the required 30-day notice.
• The ongoing attempt to dismantle federal agencies, such as USAID, the Consumer Protection Bureau, and the Department of Education which all require notice to and input from Congress before such actions can be taken.
• Allowing private citizens who have not been elected or subject to the advice and consent of the Senate to access private, sensitive data of the American people. 
• The attempt to reduce the federal workforce without providing employees the due process to which they are entitled.

“ While Congress, the executive branch, and the courts each have balanced powers within our constitutional system,” said Davey. “It is us, the people, who have the ultimate authority to protect our democracy. We must fight for it and demand that our congressional representatives uphold the rule of law and protect our constitutional rights.”

Davey and Bjella signed a letter with this message to U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson, Representative Glenn Grothmann of the 6th Congressional District, and Representative Tony Wied of the 8th Congressional District.

League of Women Voters says: Write Your Congressmen!

Members of the LWV then encouraged all citizens of the Fox Valley to write their Congressmen and Senators to ask them to uphold the Constitution and protect democracy.

“What we are trying to do today is remind everyone that we elect people to go to Washington to represent us. And we are asking you to contact them because the voice of the people should be the strongest voice that’s heard,” said Bjella.

Nonpartisan Action

Bjella was adamant that the LWV actions and requests to contact your legislators are nonpartisan. They take only one side–democracy.

“The League is dedicated to defending democracy, and we view this as part of our mission,” Bjella said. “Whether it is a partisan act, or interpreted that way by other people, we think it is nonpartisan to stand on the side of democracy.”

“Together, we can make our voices heard in Washington D.C.,” said Jan Quinlan, VP of Action for LWV of Appleton Fox-Cities. 

“We have talked here about the League’s commitment to democracy. For democracy to work, we all need to be committed to democracy, including our elected officials,” said Jacqui Klimaszewski, Vice President of Voter Services of the LWV of Appleton-Fox Cities. “That’s why we are calling on all of you to demand that your elected officials uphold the letter and spirit of our Constitution.” 

The LWV had postcards available for people to send to their elected officials. They also provided attendees with the addresses of each Senator and Representative in the area.

Legislative Addresses

Senatorial Addresses

Senator Tammy Baldwin

41 Hart Senate Office Building,

Washington, DC 20510

Or

30 West Mifflin St. Suite 700

Madison, WI 53703

Senator Ron Johnson

328 Hart Senate Office Building,

Washington, DC 20510

OR 

219 Washington Ave. Suite 100

Oshkosh, WI 54901

Congressional Addresses

US Congressional District 6 Representative Glenn Grothman

1211 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

OR

525 N. Peters Ave. Suite 700

Fond du Lac, WI 54937

US Congressional District 8 Representative Tony Wied

424 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

OR

107 Scheuring Road, Suite B

DePere, WI 54115