Press Releases

Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, released the following statement announcing he will boycott President Donald Trump’s address to Congress:

“Since being elected to Congress, I have never missed a State of the Union address. But we have never seen our democracy so tested. We have never seen our laws, institutions, and the separation of powers so attacked from within. These are not normal times. The challenges my constituents face demand more than sitting in a chamber I revere, listening as if the person addressing our country is not unleashing chaos and cruelty on their lives. I cannot give audience to that.

In solidarity with federal workers and contractors, who have been treated with unspeakable disregard and disrespect by a president and an oligarch billionaire who do not value their public service;

In solidarity with the thousands of veterans across the government who have been summarily fired from their jobs and those who will not receive the care they’ve earned;

In solidarity with the children across the world who will starve while Donald Trump and Elon Musk allow USAID food to rot on the shelf;

In solidarity with the Inspectors General and other independent watchdogs who have been prevented from doing their work in service to the people;

In solidarity with the millions of people across America who will be kicked off their health care by mindless cuts to Medicaid;

In solidarity with the DC and Capitol Police officers who saw their attackers pardoned and released back on to the streets;

In solidarity with American seniors whose Social Security is now at risk;

In solidarity with our friends in Ukraine, who have watched in horror as an American president turns his back on their fight for freedom and democracy;

And in solidarity with the American people who deserve a government that serves them, not the whims of billionaires –

I will not attend Donald Trump’s address to Congress.”