01.07.16

Pelosi-Hoyer-Grijalva Joint Statement on House Resolution Urging Militia Members to Surrender to Law Enforcement in Oregon

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) released the following joint statement today on Grijalva’s resolution urging the armed militia members in Oregon to end their takeover of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and surrender peacefully to law enforcement officials. Pelosi and Hoyer cosponsored the resolution, formally designated H. Res. 575, alongside 20 other Democrats as of this afternoon. You can read the full text at http://1.usa.gov/1OKvMqx.

“Regardless of politics, we can all agree – as elected leaders in Washington and as an American community – that any armed takeover of public property is not acceptable and should end quickly and peacefully. Defending, supporting or excusing the use of force as a means of political expression threatens our way of life and undermines our democracy. This resolution is a clear, simple call for the rule of law to prevail in Oregon and for the armed militia members to accept legal responsibility for their actions. It is nonpartisan, and we believe there can be no serious disagreement about its merits. We call on our colleagues to support this resolution, to come together to end a potentially volatile and dangerous situation, and to make it clear that the threat of force to achieve political goals has no support in Congress.”

Press Contact

Media Contacts: Adam Sarvana (Grijalva)

(202) 225-6065 or (202) 578-6626

Drew Hammill (Pelosi)

(202) 225-0100

Katie Grant (Hoyer)

(202) 225-4131