Senator Rob Portman \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 448 Russell Senate Office Building \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Washington, DC\u00a0\u00a0 20510<\/p>\n
July 4, 2018<\/p>\n
Senator:<\/p>\n
I am a life-long Democrat, who also happens to be your constituent.\u00a0 I know that we disagree on any number of issues in American political life, and I have written critically from time to time about your stands (I write a political \u2018blog\u2019.)<\/p>\n
We also have occasional issues in agreement, for example, your final vote on the health care bill, you stand on LGBTQ rights, and your concern with opioid addiction.\u00a0 And we have other areas in common; I graduated from Wyoming High School the same year you graduated from Country Day, and I worked for Tom Luken while you were working for Bill Gradison. \u00a0I have always thought of you as a principled man, one who stands for the values of the United States. You are a \u201ctraditional\u201d Republican, one my Republican father would have been proud of; and those acquaintances we have in common speak highly of you.<\/p>\n
Senator, our nation is in crisis and I hope you will help us through it.\u00a0 There are two areas of absolute concern that should rise above partisan differences.\u00a0 They both speak to the essence of our Constitutional Republic.<\/p>\n
The United States has placed over two thousand children in custody, taking them away from their parents. Regardless of our national disagreement about immigration, we all must agree that those children should be reunited with their parents, either here in the US, or in their home country.\u00a0 And it has to happen now.\u00a0 I am asking you to do all in your power to make this occur, including making sure an actual system is established to process and return those kids. \u00a0It is a national emergency, one that goes directly to the soul of America.<\/p>\n
And now we are building large internment camps for immigrant families.\u00a0 The American answer to this migrant crisis should not be to put them in \u201ccamps.\u201d\u00a0Some of the darkest moments in our history used that solution; we need to find a more humane way to resolve this issue.\u00a0\u00a0 The data shows that a high percentage of migrants released on bail return for their trial.\u00a0 This is a low cost, humane solution that should be implemented.<\/p>\n
The next concern is politically more difficult.\u00a0 We have a nation divided by the election of 2016.\u00a0 Regardless of which candidate you supported, we are now in an era where a large portion of our nation questions the legitimacy of the current President.\u00a0We have chosen one of our most trusted citizens, Robert Mueller, to determine what occurred in 2016, and it seems that his investigation is drawing near to some conclusions.<\/p>\n
At the same time, the Supreme Court is as divided as the rest of the nation.\u00a0 I know it is your duty as a Senator to \u201cadvise and consent\u201d to the President\u2019s choice for Justice.\u00a0 But I also know that the President has done nothing to pull the nation together.\u00a0 Even President George W Bush, despite the controversial election in 2000, found a way to be \u201cPresident of the United States\u201d rather than President of a specific group or view.\u00a0President Trump has not.<\/p>\n
The results of the Mueller investigation will be announced in the next few months, and it is likely the Supreme Court will play a pivotal role in the outcome.\u00a0 This President has consistently made personal loyalty the highest priority in his selection process: clearly he should not be allowed to pick a judge in his own case.<\/p>\n
The election of a new Congress will occur in November.\u00a0 I believe that \u201cfairest\u201d solution would be to wait until the new Congress is seated to select a new Justice, using the same rationale that your Majority Leader, Senator McConnell, used with Judge Garland.\u00a0 It allows the American people their opportunity to \u201crule\u201d on the Administration.\u00a0 I imagine this will not be popular among Senate Republicans, but if the goal is to try to unite America, then party popularity should not be the highest priority.<\/p>\n
So, I am asking you to delay the confirmation of a new Justice until the new Congress begins in 2019, and to take steps to improve the immigrant crisis.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0These actions will be a big step in confirming our national unity as we struggle with our national crisis.<\/p>\n
Thanks for your attention, and have a good Independence Day!!!<\/p>\n
Sincerely,<\/p>\n
Martin Dahlman, Retired Teacher\/Coach<\/p>\n
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