The four years of the Trump Administration were plagued by corruption, conflicts of interest, and overt attempts to politicize and profit-off the power of government. He was the first President in modern history to refuse to release his tax returns, disclose his foreign relationships, or divest from his personal businesses, while catering to donors and foreign governments for the benefit of him and his family. His cabinet members engaged in illegal insider trading, violated the Hatch Act daily, and enabled his lies about the election being stolen from him, undermining our democracy for their own personal and political gain. Trump and his allies actively encouraged his followers to invade the Capitol on January 6th, in an attempt to overturn a free and fair election which led to the death of 7 people and injured hundreds of police. 

Congressman Connolly used his position on the Oversight Committee to consistently hold Trump and his cronies accountable, launching legitimate investigations into their business dealings and corruption within the former administration. Gerry knows this work does not stop because we have a new administration – we need to continue ensuring accountability and restore America’s confidence in the security of their elections and the integrity of their government officials. That is why Gerry supports the commission investigating the attempted insurrection on January 6th, believing it is imperative for both Democrats and Republicans to set aside politics to address the growing threat to American democracy. In addition, Gerry has always supported agency and department Inspector Generals in their pursuit of internal accountability, including as a co-sponsor to the Inspector General Independence and Empowerment Act to ensure that no future president is able to remove an IG who is dutifully doing their job for political, personal, or illegitimate concerns. Additionally, Gerry is a co-sponsor of the Scientific Integrity Act which mandates each government agency to appoint a Scientific Integrity Officer and establish a process to guarantee that any scientific research is exempt from political or other considerations. 

Congressman Connolly has always believed that elected officials work on behalf of the people, and that well-run, safe, and trustworthy elections are essential to good government. The For the People Act, which Gerry co-sponsored, would make huge strides towards securing our elections, make it easier for citizens to register and vote, reduce the influence of big money in elections, limit partisan gerrymandering, and hold our candidates and elected officials to the ethics standards their constituents deserve. 

Central to guaranteeing one person equals one vote in this country is finally granting Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico statehood status. For far too long, the millions of residents of these territories have paid taxes without any representation in the democratic body that governs them. Gerry is proud to have co-sponsored statehood for his neighbors in DC, and has been essential in the DC Statehood bills historic passage in the House. Gerry also supports an amendment to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 that would automatically register eligible voters when they get identification from their State department of motor vehicles, facilitating voter registration and getting voters engaged in the democratic process, as well as legislation that expands the requirements for campaign finance disclosures for corporations and Super PACs. Congressman Connolly believes each of these steps are imperative to begin to restore American confidence in the integrity of elections, and ensure good governance for all.