Note: This site can also be accessed by entering FeathersOfHope.net in your browser window.
For new readers, here are links to a few previous posts that will bring you up to date on what the Feathers of Hope network has been doing :
Wait, Exactly How Will We Do This? — (January 28)
Replacing McCarthy - A Progress Report — (February 16)
Moderate Republicans? Really? — (March 2)
Spread The Word, Write or Call Today — (April 6)
The only feasible way to remove and replace Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House, and thereby diminish the power and influence of MAGA extremists in the chamber, is for a cross-party alliance of moderate Republicans and Democrats to temporarily join forces and form a majority voting bloc. They can then “move to vacate the chair”, and elect a new Republican Speaker who owes nothing to the minority MAGA group.
Now is an excellent time to call or write Members of Congress at their DC or District offices.
*** Contact information for 11 Republicans and 8 Democrats follows below. ***
Technically, the deadline for raising the debt ceiling has already passed. Only extraordinary accounting maneuvers are keeping us afloat. And recent bank failures suggest that we could tip into default and a severe economic crisis far sooner than anyone expects.
One person bears primary responsibility for this situation: Speaker Kevin McCarthy. It's his duty to deliver 218 votes for a bill that can pass the Senate and be signed by the President. Not only has he thus far failed to do that, but there is no prospect that he will ever be able to do so.
As one senior House Republican recently remarked: "“He made a bunch of promises during the Speaker race that were always untenable, but he made them anyway." This echoes a similar comment from Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) that the MAGA extremists to whom Mr. McCarthy traded away his authority in January "will never vote for any debt ceiling increase."
Sentor Chuck Schumer (D-NY) agrees, explaining that:
"Speaker McCarthy has failed to unite his conference behind a single proposal that can win 218 votes. . . . Those on the MAGA right want to pull one way, and those who are mainstream want to pull another way, and he can’t bring the two of them together.”
The obvious and inevitable solution is a bipartisan agreement that can win votes from both moderate Republicans and Democrats -- what we are calling a cross-party alliance. When that happens, there will be an outstanding opportunity for the sensible majority of Members to re-claim their power over the obstructionist MAGA minority in the chamber.
A motion to vacate the chair, followed by the election of a Republican Speaker free of any obligation to extremists, will restore normal order to the House. Call or write to the House Members named below and urge them to do this for the sake of our democracy.
House Members Contact Info
Republicans
John Curtis: (202) 225-7751 D.C. —— (801) 922-5400 District
2323 Rayburn House Office Building - Washington, DC 20515
District Office: 3549 North University Avenue, Suite 275 — Provo, UT 84604
Represents Utah’s 3rd District, in Congress since 2017; originally registered as a Democrat to “counter one-party dominance” in Utah (switched to Repub. in 2006); publicly emphasizes his independence from Trump and need for bipartisanship; opposed efforts to overturn 2020 election
Ashley Hinson: (202) 225-2911 D.C. —— (319) 364-2288 District
1717 Longworth House Office Building - Washington,DC 20515
District Office: 118 Third Avenue SE, Suite 206 — Cedar Rapids,IA 52401
Represents Iowa’s 2nd District, in Congress since 2020; formerly was anchor/reporer/producer on KCRG-TV9; represents swing district formerly represented by a a Democrat; won 2 terms in her state House district which Hillary Clinton won in 2016; was one of 39 Republicans to vote with all Democrats for an anti-trust bill (Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act) targeting corporations for anti-competitive behavior; voted for Respect for Marriage Act.
Brian Fitzpatrick: (202) 225-7751 D.C. —— (215) 579-8102 District
2323 Rayburn House Office Building - Washington, DC 20515
District Office: 1717 Langhorne Newtown Rd. Suite 225 — Langhorne, PA 19047
Represents Pennsylvania’s 1st District, in Congress since 2016; formerly was FBI Special Agent and Federal Prosecutor; embedded with U.S. Special Forces in Iraq; represents swing district (carried by Pres. Biden 52% to 46%); said he could not vote for Trump; opposed GOP effort to repeal Obamacare; opposed building border wall; supported Paris climate agreement; opposed efforts to overturn 2020 election, Brian Fitzpatrick is co-chair of Problem Solvers Caucus. He was also just appointed to United States Group of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (legislators from NATO-member countries working together on global security issues).
David Joyce: (202) 225-5731 D.C. —— (440) 352-3939 District
2065 Rayburn House Office Building -- Washington, DC 20515
District Office: 8500 Station Street, Suite 390 — Mentor, OH 44060
Represents Ohio’s 14th District, in Congress since 2012; attorney, formerly a public defender, and then a prosecutor; in 2017 voted against repeal of Obamacare; co-chair of bipartisan Cannabis Caucus, favors letting each State decide legality; supports bipartisan efforts for environmental clean-up of water resources (rivers and lakes); opposed effort to overturn 2020 election; chairman, Republican Governance Group. During the balloting for Speaker in early January, former Clinton admin. Labor Secretary Robert Reich proposed that a cross-party alliance should consider electing Representative Joyce as Speaker.
Victoria Spartz: (202) 225-2276 D.C. —— (317) 848-0201 District
1609 Longworth House Office Building — Washington,DC 20515
District Office: 5540 Pebble Village Lane, Suite 400 Noblesville,IN 46062
Represents Indiana’s 5th District, in Congress since 2020; formerly was Certified Public Accountant and real estate broker; Ukrainian immigrant, earned Bachelor of Science and MBA degrees from the Kyiv National Economic University, and Master of Accountancy from Indiana University; formerly Chief Financial Officer of Indiana Attorney General’s office; voted to certify electoral college results during first week in office; voted “present” on 8 of the 15 votes for Speaker in January; introduced a bill with progressive Representative Pramila Jayapal aimed at curbing anti-competitive conduct (hospital mergers) in the healthcare industry. Representative Spartz was quoted a few weeks ago reprimanding Kevin McCarthy, saying it’s time for him to “stop bread and circuses in Congress and start governing for a change.”
Don Bacon: (202) 225-4155 D.C. —— (402) 938-0300 District
2104 Rayburn House Office Building —Washington, DC 20515
District Office: 3906 Gold Circle, Suite 101 — Omaha, NE 68144
Represents Nebraska’s 2nd District, in Congress since 2017; formerly Brigadier General, United States Air Force; has earned four Master’s degrees, including one from the National War College; after retiring from military was Assistant Professor at University of Bellevue (Nebraska) until elected to House in 2016; represents swing district (carried by Pres. Biden 52% to 46%) one of 13 Republicans to vote with Democrats for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; voted with Democrats to establish January 6 Commission; opposed efforts to overturn 2020 election. In November 2022, Rep. Bacon said that if Kevin McCarthy did not have enough votes to become Speaker that he’d be willing to “work with like-minded people across the aisle to find someone agreeable for Speaker,” adding “we need to govern. We can't sit neutral; we can't have total gridlock for two years".
Mike Gallagher: (202) 225-5665 D.C. —— (920) 301-4500 District
1211 Longworth HouseOfficeBuilding — Washington, DC 20515
District Office: 1702 Scheuring Road, Suite B — De Pere,WI 54115
Represents Wisconsin’s 8th District, in Congress since 2017; served 7 years as intelligence officer in U.S. Marine Corps (Iraq), then was a Foreign Policy Advisor to U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee; speaks Arabic; holds 3 Master’s Degrees and a PhD from Georgetown University; criticized Trump for “side shows distracting from real issues” and opposed efforts to overturn 2020 election; has history of working with Democratic House Members on tariffs, jobs, veterans affairs and cybersecurity issues; chairs the new committee on the Chinese Communist Party (created by a 365-65 vote) which has been praised as “bipartisan, serious and productive”; supports military aid for Ukrain; voted for Respect for Marriage Act.
In 2018, Mr. Gallagher wrote an article for Atlantic Monthly titled "How to Salvage Congress"in which he wrote: “The problem is a defective process and a power structure that, whichever party is in charge, funnels all power to leadership and stifles debate and initiative within the ranks.”
Andrew Garbarino: (202) 225-7896 D.C. —— (631) 541-4225 District
2344 Rayburn House Office Building — Washington, DC 20515 — Fax: (202) 226-2279
District Office: 31 Oak St., Suite 20 — Patchogue, NY 11772
Represents New York’s 2nd District, in Congress since 2021; former tax attorney and State Assembly Member; 3 days after being sworn in on January 6, 2021, stated that Congress has no authority to overturn the election; voted to establish January 6 Commission; was one of 13 Republicans to vote with Democrats for the Infrastructure Act; voted for Respect for Marriage Act; member of Problem Solvers Caucus and Republican Governance Group.
Nancy Mace: (202) 225-3176 D.C. —— (843) 521-2530 District
1728 Longworth House Office Building — Washington, DC 20515
District Office: 710 Boundary Street — Beaufort,SC 29902
Represents South Carolina’s 1st District, in Congress since 2021; first woman graduate of The Citadel, wrote a book about it; MS degree in journalism; first week in Congress was one of 7 Republicans to sign a letter saying Congress has no authority to influence election results; stated she wants "to be a new voice for the Republican Party," pointing out that she has spoken out "strongly against the president" and "against these Qanon conspiracy theorists that led us in a constitutional crisis”; voted to hold Steve Bannon in contempt for defying subpoena from Jan 6 committee; in Nov. 2021 defended Ilhan Omar against Lauren Boebert’s anti-Muslim comments; worked with Democratic Representative Ro Khana on Cyber-Security Bill (2021); only Republican to sponsor LGBTQ Veterans Act; voted for Respect for Marriage Act; only Republican to sponsor Judiciary Accountability Act (prohibits discrimination for judicial branch employees); Trump endorsed her primary opponent in 2022.
Dan Newhouse: (202) 225-5816 D.C. —— (509) 452-3243 District
504 Cannon House Office Building — Washington,DC 20515 — Fax: (202) 225-3251
District Offices: 402 E. Yakima Ave., Suite #1000 — Yakima,WA 98901 Fax: (509) 452-3438 and 3100 George Washington Way #130 — Richland,WA 99354 — (509) 713-7374
Represents Washington’s 4th District, in Congress since 2015; formerly state Agriculture Director; worked with Democratic Representative Zoe Lofgren on immigration issues; member of Republican Governance Group; opposed Trump’s tariff increases; voted to impeach Trump after Jan. 6; voted for Jan. 6 committee; voted for Respect for Marriage Act.
David Valadao: (202) 225-4695 D.C. —— (661) 864-7736 District
2465 Rayburn House Office Building — Washington, DC 20515
District Offices: 2700 M Street, Suite 250B — Bakersfield, CA 93301 — Fax: (833) 284-9090 and 107 South Douty Street — Hanford, CA 93230 — (559) 460-6070 Fax: (559) 584-3564
Represents California’s 21st District, in Congress 2013-2019, 2021-present; former dairy farmer and state Assemblyman; swing district, leans Democratic; worked with Democrats on immigration issues, including protection of DACA program; objected to Trump’s family separation policy; voted to impeach Trump after Jan. 6; voted for Respect for Marriage Act.
Democrats
Hakeem Jeffries: (202) 225-5936 D.C. —— (718) 237-2211 District
2433 Rayburn House Office Building — Washington, DC 20515
District Office: 55 Hanson Place, Suite 603 — Brooklyn, NY 11217
Minority Leader, Former Chair House Democratic Caucus, represents New York’s 8th District, in Congress since 2012; formerly practicing attorney and state Assemblyman
Katherine Clark: (202) 225-2836 D.C. —— (617) 354-0292 District
2368 Rayburn Building — Washington, DC 20515
District Office: 157 Pleasant St, Suite 4 — Malden, MA 02148
Minority Whip, represents Massachusetts’ 5th District, in Congress since 2013; formerly practicing attorney and state Assemblywoman
Pete Aguilaro: (202) 225-3201 D.C. —— (909) 890-4445 District
108 Cannon House Office Building — Washington, DC 20515
District Office: 685 E. Carnegie Drive, Suite 100 — San Bernardino, CA 92408 — Fax: (909) 890-9643
Chair, House Democratic Caucus, represents California’s 33rd District, in Congress since 2021; formerly Mayor of Redlands, CA
Nancy Pelosi: (202) 225-4965 D.C. —— (415) 556-4862 District
1236 Longworth House Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20515
District Office: 90 7th Street, Suite 2-800 — San Francisco, CA 94103
Former Speaker of the House, represents California’s 12th District, in Congress since 1987; formerly chair of California Democratic Party and finance chair of DSCC
Steny Hoyer: (202) 225-4131 D.C. —— (301) 474-0119 District
1705 Longworth House Office Building — Washington,DC 20515 — Fax: (202) 225-4300
District Offices: U.S. District Courthouse — 6500 Cherrywood Lane, Suite 310 — Greenbelt,MD 20770 — Fax: (301) 474-4697 and 4475 Regency Place, Suite 203 — White Plains,MD 20695 — (301) 843-1577 Fax (301) 843-1331
Former Majority Leader, represents Maryland’s 5th District, in Congress since 1981; holds JD degree from Georgetown University, formerly State Senator
James Clyburn: (202) 225-3315 D.C. —— (803) 799-1100 District
274 Cannon House Office Building — Washington, DC 20515
District Offices: 1225 Lady Street, Suite 200 — Columbia, SC 29201 — Fax (803) 799-9060 and 130 W. Main Street — Kingstree, SC 29556 — (843) 355-1211 — Fax (843) 355-1232
Former Majority Whip, represents South Carolina’s 6th District, in Congress since 1993; formerly teacher and State Human Affairs Commissioner
Pramila Jayapal: (202) 225-3106 D.C. —— (206) 674-0040 District
2346 Rayburn House Office Building — Washington. DC 20515 — Fax: (202) 225-6197
District Office: 2033 6th Ave, Suite 1011 — Seattle, WA 98121
Chair, Congressional Progressive Caucus, represents Washington’s 7th District, in Congress since 2017; formerly State Senator and civil rights activist.
Ro Khanna: (202) 225-2631 D.C. —— (408) 436-2720 District
306 Cannon House Office Building — Washington, DC 20515
District Office: 3150 De La Cruz Blvd., Suite 240 — Santa Clara, CA 95054 — Fax: (408) 436-2721
Represents California’s 17th District, in Congress since 2017; formerly practicing attorney, also taught at Santa Clara University School of Law and jurisprudence at San Francisco State University; does not accept campaign contributions from PAC’S or corporations.
Good list, and I appreciate the bios. Made calls using your list!
Hi Jerry, just touching base and wishing you and your team Good Luck.
If there's going to be another "Profiles in Courage" it won't be about the Elected (and UnElected) Cowards and Liars filling the airways; you folks are the heroes here.
Keep up the good work.