May 22, 2020
Pennsylvania State Representative Daryl Metcalfe
“Last week, I issued a cosponsor memo to the members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives requesting support for a resolution calling for the IMPEACHMENT of Gov. Tom Wolf.
The full text of the memorandum can be reviewed here.
Recently, state and local officials from several counties still being held hostage in the most restrictive “red” phase of the governor’s unconstitutional COVID-19 shutdown announced their intention to start reopening their economies regardless of the governor’s directives.
During his next press conference, Wolf outrageously referred to these citizens, their leaders and even military veterans like myself who have honorably served this great nation, as cowardly deserters of the state’s war on COVID-19.
People who are struggling to feed their families and protect their livelihoods deserve respect and common decency from the governor, rather than unhinged temper tantrums and tyrannical misbehavior in office.
More than two million citizens have been forced to file for unemployment since the governor issued his business closure order—a rate that is among the highest in the nation because of the Wolf administration’s exceedingly restrictive dictates.
We cannot and should not dismiss the social and economic impacts that have resulted in increased drug overdoses, suicide rates and the growing list of job-creating businesses that will never recover from the governor’s extreme shutdown orders.
Pennsylvania citizens are rightfully demanding decisive, Constitutional leadership, not a petulant socialist in the governor’s office.
The time for Wolf’s impeachment is now!
2020 Right to Keep and Bear Arms Rally Moving Forward Without Dictator Wolf’s Permission
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Wolf thinks he can shut down our annual Right to Keep and Bear Arms Rally, Monday, June 8, beginning at 10 a.m., on the state Capitol steps.
On Wednesday, I sent the governor the following open letter to let him know in no uncertain terms that we will not relinquish any of our God-given rights and will be holding this year’s rally as originally scheduled.
Dear Governor Wolf:
I am writing to you today on behalf of all freedom-loving, law-abiding Pennsylvania firearms owners to inform you that my staff has received your presumptuous email notice through the Department of General Services stating that “the governor has instructed us to cancel all events at the Capitol through July 5,” with the usual non-transparent explanation of COVID-19.
As the prime sponsor of an impeachment resolution to bring about your removal from office, let me begin the people’s response by saying that we do not need your permission to freely exercise our Constitutional rights to peacefully assemble and denounce your tyrannical regime.
It is precisely the Second Amendment and our right to keep and bear arms which provides the foundation and reinforcement of all the rights recognized and proclaimed in our state and federal constitutions. This especially includes Article 1, Section 21 of the Pennsylvania Constitution which clearly states: “The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.”
Your incompetence and callous disregard for your fellow man give this year’s theme of “Stand Your Ground Against Socialism” even more substantive significance. Your unconstitutional dictates and Orwellian overreach into our lives and the marketplace has caused immeasurable harm and hardship for far more Pennsylvanians than the virus!
Your enlisting of law enforcement to intimidate law-abiding citizens into accepting your unconstitutional dictate to close their business is offensive and an inappropriate use of our men and women in blue. Your divisive fear mongering tactics encouraging neighbors to turn in neighbors for non-compliance with your unconstitutional orders should never happen in the land of the free and home of the brave.
You have no authority to imprison any citizen in their home or otherwise rob them of their right to put food on the table. Our right to arm and defend ourselves and our loved ones is non-negotiable, and you can expect us to vigilantly defend it on the state Capitol steps on Monday, June 8.
Roll Call: 87 House Democrats Vote Against Putting PA Back to Work
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The day after the governor vetoed several measures offering more options to reopen the state, the House attempted an override vote on one of the bills.
House Bill 2388 would have allowed the following types of businesses to reopen: vehicle dealerships, lawn and garden centers, cosmetology salons and barber shops, messenger services, animal grooming services and manufacturing operations.
All 109 House Republicans, along with six Democrats, voted to support.
Unfortunately, the veto override failed to garner the two-thirds majority required due to 87 House Democrats (see roll call above) voting against giving Pennsylvania citizens the choice of safely returning to work, supporting their families and putting bread on their tables.
Ironically, another bill that the governor vetoed (House Bill 2412) would have helped reopen real estate services throughout the Commonwealth. Shortly after announcing his vetoes, the governor released new guidance to allow real estate to resume statewide anyway.
This is not the first time the governor has caved to the overwhelming pressure of the people and acted in direct response to actions of the House. The same occurred with reopening the construction industry, online vehicle sales, gun shops and firearm dealers.
Here is a quick rundown for the rest of this week’s session:
To help our struggling restaurants, bars and clubs, we passed bills that would authorize these business owners to allow outdoor seating (House Bill 2506) and indoor seating (House Bill 2513) to resume in areas of the state in the yellow or green phases of mitigation. Certain safety guidelines would have to be met. These bills go to the Senate for consideration.
In related news, House Bill 327, which would allow the sale of cocktails to go from bars, restaurants or hotels with a liquor license is now law.
To further aid in assessment of the COVID-19 disaster response, House Bill 2505 would require the administration to retain relevant records for 10 years after the end of the emergency order. The bill goes to the Senate for consideration.
Additionally, House Bill 2517 would require a waiver to allow residential cleaning services to resume operations during the COVID-19 emergency, provided they follow social distancing and other health and safety guidelines. This bill also goes to the Senate.
House Republicans are taking necessary actions to drive the agenda toward reopening our entire economy and we will continue to do so.
County DAs Encouraged to Publicly Reject Enforcement of Wolf’s Unconstitutional Dictates
Earlier this month, I joined with 25 state lawmakers in sending the open letter below encouraging all county district attorneys to publicly refuse to enforce Gov. Tom Wolf’s unconstitutional and overreaching COVID-19 dictates.
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Honoring All Who Served and Sacrificed
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This Memorial Day we remember and honor all those who sacrificed their lives protecting our Constitutional Republic.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day. As Americans we should all thank God for the blessings of freedom and our military men and women for defending the USA!”