Pennsylvania Freedom Caucus is anything but 'free'
Monday’s announcement by Scott Perry, David Rowe and Dawn Keefer is a stunningly overt declaration that the so-called Freedom Caucus is determined to corrupt state legislatures as it has the House of Representatives in Washington. For over six years, I have been watching, studying, and researching the Freedom Caucus, in particular its current new leader, the 10th District Representative, Scott Perry. I have spoken to him, written to him, visited his office, presented petitions to him, protested against him, and written letters to the editor to many local papers. I know Mr. Perry and I believe he knows me.
Here are some facts — yes facts, Mr. Perry — about the Congressional Freedom Caucus.
It is a secret group. This principle was announced as adopted by the new PAFC as it follows the lead of the House Freedom Caucus.
Membership is by invitation only.
The following information was not provided:
Loyalty is to the caucus, above all else.
Members must swear that if 80% of the caucus agrees to an action, all members will vote for that action.
Occasionally, a legislator who has potential problems with his constituents about a vote will be allowed to vote against the caucus in order to keep the constituents happy and the person in office. But this must be done with permission and not on one’s own. Mr. Perry has and will deny this fact. But consider how credible the leader of an anonymous and secret group must be.
Clearly, the Freedom Caucus is anything but free.
The members are not even loyal to their party, but to the caucus. They do not follow the will of their constituents, but the will of the caucus. They do not vote according to their consciences but according the goals of the caucus. They do not vote according to their oaths to protect the Constitution, but in order to protect and to empower the caucus.
Mr. Perry has already substantially proven all of the above through his voting record and his actions before, during, and after January 6th. Along with a friend of mine, I have sent an official complaint to the House Ethics Committee consisting of 14 pages of documented examples of behaviors Perry has exhibited that violate his oath to the Constitution and that merit expulsion from office. Unfortunately, the House Ethics Committee will soon be in the hands of Republicans.
It is worth noting that there is an element of irony and perhaps even wry humor in this attempt by Republican legislators to form an ultra-right caucus immediately after a national rejection of extremism, within a state House that has just lost its majority. There is a whiff of panic in this plan, but it still deserves our very wary attention.
May I suggest to all the constituents of all Pennsylvania congressional districts, that if we discover that our legislator has joined this caucus, we immediately publicize the fact that they are not representing Pennsylvania or Pennsylvanians, but an extremist, fascist, authoritarian organization. The mere fact that the caucus membership is secret is undemocratic.
Keefer and Rowe, the announced leaders of the PAFC, should be the first to be removed from office, if not by impeachment, then at the first opportunity to vote them out. And Perry should precede their departure as an unfit member of Congress based on many, many violations of his Oath of Office.
Write to your congresspersons and senators. Tell them in no uncertain terms that Pennsylvania does not need, want, or deserve such a contorted anomaly as a “Freedom Caucus.”
Susan Roller is a retired English teacher and College Counselor at Harrisburg Academy, who now works as a progressive advocate with groups that include Capitol Region Stands Up, Hershey Indivisible, York Indivisible and Cumberland Valley Stands Up.
This article originally appeared on The Intelligencer: Membership in the Pennsylvania Freedom Caucus is anything but 'free'
