'Hanging your constituents out to dry': 5 veterans resign from Sen. Krysten Sinema’s advisory council
Five veteran members of Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's (D-Ariz.) advisory board have announced plans to sever ties with the centrist lawmaker after accusing her of "hanging your constituents out to dry."
In a damning letter obtained by The New York Times, the group expressed concern about Sinema's ongoing refusal to support President Joe Biden's Build Back Better agenda and the Democratic push to abolish the filibuster, which has aided Republican lawmakers in their efforts to stifle Democratic progress.
The frustrated advisors noted that Sinema has become a symbol of opposition. She is also accused of putting the desires of big donors ahead of the concerns of the constituents that voted for her.
"You have become one of the principal obstacles to progress, answering to big donors rather than your own people," the veterans wrote. "We shouldn't have to buy representation from you, and your failure to stand by your people and see their urgent needs is alarming."
In a recent interview, Sylvia González Andersh, one of Sinema's former veteran advisors who also supported and signed the letter, explained why the Arizona lawmaker's actions are like a slap in the face for her Democratic constituents.
"Democrats were out desperately trying to help her win the seat, and now we feel like, what was it for?" Andersh said in an interview. "Nobody knows what she is thinking because she doesn't tell anybody anything. It's very sad to think that someone who you worked for that hard to get elected is not even willing to listen."
In wake of the latest announcement, Sinema has released a statement confirming she would "always remain grateful for these individuals' service to our nation," and had valued their input to her work.
"While it is unfortunate that apparent disagreement on separate policy issues has led to this decision," she said, "I thank them for their service and will continue working every day to deliver for Arizona's veterans who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe and secure."
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