In light of the amazing news of Mohsen Mahdawi’s release I wanted to call on clarification from our representatives on how they voted on recent legislation calling for his release. I contacted Rob North and Matt Birong to clarify how they voted on H.R.8, which related to his case, and neither got back to me. Because it was conducted by voice there isn’t a record, but it is important to me to know how my representatives voted on this issue.

In the Senate, Steve Heffernan voted against S.R.13, which I emailed him about and he claimed to be doing a fact check because he was unsure about green card holders and federal law. I am not a legal expert, but habeas corpus applies to everyone regardless of legal status and I am appalled that he is hiding behind “fact checking” for defending this constitutional crisis.

I know for me and others it’s very important to know how my representatives stand in this urgent and important issue.

Al Harder-Hyde

Vergennes