On April 11, 2023, Representative Jennifer Wexton (D-VA10) announced that she is suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. A transcript of her announcement is available here.
Representative Wexton deserves compassion and sympathy for her personal health situation. But compassion and sympathy for her personal plight should not preclude consideration of the implications of the closing paragraphs of her announcement, which are as follows:
“I’m generally a private person when it comes to personal matters, but with my Parkinson’s diagnosis, I join the ranks of over eight million people who have Parkinson’s today. Nearly 90,000 Americans are diagnosed every year. Among those are public figures like Michael J. Fox, Attorney General Janet Reno, and Muhammad Ali. Like them, I, too, am a fighter. And I want to use my platform to be a voice for those struggling with Parkinson’s, and fight to help bring greater resources to the search for a cure.
“I chose to come forward today, on World Parkinson’s Day, because I want to bring about as much good from this diagnosis as I can, and I look forward to doing just that here in Congress. Thank you all, and I look forward to seeing you soon. Take care.”
At first glance, there seems nothing objectionable or problematic about Representative Wexton’s closing comments. But the implications of those closing comments are problematic. Compassion, empathy, and sympathy can be powerful positive motivators. But, they should not blind Representative Wexton to the duties and responsibilities and limits of her Congressional office.
Congressional Representatives are public officials who are elected to represent the interests of the people of their respective Congressional Districts, not to advance the personal interests or agendas of the elected Representatives. The personal misfortunes or setbacks of Congressional Representatives should not take priority over or overshadow the interests and problems of their constituents. Moreover, the fact that Representative Wexton has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease does not make her a Congressional spokesperson for all Americans afflicted with Parkinson’s Disease.
Congressional Representatives may have a personal interest in addressing a particular disease, but using their office to focus on a particular disease suggests unwarranted favoritism and does not show respect for the plight of many people of their respective Congressional Districts who have their own personal interests in addressing a broad range of other diseases.
Congressional Representatives should use their public office to speak on behalf of the interests of the people of their respective Congressional Districts, not use their public office as a bully pulpit to advance their personal interests or favored causes.
Congressional Representatives should not prioritize their likes, dislikes, interests, or personal goals over the interests of their constituents when dealing with proposed legislation. Because of the potentially far ranging effects of laws, Congressional Representatives should not propose or vote to pass laws based on prioritizing their likes, dislikes, interests or personal goals over the interests of their constituents or the people of the United States in general.
Congressional Representatives should not prioritize their likes, dislikes, interests, or personal goals over the interests of their constituents when dealing with proposed federal funding. Congressional Representatives are supposed to be responsible stewards of public funds and should not show favoritism for funding matters which they like or prefer, as opposed to matters that their constituents may like or prefer. Furthermore, because the federal government does not have unlimited funds and public funds are supposed to be spent for the general welfare of the people of the United States (U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8, Clause 1), Congressional Representatives should not propose or vote for federal funding based on prioritizing their likes, dislikes, interests or personal goals over the interests of their constituents or the people of the United States in general.
Representative Wexton’s motives may be admirable and noble. But, the office and authority of a Congressional Representative are not the personal property of its incumbent to be used as he or she pleases. Being elected to Congress is not a blank check or carte blanche to use the authority of Congressional Representatives to undertake any cause or crusade — however commendable or noble — that the Representatives might like or personally approve of. Rather, a Congressional Representative should act with proper regard for the duties, responsibilities, and constitutional limits of public office, and their obligation to place the interests of their constituents and the people of the United States before their own.
