Fax to Senators Merkley and Wyden — State of the Union Attendance and Constitutional Duty

Publication timestamp: 2026-02-24 (America/Los_Angeles) Document date: February 24, 2026 Format: Public copy + embedded PDF

Fax Text (HTML Copy)

Killian Yates

Central Point, Oregon

Date: February 24, 2026

To:
Senator Jeff Merkley
Senator Ron Wyden

Subject: Attendance at the State of the Union Address and Constitutional Duty

Senators Merkley and Wyden,

I am writing to you as a constituent in Oregon regarding your reported intent to boycott the upcoming State of the Union address.

I want to begin by acknowledging that boycotts have a respected place in American history. Leaders such as Cesar Chavez used boycotts as a tool of last resort to challenge injustice, applying economic and social pressure in pursuit of clearly defined goals. A boycott, at its core, is a deliberate act designed to create accountability through sacrifice and engagement—not disengagement from fundamental responsibilities.

Choosing not to attend the State of the Union address is not a boycott in that tradition. It is the absence of participation in a constitutional process. Article II, Section 3 of the United States Constitution directs the President to provide Congress with information on the State of the Union “from time to time.” This is not a ceremonial suggestion; it is a structural component of how our government communicates, evaluates itself, and remains accountable to the American people.

Members of Congress are not passive observers in this process. You are participants in the constitutional framework. Attendance is not merely symbolic—it reflects a willingness to engage with the executive branch in the open, in front of the American public.

It is therefore deeply concerning to see elected officials characterize the President as authoritarian or accuse him of constitutional abuses, while at the same time declining to participate in one of the Constitution’s most basic and visible checks on executive power. Refusing to attend does not strengthen oversight; it weakens it. It removes the opportunity for direct, public accountability and replaces it with political theater.

When elected officials choose not to show up for core constitutional functions, it raises serious questions about their commitment to the duties of their office. Representation is not selective. It does not apply only when it is politically convenient or aligned with personal positions.

For these reasons, I am formally urging you to reconsider this course of action and to fulfill your role as members of Congress by attending the State of the Union address.

If this decision stands, I will be exploring all available avenues of civic response, including engaging with my representative in the House, Congressman Cliff Bentz, and organizing with fellow citizens to pursue appropriate accountability measures.

This is not a partisan issue. It is a matter of institutional integrity, constitutional responsibility, and respect for the offices you hold.

I expect my elected officials to show up, engage, and fulfill the duties they were entrusted with—regardless of political disagreements.

Respectfully,

Killian Yates

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