Kenyatta, Rabb introduce legislation to ban seditious individuals from holding public office

Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, Rep. Christopher M. Rabb    June 8, 2022 | 5:18 PM

HARRISBURG, June 8 – State Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta and Chris Rabb, both D-Phila., have introduced two pieces of legislation that would ban sedition amongst elected officials in Pennsylvania.

The first piece of legislation is a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Pennsylvania. It would prohibit any person convicted of seditious conspiracy against the United States from being eligible for elected office in Pennsylvania. It would also remove civil officers upon conviction of seditious conspiracy against the United States.

The second piece of legislation would create a new offense and assess penalties under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code for seditious conspiracy against the Commonwealth. 

“Misinformation has serious and dangerous consequences. Last year we saw thousands of seditionists storm the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. because they were told the 2020 presidential election was stolen,” Kenyatta said. “We cannot allow individuals who’ve engaged in seditious violence against our state and country to be in positions of public trust.”

“The misinformation that is being spread by far-right Republicans is radicalizing people to commit seditious acts of violence and treason,” Rabb said. “To ensure these radical acts of violence do not continue to occur, there need to be consequences for elected officials who spread misinformation.”