(Minghui.org) In a free society, learning the truth is not involved in politics, but a citizen’s right.

At the request of Senator Doug Mastriano, republican legislators in the Pennsylvania State Senate held a special public hearing on the afternoon of November 25, 2020. The hearing took place in the Wyndham Hotel in Gettysburg.

Here we present excepts from the opening statement by Senator Mastriano (subtitles added for clarity):

Safeguard the Government of the People, By the People, For the People

Thank you for being here and supporting this here. And welcome everybody to this most historic occasion and this most historic town and what happened here in 1863. I think today we’re going to see a turning of the tide because we have not really heard the truth of the arguments made on the other side and what happened and what we’re dealing with, a government and leadership in Harrisburg that wants to close their ears to what’s happened during this election, and sadly, many in the media that are complicit and want to write off what happened. 

For me, on this battlefield and remembering what happened 137 years ago, and especially 157 years ago last week, where Abraham Lincoln gave his most famous address. And I think his final sentence captures why we’re here today. He said, “That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” 

And everything is at stake in what happened during this election cycle, everything, the Republic is at stake. This is no game for us. And for any veteran in this room here, who wore the uniform, such as Brigadier General Scott Perry, thank you for being here sir, put their lives on the line here fighting for our country, and to see that there is a group in this state and country willing to throw away our valuable and precious freedoms here for power.

If there’s any hint of fraud out there, we need to investigate. Any governor serving the people of this commonwealth, would put aside his petty politics, would put aside his petty politics and find out the truth, if anyone was defrauded. 

People Have the Right to Know the Truth

What’s going on here? Thousands of people from across the Commonwealth have reached out to us, tens of thousands, asking and demanding action, they deserve it. And as a result of the inability of our Executive Branch to do their job, we’re stepping in here. We’re co-equal members and we’re going to do our job. We’re looking for transparency and truth. There’s going to be no grand-standing here, we’re after facts. And we’re going to have a good layout here of what happened. And you’re going to have to decide, good people of Pennsylvania, on what happened and whether there’s a strong case we made or not. 

The forgotten men and women of our great state feel betrayed by their government and I’m with them, I feel the betrayal as well. We undertake these proceedings today to find out what happened and then hopefully to come up with an approach where that never happens again.

And the issues are galore, you’re going to hear about poll watchers being denied access, where election software vendors refuse to testify before the General Assembly, what do they got to hide?

Do we expect the people to trust their government? Then we’ve got to earn their trust. And this is no game. And the very Republic very much is at stake. 

And anyone who loves this country has to put aside their petty, partisan politics and allow the light to shine where it is. And we’re going to find the truth and celebrate it. As a soldier, and now as elected member of the State Senate, I’m not going to stand aside and neither of the members around me are as well. We’re going to fight the good fight for freedom and secure our Republic. Too many good men and women have gone before us, who have given their lives here, and to cast it aside now for power play, is unacceptable, it’s not going to happen. 

We do our great men and women in uniform, and those who lay down their lives and gave the last full measure of devotion, a great disservice if we stand aside and allow bureaucrats and corrupt politicians to steal their voice and maybe even steal an election. We’ll find out.

The Time for Truth and Justice Is Now

John 8:36 says, that if Jesus sets you free, you’re free indeed. We’re going to walk as free people in Pennsylvania, this is where it all started. We choose this day to walk as free men and women, and honor the sacrifice, not only of Jesus on Calvary, but also in honor of the sacrifice of brave men and women in uniform who fought for and secured our freedoms. 

We will be relentless in our pursuit of the transparency of accountability and truth. The time for dithering, politics, and games is over. The time for truth and justice is now. 

In conclusion, as Benjamin Franklin is leaving Constitutional Hall in 1787, he was approached by Mrs. Powell. And Mrs. Powell ran up to him, we surmised she knew him personally, and she said, “Well, Mr. Franklin, what do we have, a monarchy or a Republic?” And he said, “A Republic, if you can keep it.” 

This is our time to keep this Republic. Thank you and God bless you.