Hallmark Cards asked two GOP senators to return campaign donations on Monday following the riot that overtook the U.S. Capitol last week.
The company’s political action committee, HALLPAC, sent notices to Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, requesting the return of $7,000 and $5,000 in donations made to the two senators during their most recent runs for office because of their decision to object to the Electoral College’s certification.
“Hallmark believes the peaceful transition of power is part of the bedrock of our democratic system, and we abhor violence of any kind,” Hallmark spokeswoman JiaoJiao Shen told the Kansas City Star.
“The recent actions of Senators Josh Hawley and Roger Marshall do not reflect our company’s values, Shen continued. “As a result, HALLPAC requested Sens. Hawley and Marshall to return all HALLPAC campaign contributions.”
Both Hawley and Marshall voted to object to the certification of the Electoral College results in Arizona and Pennsylvania when the Senate reconvened after the Capitol riot.
They have faced criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, but defended their decision to object.
In a statement, Hawley said he will “never apologize” for doing what he thinks is best for his constituents.
“I will never apologize for giving voice to the millions of Missourians and Americans who have concerns about the integrity of our elections,” Hawley said. “That’s my job, and I will keep doing it.”
Marshall also defended his vote to object, but later that day, he acknowledged that President-elect Joe Biden would take over the White House.
“Joe Biden is the President-Elect and we must and will have a peaceful transition of power on January 20th,” Marshall stated on Facebook. “Anything less is not an option.”
Several Democrats, led by Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., have called for Hawley, Marshall, and every single other Republican who objected to the Electoral College’s certification to be sanctioned and removed from office.
