After hearing Britney Spears‘ revealing testimony in front of Los Angeles Superior Court last week, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) extended an invitation to the pop star to be heard in front of Congress.
On Wednesday, Gaetz and fellow Republican Congress members — Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.), Burgess Owens (Utah) and Andy Biggs (Az.) — addressed a letter to Spears about how closely they’ve been following her conservatorship with “deep concern” and what they want to do to help.
“The United States Congress should hear your story and be inspired to bipartisan action. What happened to you should never happen to any other American,” the letter reads. “You story is so powerful, and the admiration of your achievements so great, you (and perhaps only you) can blow that door wide open, giving hope to millions. Your life, liberty, and happiness have been taken from you. Please take advantage of the empowerment that public congressional testimony can unlock.”
In March, Gaetz and GOP Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH) wrote a letter to Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and requested he hold federal hearings about conservatorships to examine the system as a whole while taking a closer look at Spears’ case, which they described as the “most striking example.” Moved by the growing outcry from the #FreeBritney movement after the Framing Britney Spears documentary premiered in February, the two wrote it is “incumbent upon our Committee to convene a hearing to examine whether Americans are trapped unjustly in conservatorships.”
Vivian Lee Thoreen, attorney for Britney’s father Jamie Spears, issued a statement in response to the congressmen on behalf of her client. “Jamie Spears has diligently and professionally carried out his duties as one of Britney’s conservators, and his love for his daughter and dedication to protecting her is clearly apparent to the court,” read the statement to Entertainment Tonight.
Spears told a different story during her court hearing last week, when she told Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny that she thought her father deserved to be in jail for how much he’s overworked her and threatened her if she doesn’t comply. “I would honestly like to sue my family, to be totally honest with you,” she said. “I also would like to be able to share my story with the world, and what they did to me, instead of it being a hush-hush secret to benefit all of them. I want to be able to be heard on what they did to me by making me keep this in for so long, is not good for my heart.”
Gaetz, Greene, Owens and Biggs underlined throughout the new letter that they would like to be able to provide Spears with a proper platform to do as she wishes.
“Many others have used their fame to advance social, political, and criminal justice reform. We hope you will choose to accept our invitation to express your interest in speaking to Congress and to America for the sake of the justice you and many Americans deserve,” concluded the letter signed by the four congressmen. “Your life story and tremendous performing talent has continued to inspire people all over the world. We stand ready for your reply. We hope that you will express interest in sharing your story. We stand with you, Britney – whatever you decide.”
Billboard has reached out to Spears’ attorney for comment.
Read Gaetz’s letter to Spears here.
