Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has no interest in attending a Washington Redskins game until the football team changes its name.  

The Nevada Democrat said that in a letter dated June 12 to Redskins team President Bruce Allen. Reid was responding to an earlier invitation by Allen for Reid to attend a home game at FedExField.  

“I will not stand idly by while a professional sports team promotes a racial slur as a team name and disparages the American people. Nor will I consider your invitation to attend a home game until your organization chooses to do the right thing and change its offensive name,” Reid said.  

The full text of the newest letter appears below:

Dear Mr. Allen:

I received your letter and invitation to attend a Washington, D.C. football team event.

During my time in the United States Senate, I have worked to right many of the injustices endured by Americans throughout the country. Among the most egregious in the history of our country are those injustices inflicted upon American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. This is personal for me. I represent 27 tribes as the Senator from Nevada and have worked to protect their homelands and their sovereignty. I have a duty to ensure that the United States uphold centuries-old treaty and trust obligations towards Native Americans, and I take this responsibility very seriously.

I will not stand idly by while a professional sports team promotes a racial slur as a team name and disparages the American people. Nor will I consider your invitation to attend a home game until your organization chooses to do the right thing and change its offensive name.

Sincerely,

Harry Reid

United States Senator