Five military veterans on Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's advisory board resigned this week, citing the centrist Democrat's obstruction in passing President Biden’s budget bill.

The group wrote a letter that slammed her unwillingness to listen to her constituents and help Democrats pass a vital part of the president’s agenda that aims to provide many social programs such as an extended child tax credit, universal pre-K, childcare, paid leave, free community college, expand medicare, provide housing, and combat climate change.

“You have become one of the principal obstacles to progress, answering to big donors rather than your own people. We shouldn’t have to buy representation from you, and your failure to stand by your people and see their urgent needs is alarming,” the group wrote.

The group criticized Sinema for breaking her campaign promise to negotiate lower drug prices. Sinema has taken $400,000 from the pharmaceutical industry in the past five years, according to Open Secrets. A group called Center Forward is running digital ads supporting centrist Democrats who aim to water down Biden’s agenda. According to tax records, Center Forward has received $1.5 million from the PhRMA, “Thank Kyrsten Sinema and tell her to keep fighting as an independent voice for Arizona."

“You stand by while American companies see dollar signs before human beings, choosing to answer to big donors rather than the working people you’re supposed to represent,” the letter read.

Sinema has been repeatedly confronted in public by her constituents in the bathroom, at the airport, and on her flight urging her to support Biden’s agenda for the betterment of her community. Sinema condemned the bathroom incident as “wholly inappropriate.”

“We do not know who has your ear but it clearly isn’t us or your constituents,” the group added.

Sinema held fundraisers with big donors such as the National Association of Wholesale Distributors & Grocers PAC and other lobbyist groups in September where those invited wrote checks between $1,000 to $5,800 payable to Sinema for Arizona.

“Given your complete disregard for our input and your unwillingness to act on behalf of your constituents’ needs, we respectfully resign from your Veterans Advisory Council. We no longer feel you are aligned with our values, and we cannot in good faith continue to serve on your council."

Sinema released a statement that said she appreciated the diverse views that were discussed and the contributions to legislation they made, as well as their participation in veterans outreach events. “While it is unfortunate that apparent disagreement on separate policy issues has led to this decision, I thank them for their service and will continue working every day to deliver for Arizona's veterans who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe and secure,” Sinema said.

Sinema has not yet indicated whether or not she plans to run for reelection in 2024.

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