Dear Friends, Two years ago, we came perilously close to losing our democracy.  Congress convened to fulfill its responsibility to certify the 2020 Presidential election results. This is a routine procedural vote that I have participated in every election, although 2004 wasn’t entirely routine, with the election of George Bush. But even January 6, 2021, was different. Armed rioters breached the United States Capitol determined to prevent the peaceful transition of power, motivated by inflammatory rhetoric from the White House. Members of Congress and staff hid under tables and barricaded doors. Five heroic police officers lost their lives. Chants to hang the Speaker of the House and the Vice President of the United States were heard throughout the Capitol.  The January 6 insurrection was a deadly assault on the foundation of our nation.  It is strange to rank the peaceful transfer of power as an accomplishment. Yet the events of January 6 were a stark reminder of just how fragile democracy can be. So perhaps it was a great accomplishment of the last two years that we did not let democracy die that day. When the dust cleared, Congress successfully certified the results of the 2020 election and allowed Joe Biden to assume the presidency.  And in the 2022 midterm elections, there was a clear rejection of candidates who are outspoken election deniers. There is much more to do. The January 6 insurrection is a symptom of a larger disease that we have not yet cured. Basic human decency in our communities can have national ramifications. When we don’t trust our neighbors, don’t invest in civics education, fail to combat misinformation, and elect leaders who stoke division, the costs can be devastating.  I support and commend the bipartisan work of the January 6 Select Committee. The Committee has consistently followed the facts, finding that President Trump and his closest associates engaged in insurrection against the United States and our Constitution. The final Committee report contains several legislative recommendations to prevent another deadly attack.  I will continue to use every opportunity to urge my friends in the Majority to act swiftly on these recommendations. We must strengthen our democratic institutions, promote civics education, and continue to hold those accountable for the egregious violence on January 6. I will work tirelessly to uphold our nation’s ideals and ensure we never forget this somber event.