John,

Yesterday, far-right Republicans brought up a resolution to censure and fine me $16 million dollars. You’ve heard a lot from me and my team in recent weeks about this attack, but I want to tell you a bit more of what it was like to go through for me personally.

The House chamber was filled with members, which is rare. Steve Bannon and others in the MAGA world had been promoting this sop to Trump, and there was some drama around it. It was, after all, Donald Trump’s birthday. More important, it was the day after Trump’s indictment and the MAGA Republicans in the House were looking to change the subject. Republicans view me as Trump’s most effective adversary, and resent the work I did to impeach him and as part of the January 6th Committee.

Normally the reading of a resolution is waived, but the MAGA folks wanted to read every word of their false and defamatory bill into the record, and I can tell you, it was maddening to sit there and listen to these smears about my work and my character read to the entire House without the opportunity to respond.

But then, something very unexpected happened. The Republicans’ House majority fractured — albeit slightly — when forced to vote on one of the most extreme measures Kevin McCarthy and MAGA Republicans have taken up yet. Twenty House Republicans — almost one out of every ten — voted against the measure and it was defeated on a strong bipartisan vote.

I was shocked. I never imagined they would bring the bill to a vote if they hadn’t locked down the votes. But sadly, this isn’t over.

After the vote, I was speaking to reporters just off the House floor when the author of the resolution, Rep. Luna of Florida, a woman I had never even met until that day, literally scooted by shouting out that she would file another motion to censure me again next week. (She has only introduced four bills in her entire tenure in Congress and three of them are attacking me. She really needs a new hobby.)

But I’ve got news for MAGA Republicans. They can bring up a hundred resolutions to censure me — I'm not backing down. I'm going to defend our democracy, whatever it takes.

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After witnessing this spectacle, one of the reporters asked me whether things have always been this bad, with members making ad hominem attacks like this (on scooter no less), and I had to tell them:

Sadly, they’ve gotten much worse.

Republican dysfunction has reached new depths under Trump and McCarthy. Instead of addressing the real issues that I am focused on — like attacking homelessness and the high cost of housing — they want to attack me. And all because I dared to hold Donald Trump accountable and do my job.

This isn’t only a dangerous precedent to set, but is also grossly irresponsible.

For every political stunt Kevin McCarthy and MAGA Republicans bring to the House floor, critical time is wasted in passing legislation that would make a real difference to the American people. And not just on housing. But also on health care. On climate change. On rising prices. On childcare.

Our country deserves better. Our democracy deserves better. YOU deserve better, John.

That’s a big reason why I’m running for the U.S. Senate. Because we all deserve a government that gets stuff done, and doesn’t get bogged down in petty grievances, personal vendettas, or political stunts. And yesterday’s vote only made me more determined than ever to fight for California and for our democracy.

Thank you for all your support at such a critical time. I am deeply grateful.

— Adam