John, this Veterans Day, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of our nation’s 16 million veterans. And to say thank you.

As a member of Congress, I swore an oath to defend the Constitution.

As a former chair of the House Intelligence Committee, I often received classified briefings about intelligence that would put those who swore an oath to defend our Constitution in uniform in harm’s way.

My gratitude for our veterans carries through to this day.

With California the home of 1.8 million military veterans — the most in the United States — it is my solemn duty and obligation to ensure that as California’s next U.S. Senator, I do everything in my power to ensure that our government holds up our end of the bargain when they return from service:

To fully fund and resource the Department of Veterans Affairs and VA hospitals, clinics, and support staff.

To ensure that veterans and their families have access to affordable housing, job training, and education opportunities to transition to civilian life.

To guarantee that every veteran has the opportunity to enjoy the freedoms they put on the uniform to defend.

That is the sacred contract we have made in this democracy, to build a more perfect union.

And that’s what I will always work toward.

I’m grateful to have you with me.

— Adam