Democrat Eric Swalwell represents California's 14th Congressional District. 

Happy Independence Day, friend! 🎆🇺🇲

On this year’s anniversary of our country’s independence, I can’t help but think about the different meanings of freedom in our country.

To MAGA extremists, freedom looks like:

• Restricting rights of everyday Americans — especially on the issue of reproductive health care and LGBTQ+ rights.
• Picking and choosing “what the founders would think” when it comes to curbing the gun violence epidemic and addressing racial inequality in our country.
• More freedom for me, not thee.

To me? Freedom looks like:

• Defending our Constitution against all enemies — foreign and domestic.
• Protecting access to abortion and reproductive care, and pushing for economic, racial, and social progress on every front.
• Freedom for all.

Look, here’s what I know. I still believe we can use the principles our country was founded upon to do good—not to uphold status for a select few or to prop up extremist ideals, but to use our commitment to freedom and liberty to lift each other up, not sow fear, division, and hatred across our differences.

However you’re celebrating this Fourth of July, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to an America where all benefit from the freedoms established on this historic day.

Have a safe and happy Independence Day, friend!

— Eric