I wanted to write to you about what happened today in the U.S. Senate and why I believe that when historians look back this will be remembered as a particularly dark moment for our democracy.

The last four years we have lived through several low moments and ‘firsts’ where we saw a sitting U.S. President act in ways totally unbefitting that high office and in ways that undermined our own national security, our laws, and the values we have tried, albeit imperfectly, to advance at home and abroad. But no single act of any President so directly undermined our democracy as the January 6, 2021 insurrection against the U.S. Capitol for the purpose of preventing the certification of our free and fair election.

The decision to create a bipartisan Commission to determine the truth about what transpired that day and how we got there is about protecting our system of government. Period.

The assault on our Capitol was, in my view, an act of treason. In the process of committing this insurrection, extreme violence was inflicted on the Capitol Police and others whose duty it is to protect our Capitol complex and those who are elected to conduct the people’s work. Individuals lost their lives that day — and days after that — as a result of this insurrection. Many more were injured. The country was traumatized.

That’s why the decision of Senate Republicans, at the direction of Mitch McConnell, to filibuster the creation of a bipartisan January 6 Commission to investigate the attack and get to the truth of what happened is a shameful dereliction of duty.

After 9/11 we formed a bipartisan Commission to get all the facts and take action to prevent a future attack from foreign terrorists. On January 6th the attack on our democracy came from within, but we should be equally determined to prevent another such violent insurrection. And investigating the facts and getting the hard truths about exactly what took place on Jan. 6, 2021 should be the patriotic duty of both Democrats and Republicans.

Mitch McConnell’s willingness to put loyalty to Donald Trump and far right extremist groups BEFORE the interests of our country is downright dangerous. It emboldens violent groups and enemies both at home and abroad that want to advance the ‘Big Lie’ and work to weaken our democracy.

I will continue to do everything in my power to keep that from happening, to defend our democratic system, and get the facts about Jan. 6, 2021. But my Democratic colleagues and I need your help. I encourage you and all Americans to stay active and involved in our political process at all levels. Your involvement makes a difference.

This is a difficult moment and, unfortunately, the threat to our future, and what kind of country we will be going forward, is real.

Thank you for all you do,

Chris