Happy 4th of July, John!

The 4th of July is special to me. Not only is it a time to celebrate the place we call home with family and friends, but it also reminds me of all the sacrifices that were made to make our nation the great democracy that it is today.

I joined the Navy at just 17 years old and spent 20 years serving my country in uniform. Now, I have the honor of representing a district with one of the largest communities of veterans and armed services members in the country.

My work in Congress may look different than my work in the Navy, but I go to work every day with the same goal: to serve my community and protect the dream of our democracy for future generations.

That means doing all I can to tackle the growing threat of climate change. It means protecting voting rights for all and ensuring that our elections are free and fair. It means making sure that when our veterans return home, they get the support they need.

Thank you for trusting me to serve as your representative in Congress. I hope you have a safe and happy 4th of July.

-- Elaine