During the course of my career, I’ve been privileged to spend years working in the U.S. Capitol complex.

I remember the first day I went to work there as a low-level staffer for Congressman Maurice Hinchey during one of my summers in college. I was in awe of the place, not just because of the grandeur of the buildings — though there is that — but more importantly because of the purpose it served and the public servants it housed.

The purpose it served: a shared space in which men and women from across America could meet to debate big ideas, address big challenges, and achieve big things for folks back home.

The public servants it housed: officials chosen by their communities to give them a voice and deliver results, staff committed to the hard work of studying the issues and guiding the lawmaking process, and so many workers doing the difficult and under-appreciated jobs of keeping the lights on, the hallways clean, and the space and the folks within it protected.

In my experience, the Capitol Police performed their jobs with professionalism, courage, and integrity, not to mention a warm greeting every morning and a smile every night. They were a steady and constant presence, always above the fray of the partisan bickering that took place around them.

When I finished my job on the Senate Judiciary Committee in the fall of 2014, I remember taking note of something as I left: I had the same sense of awe of the place then as I had the first day I went to work there.

Sure, there was every reason not to — every reason to be cynical, frustrated, and discouraged. Partisan gridlock had led to a government shutdown the year before. It had forced changes to the filibuster just to get basic business done. It had resulted in Congress’ failure to act in response to terrible Supreme Court decisions like Citizens United and Shelby County.

Then as now, our country faced many big challenges that Congress had failed to address. In so many respects, our Democracy has not lived up to its ideals.

But, the Capitol still stood as something of a reminder that those ideals remain on the horizon and that we must continue to strive to meet them even when — especially when — we fall short. That’s really important.

And it’s also what made January 6, 2020, so profoundly horrific. The events of that day were an assault not just on a building and the brave men and women in uniform who protect it. It was an assault on American Democracy and the system of government that brings us together as Americans.

The insurrection was a shameful and sad moment in which many of us rightly questioned whether our Democracy’s ideals could or would survive at all.

I am hopeful that they will and optimistic that we will be stronger together in the end.

While some continue to perpetuate big lies about the 2020 election and sow seeds of doubt and disinformation about future elections, so many others have come together to condemn the actions that took place on January 6. Our justice system continues the work of accountability. And later this year, voters will have an opportunity to cast ballots in the first federal election since that day — an opportunity to send a message that our Democracy is strong and that we reject those who seek to weaken it.

So, on the anniversary of that awful day, let’s resolve never to take our Democracy for granted and always to work together not only to protect it, but to strengthen it.

With gratitude & high hopes,

Josh Riley