January 6, 2021, was a day of harrowing violence — and a vicious attack on the foundation of our democracy. Incited to violence by Donald Trump and his shameless allies, the mob was intent on carrying out a coup to prevent the legitimately elected president from taking office.

I was in the House gallery that day, listening to the debate about accepting the electoral votes to make Joe Biden President of the United States.

What happened over the next few terrifying hours is seared into my memory.

An angry mob, inflamed by far-right speeches and wild conspiracy theories, broke into the Capitol, storming their way into the Senate and coming within feet of forcefully occupying the House.

Today, as the House Select Committee, the Department of Justice, and other government agencies continue investigating and prosecuting the perpetrators of the January 6 insurrection, one thing is very clear to me:

The instigators of the attack on the Capitol have not gone to ground or quietly into the night.

Instead, they are now the ones trying to limit access to the ballot box by passing restrictive voting laws in states across the nation. Their intent is as malicious as it is dangerous to the future of our democracy.

The changes they are trying to make are designed to keep Americans from participating in fair and free elections that are at the heart of our democracy and are the foundation of our Republic.

These radical extremists have no shame or sense of decency. Their only goal is to seize and keep power, no matter the cost.

One year on, as we reflect on the tragic events of January 6 and the continuing damage and trauma, I believe there is one thing members of Congress must do:

Immediately pass legislation to protect voting rights.

Protecting voting rights must be a priority of this Congress if we’re going to stop the radical extremism consuming our civil discourse and our efforts to find common ground for the common good.

If we fail, then those whose angry words and outright lies inflamed the mob last January 6 will continue to have the upper hand — and I fear our democracy and its institutions will be irreparably damaged.

Please stand with me as I continue working with my congressional colleagues to protect our most fundamental freedom: the right to vote.

Thank you for all you are doing.

Scott