On January 6th, I was facedown in the House gallery as police held a barricade of furniture against the door, guns drawn, because rioters – who we now know were armed with guns and bombs – had broken into the Capitol.

As we learn more and more about the true intentions of Donald Trump and his allies that day, I am as sad as I am angry.

Angry that the right-wing fringe has fueled a wave of extremism that is polarizing our communities and giving rise to vigilante violence – like the mass shooting in Highland Park on the Fourth of July and the attack on the Capitol.

Angry that a twice-impeached president who attempted to overthrow the government was able to appoint three Supreme Court Justices who have overtly politicized the institution.

Angry that that court is now reversing decades of precedent on privacy, freedom and reproductive choice.

And saddened by the fact that our democracy is in peril.

It's Congress’ responsibility, as your elected leaders, to protect our nation from threats — be it rampant gun violence, a power-drunk president, or a Supreme Court bent on stripping away the rights of Americans.

We must do better.

I’ll be in touch more over the next couple of months to get your feedback. If you want to share your thoughts about what’s happening in our country, feel free to reply directly to this email and I’ll get your message.

I know brighter times are possible and we can get back on track – but I cannot do it alone. I need your support and input as we put this country back together.

– Scott