Newsletter: In America, Our Constitution Still Governs

Yesterday, a violent mob attacked the U.S. Capitol Building while Congress met to certify President-Elect Joe Biden's win. I was in the House gallery, watching proceedings from above, when I was first instructed to shelter in place, then evacuate, then take cover as a riotous mob tried to break into the chamber. My colleagues and I experienced the unthinkable as we watched the angry hoard breach multiple layers of security and storm the Capitol building all around us.

First, let me thank everyone who expressed their concern yesterday for my well-being and for the health of our nation. What I experienced was certainly harrowing. You may have seen the pictures when we were ordered to take cover as the mob of rioters breached the first the double doors and Capitol police ordered those of us remaining to immediately get down.

A lot of thoughts were running through my mind at that exact moment. I was thinking of my wife, Julie, and my family. I was thinking how I could help keep those around me safe. And I was thinking about the oath I had pledged just three days earlier to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic."

The violent insurrection we experienced yesterday will forever be a dark day in our nation's history. But we can also make it a turning point and take our nation in a new direction.

My love of country and my dedication to fighting for the ideals that have guided our 244-year-old national experiment have never been stronger. We have so much to do to heal, not just from the pandemic ravaging our country but from the political division that has infected our communities and our institutions.

I am more than ready for the hard work ahead and I hope you are ready to join me. To quote President Abraham Lincoln, I will serve with "increased devotion…that the government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this Earth."

I know that our first priorities in the weeks and months ahead remains to beat back the pandemic, to restore and renew our economy to get Americans back to work, and to invigorate and empower the American spirit to stand up to our challenges and ensure our best days are still ahead. Together we can stand up to the mobsters, thugs and haters to restore the vision of our founders and hopes for our children.

As we begin this next chapter, I want to hear what is important to you and your family. Complete my New America Priorities Survey and tell me what you believe the first 100 days of the new Congress should focus upon. Respondents will also be signed up for my newsletter.

Fill out the survey here.

If you have questions for me, I hope that you will join my town hall today at 3:30pm on Facebook Live.

Thanks again for your concern, and more importantly for your friendship and support. I couldn't do my job without you!

Onward,

Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress