You’ve seen lots of photos today of the Capitol at its worst, so I want to shift gears/end the day reminding you of its stunning beauty. I’ve spent 3 yrs exploring it and want to show you parts you’ve never seen before starting with video of very top of dome overlooking DC.THREAD
The view of DC from the top of the Capitol dome can’t be beat as you stare out across the national mall. 2/16
On the other side you can look down at the Supreme Court (left) and Library of Congress (right) 3/16
Getting up to the top is a bit crazy. This isn’t open to the public but my office made the trek. 4/16
Back inside the Capitol, there is a viewing platform directly below the ceiling mural that is stunning but also not for those with fear of heights as it is high above the rotunda floor. 5/16
From here you can see the mural intimately and feel it’s grandeur under the Capitol dome. 6/16
You can see parts of the mural painting that you can’t see from below. 7/16
My favorite room is the Rotunda. I believe it is the most beautiful room in the most beautiful building in America. Over the course of 3 yrs in Congress, I’ve taken hundreds of photos of this room and it never loses its magic. 8/16
I love that the Capitol has this ornate flourish but still has paintings of moon landers and astronauts (in renaissance-esque style) 9/16
My favorite artwork in the Capitol is tucked in the far back corner by the Senate. Next to no people go back there. If you look closely, you can see this is made by tiny gold pieces placed in a mosaic. 10/16
You can feel the history everywhere. For me, it is most present in Statuary Hall where a plaque on the floor marks where Abe Lincoln’s desk was when he was a congressman. 11/16
My favorite door in the Capitol is the door to the Speaker’s balcony. It feels like it’s the front door to America. 12/16
I’ve stopped and read all of the quotes painted on the ceiling. These are some of my favorites. 13/16
This is the nicest diaper changing station I’ve ever seen in my life. In the mens member-only bathroom next to the House of Representatives chamber. I’ve had to use it once for one of my baby boys. I may be the only one to ever use it. 14/16
I love all the beautiful shapes and curves throughout the Capitol. I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing these photos of mine. I take a photo every time I step into this sacred building. I feel blessed to work here. 15/16
This building, the Capitol, it belongs to you. To all of us. It’s our job to take care of it. Let us celebrate this beautiful building today. I know you love it as much as I do. Let’s pledge to keep it safe. END
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This is the most telling photo I’ve seen — Trump/Vance berating a wartime leader fighting against invasion directly in front of a bust of Churchill. It looks like Churchill is seated in the back, watching Trump kill the very US-Europe alliance that Churchill helped forge. THREAD
Why was the Oval Office exchange so humiliating to watch? It’s because every American alive today was born after the Greatest Generation led America’s rise to global leadership. What we saw yesterday was a surrender that could very well lead to American decline. 2/10
What we saw was a retreat from three basic pillars of American leadership: reliability, values, and impact. These are pillars that have been built over generations - from Americans landing on the beaches of Normandy onwards. 3/10
As Trump and Musk gut USAID today, I think back to my first day ever working for the US gov, showing up at the Reagan Building to start at USAID. Shame on them for demonizing Americans who are serving our nation, often in difficult and dangerous places. THREAD
We can have a policy debate about how much to spend internationally or what programs to fund, but their hate and paranoia towards other Americans go much deeper. I’m proud I worked at USAID. 2/8
I worked in USAID/Africa bureau where we helped rehabilitate former child soldiers in Uganda, helped with an emerging famine in Malawi. Trump admin complains about China’s growing influence in Africa but then shuts down one of our best tools to fight this. 3/8
I just talked to the family of Officer Brian Sicknick, who was killed on Jan 6. He grew up in NJ, served his nation, but was assaulted and killed. His assailants sentenced to prison until pardoned by Trump. Let us lift up Sicknick’s name and memory: THREAD
Officer Sicknick’s family’s pain today was so deep. That Trump used his first hours in office pardoning so many involved in that attack on the Capitol including the two of the assailants that attacked Officer Sicknick. It was a betrayal. 2/7
Let’s lift up Officer Sicknick’s name. Let’s remind everyone that an officer was attacked and killed that day. Sicknick laid in state in the Capitol Rotunda, honored by our nation as lawmakers from BOTH sides of the aisle, and now those who killed him are free. 3/7
I’ve been asked what it means to be 1st Korean American Senator. On this Korean American day, I want to share a photo of the home where my mom grew up during Korean War. America opened its doors and helped her become a nurse. Last week she stood with me as I was sworn in. THREAD
And it isn’t just my mom’s story. Over 120 yrs since the first Koreans came to America. Now there are 2 million Korean Americans. 24 million Asian Americans. Asian Americans are not monolithic.
I of course do not speak for all, nor is my story and experience reflective of all. 2/10
In fact I’ve struggled with my identity over my life. At times I resisted the label Korean/Asian American and snapped back with “I’m just American.”
I never would have imagined that Korean culture would become hugely popular between BTS, Squid Game, Korean BBQ, K-dramas etc. 3/10
Many in north/central NJ are worried about odor/taste of water coming out of the tap. As a father of two boys, I absolutely understand your worries. I talked with heads of NJ Dept of Environmental Protection and American Water.
Here are 4 key questions I asked: THREAD
IS THE WATER SAFE?
DEP/American Water report that water is well within NJ standards, which are some of the strictest in nation. They test for 100s of kinds of metals/ chemical compounds. Results are either non-detection or very low and far below levels of health concerns. 2/10
DO WE KNOW SOURCE OF ODOR/TASTE?
I completely understand if that explanation of water safety is not totally reassuring to those of you that smell/taste something wrong. You have a right to be concerned. Absolute key is identifying what is the compound that is causing the odor. 3/10