Dear neighbor, 

I returned to Washington this week to work on important issues facing our nation, such as preventing a default that would crash the economy, protecting Social Security, and reducing the threat of gun violence. But I didn’t get to do that because MAGA Republicans instead chose to focus all their time on a bill that bullies trans kids who want to play sports. 

This made-up issue Republicans are using in the latest stage of their culture wars is harmful and does not make Americans healthier or safer. I was moved by a letter from Republican Governor Spencer Cox of Utah who dealt with this issue extensively. He vetoed similar state legislation that discriminated against transgender students. In the video below, I discuss Governor Cox’s letter. I hope you watch it.

SHOW ME THE PLAN: As Republicans continue waging their culture wars, we’re still waiting to see their budget plan. Weeks ago, President Biden and Democrats proposed a budget that invests in America, lowers costs for families, protects and strengthens Social Security and Medicare, slashes the deficit by nearly $3 trillion in ten years, and more. What will Republicans’ budget do? We don’t know because they still haven’t proposed one. Until they do, we can’t move forward with budget negotiations and critical programs that American families rely on are at risk. House Democrats are committed to a federal spending package that will lower costs and give folks some breathing room.  

Congressman Lieu speaks at this week’s Democratic Caucus Leadership press conference. He was joined by Reps. Pat Ryan (D-NY), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), and Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar (D-CA). 

Here’s what else I’ve been working on this week:

• Spoke on the House floor to commemorate the 108th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. 
  
• Met with students, faculty, and staff from USC’s Sol Price School of Public Policy to discuss California’s role in US leadership on aerospace issues.  
  
• Discussed the urgent need for gun reform in the wake of mass shootings across our country. “Thoughts and prayers” are not enough. We must do something NOW. 
  
• Delivered a keynote speech at House of Code to celebrate the winners of the 2022 Congressional App Challenge. Can’t wait to see what these bright young minds will do in the future! 
• Attended a Foreign Affairs Committee hearing about Russian war crimes in Ukraine and met with members of the Ukrainian armed forces to hear about the ongoing war. I’m proud to stand with Ukraine.

A Ukrainian veteran signs a Ukrainian flag for Congressman Lieu following a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing in the U.S. Capitol. (Photo courtesy of Tom Williams with Roll Call)

CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF? If you’re planning international travel, don’t forget to check your passport’s expiration date! Passports that will expire within a year should be updated. Please reach out to my Los Angeles office if you or your family need assistance with passport renewal. 

My office has been responding to an increased number of requests for passport assistance. Due to a higher volume of requests across the country, standard passport processing times are now 10 to 13 weeks, while expedited processing time has risen to seven to nine weeks. If you need to apply for a new passport in person, please click here. If you have a passport that will expire within six months and need to renew it via mail, or if you need to correct or change your current passport, please click here. If you’ve already applied for a new or renewed passport and would like to check the status of your request, please click here.  

For more information on my work in Congress, please visit my website at lieu.house.gov and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. If you have any questions or concerns, please call my D.C. office at (202) 225-3976 or my Los Angeles district office at (323) 651-1040.   

I look forward to updating you again soon.  

Sincerely, 

Ted W. Lieu

Member of Congress