May 12, 2023

Protecting Taxpayers

As we all now know, pandemic unemployment assistance funds became the source of the greatest theft of taxpayer dollars in American history. Estimates put the total amount of assistance lost to fraud as high as $400 billion.

California alone lost around $60 billion under the leadership of President Biden’s Secretary of Labor nominee, Julie Su. As Californians in particular continue struggling under spiking prices and high taxes, it is absurd to force them to foot the bill for fraud committed while their elected leaders were asleep at the wheel.

That is why I proudly supported the passage of the Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act, which will address this unprecedented theft by incentivizing states, including California, to recover these stolen funds and providing tools to prevent future fraud. Government caused this problem, and it owes the American taxpayers a solution.

Honoring Our Fallen Law Enforcement

It's National Police Week, so on Wednesday I joined Speaker Kevin McCarthy at the National Law Enforcement Memorial to lay a wreath of honor and pay my respects to the fallen men and women who have served and protected our communities.

I was especially touched by all the officers from Southern California who were listed at the memorial. I will always support our law enforcement officers.

Join Me for A Tele-Townhall!

Hearing directly from my constituents is one of the most important ways for me to effectively represent you in Washington, D.C. That's why I am excited to announce that I am hosting a live Telephone Town Hall meeting on Monday, May 15th at 5:00 pm (PDT).

Make sure you get to join the community and take part in this opportunity to share your thoughts directly with me by RSVP'ing at the link below. Once you register, you'll automatically receive a call from my office to connect you at the time of the live event.

I'm looking forward to speaking with you!

Supporting Human Rights for Vietnam

Yesterday, in honor of Vietnam Human Rights Day, members of the Congressional Vietnam Caucus in introducing the Vietnam Human Rights Act, to condemn the ongoing human rights abuses by the Vietnamese Communist Party and call on President Biden to address the situation.

As co-chair of the Congressional Vietnam Caucus, representing Orange County’s Little Saigon, I am all too familiar with the human rights abuses that impact my constituents’ friends and loved ones in Vietnam.

I am proud to support the Vietnam Human Rights Act, which will ensure the United States is actively promoting freedom for the Vietnamese people and accountability for the communist government that continues to oppress them.

Honoring the AAPI Community

From business leaders and educators to healthcare professionals and community service providers, the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in Southern California is as remarkable and impactful as it is diverse. We are fortunate to have such dedicated and talented friends and neighbors in our area.

This AAPI Heritage Month, my office is asking for your help to honor some of these incredible individuals as distinguished citizens with our 2023 AAPI of Distinction Award.

Visit my website to nominate a member of the AAPI community who lives or works in the 45th Congressional District and has made a significant contribution to our community. I look forward to working with you to honor the amazing AAPI Community!

Lowering Healthcare Costs

Health care costs have steadily risen for decades, leaving millions of Californians in crippling medical debt. This week, I joined Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) to introduce a bipartisan, bicameral bill to promote transparency in health care, crack down on anti-competitive practices, and remove restrictions preventing competition in health care markets.

The Healthy Competition for Better Care Act enables more group health plans and health insurance issuers to enter into agreements with providers that guide enrollees to high-value providers and provide incentives to encourage enrollees to seek higher-quality, lower cost care.

This legislation addresses the root cause of the issue by ensuring the free market is empowered to naturally bring down prices. No longer will hospitals be allowed to box out competitors and hide prices from patients. I urge my colleagues to join me in protecting patients and small businesses and ensuring every American can find the care they need at a fair price.

What I'm Reading

Thanks for taking the time to read about what I've been doing on behalf of Southern California families. Be sure to connect with my official Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages, where I post the latest news and updates. It is an honor to serve you in Congress.

Sincerely,

Rep. Michelle Steel
Member of Congress