Dear neighbor, 

As we observe Memorial Day this weekend, I am reflecting on Americans who gave their lives in service to our nation. Memorial Day offers an opportunity to remember our service members who died while serving on behalf of our country and our values. As a veteran, I have seen the selfless devotion of those who serve in uniform. On this solemn occasion, we honor those who passed away in the line of duty.

Wrapping up another busy week in Washington, I wanted to share my thoughts on the extreme MAGA Republican-manufactured default crisis. Speaker McCarthy and House Republicans are extorting the American people with a terrible choice: either they inflict draconian cuts that will hurt families, or they force a catastrophic default on our debt. America should always pay its bills. Extreme MAGA Republicans are holding our economy hostage, and they are issuing a ransom note demanding brutal cuts to critical programs that everyday Americans rely on.  

While this week was focused on protecting Americans and preventing a devastating default, here’s what else I worked on in Washington: 

• Celebrated the news that UCLA will receive a nearly $250,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for artificial intelligence research! 
  
• Voted NO on an extreme MAGA Republican rollback to life-saving Clean Air Act protections. 
  
• Congratulated our fantastic Los Angeles County Library on winning the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the highest honor for museums and libraries. 
  
• Applauded the Biden Administration for its work to ensure safe and responsible development of artificial intelligence. 
  
• Marked one year since the horrific mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The families and loved ones of the 19 students and two teachers lost are in our prayers. House Democrats will not stop fighting for gun control to prevent senseless tragedies like this in the future. 

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: I spoke at press conference about how extreme MAGA Republicans’ Default on America Act hurts our nation’s veterans. I was proud to join several other veterans serving in the House and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). 

ALL ABOARD! Metro Los Angeles announced this week that the brand-new Regional Connector will open on Friday, June 16! To celebrate, Metro is offering free rides for Angelenos that weekend. The Regional Connector will finally connect East Los Angeles and the Westside right through downtown Los Angeles. To learn more about this fantastic transit expansion, check out Metro’s Regional Connector Transit Project hub here.  

JOIN THE YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL: Applications for our 2023-2024 Youth Advisory Council are now open, and I encourage all high school students interested in policy, government, or public service to apply! This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to meet with their peers and discuss solutions to the most pressing issues facing the next generation. Our district is home to so many bright young people, and I look forward to welcoming a new group of them to the Youth Advisory Council soon. Applications are due July 7th. To learn more information and submit an application, please click here.

JETTING OFF? 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 renewed. 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