June 9, 2023

Dear John,

It's been an exciting week in Washington, D.C., and I'm excited to share updates on some big wins for Southern California families with you. First, my bill to preserve access to remote healthcare services passed out of the Ways and Means Committee. Then I introduced legislation to provide a tax cut to working families. Finally, we're celebrating the 35th Anniversary of Orange County's Little Saigon.

Get the details about all of this and more below, and make sure to follow my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get these updates in real-time.

Preserving Access to Care

On Wednesday, the House Ways and Means Committee passed my bill, the bipartisan Telehealth Expansion Act, which I introduced with Reps. Susie Lee (D-NV), Adrian Smith (R-NE), and Brad Schneider (D-IL). This legislation would make permanent a waiver created by the CARES Act to allow Americans with Health Savings Accounts (HSA) coupled with High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) to access telehealth services without first having to meet their deductible.

Over half of all private sector workers are enrolled in a HDHP. This legislation will make it easier for the majority of Americans to access high quality, affordable health care and reduce expensive emergency room and urgent care visits.

I want to thank my colleagues for supporting this commonsense solution to bringing down costs for millions of Americans and their families, especially as inflation continues to be a heavy burden on so many. Now it’s time to get this bill to the House floor so we can pass it and get it over to the Senate.

Learn More on My Website

WATCH: Rep. Steel Questions Julie Su on Port Shutdowns

While her confirmation as Secretary of Labor would be disastrous for our economy, Julie Su would be responsible for addressing the work stoppages and disruptions at our ports.

I asked her what a port shutdown would do to the economy. Watch her response.

I stopped by the Rossmoor Family Festival over the weekend to congratulate some of our recent graduates on their big accomplishment and wish them success in their future endeavors.

Make us proud!

Kicking Off the Congressional App Challenge

Pre-registration for the 2023 Congressional App Challenge (CAC) is now open! The CAC is a great way for middle and high school students from across the country to explore and improve their computer-based skills by creating original apps.

This competition encourages computer science and innovation skills and offers an opportunity for students to explore potential careers in the STEM field. The competition is hosted by the Congressional Internet Caucus.

Each winning app may be put on display in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year and will be featured on the House of Representatives website. Winning students are also invited to the #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington D.C.

Learn More and Sign Up

Tax Cuts for Working Families

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) and I led members of the Ways and Means Committee to introduce the Working Families Tax Cut Act, legislation that would give middle-class Americans a guaranteed deduction bonus for the next two years.

According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reduced federal tax rates for families at every income level and doubled the Guaranteed Deduction (also known as the "Standard Deduction"), providing tax cuts and easier tax filing. Our legislation aims to build on the success of Republican tax policies by providing a bonus guaranteed deduction of $4,000 for working families and $2,000 for single filers on 2024 and 2025 returns.

Our constituents are facing record inflation due to progressive policies and high taxes. The enhanced standard deduction created under the TCJA has cut taxes for hard-working Americans. For more than 305,000 households in our district who claim the Guaranteed Deduction—covering 82 percent of all tax filers—this Bonus will drive their federal tax bill lower and they will receive a significant increase in their 2024 and 2025 tax refunds. This bonus will help ease the burden of inflation and allow families to spend their hard-earned wages the way they see fit.

Read More from the Wall Street Journal

WATCH: Rep. Steel Commemorates 35th Anniversary of Little Saigon

This year marks the 35th anniversary of Orange County’s Little Saigon, which is now home to the largest concentration of Vietnamese anywhere outside of Vietnam itself.

I am proud to represent the amazing Vietnamese Americans living in California’s 45th District.

Big thank you to Julia, Haley, and Joshua, who just wrapped up their internships in my District office.

They’ve been working hard for the people of Southern California, and I know they will do amazing things with their futures!

What I'm Reading

Wall Street Journal: China’s Military Provocations

"The risk of conflict in the Western Pacific is growing as China raises the military stakes with a goal of dominating the region."

"Iran's election to two major roles in the U.N.'s top body last week drew immediate objection from the U.S. and Israel..."

Read More

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

Visit My Website

Rep. Steel | 1127 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Unsubscribe