Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragan newsletter banner image

Dear Neighbor, 

 

It's been a busy week in Washington, and I wanted to update you on all the work I've been doing. This week, I was proud to lead the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in a presser with the Congressional Black Caucus to urge the Supreme Court to uphold President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness plan. I also continue to implore the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt stringent rules to transition to zero-emission vehicles.  Finally, I proudly welcomed our district's 2023 Congressional Art Competition winner from Wilimington, California to the Capitol. 

The Fight for Student Loan Relief

Any day now, the Supreme Court will rule on a case that will decide the fate of President Joe Biden's student loan relief plan. 

 

We believe President Biden has the authority under the HEROES Act to provide student loan relief to 43 million borrowers in the country, including 82,000 borrowers in our district.  Both Presidents Trump and Biden invoked the law to also pause student loan payments without penalties. 

 

The outcome of this case is extremely important to students everywhere. Among Latinos alone,  nearly 7 in 10 Latino student borrowers have educational debt, and on average take out more than $21,000 for their undergraduate study. This impacts their ability to earn and save when they enter the workforce, delaying how much they can put towards buying a first home or save for retirement.

 

It is critical that we get relief to the millions of borrowers who are hampered economically by these student loans.  

 

Poor Air Quality Means Poor Public Health

Video

In this week's Energy and Commerce Hearing, I urged the EPA to finalize strong vehicle pollution standards to protect public health.

 

Californians know that smog from cars and trucks can cause dangerous conditions for children, seniors, and those with asthma and other respiratory issues.  These impacts are felt even more in communities like ours, located alongside several major freeways and near the Port of Los Angeles that see millions of cars and trucks each year combined. Transitioning to zero-emission cars and trucks can drastically help improve air quality and public health. 

 

Watch Joseph Goffman from the EPA explain how zero-emission vehicles will improve public health in the video above. 

Congratulations to Eddie Velazquez-Jimenez on Winning this Year's Congressional Art Competition for California's 44th District 

On Thursday, I welcomed Eddie Velazquez-Jimenez and his mother, Vero, from Wilmington, California to the  U.S. Capitol to celebrate him and his beautiful piece of art that won this year's competition! 

 

His painting, "Trenzas," is an incredible ad inspirational work of art. The artwork will hang in the halls of the Capitol for a year so tourists and Members can appreciate his talents. 

 

Congratulations, Eddie,  you make the 44th District proud! 

Join the EPA's First-Ever National Environment Youth Advisory Council!

Are you between the ages of 16-29, passionate about environmental issues, and interested in leading the climate movement?

 

Please apply to be a member of EPA's first-ever National Environmental Youth Advisory Council (NEYAC)!  You'll get the chance to directly provide independent advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator, Michael Regan, on a variety of environmental issues. 

 

Applications close on August 22nd, so if you're interested in getting involved, visit NEYAC's website to apply! 

Don't Miss My Check Presentations on July 7th! 

AltaSea

First, join me at 10:30am on July 7th to celebrate $1 MILLION in federal funding for AltaSea! 

 

This funding I secured in the end of year government funding package will allow AltaSea to expand their research facilities for students in the area for ocean-related research focused on solutions to climate change.  AltaSea has produced some exciting new energy technologies like their wave power system, which harnesses the motion of the ocean to produce electricity. 

 

You can RSVP here, and we hope to see you out there! 

LACI

Later that day (1:00pm on July 7th) I'll be with Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator to celebrate $1.5 MILLION in federal funding! 

 

This funding I secured in the end of year government funding package will allow LACI to install electric public chargers capable of fully charging a battery for an electric drayage truck in less than 30 minutes. The presence of public chargers near the Port of Los Angeles will address drayage fleet operators’ need for charging infrastructure away from home facilities, which will further encourage the transition to zero-emission trucks.

 

We'll be at the proposed installation site in Wilmington (1519 E I Street). Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán

Member of Congress

 

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