Dear neighbor, 

This week we wrapped up the first week of Congress’s August District Work Period. While I’m in Los Angeles attending local events and meeting with our neighbors, I’m reflecting on all that House Democrats have done to put people over politics and grow the middle class. Each day, we are fighting to lower costs and create better paying jobs for American families. We reduced prescription drug costs and capped the price of insulin at $35 per month for seniors on Medicare. By building an economy from the bottom up and the middle out, we’ve created more than 13 million jobs since President Biden took office, and unemployment has been under 4% for 17 consecutive months, the longest stretch in over 50 years. 

While Democrats will always fight to get things done for the American people, we’re also prepared to push back against MAGA extremism whenever necessary. Extreme MAGA Republicans are attempting to gut critical investments that working families count on, including childcare, education, and retirement programs. They are once again targeting Social Security and Medicare for brutal cuts, continuing their attacks on America’s seniors. At every turn extreme MAGA Republicans are pushing their radical agenda to ban abortion nationwide and rob women of their right to reproductive health care. While MAGA extremists bring their culture wars to the classroom, doctor’s office, and into your home, House Democrats remain committed to putting people over politics and bringing lower costs, better paying jobs, and safer communities to the American people.  

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: It was my honor to announce new $5,000 per student basic needs scholarships for 50 college-going foster youth at Camp Ready, an event to welcome a new class of students to the Ready to Succeed program. Ready to Succeed is an innovative college and career accelerator organization in our community that serves 200 foster youth and first-generation college student participants. The scholarships for the Ready to Succeed scholars will be increased from $1,000 per student to $5,000 thanks to the federal funding I secured for this amazing organization in the annual government funding package. Beginning this fall, these scholarships will help the scholars cover the typical expenses of going to college. I can’t wait to see where these bright young leaders will go! 

PLANNING A TRIP TO THE BEACH? Temperatures are nearing record levels across Los Angeles County. Before you head to the beach to cool off, make sure you check LA County’s beach water quality warnings here. Due to increased bacteria levels, some beaches in our community are under a water advisory, meaning exposure to the water may cause illness. Interested in visiting one of LA County’s many public pools to cool off? Find local cooling centers, pools, and splash pads here! To follow heat advisories from the National Weather Service and learn how to prepare for hotter summers, visit heat.gov. 

CALLING ALL CODERS: The Congressional App Challenge is back! Students in middle and high school can now submit original computer programs or apps for consideration. Applications will remain open until November 1st. Winners will be selected by community judges, with winning apps or programs eligible to be displayed in the United States Capitol building, on house.gov, and on the Congressional App Challenge website! Students of all coding skill levels are encouraged to apply. For more information, please click here.   

CHECK YOUR PASSPORT! 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. The State Department HIGHLY RECOMMENDS that you check your passport and ensure that it is current, or renew it before you plan an international trip. 

Due to a higher volume of requests across the country, the State Department’s standard passport processing times are now 10 to 13 weeks, while expedited processing time is 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.   

ICYMI: Recently I led 76 of my colleagues in urging the CEOs of major American airlines to better communicate with passengers about eligibility and passport regulations for international travel. By sharing relevant information during the international flight booking process, either through emails, popups, or directed links, airlines could reduce the number of passengers who miss their flights due to an expired passport. Read my full letter 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