September 8, 2023

Dear John,

From visiting with students in Hawaiian Gardens to learn about the important education initiatives happening in our district, to connecting with health care providers, seniors, and businesses to see firsthand just how amazing our communities are, I've loved every minute I've spent with Southern Californians recently.

I introduced legislation this week to ensure that our young people learn about the dangers of Communism, and I'm sending a wake up call to President Biden on the Chinse Communist Party (CCP)'s latest efforts to infiltrate the Western Hemisphere.

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.

Remembering the Victims of Communism

As a first generation American whose parents fled Communism in North Korea, I understand how precious freedom is for those who have suffered at the hands of oppression. One way we can protect democracy is by ensuring we never forget the millions of people who lost their lives or their loved ones to the evil of Communism. That's why I joined Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and 26 of our colleagues in introducing the Crucial Communism Teaching (CCT) Act.

The CCT Act makes educational materials available through the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation to help educate middle and high school students about the dangers of communism and totalitarianism, and how they are contrary to the founding principles of freedom and democracy in the United States. Through this legislation, I am proud to help not only preserve the memory of Communism's victims, but the American Dream.

Learn More

I had a productive conversation with business leaders in Fullerton to provide an update on my work to stop retail crime, lower taxes, and fight back against efforts to bring CA’s disastrous AB5 to the federal level.

Many thanks to the team at the International Paper Buena Park Bag Plant for showing me around their facilities and for a great conversation about their work providing quality jobs and sustainable products.

A Wake Up Call to President Biden

The United States needs a strong comprehensive strategy for political and economic engagement in the Western Hemisphere. We must establish a bold agenda that leads to more U.S. trade and investment in the region, raises standards, and supports democracy and the rule of law. This will increase U.S. influence in the region and strengthen U.S. efforts to push back against the CCP’s malign political and diplomatic efforts in the region, including those that seek to undermine Taiwan.

That's why I wrote to President Biden to express serious concern with the recent vote by the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) to expel Taiwan as a permanent observer. This is just the latest of a series of concerning developments related to the CCP's growing influence in the Western Hemisphere. The United States cannot sit idly by while a strategic adversary like the People’s Republic of China (PRC) deepens its political and economic ties and bullies countries in our backyard at the expense of U.S. strategic goals.

Read the Full Letter

I stopped by the Senior Expo in Los Alamitos and was impressed by all the services available to seniors in our community. I am proud to join the City’s first senior expo and represent our seniors in Congress. Always great seeing Mayor Tanya Doby!

I visited Providence St. Jude’s Medical Center in Fullerton to learn about their work to serve the families of Orange County during some of life’s hardest times. I’m grateful to the excellent team there for all they do.

Calling All STEM Students

Registration for the 2023 Congressional App Challenge (CAC) is 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 Apply

It was a pleasure to join the Hawaiian Gardens City Council and ABCUSD Board to visit with the Head Start kids and educators in Hawaiian Gardens. Our children are our future, and a robust education is the key to success.

What I'm Reading

Wall Street Journal: Reviving Racial Preferences in California

"The folks who insist on dividing Americans by race won’t take no for an answer. In California they’re now planning to bypass the state constitution’s ban on discrimination by passing an 'exception' that is clearly illegal. On Friday the Assembly’s Appropriations Committee is... "

"When brazen groups of thieves in all-black clothes and hoodies sprinted into the Nordstrom at the Topanga Mall, the Yves Saint Laurent store at the Americana on Brand in Glendale and a pop-up Gucci store at South Coast Plaza, 911 calls from startled workers and shoppers came immediately."

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

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