Dear Friend,

I’m back in Washington, D.C. after a nice weekend in San Diego – observing Yom Kippur with my family and getting out in the community – and wanted to send a quick update on what I’ve been doing for our local families, from fighting to expand access to high-quality child care to supporting Head Start’s efforts to improve early education.

I’m also working with my colleagues in the Democratic Caucus to push back against House Republicans’ efforts to shut down the federal government. A government shutdown would be disastrous for our national security and devastating for our service members and military families, TSA agents, federal civil service employees, those who rely on vital government services, and more.

Keep reading about what I’ve been up to:

Extending Federal Funding for Child Care Stabilization Grants

Child care is the foundation of our country’s economy. If parents can’t find and afford this support, then they can’t go back to work. So child care isn’t just a women’s issue or a partisan issue — it’s an essential part of our economy that affects all Americans.

That’s why I led two press conferences last week – one in D.C. and one in San Diego – to demand House Republicans take action to support our children, families, and child care providers by bringing the Child Care Stabilization Act to the House Floor for a vote. This legislation would extend vital federal funding for child care so millions of families don’t lose their child care spots.

Celebrating Women of Color with Roar Leadership Academy

I was excited to kick off this year’s Women of Color Roar Leadership Academy and speak to San Diego students about how important it is for women of color to have full representation in public service. We need young people’s ideas and experience and passion – in government and in all parts of our society.

Urging Congress to Invest in Early Education Opportunities

Investing in our children is one of the best investments we can make. So I was excited to speak at last week’s Head Start rally to encourage Congress to invest in Head Start and early education for our children. Head Start ensures that kids from low-income families have the early learning and development they need to succeed, and I won’t give up on the fight for our kids and our future.

Also, shout-out to San Diego’s own Neighborhood House Association for being one of 11 programs in the entire country to earn the National Head Start Association’s Program of Excellence accreditation! I’m so proud and thankful for San Diego’s early educators.

We’re Here to Help

My staff in San Diego is here to help if you need assistance with a federal agency, like small business loans, immigration challenges, issues with Social Security or Medicare, VA benefits, and more!