Dear neighbor,
I am heartbroken by the news of another mass shooting in our country, this time in Lewiston, Maine. My heart is with the families and loved ones of those killed and injured in this tragedy.
Enough is enough—American families deserve to feel safe from the threat of gun violence in our communities. I continue to call upon Republicans in the House to pass gun safety bills introduced by Democrats that are supported by the overwhelming majority of the American people. In the 117th Congress, I voted in favor of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which funded mental health and supportive services in schools, cracked down on gun trafficking and straw purchases, enhanced background checks for people under 21, and more. However, we still have a lot of work to do to end the gun violence epidemic.
I will continue doing everything I can in Congress to address this crisis.
NEW SPEAKER: After 21 days of MAGA extremist infighting left the House without a Speaker, Republicans elected Mike Johnson to the position. With the current makeup of Congress, we must work together to pass legislation to tackle our country’s most pressing issues. House Democrats will continue to put People Over Politics and extend the hand of partnership to get things done for the American people: lowering costs, growing the middle class, and making our communities safer. At the same time, we stand firm against MAGA extremism. We will always defend our democracy, protect reproductive freedom, fight for LGBTQ+ rights, and strengthen retirement security.
After Speaker Johnson was sworn in on Wednesday, the House’s first order of business was to pass a bipartisan resolution in support of Israel as it continues to defend itself against Hamas terrorists. Sponsored by Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY), this resolution reaffirms the United States’ support for Israel as it responds to Hamas’s attack. I was pleased to vote in favor of this resolution and appreciated the broad bipartisan support it received. I continue to mourn with all those who have lost loved ones throughout this conflict.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK: We’re seeing an alarming rise in antisemitism across the country and around the world. This week I joined my fellow co-chairs of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism to meet with representatives from the American Jewish Committee to discuss this troubling trend and ways to protect our Jewish neighbors.
Today we also remember the 11 Jewish community members murdered at Tree of Life in Pittsburgh. May their memories be a blessing. I signed onto a resolution sponsored by my colleague Congresswoman Summer Lee (D-PA) recognizing the five-year anniversary of this horrific tragedy and condemning antisemitism. I stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and remain committed to rooting out antisemitism and all forms of bigotry, hatred, and violence.
Now that we have a Speaker, the House must address urgent threats facing our country. Government funding will run out in less than a month, and it is Congress’s responsibility to ensure access to vital programs and agencies that American families rely upon.
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
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