December 15, 2023

Securing Our Supply Chains from the CCP

This week, the final, senate-approved FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) - containing my legislation to prevent Chinese Communist Party (CCP) espionage on the U.S. military and supply chains and one amendment to help protect Taiwan - passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support.

For 15 years, the CCP has conducted espionage campaigns on our military and supply chains to help in their mission to become the world’s strongest economic hegemony. By banning the DOD from using of the Chinese state-owned maritime tracking platform LOGINK, we take vital steps in protecting our national defense and global trade. Everything we do to deter further CCP aggression could make the most meaningful difference in our long-term competition with the CCP’s evil regime.

I will never stop in my work to protect democracy at home and abroad.

Announcing the Winners of the Congressional App Challenge

The 2023 Congressional App Challenge has come to an end, and I’m pleased to announce this year’s winners. The first-place app, “Eco Tracker,” was designed by Gavin-kai Vida, Christopher Vu & Angad Batra of Gretchen Whitney High School in Cerritos. Eco Tracker enables users to track their carbon footprint, compare it to that of others, and find ways to reduce it.

This year saw more applications to my office than any prior year, and the 45th Congressional District was in the top 10% of all congressional districts nationwide for number of applications received. I am pleased to congratulate Gavin-kai, Chris, Angad, Dylan, Dheeraj, and all the winners and participants of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge.

By participating in the Congressional App Challenge, these students have not only made an investment in themselves and their own futures, but they have also made an investment in our country and our national success. I congratulate them once again on this remarkable achievement and wish them all the best in whatever path they choose for their undeniably bright futures.”

Be sure to check out the full list of winners and honorable mentions at the High School, Junior High, and Elementary School Divisions on my website.

Lower Costs, More Transparency

Only 36% of hospitals are complying with current hospital price transparency rules and only seven out of 6,000 nationwide have ever been fined for noncompliance. This is especially important as one in three Americans grapple with health care debt. That’s why I’m pleased to report the House of Representatives passed my legislation, the Hospital and ASC Price Transparency Act, to require hospitals to make their prices public and increase competition, within the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act.

In our district, prices for the same C-Section delivery at different hospitals can range from $8,000 to $23,000. Nationally, a CT scan can range from $130 to $4,000 at the same hospital. “hat is why I am proud that the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act included my legislation, the Hospital and ASC Price Transparency Act, allowing patients to shop for the best prices for hundreds of common medical services, increasing competition and unleashing the free market to bring down health care costs.

I am working to deliver on bringing down health care prices for all Americans. No longer will hospitals be able to hide their prices. Patients deserve to know what their care costs before they set foot in the hospital. This is a critical step towards reforming our health care system and reducing inflated health care spending.

Editorial: Rogue nations infiltrate our colleges and universities

In our colleges and universities today, Jewish students are terrified as they are harassed and sometimes threatened with bodily harm by their fellow students. A Cornell University professor called the murder and rape of men, women and babies “exhilarating” and “energizing.”

Universities, recipients of your tax dollars, are meant to be places of safe learning where debate and free thought are welcome. Instead, we watch videos of Jewish students barricading themselves in buildings as their peers bang on the door.

How did it come to this?

For years, our institutions of higher education have been the targets of our adversaries who are bent on influencing our children. Enemies such as China and state sponsors of terrorism, including Iran and Qatar, poured billions of dollars into U.S. universities, and they don’t do it out of the goodness of their hearts.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, and they certainly expect something in return in the way of influence and access.

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, X, 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