March 8, 2024

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Dear John, 

Last night, President Biden gave his fourth State of the Union Address. While the President claimed the State of our Union is "strong," the reality is that his weakness has left our economy in shambles, our national security vulnerable, our cities less safe, and our border unsecure. Southern Californians are living the consequences of President Biden’s choices, including seeing our communities torn apart by opioid overdoses. California’s 45th District deserves better.

That's exactly my focus every single day. This week, I'm proud to announce the House passed a funding package including over $27 million for critical projects in our District. I've also been working to put a stop to the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) theft of American intellectual property, urging the Administration to get tough on the Vietnamese government's human rights abuses, and will be hosting a Community Resource Fair in the coming weeks.

Get the details about all of this and more below, and make sure to follow my FacebookInstagram, and X to get these updates in real-time.


Securing Funding for Our Community

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This week, the House passed the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) funding package, which I'm proud to report included over $27 million in direct funding requested by cities and community stakeholders in California’s 45th District. 

These important projects originate from the community and will support key needs within our cities. They provide much needed upgrades to our communities from law enforcement facilities to critical water and transportation infrastructure.

The funding includes the following projects:

$2,500,000 - City of Fullerton - Police Station Historic Rehabilitation & Remediation Project

$350,000 - City of Garden Grove - Police Department Cyber Security Infrastructure Enhancement Project

$748,800 - City of Garden Grove - Arterial Highway Rehabilitation of Trask Avenue, from Harbor Boulevard to Fairview Street

$750,000 - City of Placentia - Public Safety Center 911 Technology Upgrades

$500,000 - City of Fountain Valley - Fountain Valley Universally Accessible Playground

$1,000,000 - City of Hawaiian Gardens - Recreation Center Improvements

$2,000,000 - City of Brea – Modernize and expand Arovista Park

$1,000,000 - City of Buena Park - Construct a new municipal water well in order to provide and store a local supply of safe drinking water for the community

$6,000,000 - City of Artesia - Citywide Road Project

$5,000,000 - City of Cerritos, Lakewood, La Palma, and Cypress - Del Amo Boulevard Bridge Replacement and Signal Enhancements Project

$383,000 - Westminster Police Department - Backup Data Center

$1,000,000 - Cerritos College - Cerritos College Career Command Center, a Student Veteran Career Readiness Training Program

$250,000 - Boys and Girls Club of Greater Anaheim/Cypress - Workforce Development Program

$5,000,000 - California State University, Fullerton - Titan Gateway Bridge

$582,410 - City of Los Alamitos - Los Alamitos Active Transportation Plan

Learn More

Calling All Student Artists

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My office is accepting submissions for the 2024 Congressional Art Competition. If you know a talented young artist who should have their work displayed in the Halls of Congress, this competition is for them!

Submissions are open through April 12th, at 3:00 PM. The competition is open to middle and high school students from the grades of 6th - 12th. The school must be located in California’s 45th District, or the student must reside in the District.

Learn More

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I’m honored to have been named a “Champion of Community Health Centers” by the NACHC. Community Health Centers are essential to providing affordable, quality care to Southern Californians, and I am proud to stand with them!


Holding the Vietnamese Communist Party Accountable

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Taking their cues from the CCP, Vietnam continues to commit egregious violations of their citizens’ religious freedoms. The Communist Party of Vietnam requires all religious organizations to register with the government, and jails and oppresses offenders.

This cannot be allowed to continue unanswered. This week, I wrote to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging him to classify Vietnam as a “Country of Particular Concern” in response to their worsening human rights violations.

Reports have found that Vietnam has increased its suppression of religious freedoms compared to four years ago, including holding 260 prisoners of conscience. By re-classifying Vietnam, the action could affect Vietnam’s foreign aid and result in international condemnation.

I am asking Secretary Blinken to take this action to raise the United States’ pressure on Vietnam to release its political prisoners and end this war on religious freedom.

Learn More

Coming Soon: Community Health & Resource Fair

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My office is hosting a Community Health and Resource Fair in Westminster on March 23, 2024, to share information on how to access public services available to Southern Californians. 

Representatives from the Department of U.S Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), the Department of Labor (DOL), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and many other local, state, and non-profit resources will be present to answer questions and provide assistance.

Any questions about the event can be directed to my team by phone at (714) 960-6483 or email. As always, we welcome questions, concerns, or requests for assistance with federal agencies at any time. 


Video
WATCH: Rep. Steel Participates in Select Committee on China Hearing on the Bioeconomy

At this week's Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party hearing, I discussed the importance of protecting intellectual property, especially with critical emerging technologies.

My bill, the Medical Supply Chain Resilience Act would secure our medical supply chains & reduce our reliance on the CCP.


Preventing CCP Theft

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The CCP has a long history of exploiting United States intellectual property for their own gain, costing U.S. innovators up to $600 billion a year. They have made clear that stealing intellectual property is faster and cheaper than developing their own technology.

That is why I led my colleagues in asking President Biden to reject the World Trade Organization’s proposal to waive global IP protections for COVID-19 therapeutics and diagnostics. President Biden must put an end to this waiver that would simply aid and abet the CCP’s grand larceny.

Learn More

Intern in My Office

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The application to intern in my Washington, D.C. or Cypress, CA offices for the Summer is open. Students selected for an internship will gain invaluable work experience while learning about the inner workings of the House of Representatives. 

Candidates must possess excellent writing and verbal communication skills. In addition, we are seeking highly collaborative team players with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. If you are a hardworking, dedicated individual who has a desire to help improve the Southern California community, this internship is for you!

Learn More and Apply

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I’m happy to recognize Westminster’s own Smile for Success Dental Center - a veteran owned business providing a wide range of great dental services to our community. Thanks for bringing brighter smiles to Southern California!


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What I'm Reading

Washington Post: Congressional leaders invite prime minister of Japan to address Congress...

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"Congressional leaders have invited the prime minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, to address a joint meeting of Congress on April 11, saying the relationship between the U.S. and Japan has proven to be a force for good and a catalyst for prosperity."

Read More

Fox News: Migrant encounters at southern border surpass 21,000 in 72 hours, CBP sources say

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"The U.S. may be on the brink of a potential spring surge of illegal crossings at the southern border after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sources told Fox News early Monday that migrant encounters have surpassed 21,000 over three days."

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 FacebookX, and Instagram pages, where I post the latest news and updates. It is an honor to serve you in Congress.

Sincerely,

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Rep. Michelle Steel
Member of Congress


 
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