March 15, 2024

Protecting Your Data

This week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. There's been a lot of misinformation about this bill, so I want to make sure you have the facts. This bill incentivizes divestment of TikTok by ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, which is subject to complete and total control by the CCP. Make no mistake, the CCP will try to use Americans' data for nefarious purposes. The bill also addresses the national security risks posed by other applications controlled by foreign adversary companies, and empowers users to more easily switch platforms. It does not punish individual social media users, censor speech, or impact apps that sever ties to foreign adversaries like the CCP.

I voted for H.R. 7521 to send TikTok a clear message: you can do business in the United States, or you can sell out the American people to ByteDance and the CCP – but you can’t do both. As a member of the Select Committee on the CCP, I have seen first-hand the overwhelming evidence of the threat TikTok poses to our national security. The stakes are too high for inaction. I am proud the House acted in an overwhelming bipartisan fashion protect our country from the CCP, and I urge my Senate colleagues to quickly do the same.

Coming Soon: Community Health & Resource Fair

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.

Supporting Human Rights

Recent reports indicate that the CCP is forcibly repatriating North Korean defectors. If they are repatriated, North Koreans endure serious human rights abuses including torture, rape, forced labor, and death.

As North Korea and the CCP aggressively hunt for defectors, innocent North Koreans searching for freedom, like my parents did so many years ago, need our help now more than ever. The vast majority of these individuals are women and girls who are sexually abused, trafficked, and forced into ‘marriages’ with Chinese citizens. They are treated as less than human. We must use every tool at our disposal to end these horrific abuses.”

That's why I introduced a bipartisan resolution with Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Young Kim (R-CA) and Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY) urging the Biden Administration and our allies to address the human rights crisis facing North Koreans in China. North Koreans who have escaped their Communist government into China looking for freedom face detention, forced labor, human trafficking, and forcible repatriation back to North Korea.

Calling All Student Artists

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.

What I'm Reading

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