May 24, 2024

Standing Up to Antisemitism

Recent months have seen an alarming rise in antisemitic activity on college campuses, including at UCLA and UCI in Southern California, culminating in threats to the safety of Jewish students. Major universities have been derelict in their duty by standing idly by as rioters harass Jewish students, set up pro-Hamas encampments, and throw higher education into chaos.

I had a chance to question UCLA Chancellor Gene Block before the House Education and Workforce Committee regarding his failures and delays in addressing antisemitism on his campus. As has been well-documented, UCLA's leaders stood by as encampment members assaulted Jewish students and blocked them from central parts of campus. I was disappointed in Chancellor Block's evasive answers and failures to answer my questions, and believe he and other higher education leaders need to do more to both protect students and teach students how to think - not what to think.

Fighting for California Taxpayers

With California currently delinquent in repaying loans borrowed from the federal Unemployment Trust Fund, I introduced legislation to protect California small businesses from tax hikes resulting from this failure by Governor Newsom to repay our state's debts. Job creators in California already face high taxes, and Newsom's failure to repay federal loans to support pandemic unemployment insurance means that small business owners will see higher unemployment insurance taxes.

My Protecting Small Businesses from Imposed Tax Hikes Act would prevent further unemployment tax hikes for small businesses in states like California that have mismanaged their unemployment insurance programs, saving job creators from an undue tax burden. I will always fight for the taxpayers and small business owners at the heart of our economy, even in the face of reckless financial management by liberal governors.

Congratulations to President Lai Ching-Te

Meeting with new Taiwan President Lai Ching-te last year during his service as Vice President of Taiwan.

This week saw the swearing in of new Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, who I had the honor of meeting last year during his service as Vice President and discussing the U.S. and Taiwan's shared values. I was able to stop by and address a celebration of President Ching-te hosted by Taiwan Ambassador Alexander Tah-ray Yui this week in Washington.

I will always support a free and sovereign Taiwan, and look forward to strengthening our partnership in the years to come.

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