June 18, 2024

Dear John,

Last week was a busy one in Washington, with the House approving my legislation to enhance the United States' security alliance with Taiwan as part of a package which increases pay for our military families.

Additionally, my SPEAK Act which expands access to critical telehealth services also gained momentum and now awaits a vote by the full House of Representatives.

Below you can find more details on these legislative items, and also find resources for scheduling visits of landmarks like the U.S. Capitol and the White House. For real-time updates of my work on your behalf, be sure to follow my Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Defending Taiwan and Raising Military Pay

Last week the House of Representatives passed my TAIWAN Security Act, which enhances security cooperation between the U.S. and Taiwan in the face of rising threats from Communist China. My bill would take key steps to improve our nations' joint military readiness, solidifying our alliance with a key democratic ally in the Indo-Pacific. This legislation was included as part of the annual National Defense Authorization Act, which provides funding for our nation's military operations. The measure I supported also provided a salary boost as well as improved housing and medical care for members of the military, including a nearly 20% raise for junior enlisted service members. You can read more about the legislation here.

Expanding Health Care Access

One of my biggest priorities in Congress continues to be expanding health care access. This includes telehealth, an increasingly popular option for many patients due to its greater convenience and, in some cases, reduced costs. I'm pleased to report that last week my SPEAK Act took one step closer to becoming law after passing through the Energy and Commerce Committee. The SPEAK Act would help remove barriers to telehealth for patients with limited English-speaking skills, an issue that is very important to me considering the diverse district I represent. You can read more about my bill here, which now awaits passage by the full House of Representatives.

Standing for Religious Freedom

The Vietnamese Government is continuing its pattern of religious persecution, this time detaining a Buddhist monk and his followers while on a pilgrimage across Vietnam. Mirroring the oppressive tactics of Communist China, the Communist Party of Vietnam seems to be punishing Thich Minh Tue and his followers because they are not part of the state-sanctioned Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS). This chilling crackdown on religious expression is indefensible and wrong, and I called on U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to hold the Vietnamese Government accountable for violating religious freedoms. Watch my speech on the House floor addressing religious freedom in Vietnam here.

Visiting Our Nation's Capital

My office recently secured a White House tour for the Luis Family from Los Alamitos, CA. They had a great time seeing the White House and other sights in our nation's capital! If you would like to set up a visit for your family in Washington, I'm happy to assist with tours of the Capitol, the White House, and other prominent government buildings. Please note that if you're interested in seeing the White House, you should request a tour at least three months in advance. To learn more, please visit my website.

What I'm Reading

My Op-Ed: Julie Su's Conflict of Interest

"Too little has been said about how the lead enforcer of labor policy in the world's largest economy presided over $33 billion in fraudulent pandemic unemployment payments in America's largest state. Such poor oversight came as Su refused to heed warnings that her programs were uniquely vulnerable to fraud.

But even worse, Su is trying to pull a fast one over taxpayers to cover her own tracks."

"The targets had all crossed the southern border and initial vetting by federal authorities didn't turn up any negative information tied to their names."

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 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

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Rep. Steel | 1127 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Unsubscribe