July 12, 2024

Dear John,

Aggression and human rights abuses by communist regimes in China, Vietnam, and North Korea demand a tougher response from the United States. Here in Congress, I am continuing to advocate for justice to the victims of these oppressive nations. Considering that Southern California is home to families of diverse backgrounds, my constituents and I are very familiar with the struggles faced by people in communist nations. As a member of Congress, I will continue to work diligently towards justice and freedom for all people.

This week, I spoke on the House floor calling for the release of Vietnamese political prisoners and attended the Korean Church Coalition for North Korean Freedom rally.

Get the details about these issues and more below, and make sure to follow my Facebook, Instagram, and X to get these updates in real-time.

Speaking Out for Vietnamese Prisoners

On the House floor, I demanded the release of activists Y Quynh Bdap and Nguyen Thuy Hanh. Y Quynh Bdap is a Vietnamese religious minority and activist who fled his home country and has since been arrested by the government of Thailand, where he is pending extradition. Should he be extradited, he will surely face immediate arrest, brutal torture and lengthy imprisonment. For the government of Thailand to do so would be a violation of international human rights agreements.

Nguyen Thuy Hanh is a Vietnamese human rights activist who was arrested in Vietnam for collecting funds for the families of prisoners of conscience. For Nguyen Thuy Hanh to be punished for supporting the families of opposing political parties is a severe human right violation, but one unsurprising for the Communist Party of Vietnam. Her three years of imprisonment are made even more horrific as she was recently diagnosed with stage two cervical cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

This week I called on U.S. and Thai diplomats to work to secure the release of these brave activists. I also call on the Vietnamese government to stop trampling on the human rights of their citizens. Visit here to view my speech on the House floor and visit here to read a full recap of my efforts.

Responding to China's Increasing Aggression

With Communist China escalating tensions more and more around the globe, it is the responsibility of the United States to not be silent. Acts of aggression by the CCP against the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Malaysia in the South and East China Seas are unacceptable. For example, the Chinese Coast Guard recently intercepted a Taiwanese fishing boat and detained the five crewmembers. The CCP cannot be allowed to bully its neighbors into submission. The United States must stand against these unjust, unprompted acts of aggression against other nation’s sovereignty and their ability to participate in global trade without fear of Chinese retaliation. The stability of the region is at risk and the United States must take a stand. This week, I called on Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to take a more aggressive position against the CCP. You can read my full letter here and statement here, and find a recap of my advocacy for getting tough on China in the Washington Times.

Rallying for Freedom in North Korea

I joined fellow members of Congress and freedom fighters for the Korean Church Coalition for the North Korean Freedom Rally in Washington. This powerful event raised awareness for the millions living in brutal oppression under the North Korean regime. As the daughter of parents who fled these horrors, this issue is especially personal to me. I am grateful to stand with members of the Korean Church Coalition in calling for the United States to send a powerful message that the Communist regimes of North Korea and China must be held accountable.

I'll continue this work in the House with legislation like House Resolution 1080, which I am proud to sponsor and calls on the U.S. government to address human rights crises endured by North Koreans in China.

Fentanyl Working Group

My colleagues and I on the Fentanyl Policy Working Group continue to work toward solutions to combatting the Chinese Communist Party's role in the fentanyl crisis. This week, I spoke with KTLA about this desperate issue, and the role that lax border security plays in the drug epidemic. Visit here to watch KTLA’s coverage.

Nearly all the fentanyl in circulation in the United States is manufactured in China and smuggled through our southern border, as well as via Southern California’s ports. California is particularly vulnerable to this deadly narcotic given our proximity to the border. Fentanyl is the leading killer of Americans aged 18-45 and the CCP must pay a price for their poisoning of America's young people. I am proud to serve on the Fentanyl Policy Working Group to find solutions to this crisis and to hold the CCP accountable.

Celebrating Our Seniors and Nonprofits

California's 45th district would not be the same without the seniors and nonprofits who lead, assist, and promote our community. We would like to celebrate these charities and community members with the 2024 Seniors of Distinction Award and the 2024 Nonprofit of Distinction Award. Nominate a senior here and nominate a nonprofit here.

What I'm Reading

LA-OC home prices 10 times greater than incomes, report finds

"Buying a home in Los Angeles and Orange counties costs 10 times more than what a typical family earns in a year, a new housing report shows. That’s double what it was in 1980, when the price of a house was five times the median household income, according to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. The L.A.-Orange County metro area had the fourth-highest price-income ratio out of 385 U.S. metro areas listed in the report, which came out in late June."

"Recent incidents of Chinese coast guard harassment toward the Philippines, Taiwan and other regional states require a stronger U.S. response, Rep. Michelle Steel said in a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin."

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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