|
July 27, 2024
|
|
|
Dear John,
It was a busy week in Washington passing legislation, fighting for lower costs for Americans, and condemning enemies of the United States around the globe. On Wednesday, I joined my fellow lawmakers in welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for a historic address to a joint session of Congress.
Unfortunately, my district office was once again vandalized yesterday as someone threw a rock into our office window. While thankfully no one was injured, local police are investigating. Violence of any kind has no place in our society, and no amount of it will stop me from doing what I believe is right for Southern California families.
Get the details about all of this and more below, and make sure to follow my Facebook, Instagram, and X to get these updates in real-time.
|
|
Remembering the Korean War Armistice
This weekend, we remember the armistice of the Korean War 71 years later. This tragic, three-year conflict destroyed counted lives, military and civilian alike, and tore apart families that to this day remain divided between North and South. Both of my parents fled North Korea during the war. Many of us in Southern California share Korean descent, and many Korean Americans still have family and loved ones in North Korea.
We also remember the commitment of the United States to defend people around the world from the dangers of Communism. This commitment remains crucial today. As long as I am in Congress, I will work to promote freedom and democracy across the globe.
|
|
|
|
Welcoming the Israeli Prime Minister
On Wednesday, I joined my fellow lawmakers in welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the U.S. Capitol for his address to the joint session of Congress. This historic address could not have come at a more pressing time as Israel continues to defend itself against Hamas' terror and Iran's growing threats. The Prime Minister invited Noa Argamani, a woman who was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7th and was held hostage, until her rescue in June. Her presence in Congress highlighted the grave state of the over 130 hostages still being held by Hamas. Supporting our greatest ally in the Middle East is critical, particularly given the despicable violence that the people of Israel are facing. The United States must continue to stand with Israel.
|
|
|
|
Ensuring Mental Health Services for America's Foster Youth
I'm thrilled to say that the House Ways and Means Committee has passed the Protecting America's Children By Strengthening Families Act, which includes my legislation that aims to provide foster youth with mental health resources. My bill, the Foster Youth Mental Heath Support Act, would make huge strides in making this important resource more available to a vulnerable population. Foster youth are among the most vulnerable of our population and access to mental health resources is cited by the American Academy of Pediatrics as their largest unmet need. Today with an increasing focus on mental health, this legislation is needed now more than ever. The next stop for this bill is a vote by the full House of Representatives, and I look forward to joining my colleagues in voting for this bill's passage and providing these children with critical resources. You can read my full statement on the legislation's passage here.
|
|
Defending Human Rights in Vietnam
As Communist Vietnam continues in their abhorrent human rights abuses and silencing the free press, they have requested that the U.S. government classify Vietnam as a market economy. This week, I wrote to the Biden Administration and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo petitioning that they deny this request. Vietnam is guilty of currency manipulation and the country's state-owned enterprises still play a large role its economy. What's more, Vietnam's human rights record is abysmal. Today, activists like Y Quynh Bdap persecuted by the Communist Party Vietnam for religious exercise. For the United States to grant Vietnam market economy status would be an endorsement of these actions and I strongly oppose it. You can read my letter to Secretary Raimondo here and my full statement here.
|
|
|
|
|
Welcoming UCLA Championship Teams
|
|
On Monday, I had the joy of greeting the UCLA Women's Water Polo team and Men's Volleyball team at the U.S. Capitol as they celebrate their NCAA championship victories in Washington. Congratulations to all these young athletes! You should be proud of this huge accomplishment. |
|
Sounding the Alarm on Medicare Premium Increase
On Thursday, I led every House Republican from California in calling on President Biden to address coming premium increases for Medicare Part D. Americans are already facing record high inflation as a result of record spending from the Biden Administration. The coming 21.5% increase will be disastrous for the 6.6 million California seniors on Medicare. My colleagues and I called on President Biden to reach across the aisle and address this massive financial burden being put on seniors. You can read the full letter here.
|
|
|
|
What I'm Reading |
|
Gavin Newsom’s Unemployment Fiasco
.svg.png "2560px-The_Orange_County_Register_(2007-08-08).svg.png")
"Musk’s complaints about California go well beyond this new, malignant law. Under Newsom, the state has logged a number of firsts and worsts: the nation’s worst unemployment rate, its highest business and marginal-income tax rates, and massive, growing and fatal government pension liabilities. Suffering the nation’s highest poverty and homeless rates, the highest costs of living, housing, electricity, insurance and gasoline, it’s also reeling from the nation’s worst-ever state budget deficit."
Read More
|
U.S. Intercepts Russian and Chinese Bombers on First Joint Mission Off Alaska
"Russian and Chinese warplanes were intercepted off the coast of Alaska by U.S. and Canadian fighters Wednesday, marking the first time strategic bombers from the two U.S. adversaries have operated together near North America, a U.S. official said. Two Russian TU-95 Bear and two Chinese H-6 bombers flew into the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone, a buffer zone in international airspace, the North American Aerospace Defense Command said. The flights were the most recent sign of growing military and security cooperation between Moscow and Beijing."
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
.png "X_Logo_Grey_(2).png"){kind=logo}
