September 13, 2024

Remembering 9/11

This week, we observed the 23rd anniversary of 9/11. On that day, terrorists spurred by hatred took the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent Americans in New York City, Washington D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The attack shook our nation to its core and today, we remember the lives that were tragically lost and the families that still mourn loved ones.

The freedoms we enjoy here in the United States are despised by tyrants around the world. We must never take these, nor their price, for granted. I'm reminded of the words of President Regan.

"Freedom is a fragile thing and it's never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people."

Let us never forgot the lives that were lost that day, including the countless first responders and heroes.

Securing U.S. Ports

U.S. adversaries should not have access to our vital resources and supply chains. That's why I introduced the Secure Our Ports Act this week. This legislation will prohibit companies owned fully or in-part by the CCP and other adversaries from operating or managing a U.S. port.

In Congress, we must protect our critical supply chains. As a member of the Select Committee on Communist China, I know the threat that such nations can pose to our national and economic security. California is home to some of the largest ports in the United States, so those of us on the West Coast see this issue firsthand.

I look forward to successfully pushing this legislation through Congress.

To read more about this legislation, visit here.

Welcoming Home the 40th Infantry Division

On Sunday, I had the joy of being at Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos to welcome home the 40th Infantry Division from their deployment. It was an honor to thank these service members and their families and loved ones for their service and dedication to the nation. Our country could not be what it is without the service of these men and women, and all those in our military.

Because of their service, The United States offers freedoms that are not found anywhere else in the world, and stands as a shining light to all who live under tyranny.

Thank you to the members of the 40th Infantry Division, and welcome home. 

Making Health Care Affordable and Transparent

On Wednesday, the Committee on Education and Workforce passed my bill to lower health care costs for families, the Healthy Competition for Better Care Act.

This bipartisan legislation, H.R. 3120, will lower health care costs by creating a more competitive and transparent system, saving taxpayers $3.2 billion dollars. The bill will target the anti-competitive practices that large health care systems advance. It allows employers and insurers increased flexibility to provide patients with the care they need while providing incentives for enrollees to seek higher-quality, lower cost care.

I'm thrilled to see this legislation pass committee and I look forward to voting on it on the House Floor. Visit here to read my full statement on this passage. 

Standing Up to the CCP in Congress

This week, The U.S. House took a stand against the Chinese Communist Party and passed a series of legislation that will help limit the influence and scope of the CCP in the United States.

The CCP has hands in our supply chain, our educational institutions, and our intellectual property.

This week, I joined my colleagues in Congress to put a stop to it.

I spoke on the House Floor in support of H.R. 1516, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act. This legislation would halt federal funding to universities that host Confucius Institutes, a know arm of the CCP. Watch me full speech on the Floor here.

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