October 18, 2024

Dear John,

I'm proud to call Southern California home, and I will always fight for the values that you and I share, like an affordable cost of living and safe neighborhoods.
Issues like rampant crime and rising costs continue to hurt our communities and neighbors.
In Washington, I'm working to fight the high prices and crime brought about by left-wing policies in Sacramento and Washington.

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.

Fighting Newsom’s High Gas Prices

In a time of already record high prices on goods like food and clothing, California also has the highest price of gas per gallon. Even still, leaders in Sacramento continue to pass policies that make gas less and less affordable. Right now, Governor Newsom's California Air Resource Board is attempting to pass regulations that would raise the price of gas by as much as 47 cents per gallon.

Earlier this year, I joined some of my congressional colleagues from California in urging Governor Newsom to stop raising gas prices on Californians amid ongoing inflation. Visit here to read that letter.

High gas costs mean a higher cost to visit family, drive to work, and frequent local businesses. Californians cannot afford the taxes and regulations driving gas prices through the roof, and I will continue to fight these policies which hurt working Californians.

Submissions Due for the Congressional App Challenge

Our region is so lucky to be home to many incredible schools that prepare our students for a bright and successful future.

Every year, Congress has the chance to highlight such students from across the country in the Congressional App Challenge. Groups or individual students who live or attend a school in CA-45 and are interested in coding or STEM are challenged to create an original app. The winning app will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building and featured on the House of Representatives website.

The deadline to apply is October 24th and winners will be announced in December.
For more information on the challenge, and to learn about last year's winners, visit www.steel.house.gov.

Celebrating Little Saigon

Southern California boasts rich diversity and cultural heritage that makes our region the gem that it is.
This week, I joined local leaders in Westminster to celebrate a new highway sign in Little Saigon which will welcome visitors to this beautiful center of Vietnamese heritage and life.

Local businesses, public resources, and an incredible community of people reside in Little Saigon. This tribute is a testament to their contributions to our region and highlight the community for all travelers passing through.

To learn more about my work in Little Saigon, including renaming the post office in honor of Vietnam War Veterans, visit here.

Crime in Our Community

Week after week, you and I see reports of violent crime occurring across our community. Families, neighbors, and businesses all feel the effects of crime.
As a border state, we also see the wave of fentanyl that has seeped onto our streets in concerning quantities.
The answer to the crime crisis is to support local law enforcement, enhance penalties for violent crime, and secure the border. As a member of the Fentanyl Working Group, I've spoken with law enforcement officials on the federal, state, and local levels. They need our support in curbing the fentanyl and crime crisis.
I will always fight to support our law enforcement officials and ensure they have the resources needed to combat violent crime.

Medicare Open Enrollment Begins

As your federal representative in the U.S. House, my office and I are here to provide information and help you navigate federal agencies. Serving my constituents' basic needs is a high priority for me.

Open enrollment for Medicare is now open until December 7th. To learn more about enrolling or changing your current plan, visit www.medicare.gov

Additionally, if you are finding problems renewing a passport, getting a federal tax return, or getting help from the VA, my office might be able to assist you.
In Congress, I will always fight hard to safeguard the benefits that you have worked for, like Medicare and Social Security.

For help from a federal agency visit my website at steel.house.gov/gethelp

What I'm Reading

Phillips 66 announces closure of Los Angeles refinery days after Newsom adds new regulations

"The company plans to shut down its operations in the fourth quarter of 2025. The Los Angeles oil refinery has about 600 employees and 300 contractors. On Monday, Newsom signed into law a bill requiring that oil refineries in the state maintain a minimum amount of fuel to avoid supply shortages. California lawmakers have linked supply shortages to gasoline price hikes. Specifically, the law would authorize the California Energy Commission (CEC) to oversee refineries in the state and ensure they uphold a minimum amount of fuel, feedstocks, and blending components. The commission would also require refiners to have a resupply plan for future maintenance outages."

A day after learning of the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, diplomats and governments on Friday pushed to take advantage of the unexpected killing as a chance to restart moribund talks for a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of hostages.
President Joe Biden said Thursday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken would arrive in Israel within days in one more attempt to push the process forward, while Vice President Kamala Harris said in a social media post that Sinwar’s death '“gives us an opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza.'”

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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