November 1, 2024

Fighting for Lower Gas Prices

We in California are paying more per gallon at the pump than any other American, thanks to left-wing regulations and excessive taxes championed by Governor Newsom. More expensive gas means that travel to work, school, and family visits are all more expensive. Additionally, essentials like food and clothing are more expensive thanks to Biden-Harris and Newsom spending policies which have spurred inflation. 

This week, I joined KABC Radio Host Frank Mottek to discuss new regulations coming from Sacramento and the effect they would have on Californians at the pump. Regulations set to be voted on by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) could add as much as 47 cents per gallon to the price of gasoline next year.   

Last week, I led my colleagues from California in demanding that CARB delay its November 8 vote to implement these regulations and study the cost they would place on Californians. 

You can read more about my letter here and visit here to listen to my full conversation with Frank Mottek.

Condemning Human Rights Violators

Leadership on the world stage is a great responsibility, and all nations in leadership roles are role models for the rest of the world, especially in the area of human rights. 

This month members of the UN Human Rights Council were announced, among them are the Chinese Communist Party, Cuba, and Vietnam, all of whom have horrendous human rights records. In response, I called on the United Nations to expel these communist countries from the council and stop enabling their human rights crimes. You can read more about my letter here.

These communist nations persecute their own citizens for violations such as religious expression, dissenting speech, and free reporting. I have spoken out strongly in support of victims of these regime’s oppressive human rights violations, including individuals like Y Quynh Bdap and Thich Minh Tue who have been severely persecuted by the Vietnamese government.

To have such nations on the Human Rights Counsel enables human rights violations and neglects the victims of their crimes.

Responding to Campus Antisemitism

As Israel continues to defend itself against terrorist organizations and adversarial nations, antisemitism continues to run rampant on America’s college campuses. Recently, Jewish students have experienced growing cases of antisemitic hatred, including from fellow students and faculty.

Yesterday, the Education and Workforce Committee I serve on released findings from our investigation into antisemitism on college campuses. We found that across the county and in California, universities showed negligence in responding to hatred, failed to support Jewish students, and failed to discipline students guilty of hateful acts toward Jewish students. 

The findings are disheartening, but unfortunately characteristic of these universities. In an Education and Workforce Committee hearing, I asked these University leaders, including former Chancellor Gene Block of UCLA, why they failed to support Jewish students and discipline hateful acts. 

You can find more on my work defending Jewish members of our community and fighting antisemitism on my website. 

Celebrating California's Civil Rights Milestones

Seventy-seven years ago, California became the very first state to desegregate public schools in America with the landmark Mendez v. Westminster ruling. This groundbreaking court case led the way to the national, Brown v. Board of Education case which desegregated public schools across the county, a huge milestone in the fight for civil rights. Desegregated schools have meant that students of all backgrounds and nationalities receive the same opportunities and chances of success. 

This week, I joined local leaders in celebrating this ruling and the recent passage of AB 1805 in the State Legislature, sponsored by Assemblymember Tri Ta. This will require that this case be taught in California schools so that all our students will learn about this historic event. 

This year, I co-sponsored legislation that will designate the U.S. Courthouse in downtown LA as the Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez U.S. Courthouse and this legislation is currently awaiting passage through the senate. You can read more about it 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