Dear John,

It has been three weeks since President Trump took office, and I wanted to take a moment to provide an update on my work in Washington and acknowledge the concerns many of you have shared.

My office has received an influx in calls and messages about many of the Administration's actions. Your passion and engagement is a testament to the strength of our democracy and your commitment to our great nation. 

I know that things are moving fast in Washington. While I am committed to finding common ground with the new Administration where I can to deliver for Sacramento County, I will not hesitate to push back when they overreach and when proposals threaten our core values.

My focus remains on making government work for you, ensuring there is no interruption to the vital services you rely on and standing up for the rights and freedoms we all hold dear.

Please continue reading to get the rundown on the latest updates from my office. If you'd like to get updates as they happen, I encourage you to follow my social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, Bluesky and Threads! 

Be well, 

Ami Bera, M.D.
Member of Congress

Joining Forces with Fellow Democratic Doctors to Oppose RFK Jr.’s Nomination to Lead HHS

Last week, I joined five of my fellow Democratic physicians in the House of Representatives to speak out against the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to become Secretary of Health and Human Services. My colleagues and I issued the following joint statement highlighting the threat he presents to our public health system:

"The American people deserve an HHS Secretary who is guided by science, evidence, and a commitment to public health. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promotes dangerous and unfounded mistrust in vaccines which are proven to have saved millions of lives. He is a threat to basic mental and reproductive health care services, and exhibits a concerning lack of understanding of key aspects of our healthcare system.  

“As physicians, we are fearful of the harm his confirmation would do not only to our patients, but all Americans.

"We are committed to upholding science and protecting the well-being of the communities we serve. This is not about politics— it’s about ensuring competent, fact-based leadership at HHS. We urge the Senate to reject this nomination and confirm a leader who will strengthen, not weaken, our public health system."

Trump Administration’s Unlawful Assault on USAID Endangers Lives and Undermines U.S. National Security 

The Trump administration’s continued attacks on USAID—gutting its staffing, halting programs without review, freezing lifesaving assistance and now attempting to shut down the agency—are dangerous and shortsighted. These actions threaten American security, global stability and our ability to compete with adversaries including China, Russia and Iran. 

Congress has made it clear: USAID is, by law, an independent agency. Any attempt to alter that structure without congressional approval is not only unlawful but a direct attack on America’s ability to lead through diplomacy and development. USAID’s work gives us a strategic edge over our competitors, prevents disease outbreaks from reaching our shores and opens up new markets for American exports. Freezing essential development assistance and humanitarian aid puts lives at risk and makes Americans less safe.

I urge my Republican colleagues to join Democrats in reasserting our congressional authority to ensure USAID’s vital and life-saving work continues. The cost of retreating from our commitments and withdrawing from the world is far too great.

Meeting with Congressional App Challenge Winners from CA-06!

I had the pleasure of meeting the Mira Loma High School students who won the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for CA-06 with their app, QuitTogether.

Congratulations to Daksh Mamnani, Srimadhav Malavathu, Aatreyo Bhattacharyya and Kashish Vankayala for developing a practical and thoughtful tool to help their peers quit vaping.

QuitTogether offers a goal tracker, an AI-powered assistant for support, a daily news section and a clinic locator— giving their peers real resources to help them on their journey.

When I asked what motivated them to create this app, they described how vaping has become a daily disruption at school—false alarms blaring in classrooms, bathrooms filled with smoke and students turning to nicotine without fully understanding the risks. They saw a real gap in resources for teenagers trying to quit, especially since vaping is often viewed as a "safer" alternative to smoking, despite its serious health risks. After speaking with people in rehab, they realized just how hard it is to find support tailored for young people. Their app is a direct response to that need.

This year’s Congressional App Challenge saw a record number of students across our nation competing, each harnessing the power of technology to tackle real-world problems. Meeting young innovators like these gives me so much hope for the future.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR APP

Celebrating Lunar New Year!

I attended Asian Resources Inc.'s Lunar New Year celebration in Sacramento to ring in the Year of the Snake. The event was filled with community members in vibrant cultural attire, and a spirited Dragon Dance performance brought joy and excitement to mark the start of the new year.

I wish all who celebrated this festive holiday a joyous and healthy new year filled with wisdom, resilience and new opportunities!

STAY CONNECTED!

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