Dear Neighbor:

To all those observing Yom Kippur, I wish you a meaningful day of reflection and prayer, and an easy fast.

This week, thanks to President Biden and congressional Democrats, the third round of Child Tax Credit payments were sent out to families with children. This tax cut for most families with kids, secured by Democrats in the American Rescue Plan, is providing hardworking parents with hundreds of dollars each month through the end of the year to help pay for everyday expenses such as childcare, gas, food, and more. House Democrats are working to make this transformative relief permanent for eligible families. To check your eligibility for the tax cut, please click here.

Right now, House Democrats are also working to advance President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda. This week, the House finalized a budget plan to cut costs for the things that keep Americans up at night – like childcare, the price of medicine, home care, and the cost of college. As we work to reach an agreement, Democrats remain committed to passing a budget that meets the everyday needs of the American people and that addresses the climate crisis.

My Work in Congress

On Monday, I participated in a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Afghanistan. I asked Secretary Blinken about the February 2020 agreement, which was negotiated by the Trump Administration with the Taliban.

WATCH MY FULL REMARKS HERE

I also attended a House Judiciary Committee markup, during which I voted to include provisions creating an opportunity for essential workers to obtain legal permanent resident status in the Build Back Better bill. I’m pleased these provisions - which I authored along with Congressman Castro - passed out of the House Judiciary Committee, getting us one step closer to a pathway to citizenship for undocumented essential workers. These workers were on the frontlines of this pandemic, often risking their lives to ensure communities had necessary goods and services. Providing them a pathway to citizenship is a smart investment in our country and our budget.

In addition, I introduced a bill this week to reform the practice of Assignment Restrictions at the State Department. The State Department’s Assignment Restrictions policy is discriminatory, disproportionately impacts federal employees who can’t trace their heritage to the Mayflower, and directly undermines the Department’s goal of promoting diversity and inclusion. My bill will require the State Department to take steps to remove undue bias when diplomats are prevented from working in a certain country or region because of their ethnicity.

Get Vaccinated!

The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. If you have questions about the vaccine, please consult your doctor.

Everyone age 12 and older who lives or works in LA County is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Please check VaccinateLACounty.com for updated information on walk-in vaccinations or to book an appointment ahead of time. To find a vaccination site near you, please visit corona-virus.la/VaxSites. Minors must be accompanied by an adult and bring a signed consent form to receive the Pfizer vaccine.

If you have a disability or do not have access to the internet and need assistance making your vaccination appointment, you can contact the County’s Call Center –– open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. –– at (833) 540-0473. You can also call this number or fill out an online request form if you or a family member need to be vaccinated at home.

Additional Resources and Reminders

Read about President Biden’s new six-point COVID plan: whitehouse.gov/covidplan.
LA Sanitation and Environment opened a reimbursement program for residents who were impacted by the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant spill. Since Hyperion has completed most of its recovery efforts, the program will officially close next Thursday, September 23rd. Any AC or related units must be purchased before 11:59 p.m. on September 23rd, and anyone relocated to a hotel will not be reimbursed for stays on or after September 24th. For more information, please click here.
I’m thrilled to have secured over $10 million in federal funding for CA-33 projects in the House appropriations bills to help fight homelessness, support our veterans, expand access to mental health services, and more. Please click here to learn more about the projects.
For tips on how to prepare for wildfire season, including protecting your home, assembling an emergency kit, and more, please visit lafd.org/ready-set-go and readyforwildfire.org.
Eligible renters and landlords in the City of Los Angeles can now apply for emergency assistance through the State at HousingIsKey.com or by calling 833-430-2122. Please apply before eviction protections end on September 30th. If you’ve already applied, the LA Housing Department will reach out via email or phone to clarify next steps.
If you’re looking for federal small business resources, such as PPP loan forgiveness information and guidance on preventing the spread of COVID in the workplace, please visit this one-stop shop: covid-sb.org.
Please renew your passport at least six months before it is set to expire. The State Department is processing an unprecedented number of passport applications and renewals. If you plan to travel abroad, please ensure your passport is up to date. To renew, please visit travel.state.gov.
If you need someone to talk to, please call the LA County Department of Mental Health hotline at 800-854-7771 or text “LA” to 741741.
If you are in need of food assistance; housing relief; information about COVID-19; and more, please call 2-1-1 or visit 211la.org.
September is National Recovery Month. LA Public Health is hosting special events and movie screenings throughout the month to celebrate those on their recovery journey.

For more information on COVID, the vaccines, and my work in Congress, please visit my website at lieu.house.gov and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. I look forward to updating you again soon.

Stay safe.

Sincerely,

Ted W. Lieu
Member of Congress

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