Dear Neighbor:

I am thrilled to be back in Washington to continue House Democrats’ work For the People. Right now, we’re working to advance President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda to create more jobs, cut middle class taxes, and lower costs for American families. This is essentially a massive jobs bill. I remain committed to passing legislation that meets the everyday needs of the American people and that addresses the climate crisis.

On Tuesday, the House passed a Continuing Resolution to avoid a government shutdown and secure funding to address recent natural disasters and the resettlement of Afghan refugees. This legislation also includes a suspension of the debt limit through December 2022. Addressing the debt limit is not about future spending. It is about meeting obligations the government has already made. Failure to raise the debt ceiling as we heal from COVID would prompt a financial crisis, which is why we need bipartisan support to pass this essential funding bill and address the debt limit.  

Yesterday, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes six provisions I authored. The amendments reflect diverse policy priorities including ensuring the West LA VA can use easement funds for homeless veteran housing and extending the prohibition of mid-air refueling of coalition aircraft in Yemen.

Finally, today we passed the Women’s Health Protection Act to enshrine into law the constitutional right to an abortion found in Roe v. Wade. The extreme nature of the Texas SB8 law, which effectively bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy with no exceptions for rape or incest and creates vigilante incentives for neighbors to report on one another and sue each other, has made it clear – Congress must act.

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Additional Work in Congress

Consumer Protection: Button batteries are included in many children’s toys, TV remotes, and other household items. If accidentally swallowed by children, these batteries can cause serious injuries that often become fatal. This issue was brought to my attention by one of my constituents, who reached out to tell her own story about her 16-month-old daughter who accidentally ingested a button battery. After spending several weeks in the hospital, her child fortunately survived, but still faces severe health challenges. I also heard the story of Trista Hamsmith, a mother whose 18-month-old child, Reese, was not so lucky. Reese tragically lost her life after accidentally swallowing a battery. It has been absolutely heart-wrenching to hear these stories about children whose lives have been taken or severely impacted by these preventable accidents. That’s why I was honored to join Representatives Robin Kelly and Jodey Arrington this week to introduce Reese’s Law, bipartisan legislation to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to create safety standards to prevent the ingestion of button batteries by children.

Have you been vaccinated?

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19. The vaccines are safe and effective. If you have questions, please consult your doctor.

[REP. LIEU ONE-MINUTE SPEECH ON COVID]

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. 

REMINDER: Are you prepared in case of a wildfire? To learn how to ready your home and property to withstand a wildfire, please visit defensiblespace.org. The website includes best practices for home hardening and fire-wise landscaping to reduce the risk of ignition on your property. The Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains is also offering free home evaluations through a new Home Ignition Zone Evaluation Program to homeowners in Los Angeles County. Participating homeowners can receive a detailed evaluation report with top priorities to improve their resistance to wildfire.

Thank you for your continued efforts to keep our community safe and healthy. For updated information on COVID-19 in LA County, please visit LA Public Health’s website. To stay informed on 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