I joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Mayors of Orange County’s coastline cities, and local officials from the Orange County Board of Supervisors to share an update on the Surfside-Sunset & Newport Beach Replenishment Project. August 20, 2022 Dear John, This week, I joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and local officials from the Orange County to share an important update on the replenishment of sand in our coastal communities. I also took a tour with the U.S. Coast Guard to learn about their work to keep our shipping traffic flowing and our coastal waters safe. I'm calling on the Senate to take up and pass critical legislation to ensure the Coast Guard has the resources it needs to do it job and that our supply chains are protected from future disruptions. I also visited with law enforcement, local business owners, and constituents here in Orange County. Keep reading to learn about all this and more. Make sure to follow my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get these updates in real-time. Delivering Results for Orange County I joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Mayors of Orange County’s coastline cities, and local officials from the Orange County Board of Supervisors to share an update on the Surfside-Sunset & Newport Beach Replenishment Project. Earlier this year, we secured $15.5 million in funding for the much-needed project. Col. Julie A. Balten from the USACE provided an update on the project’s timing, sharing that the sand replenishment will begin in 2024. For more than a decade this has been a top priority for me & our local community & I’m proud to deliver this much-needed support for OC. Our beaches are our lifeblood, & this project will ensure the safety of our communities & the health of our coastline for generations to come. WATCH: Update on Sand Replenishment Project Read More in the OC Register I visited Ganahl Lumber in Costa Mesa to learn about their operations and learn about the challenges facing the lumber industry in California. It was great to see their state of the art facilities and hear a bit about their decades of work to provide these important tools and resources to our region. Advocating for You I’m proud to share that my team has successfully returned over $14 million dollars from federal agencies to constituents of the 48th District. If you need assistance with the IRS, SBA, VA, or another agency, give us a call at (714) 960-6483 to learn more about how we can help you and your family. Get Assistance Watch My Interview Here WATCH: More Grandmothers Need to Stand Up I joined Fox & Friends with Rep. Diana Harshbarger to discuss what being a mother and grandmother means to me. We’re working in Congress to make our country better for our kids and grandkids. ‌ Are you or someone you know thinking about applying to one of the military service academies? Be sure to join my office to learn all about the application process, receiving a Congressional nomination, and how my office can assist you! Thursday, September 8 6pm-8pm 17967 Bushard Street. Fountain Valley, CA 92708 Questions? Email [email protected], call (714) 960-6483, or visit the links below. Learn More I loved spending some time with Westminster Police Department officers, and serving them some delicious Korean BBQ! I’m so proud of our local law enforcement and will always back the blue. Supporting Our Coast Guard, Fixing Our Supply Chains On Thursday, I joined U.S. Coastguardsmen aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Narwhal to learn more about their work to protect our coastal waters in the wake of unprecedented port backlogs which have contributed to the ongoing supply chain crisis. The Narwhal is an 87-foot, multi-mission class vessel that performs search and rescue operations, conducts law enforcement, fishery patrols, drug interdictions, and more. The tour took place as the U.S. Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 has awaited consideration in the Senate for nearly six months. From stopping the flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs through our waters, to ensuring that shipping lanes are safe and operational, our Coastguardsmen are doing critically important work, and I am grateful to them for putting their own safety on the line to protect our nation. Now is the time for the Senate to take up and pass the U.S. Coastguard Authorization Act of 2022 so that we can enact my proposal to address and prevent further backlogs at our ports and ensure our Coastguardsman have the resources they need to continue their work. Learn More on My Website I met with Michael Schall of Essex Property Trust to discuss how the pandemic and state and federal regulations have affected the availability of affordable housing. Overburdensome regulations are making it increasingly difficult to build multi-unit residential properties, which house around 1/3 of American families. Creating more affordable housing starts with getting government out of the way. Kicking Off the 2022 Congressional App Challenge My office is now accepting submissions for the Congressional App Challenge (CAC). The CAC is a great way for middle and high school students from across the country to explore and improve their computer-based skills by creating original apps. This competition encourages computer science and innovation skills and offers an opportunity for students to explore potential careers in the STEM field. Each winning app may be put on display in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year and will be featured on the House of Representatives website. Winning students are also invited to the #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington D.C. The CAC is open to 6th - 12th grade students residing in or attending school in California’s 48th District. Teachers and/or students should verify their eligibility with our office by calling (714) 960-6483. Learn More and Sign Up What I'm Reading Biden's 'huge strategic error' in Afghanistan... Fox News contributor Gen. Jack Keane slammed the Biden administration on "America's Newsroom" Monday for the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and the damaging effects the U.S. absence has had in the region. DRONES ARMED WITH EXPLOSIVES ATTACK US... Read more www.foxnews.com Small businesses, freelancers fear IRS agents... After the Congressional Budget Office reported that 78 to 90% of revenue from new audits under the Inflation Reduction Act will come from families making less than $200,000 per year, freelancers and small business advocates are voicing concerns... Read more www.foxbusiness.com I’ll be using this newsletter as a way to keep you up to date on my work on behalf of our Orange County community, so make sure you sign up for regular updates. You can also connect with my official Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages, where I’ll be posting the latest news and updates. Sincerely, Rep. Michelle Steel Member of Congress ‌ ‌ ‌ Rep. Steel | 1113 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]