A legislative and news update from the office of Congressman Ken Calvert, proudly serving the 41st Congressional District

Securing America’s Energy Independence

Problem: As Americans grappled with the record-high cost of gas last year President Biden hastily sold off oil from our Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) in the run up to the midterm elections. Our SPR has now been depleted by 36% and is at the lowest level since 1984. Some of the oil sold was actually sent overseas rather than to American refiners and over one million barrels of SPR oil was sold to a Chinese Communist Party affiliated company. China now has the largest reserve of crude oil in the world with over 900 million barrels and is continuing to build up its reserves. Enough is enough. 

Solution: I recently voted along with my House colleagues to put a stop to sending our strategic reserves to China. The bill prohibits selling any SPR oil to an entity affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party or any entity that intends to export it to China. I will continue to support policies that secure America’s energy independence.

Expanding the Use of E-Verify

Problem: We want and need immigrants to come to our nation to contribute to our economic success, but we must also remain a sovereign nation governed by the rule of law. Like most people, I believe American jobs should only go to those legally authorized to work in our country. That’s why I authored the law that created the E-Verify program, the only tool available for employers to voluntarily check the legal work status of newly hired employees. Over one million American employers currently use E-Verify. According to USCIS, 22 states require E-Verify for some or all employers. 

Solution: I reintroduced the Legal Workforce Act to preserve jobs for citizens and legal workers by requiring U.S. employers to check the work eligibility of all future hires through the E-Verify system. The Legal Workforce Act represents a crucial step towards fixing our broken immigration system. Until we have a mandatory workforce verification system – like E-Verify – in place, immigrants will have an incentive to come into our country through illegal means.

Protecting Small Businesses from Shakedown Lawsuits

Problem: Did you know there were more ADA lawsuits in California than the 49 other states combined? It’s true according to one analysis that also found one serial litigant was responsible for filing more than 1,000 lawsuits since 2020. Small business owners face tremendous challenges day to day and should be protected from serial litigants trying to exploit laws, like the ADA, for personal gain. 

Solution: That’s why I have reintroduced the ACCESS Act, H.R. 241, a bill designed to help small businesses comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and protect them from serial litigants. We can protect the disabled and small businesses alike by passing the ACCESS Act and giving owners a small window of time to address any ADA issues. Let’s protect disabled Americans without exposing our businesses on Main Street to shakedown lawsuits.

Confronting the Chinese Communist Party

Problem: We should stop saying the CCP is a ‘threat’ to the American people – yesterday, today, and tomorrow the CCP will be responsible for the deaths of Americans. China is producing and distributing the components of fentanyl, which is now the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 49. As they manufacture death, the CCP is also busy building up its military.

Solution: I recently voted along with a bipartisan majority (365 to 65) of the House of Representatives to establish the Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).  By establishing a Select Committee on China the House is taking an important step in confronting the national security, economic, and public safety threats posed by the CCP.  Congress must work in tandem with the Defense Department and our international allies to confront the challenges posed by China’s military buildup and direct threats to the independence of Taiwan. Congress should also address the significant national and economic security implications in developing supply chains that are not dependent upon China for critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, and other health and technological essentials.

Defunding President Biden’s Army of IRS Agents

Problem: At a time of high inflation and rising costs, the last thing American families need is an army of IRS agents looking into every transaction they make. We need a federal government that works for taxpayers, not a growing bureaucracy that seeks to target and harass taxpayers. If anyone really thinks we need tens of thousands of additional IRS agents to apply our tax laws, perhaps it’s time to simplify our tax code. 

Solution: I voted last week to defund President Biden's 87,000 new IRS agents. With the passage of the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act, House Republicans are upholding the commitment we made to America to put their needs first.

WORKING FOR YOU 

• The IRS announced that due to the ongoing California storms, Riverside County taxpayers now have until May 15, 2023, to file federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. My staff stands ready to assist any constituents with IRS issues.

• My staff recently assisted constituents who were set to take a cruise along with their foster child, but encountered challenges obtaining a passport for the child. My staff was able to resolve those issues and ensure the passport was received in time for the family to enjoy their cruise. If you encounter any issues obtaining a passport, please contact my District Office. 

• A Press Enterprise editorial stated in part: “Rep. Ken Calvert of Corona, as a Republican in the majority party, likewise finds himself in a prime position to continue sticking up for the Inland Empire in our nation's Capitol. Calvert, who has served in the House of Representatives for three decades, has been a member of the power Appropriations Committee. Taken together with his seniority, Calvert could play an even bigger role on the committee and work with whoever is the Speaker of the House to ensure resources are delivered to the region…If one is looking for results, look to [Rep. Pete ]Aguilar and Calvert."

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