Dear neighbor, 

Budgets are statements of values. This week, President Biden unveiled his proposed budget, which reflects Democratic goals: lower costs, better-paying jobs, and safer communities for American families. President Biden’s budget prioritizes policies that will strengthen our economy and put people over politics. Democrats are committed to protecting Medicare and Social Security, reducing the national spending deficit, and lowering everyday costs for Americans. 

Meanwhile, my colleagues across the aisle are hiding their budget from the American people. Why? Because they don’t want to admit that they plan to increase taxes on families, slash Social Security and Medicare, and hand out tax breaks to the extremely wealthy and well-connected. While Democrats are fighting against tax increases on working families, House Republicans want to raise taxes on nearly every American through their proposed 30 percent national sales tax. I don’t blame them for keeping these proposals under wraps—their ideas are harmful and unpopular. 

Beyond lowering costs for families, President Biden’s budget makes significant investments in programs and policies that directly impact our Los Angeles County community. 

• Reduces risk of gun violence: Budget includes $17.8 billion for the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to expand gun violence prevention measures and support prosecution of violent crimes
• Protects civil rights: Budget invests $252 million in the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division to support public safety measures, prosecution of hate crimes, and protection of voting rights. 
• Tackles climate change and pollution: Budget provides $24 billion for climate and natural disaster resilience measures, expanded conservation efforts, and improving national defense against climate change. 

THE BOTTOM LINE: President Biden’s proposed budget will cut the federal deficit by nearly $3 trillion over the next ten years. Thanks to our unprecedented economic recovery and vaccination efforts, the deficit fell by $1.7 trillion in President Biden’s first two years in office, and we won’t stop there. This proposal reflects Democrats’ priorities to lower costs for families, invest in America, and protect programs Americans have paid into for their entire working lives. To learn more about President Biden’s budget, click here. 

Here’s a look at what else I’ve been working on this week: 

• Observed the 58th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, when 600 brave Americans marched in Selma, Alabama to demand voting equality. I’m proud to be a cosponsor of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would protect access to the ballot box for all Americans.  
• Rejoined the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness to work with my colleagues on solutions to the homelessness crisis.  
• Celebrated a major construction milestone for Buildings 205 and 208 at the West LA VA which will open 120 additional units of permanent supportive housing for veterans. When coupled with the recent opening of Building 207, we are making meaningful progress toward our goal of ending veteran homelessness.  
• Marked Women’s History Month by proudly supporting the Paycheck Fairness Act introduced by my colleague and friend Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. Women still earn only 77 cents for every dollar their male counterparts earn. It’s time to close the gender pay gap.  

PACK YOUR BAGS: If you’re planning international travel soon, please be sure to check your passport and make sure it is up to date! Many countries require a minimum of six months of validity on your passport to enter. Due to normal seasonal demands, processing times for passport requests are increasing to 8-11 weeks for standard processing and 5-7 weeks for expedited processing. To learn more, visit the State Department’s website and renew your passport sooner rather than later! 

For more on my work in Congress, please visit my website at lieu.house.gov and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. If you have any questions or concerns, please call our D.C. office at (202) 225-3976 or our Los Angeles district office at (323) 651-1040. 

I look forward to updating you again soon. 

Sincerely, 

Ted W. Lieu 

Member of Congress