Addressing Inequality in America
Dear Contra Costa Residents:
Last week, following two busy weeks at work in Contra Costa, the House of Representatives returned to session. Below is a snapshot of our recent work in Washington.
Special Order Hour on Inequality in America
Urgent action is needed to address inequality in this country, which has grown by nearly every measure for the past 30 years. To highlight this troubling trend, I hosted a special order hour on inequality with my colleagues Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and Congressman Keith Ellison to discuss the growing divide. We must build an economy that helps working families burdened by stagnant wages and the rising cost of living--not isolate wealth in the hands of corporations and the ultra-rich. To watch a portion of our special order, click the image below.
Actions on Syria: Mark Authors Op-ed for the San Francisco Chronicle
Following the airstrikes carried out on Friday in response to a chemical weapons attack launched by the Assad Regime on Syrian civilians, Mark wrote an opinion piece for the San Francisco Chronicle. To read the piece, click here.
RECENT KEY VOTES
Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J.Res. 2)
As a nation, our spending should reflect our priorities. The power given to Congress by the Constitution allows for discretion in what priorities require funding at any given time. While the concept of a balanced budget is appealing to me as a strong proponent for oversight and accountability, the restrictions it would place on the process and the drastic cuts it would require are unsustainable. This specific bill, for example, would have most certainly set up significant cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. That is why I opposed this bill, which failed by a vote of 233-184.
Bills to Prioritize Big Banks over Consumers
Several bills considered in the House last week would weaken government oversight of big banks and allow them to restart some of the dangerous and risky behaviors that caused the recent crash. I opposed the Stress Test Improvement Act (H.R. 4293), the Financial Stability Oversight Council Improvement Act (H.R. 4061), and the Volcker Rule Regulatory Harmonization Act (H.R. 4790), all of which passed in the House.
MARK AROUND TOWN
Facebook Live Q&A
As part of our effort to provide regular updates to constituents, I went live on Facebook to answer some of the most popular questions we received in the past few weeks from Contra Costa residents. Click the image below to watch.
Committee on Education and the Workforce Meeting on the Impact of Autonomous Vehicles
Self-driving cars have the ability to bring about much needed congestion relief to urban areas like the Bay Area. As these technologies continue to advance and become commonplace, we must plan for the future and ensure that workers in the driving industry are not displaced. Democrats on the House Education and Workforce Committee came together to discuss solutions that would protect these workers, especially minorities.
Meeting with Richmond's Own Betty Reid Soskin:
We were honored to have Richmond's own Betty Reid Soskin, the nation's oldest serving National Park Ranger, stop by our DC office for a visit. Betty is an inspiration and a pillar of the Contra Costa County community. I am glad to call her a dear friend.
Meeting with the American Immigration Lawyers Association
We met with a group of immigration lawyers who advocate for fair and just immigration policies. During our meeting, we discussed the recent allegations of mistreatment of ICE detainees at the West County Detention Facility in Richmond, and ways we can ensure greater oversight.
OPINIONS FROM THE DISTRICT
Hearing directly from you not only informs my work in Congress, but also is my favorite part of being your Representative. Please feel free to email me to share your thoughts or opinions.
Below are some of the top issues you shared with me over the last week:
- 853 constituents called for the removal of EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt after his anti-environment, anti-public health, and pro-corporation decisions.
- 695 constituents wrote in calling for the protection of Special Counsel Mueller to continue his investigation into foreign interference in our nation's election.
- 279 constituents have written in against the proposed addition of a citizenship question to the decennial census, a clear move to intimidate immigrant populations.
LEGISLATION MARK RECENTLY SUPPORTED
Keeping Guns from High Risk Individuals Act (H.R. 5163) – prohibits the sale of a firearm to people who have been convicted of a violent crime in the past 10 years
PARADE Act (H.R. 4980) – prohibits taxpayer dollars from being spent on any type of grand military parade requested by the President or Department of Defense
2020 Census Accountability Act (H.R. 5292) – establishes a task force to review new decennial census questions and their impact on response rates for minorities, the accuracy of the census, redistricting, costs, and funding distribution
Cyber Breach Notification Act (H.R. 3975) – requires businesses to notify federal authorities and everyone affected when consumer data is stolen
Ending Secrecy About Workplace Sexual Harassment Act (H.R. 4729) – requires companies to inform federal oversight authorities of the number of harassment settlements they make every year
Equal Pay Day Resolution (H.Con.Res. 117) – recognizing April 10th as Equal Pay Day
Homeless Veteran Families Act (H.R. 4099) – provides the VA with the authority to help ensure that dependent children of homeless veterans have access to stable, safe housing
Special Registration for Telemedicine Clarification Act – enables physicians to prescribe medication via telemedicine to help individuals addicted to opioids in rural areas get access to scientifically proven, effective treatment
LETTERS MARK RECENTLY SENT
Letter reminding the President of his requirement to seek authorization from Congress before the use of military force, specifically in light of his recent airstrikes on Syria
Letter to the President signed by 64 members of Congress urging him to fire Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt
Letter urging the President to revoke his recent Executive Order placing strict work requirements on programs designed to keep Americans out of poverty, a move that would significantly reduce access to these much-needed programs
Letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Azar urging him to take action to lower prescription drug costs
Letters to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee opposing the confirmation of Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State because of his history of supporting discrimination against the LGBTI community, supporting torture, and for his deeply hawkish and ideological views in a position that requires non-partisanship and ideological neutrality
Letter to Secretary of Education DeVos raising concerns that the process of applying for Emergency Assistance to Institutions of Higher Education is unfair to colleges in Puerto Rico
Letter to Secretary Nielsen of the Department of Homeland Security requesting an explanation of their most recent decisions on Temporary Protected Status, which were inconsistent, unclear, and warrants further discussion
Bicameral Amicus Brief to the Supreme Court -- to help defeat President Trump's Muslim Ban 3.0
MARK IN THE NEWS
DeSaulnier: Why I oppose the Bay Area $3 bridge toll hike
Mark wrote a piece for the Mercury News on the flawed bridge toll hike on the June ballot, known as Regional Measure 3. The measure would disproportionately cost East Bay toll payers more money and provide little congestion relief. Read why Mark is opposed here.
KRON4 News: Mark also spoke with KRON4 News about Regional Measure 3 and explained why he is opposed to the plan. To watch the interview, click the image below.
