Advancing Bipartisan Legislation to Help Cancer Patients
Dear Contra Costa Residents:
As we begin another busy week in Contra Costa and in Washington, DC, below is a snapshot of the recent news and issues before Congress.
RECENT KEY VOTES
Efforts to gut environmental protection and benefit polluters
The House voted on two bills last week that weaken environmental regulations and make it easier for polluters to degrade air quality. The Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns Act (H.R. 1917) would punish the very companies that should be rewarded for implementing technology to limit emissions. The so-called Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment Act (H.R. 1119) would relax pollution control requirements for power plants that burn coal refuse. I opposed these bills. Instead of weakening environmental protections, we should be rewarding American innovation in driving down our emissions and reducing our environmental impacts.
MARK'S LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Last week I introduced bipartisan legislation to help patients better navigate their cancer diagnosis with my colleague and fellow co-chair of the Congressional Cancer Survivors Caucus, Representative Ted Poe (R-TX). Our bill, the Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act (H.R. 5160), would improve doctor-patient communication by enabling doctors to bill Medicare for the time they spend developing comprehensive cancer care plans.
Medical breakthroughs are at an all-time high, but advancements in doctor-patient communications are not keeping pace. We know that less than half of all cancer patients feel adequately informed about their diagnosis. Without a written plan explaining treatments and expected symptoms, patients are often left with more questions than answers. As a cancer survivor, who is grateful to have a healthy and full life ahead of me, I hope that my experience and this legislation will help others better navigate a diagnosis.
Learn more about our bill here.
MARK AROUND TOWN
We had the pleasure of hosting many Contra Costa friends in Washington, DC last week.
This included California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and my predecessor, former-Congressman George Miller, both friends, colleagues, and mentors who are tireless advocates for California families.
Thanks to County Supervisors Federal Glover and Diane Burgis for stopping by to discuss protecting our environment and creating new jobs in Contra Costa.
A large contingent of AIPAC supporters from Contra Costa joined us for a meeting during their annual conference.
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. To share your opinions with me you can either email me or take our survey.
Below are some of the top issues you shared with me over the last week:
- 1,024 constituents called for continued progress towards commonsense gun reform in the wake of the Parkland, Florida shooting.
- 175 constituents expressed support for an assault weapons ban.
- 121 constituents requested that we renegotiate the NAFTA trade agreement to benefit American workers and reduce the effects of climate change.
LEGISLATION MARK RECENTLY SUPPORTED
Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act (H.R. 4909) – reauthorizes the Secure Our Schools grant program to help make our schools safer from violence.
Investor Choice Against Gun Proliferation Act (H.R. 5106) – requires public companies to disclose substantial financial relationships with gun manufacturers and dealers.
Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act (H.R. 3207) – closes 2 loopholes that allow some convicted stalkers and former abusers to buy/own firearms.
Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act (H.R. 173) – eliminates the "Cadillac Tax" on high-cost employer-based health plans.
LETTERS MARK RECENTLY SENT
Letter urging the Administration to release the full $4.7 billion in Community Disaster Loans to Puerto Rico.
Letter urging Congressional leadership to include the Dream Act in the upcoming spending bill and to reduce funding for immigration detention facilities and for border walls, fences, and militarization.
Letter reminding U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of their responsibility to process pending DACA renewal applications.
Letter to the Department of Labor opposing their proposed rule that would undermine protections in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by allowing small businesses to create their own health insurance plans that do not meet ACA standards.
Letter to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly requesting that he either immediately fire or ask for the resignation of Jared Kushner due to Kushner's conflicts of interest that put U.S. security at risk.
Letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Pruitt calling on him to release the identities of all of the chemicals the EPA has approved for use in oil and gas extraction and hydraulic fracturing.
MARK IN THE NEWS
Lamorinda Weekly: DeSaulnier gun violence conversation draws large crowd
"U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier's message at the recent town hall meeting was clear - the time for silence is over. DeSaulnier was addressing the issue of gun violence, including suicides, homicides and unintentional shootings. But much of the focus was on mass shootings. Stanley Middle School's multi-purpose room was packed Feb. 24 for the discussion on preventing gun violence, just 10 days after the tragic high school mass shooting in Parkland, Fla. that left 17 dead. Nearly 900 people attended the town hall, including many children."
SFGate: Rep DeSaulnier urges Contra Costa County to end ICE detentions
U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier says it's time for Contra Costa County to end its relationship with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The Democratic congressman from Concord, who recently toured the Richmond jail that the county leases to the federal government for detention of undocumented immigrants, said that the Contra Costa County sheriff's office's move this week to ban volunteers from visiting immigrants inside the jail — to check on their well-being — was the last straw.
"As a resident of Contra Costa, as somebody who represents the area and served four terms on the board of supervisors, I really think they should terminate the contract," he said of the county's $6-million-a-year deal with ICE to house detainees at its county jail. "At this point, it causes too much trouble for the county and for the community."