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Rep DeSaulnier in hearing

Back in Session

September 16, 2019
DeSaulnier Digest

Last week, Congress returned to session, and we had a lot to do. On top of debating several bills to protect the environment, we also had a hearing with Concord's own Isabel Bueso and even got a taste of home with a visit from the Oakland A's. Read more about it all below.

Sincerely,
Signature
Mark DeSaulnier
Member of Congress

AT A GLANCE

In this week's Digest, you will find information on Congressman DeSaulnier's:

  • Hearing and visit with Isabel Bueso in DC;
  • Bill to support children with disabilities; and
  • Visits around town.

#SAVEISABEL

As promised, we are not backing down in our fight to save Concord resident Isabel Bueso – a recipient of medical deferred action who was invited to the United States to participate in clinical trials for her life-threatening rare disease. Last week, Isabel traveled to Washington, DC to testify before the Oversight Committee about how the Trump Administration's elimination of deferred action would be a death sentence for her.

Mark Hosts Press Conference to Highlight the Need for Action

Ahead of the hearing that brought Isabel to DC, Mark hosted a press conference where he, the Chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee on Civil Rights Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) spoke about the need for the Administration to reverse their extreme move to end deferred action. Isabel spoke about her experience and was joined by two other victims of the Trump Administration's actions.

Mark Presses the Administration for Answers

At the emergency hearing on this issue, Congressman DeSaulnier pressed for answers about who was responsible for this policy change, what research was done before enacting it, and why it was done in secret. He and all other Committee members – even the Republicans – were stonewalled by the Administration's witnesses who refused to answer even the most basic questions. We will turn over every stone to find the answers we need and to save these families.

To watch Mark's questions, click HERE.

LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Mark Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Protect and Support Children with Disabilities

Mark recently joined with Congressman Rodney Davis (R-IL) to introduce the Funding Early Childhood is the Right IDEA Act (H.R. 4107), a bill to restore full funding for education and services for children with disabilities. The federal grant programs to assist states with early intervention services for children with disabilities are in high demand and are woefully underfunded, as the number of students requiring the services they provide has been increasing at a faster rate than the funding the programs are receiving. This bill will restore per-child funding and ensure that every child, regardless of disability status, has an equal opportunity to obtain high quality early childhood services. These programs deserve increased federal funds to prove that Congress is dedicated to promoting inclusive, appropriate, and quality education for infants, toddlers, and preschool children with disabilities and supporting the schools that do this important work.

Mark Votes to Protect America's Coastlines from Offshore Drilling

Last week, Mark proudly voted in favor of three bills that would ensure protection of our coastal environment and wildlife for future generations: the Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act (H.R. 1941), the Protecting and Securing Florida's Coastline Act (H.R. 205), and the Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act (H.R. 1146). H.R. 1941 and H.R. 1146 together would prohibit oil drilling off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and in the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, while H.R. 205 would extend the moratorium on oil and gas leasing in the Gulf of Mexico. All three of these bills passed the House with my support.

BY THE NUMBERS

MARK AROUND TOWN

Oakland A's President Dave Kaval and Vice President of Government Affairs Taj Tashombe visited our Washington office to discuss plans for a new ballpark at Howard Terminal as well as the A's efforts to strengthen the East Bay as a whole.

Richmond PAL, the Richmond Police Department, and the City of Richmond unveiled their "After Mentoring" mural that was painted by kids in RPAL's Ambassador, Mentoring, and Summer Youth Employment programs.

RYSE Center hosted its annual community event La Feria de Septiembre to honor Latin American, Central American, and Afro Latinx history, heritage, ancestry, and culture.

Office Locations

503 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC  20515
Phone: (202) 225-2095
Fax: (202) 225-5609
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Antioch, CA  94531
Phone: (925) 754-0716
Fax: (925) 754-0728
3100 Oak Road
Suite 110
Walnut Creek, CA  94597
Phone: (925) 933-2660
Fax: (925) 933-2677