The DeSaulnier Digest: Celebrating Juneteenth
AT A GLANCE
In this week's Digest, you will find information on:
- Juneteenth celebrations in our community;
- Congressman DeSaulnier's efforts to support cities with relocating sports teams, like the Oakland As; and
- Mark's work to address drug costs and access to mental health care.
JUNETEENTH IN CA-10
Our office joined the cities of Antioch, Oakley, and Pleasant Hill this weekend in commemorating Juneteenth. We celebrated with community members as we enjoyed delicious food, live performances, and local artists.
IN THE NEWS
Mark Sits Down with NBC Bay Area to Discuss Moneyball Act
DeSaulnier met with NBC Bay Area to explain the Moneyball Act, a bill he introduced with Congresswoman Barbara Lee following the Oakland As attempt to relocate to Las Vegas. The bill would protect cities like Oakland from the economic fallout of corporate greed in professional sports. Tune in by clicking here or on the image below.
Congressman DeSaulnier Discusses Efforts to Hold Antioch Police Department Accountable with KQED
Following extremely troubling reports of racist, homophobic, and illegal conduct by law enforcement officers in the Antioch Police Department, Congressman DeSaulnier requested that the Department of Justice investigate the Department. To learn more about his work to ensure accountability and justice, click here or on the image below.
COMMITTEE UPDATE
At a recent Committee on Education and the Workforce hearing, Congressman DeSaulnier spoke with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra about youth mental health, the impact of social media on young people, and the need for affordable access to prescription drugs. To hear their full exchange, click here or on the image below.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Mark Votes to Strengthen Gun Laws
Earlier this year, the Biden Administration took the important step of regulating pistol braces, which essentially turn pistols into rifles and make them more dangerous. Pistol braces have been used in a number of recent mass shootings, and need to have better oversight to ensure community safety. House Republicans caved to their extreme MAGA faction and held a vote (H.J.Res. 44) to overturn the Biden rule and take a step backward. Congressman DeSaulnier proudly opposed this bill, which unfortunately passed by a vote of 219-to-210.
DeSaulnier Opposes Damaging Anti-Regulatory Legislation
Americans depend on a range of regulations to protect public health and safety. Last week, House Republicans advanced two bills that would diminish the ability of the Federal Government to protect the public. H.R. 277 would inappropriately interject political considerations into the regulatory process by requiring the House and Senate to approve every "major rule" from the Administration before it can go into effect and H.R. 288 would require courts to second-guess the carefully crafted rules made by agencies. Congressman DeSaulnier opposed passage of both bills, but they passed the House by votes of 221-to-210 (H.R. 277) and 220-to-211 (H.R. 288).
Congressman DeSaulnier Votes Against Efforts to Weaken Appliance Energy Efficiency Standards
The Department of Energy recently published a proposed rule on improving energy efficiency of appliances, including gas stoves. Nearly 50% of existing gas stoves already meet the proposed standards, including all entry level gas stove models. Congressman DeSaulnier opposed House passage of two bills that would harm these efforts to reduce emissions, protect our public health, and improve energy efficiency. H.R. 1615 would prohibit the use of federal funds to ban gas stoves - something the federal government is not attempting to do - and H.R. 1640 would prohibit the Secretary of Energy from finalizing or enforcing its recently proposed rule. Despite Congressman DeSaulnier's opposition, H.R. 1615 passed the House by a vote of 248-to-180 and H.R. 1640 passed by a vote of 249-to-181.
POST OF THE WEEK
BY THE NUMBERS
