The DeSaulnier Digest: Fighting Inequality and the Disappearance of Local News
AT A GLANCE
In this week's Digest you will find more information on:
- Mark’s Floor speech on income inequality;
- His bill to protect local journalism; and
- Mark’s continued aviation safety efforts.
MARK TAKES ON INCOME INEQUALITY
DeSaulnier Speaks on Poverty and Inequality
Mark took to the House Floor, along with his colleagues Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), to shine a light on poverty and income inequality and their consequences on our society, our health, and our democracy. In this country, nearly 40 million people live in poverty and many of them are children. Congress has a moral obligation to address inequality and poverty and ensure our economy works for everyone. In his speech, Mark discussed the policies he supports that would lift up the most vulnerable among us. To watch his remarks, click here or on the photo below.
DESAULNIER BILL TO SAVE LOCAL NEWS
As news organizations are being decimated across the country, Congressman DeSaulnier, along with Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), and Jamie Raskin (MD-08) reintroduced two pieces of legislation aimed at supporting and preserving local journalism in order to keep communities informed, maintain government accountability, and protect American democracy. The Saving Local News Act (H.R. 7306) would make it easier for print and online news outlets to become non-profits, allowing them to focus more on producing quality content rather than on maximizing profits. The local news resolution (H.Res. 1005) recognizes the importance of local media outlets to society and expresses the urgent need for Congress to take action to help prevent their decline. From informing the electorate to holding power to account, without a flourishing free press there is no American democracy. Mark’s legislation would recognize and protect local journalism as the public good it is so Americans in every community across the country have access to the news they need.
IN COMMITTEE
Congressman DeSaulnier Highlights the Importance of Safety in Aviation
At a recent hearing before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Congressman DeSaulnier had the opportunity to speak with the Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Michael Whitaker. Congressman DeSaulnier highlighted the recent incidents across the aviation industry, including several near misses, accidents, and Boeing 737 MAX 9 inspection issues, and emphasized the need to improve the safety culture across airlines and manufacturers in order to prevent future aviation disasters. To see Congressman DeSaulnier's remarks at the hearing, click here or on the image below.
Mark Discusses Efforts to Protect Vulnerable Children
Last week, the Committee on Education and the Workforce held a hearing on federal efforts to find missing children and protect children from exploitation and abuse with Michelle DeLaune, the President and CEO of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). NCMEC is the nation’s primary organization dedicated to supporting and recovering missing and exploited children. During the meeting, Congressman DeSaulnier spoke with Ms. DeLaune about how the Center supports impacted families and the Center’s coordination with law enforcement and child welfare agencies. To watch the exchange, click here or on the image below.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
DeSaulnier Opposes Unconditional Israel Military Funding Bill
House Republicans recently advanced a bill (H.R. 7217) to provide additional military funding to Israel that left out desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza and placed no conditions on the funding. This partisan legislation also provided no resources to address our other domestic and international challenges like Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. Congressman DeSaulnier voted against the bill and it failed to earn the necessary 2/3rds majority for House passage by a vote of 250-to-180.
House Defeats Partisan Effort to Impeach Homeland Security Secretary
Last week, House Republicans attempted to impeach President Biden's Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, for partisan and unprecedented reasons that do not meet the Constitutional requirements. Impeachment of federal officials is a solemn process that should be reserved for situations involving serious allegations of misconduct, and should never be used in response to disagreements over policy. Congressman DeSaulnier opposed House passage of the impeachment resolution (H.Res. 863) and it failed to pass by a vote of 214-to-216.
DC MEETINGS
Mark Meets with Chabot-Las Positas Community College District
Congressman DeSaulnier met with student leaders and trustees from the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District to discuss their legislative priorities for 2024 and how we can best support students in Congress.
DeSaulnier Meets with Chancellor of California Community Colleges
DeSaulnier was joined by Dr. Sonya Christian, Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, and community college students in our D.C. office last week to discuss reauthorization of the Higher Education Act and how we can work on the federal level to make education more accessible to all.
POST OF THE WEEK
BY THE NUMBERS
