The DeSaulnier Digest: Gearing up for a Busy District Work Period
This week the House of Representatives kicks off August District Work Period, a wonderful opportunity for me to connect with you in our community as we hold town halls, office hours, and listening tours throughout the month.
First up, I will be hosting a town hall on women’s health where I will be joined by expert special guests to discuss protecting reproductive freedom and other issues impacting women’s health, including heart disease and breast cancer. While we have reached capacity at the venue, you can watch the town hall live on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RepMarkDeSaulnier/.
Please stay tuned on our social media pages for additional town halls and events we will be hosting this month. I look forward to connecting with you in the near future!
Sincerely,
Mark DeSaulnier
Member of Congress
ON THE HOUSE FLOOR
Mark Opposes Partisan Attack on Vice President Harris
In June, the number of unauthorized migrants crossing the southern border sharply declined due to new rules implemented by the Biden Administration which limited asylum eligibility and increased penalties for those who enter the country unlawfully. Despite the decline, House Republicans, unable to pass any meaningful legislation and having walked away from a bipartisan agreement to reform our immigration system, abused the power of Congress to attack a political opponent. They brought forth a resolution that would falsely condemn Vice President Harris's work as the Biden Administration’s “Border Czar,” a job and title she has never held. Despite Congressman DeSaulnier’s opposition, the resolution passed the House by a vote of 220-to-196.
DeSaulnier Votes Against Irresponsible Government Funding Bills
Last week, House Republicans also debated two government funding bills that would severely cut resources for key federal departments and agencies for the coming fiscal year. These bills would deeply cut funding for clean energy, environmental protections, our national parks, and other important programs. While Congressman DeSaulnier opposed both bills, he did author and pass an amendment that would restore funding to the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, which investigates the causes of industrial chemical accidents including the November 2023 Martinez Renewable Fuels fire.
In the face of significant opposition, House Republicans didn’t end up voting on the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8997). Despite Congressman DeSaulnier’s opposition, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8998) passed the House by a vote of 210-to-205.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Mark Cheers on CA-10 Olympians
With the official start to this year's Olympic games in Paris, Mark is wishing the eight athletes from our district luck as they represent Team USA. The athletes hail from Brentwood, Clayton, Danville, Lafayette, Martinez, Orinda, and Walnut Creek and will be competing in six sports. Our office will be highlighting these local Olympians on social media over the course of the games.
Contra Costa Food Bank Unveils New Volunteer Center
Last week, our office visited the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties to celebrate their newly improved volunteer center in Concord. The updated facility will allow the Food Bank's volunteers to better serve the 400,000 residents they feed across both counties each month.
Contra Costa Crisis Center Hosts Open House
Our office and other local leaders attended the Contra Costa Crisis Center open house in Walnut Creek to hear updates from the organization. The Contra Costa Crisis Center answers the phone for the 988 suicide lifeline and the 211 social services hotline, and they have increased capability to meet demand in the county for these support lines.
Liberty Union High School District Marks Start of New School Year
It's already back-to-school time in the East Bay. We joined Liberty Union High School District teachers and staff at this year's convocation in Brentwood to kick off the school year.
POST OF THE WEEK
BY THE NUMBERS
