The DeSaulnier Digest: Happy Holidays CA-10!
As 2024 comes to a close, I'm proud of all we've accomplished and grateful for the opportunities to connect with you throughout the year. While our office will be physically closed between December 24th and January 1st, our team is still available to assist you. Please do not hesitate to contact us at (925) 933-2660 if we can be of service
We are sending warm wishes to all in CA-10 for a joyous and safe holiday season with family and loved ones.
Sincerely,
Member of Congress
LEGISLATIVE UDPATES
House Democrats Avoid Government Shutdown
Last week, the House of Representatives considered a bill (H.R. 10545) to extend government funding through mid-March, ahead of the December 20th funding deadline. While this funding bill included critical disaster relief and extensions of important health programs, extreme Republicans, at the urging of Elon Musk and Donald Trump, removed other important priorities like bolstering childhood cancer research. Despite these disappointing changes, Congressman DeSaulnier and every Democrat supported House passage of this bill to ensure that essential government services remain operational. After passing the House by a vote of 366-to-34, with one abstention, H.R. 10545 passed the U.S. Senate and was signed into law by President Biden, averting a government shutdown.
DeSaulnier Authors Bills to Reduce Gun Violence
As gun violence continues to plague our country, Congressman DeSaulnier is committed to enacting commonsense reforms that will keep people safe. To that end, Mark introduced two bills last week. First, the Local Gun Violence Reduction Act (H.R. 10480) would create a database where responsible states and localities can share the successful reforms they have made with governments around the country so they can be studied and replicated. The Federal Law Enforcement and Public Protection Act (H.R. 10481) would require federal law enforcement agencies to come up with minimum safe storage standards for their employees to abide by to ensure that their guns are not stolen, lost, or worse. Evidence-based legislation like this can help save lives.
Congressman DeSaulnier Opposes Dangerous Anti-Regulation Bill
For the last four years, the Biden-Harris Administration has been hard at work developing federal regulations that protect Americans’ health, safety, and wellbeing. Unfortunately, the House of Representatives recently considered a bill that would undo much of that carefully crafted and expert-driven work. A misguided bill (H.R. 115) would give Republicans in Congress the power to nullify hundreds of federal regulations in one move, without proper consideration or debate. This includes rules that update safety standards for vehicles, implement the National Suicide Hotline Act, and make it harder for corporations to pollute our environment. Despite Congressman DeSaulnier’s strong opposition, the bill passed the House by a vote of 210-to-201.
Congressman DeSaulnier Speaks in Support of Bipartisan Bill to Ensure Accessibility of Amtrak Stations
Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which the Congressman proudly supported, Amtrak received funding to assist with updates to ensure all train stations are accessible for people with all types of disabilities. Mark spoke on the House floor during recent consideration of the Think Differently Transportation Act (S. 4107), which will require Amtrak to report to Congress on the status of these accessibility measures and updates at all the stations Amtrak serves. As a longtime advocate for improving access to all aspects of live for people with disabilities, Congressman DeSaulnier was proud to lead the debate on this bill. After passing the House without objections, this bill now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. To see Congressman DeSaulnier’s remarks on the bill, click here or on the image below.
IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Mark Honors Longest-Serving Secretary of Labor, Frances Perkins
Congressman DeSaulnier joined President Biden and Acting Secretary Julie Su to honor Frances Perkins, the first female cabinet secretary and a key architect of the New Deal, as a new National Monument at her family home in Maine is established. As a staunch advocate for working Americans, Perkins instituted policies like minimum wage, overtime pay, and unemployment insurance that have been crucial to the success of workers and our economy at large.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Team DeSaulnier Recognizes Retiring Council Members Across CA-10
As a former city council member and county supervisor, Congressman DeSaulnier knows firsthand the sacrifices that local elected officials make to better their communities. Our team joined city council meetings in Walnut Creek, Danville, Lafayette, San Ramon, Moraga, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Dublin, and Orinda to honor retiring council members for their years of service to their communities and to wish them well in their future endeavors.
POST OF THE WEEK
BY THE NUMBERS
