The DeSaulnier Digest: House Democrats Keep Government Open and Working for the American People
AT A GLANCE
In this week's Digest, you will find more information on:
- Legislation House Democrats passed to avert a government shutdown;
- Mark's work on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Education and the Workforce Committee; and
- Meetings in the D.C. office.
IN COMMITTEE
Congressman DeSaulnier Discusses the Importance of Safety Culture in the Transportation Sector
At a recent hearing before the House Transportation Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, Congressman DeSaulnier discussed the importance of safety culture in transportation. With the recent BART derailment in Orinda, and many other examples of terrifying incidents on planes, trains, and at hazardous materials facilities, Congressman DeSaulnier expressed the need to ensure safety continues to be prioritized, even as the world evolves to address new challenges like pandemics or changes in ridership and funding. To see Congressman DeSaulnier's remarks at the hearing, click here or on the image below.
Mark Highlights the Importance of Career and Technical Education
During a hearing on career and technical education at the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Congressman DeSaulnier spoke about the value of youth apprenticeship and career and technical education programs for high school students. These programs help students explore their career options and gain the skills needed for in-demand jobs so they can make thoughtful decisions about their career paths and access high paying jobs after they graduate. Tune in to see the Congressman's remarks by clicking here or on the image below.
DeSaulnier Highlights the Importance of Travel Corridor Interconnection and Clean Energy Workforce Development
Congressman DeSaulnier had the opportunity to highlight the importance of connecting our travel corridors, like Highway 5, to urban areas and ensuring access to alternative fueling and electric vehicle charging infrastructure at a recent Transportation Committee hearing. Congressman DeSaulnier reflected on his work related to California’s Renewable Fuel Standard and he reiterated the need for appropriate strategies to build out the clean energy workforce as the economy transitions to these new forms of energy. To view his comments, click here or on the image below.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Mark Votes with Democrat Colleagues to Avoid Government Shutdown
With the threat of a partial government shutdown looming after January 19th, Congress needed to pass a new spending law to keep the government fully operational. Despite opposition from far-right Republicans, last week, Congress passed the Further Additional Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024 (H.R. 2872) into law. Congressman DeSaulnier voted for this bill, which passed the House by a vote of 314-to-108, before it was signed into law by President Biden, heading off a shutdown. This new law will keep the government funded at current levels into March 2024. Mark continues to support efforts to fund the government on a longer-term basis without steep cuts to important safety net programs that support ordinary Americans.
Congressman DeSaulnier Opposes Republicans' Anti-Abortion Agenda
As part of their march to a national abortion ban, House Republicans passed two bills (H.R. 6914 and H.R. 6918) to limit reproductive rights by misinforming and misleading pregnant women about the full range of health services and resources available to them. Instead of providing meaningful support to pregnant college students, H.R. 6914 would mislead pregnant college students about the options and resources available to them while they continue their education. H.R. 6918 would allow states to continue misusing federal welfare funding to prop up anti-abortion counseling centers that offer biased and medically inaccurate information to pregnant women. Congressman DeSaulnier opposed both of these bills, which fail to address the real needs of pregnant women and their families, and is committed to continuing the fight against Republican attacks on a woman’s right to choose and to codifying the right to abortion into law. Despite Congressman DeSaulnier's opposition, H.R. 6914 passed the House by a vote of 212-to-207 and H.R. 6918 passed the House by a vote of 214-to-208.
Mark Opposes Anti-Immigrant Resolution
Amid extreme MAGA Republicans' efforts to pass legislation that closes the southern border, the House considered a resolution (H.Res. 957) that peddles the false narrative that President Biden has an open-borders policy and villainizes immigrants fleeing dangerous situations. This resolution does nothing to advance commonsense solutions that would improve our immigration system like creating better legal pathways, increasing processing capacity at ports of entry, or funding more immigration judges to reduce the asylum backlog. For those reasons, Congressman DeSaulnier opposed this legislation. He continues to support efforts to reform our immigration system in a comprehensive and compassionate way. Despite his opposition, Republicans’ cruel and misguided resolution passed the House by a vote of 225-to-187.
D.C. MEETINGS
Congressman DeSaulnier Continues Efforts to Support Electric Vehicle Adoption
Congressman DeSaulnier met with EVgo, an electric vehicle fast charging station network in the United States, to discuss how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help to expand EV charging networks across the nation, including here in California.
Congressman DeSaulnier Meets with Local Mayors
The Congressman met with the mayors of San Ramon, Danville, Livermore, Dublin, and Pleasanton to discuss the Tri-Valley region's priorities and their collaborative efforts to alleviate traffic and congestion in the region.
POST OF THE WEEK
BY THE NUMBERS
