The DeSaulnier Digest: House Democrats Work to Protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid
Last week during his joint address to Congress, the President falsely claimed that millions of dead people are receiving Social Security checks. While these lies have been repeatedly debunked, his comments and those of my Republican colleagues make clear that they want to cut Social Security and are trying to make it more palatable to do so by fabricating widespread fraud. In addition to these attacks on Social Security, House Republicans have threatened other crucial programs like Medicaid that allow millions of Americans including children, seniors, and the disability community to access health care.
I joined with nearly 200 of my Democratic colleagues last week in sending a united message to the President, Speaker Johnson, and Republicans in Congress: No cuts to Social Security. No cuts to Medicare. No cuts to Medicaid.
I was also proud to invite Alisa Rosillo, a Concord resident and advocate for the disability community to be my guest at the President's speech. As the mother of children with disaibilities, Alisa's story highlights why the social services accessed through Medicaid are critical for tens of millions of Americans here in the Bay Area and across the country.
In the face of attacks on Medicaid, including nearly a trillion in proposed cuts in the House Republican budget, I felt it was important to share Alisa's experience and reiterate House Democrats' dedication to fighting to protect Medicaid. For more on the proposed cuts to Medicaid, hear my interview with Alisa on KQED here, watch our conversation with KTVU here, and tune into our discussion with NBC Bay Area here. You can also learn more about Alisa's story by clicking here or on the image below.
Sincerely,
Mark DeSaulnier
Member of Congress
CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION
Mark Announces 2025 Congressional Art Competition
Congressman DeSaulnier announced that he will again host the Congressional Art Competition to highlight local student artists. All high school students living in California's 10th Congressional District are invited to submit original artwork to Kaylee.DeLand@mail.house.gov along with a completed student release form no later than Friday, April 11th at 5:00 p.m. PT. The winning artist will be invited to a national ceremony in Washington, D.C. and their piece will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol. For more information, click here.
IN COMMITTEE
Congressman DeSaulnier Speaks Out Against Trump Administration's Actions to Undermine Aviation Safety
Despite a series of tragic airplane crashes, the Trump Administration recently decided to fire hundreds of employees at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), including those that work in essential safety positions. In a recent House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation hearing, Mark highlighted the urgent need to improve safety across the aviation system and to build upon and implement all of the much-needed safety programs that were passed as part of the FAA Reauthorization last year. In order to do so, the FAA needs to be fully staffed. To see his remarks, click here or on the image below.
Mark Advocates for Investing in Worker Training and Support
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which makes up the heart of the country’s workforce development system, has long been in need of an update. While the U.S. labor force has grown by roughly half over the past four decades, federal investments in connecting workers with job opportunities has lagged far behind. At a recent hearing in the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development, Congressman DeSaulnier spoke about the importance of giving vulnerable populations, such as the disability community, the tools and support they need to enter the workforce. Later in the hearing, Mark urged the Committee to promptly pass a bipartisan agreement negotiated last Congress that would modernize and strengthen WIOA. To see his remarks, click here or on the image below.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Congressman DeSaulnier Sponsors Bill to Protect the Right to Vote
The right to vote is under attack in states across the country and harmful Supreme Court decisions have removed critical protections for one of our most sacred rights and duties as American citizens. To respond to these challenges, Congressman DeSaulnier sponsored the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 14), which would restore key voting protections that were weakened by the Supreme Court and safeguard the right to vote from discriminatory voter suppression laws. This bill, named for the late Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis, demonstrates House Democrats’ commitment to stopping extremists from undermining our democracy and silencing our voices.
Mark Again Opposes Partisan Efforts that Attack Air Quality and Historic Sites
The Congressional Review Act allows Congress to review and overturn rules issued by federal agencies. Under the Biden Administration, several agencies put out rules that work to reduce hazardous air pollutants, protect significant lands and resources from drilling, and clarify requirements for manufacturers of appliances. In response, Republicans have chosen to advance legislation that would overturn these rules, instead of working to support the American people. H.J.Res. 42 would overturn the Department of Energy’s rule that simply clarifies energy conservation labeling and enforcement requirements for appliances; H.J.Res. 61 would overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s rule to reduce hazardous air pollutants from rubber tire manufacturing and protect public heath; and S.J.Res. 11 would nullify the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s rule that requires oil and gas operators to report on archaeological resources when drilling in order to prevent damage. Despite the Congressman’s strong opposition to all three pieces of legislation, H.J.Res. 61 passed by a vote of 216-to-202; H.J.Res. 42 passed by a vote of 222-to-203; and S.J.Res. 11 passed by a vote of 221-to-202.
POST OF THE WEEK
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