The DeSaulnier Digest: Join our Virtual Government Funding Town Hall on Thursday
With millions of Americans set to lose health care coverage as ACA subsidies expire and steep hikes in insurance premiums are on the horizon for most Americans, House Republicans last week chose to pass a short-term funding bill that fails to address these looming health care crises and flee DC to stick the Senate with their mess.
I'm hosting a virtual Government Funding Town Hall this Thursday, September 25th at 6:30 p.m. to share more about the government funding process and my thoughts on the reckless funding bill that House Republicans passed.
RSVP here to receive the Zoom link ahead of the town hall or join via YouTube livestream here.
I look forward to sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the funding process and taking your questions.
Sincerely,
Mark DeSaulnier
Member of Congress
IN THE NEWS
House Democrats Champion Election Reform
Last week, Mark joined his Democratic colleagues to stand in support of the Redistricting Reform Act – a nationwide bill that would ban partisan gerrymandering and ensure congressional map compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. House Democrats will not stand idly by as Trump and his allies attempt to handpick their voters and rig elections in their favor.
Congressman DeSaulnier Leads Fight to Modernize Transportation
Last week, Congressman DeSaulnier met with leaders from the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) to discuss the $166 million transportation mega grant he helped secure to improve congestion and safety on the I-680 corridor by implementing state-of-the-art technology. Additionally, Mark spoke with the group about their smart signal connectivity effort to modernize streetlights across CA-10.
Mark also sat down for an interview with KQED on his effort to extend a program granting HOV lane access to clean air vehicles. Read the full article here.
ON THE FLOOR
Congressman DeSaulnier Speaks Out Against Cuts to Cancer Research Funding
Over the last 50 years, the five-year cancer survival rate has risen from 49 to 68 percent, due in large part to federal investment in cancer research. The Administration’s work to reduce National Cancer Institute spending by $842 million will undermine our progress in the fight against cancer and put millions of lives in jeopardy. Congressman DeSaulnier spoke on the House floor to urge the Administration to reverse these harmful cuts and instead work towards a better future for the 40 percent of Americans who will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes. To see Congressman DeSaulnier’s remarks, click here or on the image below.
Mark Denounces Attack on Disabled Workers
Last year, the Biden Administration took an important step in the fight for rights and dignity for individuals with disabilities by announcing that they would stop allowing employers to pay disabled workers beneath the federal minimum wage. Unfortunately, the Trump Administration recently reversed this progress, indicating that it would continue allowing employers to underpay workers with disabilities. Last week, Congressman DeSaulnier took to the House floor to discuss how this is another example in a long line of actions that show this Administration’s disrespect for working Americans. To hear his remarks, click here or on the image below.
DeSaulnier Votes to Defend Clean Energy and Protect Communities
House Republicans recently brought three bills to the House floor that would roll back progress toward a clean energy future and extend our country’s reliance on fossil fuels. The GRID Power Act (H.R. 1047) would weaken federal oversight of the electric grid and undermine efforts to integrate more renewable power. The National Coal Council Reestablishment Act (H.R. 3015) would revive an advisory committee designed to promote coal at taxpayer expense. The Promoting Cross-border Energy Infrastructure Act (H.R. 3062) would make it easier to fast-track new oil and gas pipelines without proper environmental review. Despite Congressman DeSaulnier’s opposition, these bills passed the House and await further consideration in the U.S. Senate.
Congressman DeSaulnier Opposes Harmful Attempts to Meddle in Washington, D.C.’s Local Affairs
While the Constitution gives Congress authority over Washington, D.C., the District of Columbia Home Rule Act gives the District’s government some rights of self-determination. House Republicans recently advanced four bills that would weaken D.C.’s ability to govern itself. Despite Congressman DeSaulnier’s opposition, these four bills passed the House of Representatives and await consideration by the U.S. Senate:
- H.R. 4922, which would lower the age definition of youth for the purpose of criminal charges in Washington, D.C., giving judges less leeway in sentencing youth offenders;
- H.R. 5140, which would allow 14-year-olds to be tried as adults in Washington, D.C. courts;
- H.R. 5125, which would abolish the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission and give more power to the President in nominating judges for positions on Washington, D.C.’s local courts; and
- H.R. 5143, which would require D.C. police to engage in dangerous, high-speed vehicular pursuits of criminal suspects.
IN COMMITTEE
Mark Raises Concern Over Rising Cost of Higher Education
During a hearing of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development, Congressman DeSaulnier outlined provisions in the Republican-passed Big Ugly Bill that will make college more expensive for many American families, adding more barriers to accessing higher education. Mark also voiced concern about the impact this rise in cost will have on the most vulnerable students, those with disabilities. To see his remarks, click here or on the image below.
POST OF THE WEEK
BY THE NUMBERS
