The DeSaulnier Digest: Join our Women's Equality Town Hall Next Thursday
Happy Women's History Month!
One way to celebrate this month is by joining our upcoming Town Hall on Advancing Women's Equality on Thursday, March 12th in Orinda. From 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., I will be joined by special guests from First 5 Contra Costa and the League of Women Voters to discuss a host of issues, including protecting women's civil liberties and improving quality of life. As always, we look forward to taking your questions.
To sign up and reserve your spot, click here or on the flyer below.
I hope you will join us for this important conversation!
Sincerely,
Mark DeSaulnier
Member of Congress
CONGRESSMAN DESAULNIER'S STATEMENT FOLLOWING TRUMP STRIKES IN IRAN
I strongly condemn President Trump's unlawful military action against Iran. Americans do not want to see us plunged into another endless foreign war and the President does not have the authority to do so. I will unequivocally be voting YES on the bipartisan war powers resolution this week and implore Republicans Leadership to stand up and speak up. This must be stopped immediately and this President's madness and recklessness must be confronted now.
STATE OF THE UNION
Last week, Mark welcomed Caitlin Sly, the President and CEO of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, which serves an average of 65,000 families per month, as his guest for the State of the Union. More than 18 million American households already face food insecurity which will be exacerbated by Republicans' Big Ugly Bill that cuts federal food assistance (SNAP) by $187 billion. Although Congressman DeSaulnier did not attend the address due to the Administration's lawlessness and cruelty, to bring a human face to this issue, he invited Caitlin and sat down for a conversation with her about food insecurity in CA-10 and the looming cuts to the social safety net. To view his conversation, click here or on the image below.
Mark and Caitlin also spoke with ABC 7 Bay Area News ahead of the State of the Union about Republican cuts to SNAP and how local organizations are trying to fill the gaps to ensure families do not go hungry. To watch the interview, click here.
COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING
Community Project Funding allows Members of Congress to advocate for federal funding for projects that will directly benefit their districts. Just this year, Congressman DeSaulnier secured more than $14 million in federal funding for 13 community projects across CA-10 and a total of over $60 million since coming to Congress. These projects will improve transportation, bolster public safety, protect the environment, and more.
Over the next few weeks, we will be highlighting these projects across our social media pages and here in the DeSaulnier Digest:
Treat Boulevard Corridor Improvements Project
Mark delivered $1 million in federal funding to the Contra Costa County Department of Public Works, which will use the funds to construct bicycle and pedestrian facilities on Treat Boulevard in the Contra Costa Centre Transit Village in Walnut Creek to close a critical gap along the Iron Horse Regional Trail and improve safety for all road users.
Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection Replacement Project
Congressman DeSaulnier brought back $1 million in Community Project Funding for Central Contra Costa Sanitary District to upgrade its water treatment facility ultraviolet technology, reducing the energy footprint of water treatment while protecting public health and water quality in CA-10.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Congressman DeSaulnier Introduces Bill to Protect Student Athletes from Concussions
As a former football player, Congressman DeSaulnier knows young athletes, whose brains are still developing, are at increased risk of sports-related concussions. These injuries can have serious, long-term consequences for student athletes, jeopardizing their ability to compete, their academic performance, and their mental health. Congressman DeSaulnier joined with Senator Durbin to author the Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act (H.R. 7590), which would create national standards for concussion safety measures for student athletes, making real progress toward protecting our nation's children. To learn more about this bill, why it's needed, and the strong support it has among the athletic, academic, and medical communities, click here.
Mark Votes to Protect Energy Efficiency and Lower Household Costs
Last week, Congressman DeSaulnier voted against the Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act (H.R. 4626) and the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act (H.R. 4758), legislation that would roll back federal energy efficiency standards for home appliances and restrict the Department of Energy's ability to update those standards in the future. These bills would increase energy consumption, raise utility bills over time, and undermine efforts to reduce pollution. Despite his opposition, both bills passed the House and now await further action in the U.S. Senate.
POST OF THE WEEK
BY THE NUMBERS
