The DeSaulnier Digest: Mark Observes Memorial Day Across CA-10
It was a dark week on Capitol Hill. Despite 29 straight hours of Democratic opposition and the more than 500 amendments that we introduced, my Republican colleagues recklessly voted last week to take away health care for nearly 14 million Americans through cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act and to slash food assistance for families through cuts to SNAP. Republicans made these cuts to programs that the American people rely on to give the ultrawealthy and giant corporations a tax cut. Before the vote, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), a nonpartisan federal agency, confirmed that this budget will benefit only the very wealthiest Americans by taking away services from millions of low-income Americans. Moreover, the CBO reported that the bill would add $3.7 trillion to the national debt in the coming ten years. House Republicans still supported the bill.
Ahead of the vote, I took to the House floor to stand in opposition to Medicaid cuts and outline how they would harm California residents, people with disabilities, and others. To hear my remarks on the House Floor, click here or on the image below.
I was proud to vote against this disastrous budget bill, and I remain united with my Democratic colleagues to continue using all legislative tools at our disposal to protect the health care of millions of Americans.
Sincerely,
Mark DeSaulnier
Member of Congress
IN THE COMMUNITY
Congressman DeSaulnier Commemorates Memorial Day Across CA-10
Mark and our team joined Memorial Day ceremonies in Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood, Martinez, Clayton, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Danville, and San Ramon to honor the brave Americans who gave their life in service to our country. In his remembrance of these heroes, the Congressman quoted Lincoln's Gettysburg Address where he urged Americans to take up the task of ensuring "that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
Mark to Host Virtual Education Town Hall on Wednesday, May 28th
Since taking office, President Trump has relentlessly attacked public education, threatening accessibility for students with disabilities, student loan programs, and civil rights protections. To discuss his efforts in Congress to fight back against these attacks, Congressman DeSaulnier is hosting a virtual Education Town Hall tomorrow, Wednesday, May 28th from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. on Zoom. Mark will be joined by Contra Costa County Superintendent Lynn Mackey and Disability Rights California Senior Policy Attorney Allegra Fischer to provide an update on their work to defend students and teachers. RSVP to receive a Zoom link by clicking here or on the flyer below.
IN COMMITTEE
Congressman DeSaulnier Defends Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Policies
In recent years, colleges and universities, as well as government agencies and private corporations, have attempted to address historic injustices against minorities and marginalized communities by adopting policies that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Last week, House Republicans held a hearing in the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee where they attempted to misconstrue DEIA policies as harmful, despite clear and convincing evidence demonstrating their benefits. At that hearing, Congressman DeSaulnier discussed the importance of embracing diversity and how DEIA helps students with disabilities access education. To see his remarks, click here or on the image below.
UPDATES FROM DC
Mark Speaks in Honor of Former Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover
On Sunday, May 18th, former Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover passed away after a distinguished life of service. Supervisor Glover was the first African American to be elected to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. During his 20 years of service, he supported efforts to expand job opportunities, created the Board of Supervisors’ Public Protection Committee, and improved local transportation by securing funding for the eBART extension to Antioch and widening Highway 4. To honor his life, Congressman DeSaulnier highlighted his accomplishments on the House Floor. To hear his remarks, click here or on the image below.
Congress Votes to Illegally Roll Back California’s Authority on Emissions
The Clean Air Act, signed by President Nixon, authorized California and other states to seek a waiver to advance emissions reductions and prioritize clean and healthy air beyond federal standards. Under the Biden Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved three of California’s waivers to implement more stringent emissions standards for vehicles. Despite nonpartisan and objective rulings that these waivers cannot be overturned by Congress, House and Senate Republicans moved forward and passed three CRA resolutions (H.J.Res. 87, H.J.Res. 88, and H.J.Res. 89) to repeal those three EPA waiver approvals. As a former member of the California Air Resources Board, Congressman DeSaulnier spoke out forcefully against this attempt to undermine the Clean Air Act and he is grateful that the state will be taking legal action.
DeSaulnier Opposes Attacks on Air Pollution Standards
Under the Biden Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) put out a rule to close a loophole to prevent large industrial facilities from releasing toxic, cancer-causing pollution into the air. In response, Republicans pushed legislation (S.J.Res. 31) that overturns this rule and endangers Americans' health. Eliminating this rule would allow 1,800 industrial facilities, including fossil fuel refineries, to increase the amount of hazardous air pollutants they release into the air and surrounding communities. Despite Congressman DeSaulnier's strong opposition to this legislation, it passed in the House.
Congressman DeSaulnier Supports Regulations that Protect Consumers
Last September, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announced a rule to reform the process for bank merger approvals to ensure mergers do not adversely affect consumers or financial stability. Instead of working to protect consumers, Republicans decided to push legislation (S.J.Res. 13) that overturns this rule and effectively allows for automatic approval of bank mergers and fuels faster consolidation in the banking system. Despite Mark's opposition, S.J.Res. 13 passed in the House.
POST OF THE WEEK
BY THE NUMBERS
