The DeSaulnier Digest: My Statement Following Resignation of Mr. Swalwell
Like many in our community, I was shocked and horrified to learn of the allegations of abuse against former Bay Area Congressman Eric Swalwell. Serving our communities in Congress is a privilege and sacred duty to the public, and the alleged actions of Mr. Swalwell and others makes them unfit to serve in this sacred office.
To read my full statement on the resignation of Mr. Swalwell, click here.
Sincerely,
Mark DeSaulnier
Member of Congress
IN COMMITTEE
Mark Questions RFK Jr. on Administration's Health and Human Services Priorities
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. recently appeared before the House Education & Workforce Committee for an oversight hearing, giving Committee members a chance to ask the Secretary about the Department's work and priorities. In the face of the Administration's proposed budget cuts, Congressman DeSaulnier asked Secretary Kennedy about enforcement against illegal e-cigarette products, the mental health epidemic in young women and girls, and healthy school meals. Congressman DeSaulnier joined multiple letters with his colleagues to request that Secretary Kennedy appear before the Education & Workforce Committee, as he neglected to appear last year. To see the full exchange, click here or on the image below.
Congressman DeSaulnier Discusses Health Care Costs and Claims Denials
The Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is an important agency that is charged with protecting workers' hard-earned retirement and health benefits. EBSA has tremendous scope, overseeing over 837,000 private sector retirement plans, roughly 2.8 million health plans, and 521,000 other employee benefit plans. While EBSA has enormous responsibilities, its funding and staffing are inadequate. Last week, the House Education & Workforce Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing with the Assistant Secretary of EBSA to discuss how the agency is operating under the Trump Administration. As the top Democrat on that Subcommittee, Congressman DeSaulnier spoke about the difficulty of accessing affordable health care in the U.S. today, as well as the impact of health insurance claims denials. To see his remarks, click here or on the image below.
ON CAPITOL HILL
Mark Hosts Virtual Town Hall on America's Crises under Republican Leadership
Congressman DeSaulnier hosted a virtual town hall from his Washington, D.C. office to discuss the crises Americans are facing under Republican leadership, including the war with Iran and rising prices. If you missed the conversation, you can view a recording by clicking here or on the image below.
Congressman DeSaulnier Votes to Hold the Trump Administration Accountable in Iran
For almost two months, President Trump has been conducting an illegal war in Iran, for which he has offered no coherent strategy, goals, or endgame. Last week, Congressman DeSaulnier joined his colleagues to vote in favor of a War Powers Resolution (H.Con.Res. 40) to stop the Administration from conducting further military action in Iran. Despite overwhelming public opposition to the war, H.Con.Res. 40 failed to pass the House of Representatives. Congressman DeSaulnier and Democrats in Congress will continue to stand up to the President and demand he obey the rule of law.
Mark Opposes Government Spy Powers Bill
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) regulates federal government surveillance of the electronic communications of foreign individuals. Under Section 702 of FISA, the National Security Agency (NSA) is permitted to collect Americans' phone calls, emails, and text messages without a warrant if they were obtained as part of efforts to surveil a foreign individual. Last week, the House of Representatives considered extending FISA without any meaningful reforms to protect Americans' personal communications. Congressman DeSaulnier believes that we can provide law enforcement officials with the resources and capabilities necessary to defend the nation while simultaneously upholding the hard-fought and hard-won individual rights enshrined in the Constitution. For that reason, he and a bipartisan majority in the House opposed the FISA reauthorization and it failed to pass. A 10-day extension of FISA authority was passed into law to give Members of Congress additional time to negotiate reforms before the authority expires.
Congressman DeSaulnier Votes Against Bills Weakening Clean Air Protections
Last week, House Republicans advanced two bills that would weaken environmental safeguards, reduce accountability, and increase harmful pollution in communities. H.R. 6409 would allow states to exclude certain pollution, such as emissions originating outside the United States, from Clean Air Act standards, while H.R. 6398 would eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency's role in reviewing major federal projects for environmental and public health impacts. Despite his opposition, both bills passed the House of Representatives and now await consideration in the Senate.
Mark Opposes Misleading Resolution Backing Partisan Tax Agenda
Last week, the House of Representatives considered H.Res. 1156, a resolution which expresses support for Republicans' 2025 tax law, also known as the "Big Ugly Bill." H.Res. 1156 dedicates a lot of time to false claims about the package and fails to mention how it gave the wealthiest Americans a massive tax break while stripping health care away from nearly 17 million people - including children, veterans, seniors, the poor, parents, and people with disabilities. Despite Congressman DeSaulnier's strong opposition, H.Res. 1156 passed the House.
POST OF THE WEEK
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