The DeSaulnier Digest: Upcoming Town Hall and Democrats' Efforts to Protect Access to Abortion
One in five young people experience mental illness of some kind, a figure that has been exacerbated by the pandemic. To do our part to help, we will be hosting a Town Hall on the Growing Youth Mental Health Crisis July 25th at 6 p.m. I will be joined by special guest, Vicki Harrison, Program Director of Stanford University's Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing who will offer her expertise and help to answer your questions.
Click here or on the image below to RSVP and submit a question. We hope you can join us for this important and timely discussion!
Sincerely,
Mark DeSaulnier
Member of Congress
CONGRESSMAN DESAULNIER PRESIDES OVER DEBATE ON GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION
Congressman DeSaulnier had the honor of presiding over the House Floor last week as the House passed bipartisan legislation that would create a program similar to the AMBER Alert system for law enforcement to alert the public to active shooters in the community. The Active Shooter Alert Act (H.R. 6538) is a commonsense, straightforward solution that will help save lives and is supported by law enforcement.
IN COMMITTEE
Mark Works to Protect Access to Abortion
The right to choose is deeply personal and this decision should be made between patients and doctors. Congressman DeSaulnier spoke with experts regarding abortion access at last week's House Oversight Committee hearing. The Congressman discussed how extremist, anti-choice laws will have a devastating and disproportionate impact on marginalized groups. Click here or on the image below to watch Congressman DeSaulnier and experts discuss the importance of compassionate, accessible care.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
House Passes Bills to Support Access to Abortion with DeSaulnier's Support
In response to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Congress must act to protect access to abortion and reproductive health care. Last week, Congressman DeSaulnier supported House passage of the Women's Health Protection Act (H.R. 8296) and the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act (H.R. 8297). H.R. 8296, which passed by a vote of 219-to-210, would create a federal right to an abortion, while H.R. 8297, which passed by a vote of 223-to-205, would protect individuals who travel across state lines to get an abortion.
Congressman DeSaulnier Opposes Runaway Defense Spending
Congressman DeSaulnier wholeheartedly supports our nation's service members and believes that the most important aspect of the defense budget is ensuring the compensation for our nation's heroes. At the same time, however, we should be putting more emphasis in our budget on programs that help the United States lead the world - that includes our moral obligations. Our defense budget is bloated and is overdue for an in-depth audit. Until a true audit is completed, we cannot accurately identify which programs need funding and what spending is appropriate. Our country cannot afford to continue to blindly funnel money into the defense department and ignore the needs of the rest of the country. Congressman DeSaulnier voted against the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 7900), which passed in the House by a vote of 329-to-101.
DeSaulnier Leads Efforts to Support Veterans
Studies have found that veterans are more likely than others to have trouble managing credit, to be underwater on home mortgages, and make late mortgage payments. To help get our servicemembers and veterans on good financial footing, Congressman DeSaulnier authored two amendments to this year's defense authorization bill. The first amendment would help protect servicemembers and veterans from discrimination in the mortgage market and the second would improve the Veterans' Affairs home loan program to ensure as many veterans as possible benefit from it. Congressman DeSaulnier's amendments passed the House as part of the defense bill.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Contra Costa County Commemorates Port Chicago Explosion
On July 17, 1944 an explosion at Port Chicago tragically killed 435 African American servicemembers. This event was the deadliest home front disaster of WWII. While white officers were allowed to take time off following the explosion, African American servicemembers were ordered to return to work in the same unsafe conditions that killed their fellow sailors. When 50 brave men objected and refused to return to work, the group, later named the Port Chicago 50, were charged with mutiny. This past weekend, our office had the distinct honor of attending the Port Chicago 78th Anniversary Memorial Event in recognition of the courage shown by the Port Chicago 50 and in remembrance of the fallen servicemembers. In Congress, Mark's effort to exonerate the Port Chicago 50 and to honor these heroes passed the U.S. House last week.
IN THE NEWS
Ahead of the 78th anniversary of the Port Chicago explosion, Mark joined Jana Katsuyama of KTVU News to discuss his efforts to exonerate the wrongly convicted sailors. Tune in by clicking here or on the image below.
POST OF THE WEEK
BY THE NUMBERS
