The DeSaulnier Digest: Upcoming Town Hall and Recap of July Legislative Period
As we see more severe fires more frequently in California, it is essential to be prepared in case of an emergency. To share tips on emergency preparedness and discuss the work that is being done on both the federal and state level to mitigate wildfires, we are hosting a virtual Fire Safety Town Hall on Wednesday, August 10th at 1:00 p.m. I will be joined by special guests Casey De Shong, Congressional Liaison for FEMA Region 9, Brian Marshall, Cal OES Fire Chief, and Lewis Broschard, Fire Chief for Contra Costa Fire Protection District (Con Fire), who will provide tips on fire safety and mitigation and share their expertise.
Click here or on the image below to RSVP and submit a question. We hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
Mark DeSaulnier
Member of Congress
IN COMMITTEE
In addition to the tragic loss of human life, gun violence costs the U.S. $1 billion per year in health care costs alone. Congressman DeSaulnier spoke at an Oversight Committee hearing this week about how gun manufacturers take advantage of a lack of regulation to make billions of dollars in annual profits from this death and destruction. Tune in to hear why Congress must advance evidence-based gun violence reduction policies by clicking here or on the image below.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
DeSaulnier Votes to Ban Assault Weapons
Between 1994 and 2004, the purchase of assault weapons was banned at the federal level and research suggests that during that time the likelihood of mass shooting deaths fell by 70%. California has been leading the country with its assault weapons ban, but Congressman DeSaulnier was proud to vote to reinstate the federal ban on their purchase. With his support, the bill passed in the House by a vote of 217-to-213.
DeSaulnier Supports Bill to Promote American Competitiveness
Last week, Congressman DeSaulnier voted for historic, bipartisan legislation to strengthen our nation's families' financial future, boost America's research advantage and safeguard our economic and national security for generations to come. The CHIPS and Science Act, which passed in the House by a vote of 243-to-187, will deliver a powerful investment in America's global competitiveness - creating jobs, slashing kitchen table costs, ending dependence on foreign manufacturers and turbocharging American innovation. Previously passed by the Senate, this legislation now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law.
Mark Votes to Extend Expanded Use of Telehealth
During the coronavirus pandemic, health care providers and patients have rapidly adapted to the use of telehealth, allowing patients to receive quality care in a safe and socially distanced manner. To ensure that patients can continue to receive care via telehealth after the pandemic ends, the House of Representatives passed the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act (H.R. 4040). Congressman DeSaulnier voted in support of this bill, which passed by a vote of 416-to-12.
House Passes Legislation to Address Wildfire and Drought with Congressman DeSaulnier's Support
Climate change is exacerbating the extreme wildfires and drought that we have seen in California and across much of the western United States. In response, Congressman DeSaulnier voted in support of the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act (H.R. 5118). This legislation, which passed the House by a vote of 218-to-199, will support better pay for federal firefighters, require a 10-year wildfire response plan, invest in drought-proof water supply projects, and help increase our resiliency against climate change.
Congressman DeSaulnier supported House passage of other important legislation last week, including:
- The South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act (H.R. 3771), which would authorize federal funding to research and promote awareness of heart disease in high-risk populations, including South Asian communities.
- The Susan Muffley Act (H.R. 6929), to restore retirement benefits to more than 20,000 Delphi salaried retirees who lost 70% of their pensions after Delphi filed bankruptcy in 2009.
- The Big Cat Public Safety Act (H.R. 263), which would safeguard wild animals by banning private ownership of big cats and ending other abusive practices.
ICYMI: MARK HOSTS TOWN HALL TO ADDRESS YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
Congressman DeSaulnier recently held a Town Hall on the Growing Youth Mental Health Crisis to discuss the effects of the pandemic, social media, and more on young people's mental wellbeing and where we go from here with Vicki Harrison, Program Director of Stanford University's Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing. If you missed this important conversation, you can tune in by clicking here or on the image below.
POST OF THE WEEK
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