DeSaulnier Digest
As Congress returns to Washington this week, we want to take a moment to look back on what has been another productive district work period. Meeting with constituents is one of the most enjoyable parts of serving Contra Costa County, and over the last six weeks, we have visited each corner of our district. Thank you to all who came to a town hall or office hours to share your opinion. It is a privilege to serve you.
Last week, the world was introduced to Isabel Bueso, a 24 year-old Concord resident who came to the United States from Guatemala at age 7 to participate in a clinical trial for a rare genetic disease. Isabel receives weekly treatments at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in Oakland, and her participation in groundbreaking clinical trials has given hope to Americans with rare diseases.
During the month of August, we have met with thousands of constituents. With two weeks left before Congress reconvenes in Washington, we are hard at work in the district. Tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Campolindo High School in Moraga, we will host a "Climate Change and the Environment" town hall. We hope you will join us, but if you are unable to attend you can join the conversation live on Facebook! Also, happening this week is our joint town hall with Congressman Jerry McNerney on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Antioch Community Center.
Last week brought a lot of big news! After more than a month of hammering the Trump Administration for answers, we received news that it will apparently reverse course and resume the deferred action program. By doing so, hundreds of deserving immigrants like Isabel Bueso will be allowed to stay in the United States to receive life-saving medical care. We will continue pressing the Administration for answers about who is responsible for the policy change in the first place and will seek assurances that this program is safe from future targeting.
Throughout the month of August, we have been hard at work meeting with constituents and hosting events across Contra Costa County. Last week alone, we held three town halls – in Richmond, Danville, and San Pablo — with a combined total of over 1,000 attendees. Additionally, we held a veterans resource fair to better connect Contra Costa's veterans with information about the benefits they have earned and deserve.
Due to the overwhelming interest in our Danville Town Hall, we have moved locations. The town hall will now be held at the Charlotte Wood Middle School on Thursday, August 8th at 6:30 p.m. Please join us for an update on what is happening in Washington and a discussion on news of the day, including this week's mass shootings.
With the month of August right around the corner and Congress beginning its annual August district work period, we have several upcoming events in the community that will provide an opportunity for Contra Costa residents to share their opinion on a number of important topics.
The upcoming week will be a busy one in Washington as the House continues its effort to hold the Administration accountable with Special Counsel Robert Mueller set to testify before Congress. With so much going on, we will host a pair of town halls to provide Contra Costa residents with the latest information.
Over the last few weeks and months, we have been busy in Congress passing spending packages to fund vital federal services, holding the Administration accountable, and passing bills to improve the lives of everyday Americans. With so much going on, we want to share updates with Contra Costa residents and hear what you think about the topics that confront us here at home and in Washington. On July 30th at 6:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building in Danville, we will host a town hall to provide an update from Washington and to hear your thoughts.
As we head into the Fourth of July week, there is a lot to celebrate. On top of the bills we debated, last week I introduced efforts to study and combat climate change, support our nation's students, and prevent gun violence. More on all of that and more is included below.
Sincerely,
Mark DeSaulnier
Member of Congress
AT A GLANCE
In this week's Digest, you will find information on: