Dear friend,

For the past few weeks, the average percentage of positive COVID-19 cases in San Diego County has been less than two percent. In addition, around 1.4 million people are already fully vaccinated in San Diego. These numbers point to the possibility of a 'normal' summer as California's economy plans to fully reopen on June 15. Thank you for doing your part to keep yourself and those around you safe!

Anyone over the age of 12 can receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Click here to view vaccination locations throughout the county and schedules.

This week, I continued my work from Washington, D.C. Below is another update on some of the work my staff and I have done this week to serve you.

Legislative Work

Votes This Week

• The bicameral, bipartisan COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act requires the Attorney General to designate an individual to facilitate the expedited review of reported hate crimes since the beginning of the pandemic. It also authorizes grants to state and local governments to conduct crime-reduction programs to prevent and respond to hate crimes. President Biden signed this bill into law yesterday.
• H.R. 3233, the bill establishing a commission to investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex, passed the House on Wednesday. This commission must investigate relevant facts and circumstances relating to the attack on the Capitol; review and evaluate causes of and lessons learned from this attack; and submit reports containing findings and recommendations to improve the security posture of the U.S. Capitol Complex.
• Several bills to support our veterans and enhance the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs also passed the House this week. These bills address transparency related to the use of emergency relief funding, prioritize homeless veterans with dependent children for relevant grant programs, and pause the 10 or 15-year GI Bill benefit time limit during times of national emergency. Read more about these bills here.

Energy and Commerce Committee Hearing: "The Fiscal Year 2022 Department of Energy Budget"

On Wednesday, I questioned Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm during a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing about the Department of Energy’s clean energy goals as outlined in President Biden’s American Jobs Plan. During my remarks, I emphasized how a carbon price would complement the plan, including its proposed Clean Energy Standard.

In her first appearance in front of the committee of jurisdiction, Sec. Granholm confirmed that carbon pricing is one of many tools to address carbon emissions. Carbon pricing has garnered broad support from leaders, experts and organizations, including endorsements from the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and the American Petroleum Institute.

I also discussed the POWER ON Act as a means to expand and upgrade our long-distance high-voltage transmission systems to help deliver zero-emission electricity from rural areas where renewables are primarily generated. Watch our full exchange here.

Downtown San Diego Partnership’s Executive Committee Meeting

On Tuesday, I spoke to the Executive Committee of the Downtown San Diego Partnership. I discussed the role federal government can play to reimagine the Downtown experiences and landscape, including ongoing projects such as the new Navy Region Southwest Broadway Complex and proposals for the revitalization of the Naval Information Warfare System Command (NAVWAR) facilities on the Old Town Campus at Naval Base Point Loma.

Visit to Arlington National Cemetery

This week, I visited Arlington National Cemetery ahead of Memorial Day along with other Members of Congress. We visited the grave site of the longest-surviving American service member who served in World War I, Corporal Frank Buckles, to lay a wreath there in memory of all fallen servicemembers.

2021 Congressional Art Competition

As a longtime supporter of the arts, I look forward to seeing the pieces of art that are submitted every year for the Congressional Art Competition. This year's fan favorite (see above) is titled 'A new spring' by Laos. While the winner's submission is displayed in the Capitol, the fan favorite, which was decided by the number of 'likes' on Facebook, is displayed in our district office. We'll announce the winning submission chosen by a board of local art leaders next week!

Participate in our Weekly Poll!

We've recently introduced a new section in our e-newsletter for readers to weigh in on a relevant topic. Thank you to everyone who has participated so far. Here's this week's question:

This week, the House passed a bill that appropriates nearly $1.9B in emergency funding to reimburse expenses following the events of January 6, and to further secure the United States Capitol. Do you believe this funding is necessary?

Click here to submit your answer via Google Forms. We'll share the results in next week's e-newsletter. Last week's question was: "Yesterday, the CDC announced that fully vaccinated Americans can now gather with others without masks indoors and outdoors, even if some in their group are not vaccinated. Do you feel safe following this guidance from this point forward if you're fully vaccinated?"

Here are the results:

356 Responses: 36.8% No, I still believe it's good practice to continue using masks in general. 35.4% Yes, I trust these guidelines and welcome the opportunity to stop using masks. 9% Unsure 1.4% I’m not fully vaccinated so I’ll continue using masks.17.4% Other

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or need assistance with a federal agency, reach out to us through our website or by calling the district office at 858-455-5550.

To stay updated on my work throughout the week, you can also follow my social media accounts by clicking on the icons below.

Stay safe and be well,

Dear friend,

As we gradually resume our normal lives, prioritizing our mental health is critical. This Mental Health Awareness Month, please know there are many resources to help you and your loved ones. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer information on mental health and crisis, healthy ways to cope with stress, and how to help others cope. You can access this information here.

San Diego County's vaccination efforts are now extended to children ages 12 through 15. Those in that age group are now eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Parental consent is required prior to vaccination for anyone under the age of 18. Click here for more details.

This week, I continued my work from Washington, D.C. Below is another update on some of the work my staff and I have done this week to serve you.

This Week's Casework Success Story

Amy from Rancho Peñasquitos contacted the office in early March regarding an issue she was having with the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA.) She's a permanent resident of the United States, but is also entitled to Canada Old Age benefits. The Canadian government required a record of her Social Security earnings as part of her application process and confirmed it had not received a response from the SSA in months. Our office sent an inquiry to the SSA Office of International Operations (OIO). By the end of March, the SSA OIO confirmed that the earnings records had been mailed to the Canadian Liaison office. A few days later, Amy informed my staff that she had received a letter of approval from Canada Service.

“I just wanted to thank your office and especially your District Director who promptly attended to my frustrating issue with the SSA Administration and International Operations. With his assistance, the matter was resolved successfully in less than 3 weeks which also involved Canada Service with my Old Age Pension. I greatly appreciate your help.”

- Amy from Rancho Peñasquitos

Legislative Work

STAND UP Act

This week, the House approved the bipartisan Suicide and Threat Assessment Nationally Dedicated to Universal Prevention (STANDUP) Act to encourage schools to implement suicide prevention training for students. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and I introduced the bill which applies to grades 6 through 12. It would require states, schools, and Tribes to implement commonsense, evidence-based policies to prevent suicides to receive Project AWARE grants, which boost youth mental health awareness among schools and communities.

A return to the classroom means that we must prepare schools to meet their students’ growing mental health needs. The STANDUP Act takes a proactive, evidence-based approach by equipping students and educators with the skills they need to identify, intervene, and get help for those at risk of harming themselves or others.

Joint Economic Committee hearing: "Examining the Racial Wealth Gap in the United States"

During this hearing on Wednesday, I asked Mehrsa Baradaran, Professor of Law at UC Irvine's School of Law, about the success of federal Paycheck Protection Program loans set aside for minority groups and underserved businesses. I also posed a question about the importance of home ownership as a way to create generational wealth. Click here to watch this full exchange.

California Retired Teachers Association Annual Convention

Earlier today, I attended the California Retired Association's Annual Convention and received the "‘Friends of CalRTA" award. I thanked the organization for its partnership during my time in Congress and its tireless advocacy on behalf of retired teachers across California.

District Work

Commissioning of USS Miguel Keith

Last Saturday, I delivered the welcoming address at the commissioning ceremony for USS Miguel Keith at Naval Air Station North Island. USS Miguel Keith was built by San Diego’s own General Dynamics NASSCO and bears the name of Marine Corps Lance Corporal Miguel Keith who was killed in action while defending his platoon in Vietnam. We wish USS Miguel Keith, and all who sail upon her in service to our great nation, Fair Winds and Following Seas.

Honor Flight San Diego Seeks Veterans

Honor Flight San Diego, a non-profit dedicated to escorting San Diego County veterans to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to their service, is seeking WWII and Korean War veterans to go on their Honor Flight. The next flight departs from San Diego and is scheduled for October. Veterans pay no costs for this three-day trip. For more information, click here.

Participate in our Weekly Poll!

We've recently introduced a new section in our e-newsletter for readers to weigh in on a relevant topic. Thank you to everyone who has participated so far. Here's this week's question:

Yesterday, the CDC announced that fully vaccinated Americans can now gather with others without masks indoors and outdoors, even if some in their group are not vaccinated. Do you feel safe following this guidance from this point forward if you're fully vaccinated?

Click here to submit your answer via Google Forms. We'll share the results in next week's e-newsletter. Last week's question was: "President Biden continues to lay out plans for comprehensive legislation like the American Families Plan and the American Jobs Plan. How important of a role do you think bipartisanship and compromise in Congress should play to move these plans forward?"

Here are the results:

317 Responses: 22.7% Very important; passing big legislation should require the support of everyone. 34.4% Not all that important; passing big legislation needs to get done, with or without the support of both parties. 1.3% Not important; parties should not compromise.24.9% Bipartisanship is always important, whether or not big legislation is on the table. 16.7% Other

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or need assistance with a federal agency, reach out to us through our website or by calling the district office at 858-455-5550.

To stay updated on my work throughout the week, you can also follow my social media accounts by clicking on the icons below.

Stay safe and be well,

Dear friend,

We continue to make strides in the fight against COVID-19. This week, California registered the lowest positivity case rate in the country at 1.2%. This rate is the lowest positivity rate our state has experienced in a year. In addition, San Diego County COVID-19 clinics are now offering vaccines without appointments. To see a full list of sites and schedules, click here. 

There's more good news if you're one of the millions of Americans who has been fully vaccinated. You may reduce the usage of masks when outdoors according to updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Click here to learn more about what you can start doing and what you should keep doing to stay safe. 

This week, I continued my work here in San Diego. Below is another update on some of the work my staff and I have done this week to serve you.

Legislative work

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing: “The Fiscal Year 2022 EPA Budget”

On Thursday during an Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing, I stressed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) critical role in cleaning up the environmental catastrophe in the Tijuana River Valley afflicting San Diego’s coastal communities.

This problem has worsened in recent years, as the river and the nearby canyons have experienced toxic, dangerous spills every single day. This occurrence forces local officials to close beaches and challenges our military training and readiness. During the hearing, I urged Administrator Michael S. Regan from the EPA to take the following actions:

1. Implement urgent fixes to slow the flows;
2. Rapidly build a diversion structure through an executive order or fast-tracked through a different process;
3. Convey a sense of urgency to the Biden Administration about the need for the State Department to engage with Mexico to ensure officials south of the border build necessary infrastructure to stem this flow, and;
4. To join me and Rep. Juan Vargas, who represents the border area, for a visit to see this crisis in person and witness how these spills hurt our region.

Towards the end of this hearing, I received Administrator Regan's commitment to join Rep. Vargas and me in San Diego to see this public health threat in person.

Click here to watch my full testimony during this hearing.

Introduction of the REPAIR Act

On Thursday, I also helped introduce the bicameral, bipartisan Reinventing Economic Partnerships and Infrastructure Redevelopment (REPAIR) Act to create jobs and build the new 21st century infrastructure America needs to remain competitive.

For years, the federal government has struggled to fund our country’s infrastructure needs. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report, the U.S. lags behind twelve nations in overall infrastructure. The REPAIR Act would establish an Infrastructure Financing Authority to complement federal funds through loans and loan guarantees. Proposed projects would undergo rigorous analysis and must show clear public benefit, meet economic, technical and environmental standards and be backed by a dedicated revenue stream.

America’s crumbling roads, bridges, railway, transmission lines, water and broadband systems require significant, long-term investments that go beyond maintenance. To build a prosperous America, we must have functioning, up-to-date infrastructure that meets our 21st century needs. This bill will bring our infrastructure systems up to speed while keeping fiscal sustainability in mind.

Meeting with CEO of Zero8Hundred

On Monday, I met with Rich Wiley, interim CEO of zero8hundred. Zero8hundred is a military transition support project I helped launch in San Diego that works to ease veterans' transition to civilian life. To provide assistance, zero8hundred first matches transitioning personnel with a military-connected counselor to help identify their unique needs and then connects them to resources available to meet those needs in San Diego, Riverside, Imperial or Orange counties.

During this meeting, I reiterated my support for this organization and its mission to support those transitioning into civilian life. Zero8hundred's work continues to lead by example and serves as a national model for helping our veterans and their families.

Meeting with Feeding San Diego

On Monday, I met with Dan Shea, CEO of Feeding San Diego, and organization staff to discuss continued food rescue operations throughout San Diego County. Thank you to the hard-working volunteers and staff who have supported those who face food insecurity in our region.

Covered California media event

On Tuesday, I participated in a virtual event to discuss recent changes to the Affordable Care Act created through the passage of the American Rescue Plan. The plan passed by Congress and signed into law is providing $3B to California's economy to help around 2.5 million people including the uninsured and those enrolled directly through health insurance carriers. In San Diego, nearly 200,000 people stand to benefit from the new financial help that is now available.

Click here to sign up for lower-cost health insurance during Covered California's special enrollment period today for coverage starting tomorrow.

Meeting with Director General Louis M. Huang

Earlier today, I met with Director General Louis M. Huang from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles. We discussed the importance of U.S.-Taiwan relations and Taiwan's participation in the 74th World Health Assembly, the annual meeting of the World Health Organization. During my meeting with Director General Huang, I stated my support for Taiwan's participation in this event, given the country's effective COVID-19 response which has been recognized around the world.

Opening of the application portal for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund

Next Monday at 9 A.M., the application portal for the Small Business Administration's Restaurant Revitalization Fund will open for eligible businesses.  Restaurants, caterers, bars, bakeries, breweries, wineries and distilleries are some of the businesses that qualify to receive this emergency assistance which was made possible by the passage of the American Rescue Plan.

For more information and details on this funding, click here.

Participate in our weekly poll!

We've recently introduced a new section in our e-newsletter for readers to weigh in on a relevant topic. Thank you to everyone who has participated so far. Here's this week's question:

This week, President Biden delivered his Joint Address to Congress. Did you watch? If so, were you encouraged by the president's message?

Click here to submit your answer via Google Forms. We'll share the results in next week's e-newsletter. Last week's question was: Do you support the establishment of a national "vaccine passport" to be able to enter certain places and complete certain activities such as travel?

Here are the results:

418 Responses: 56.7% Yes, this would consolidate databases around the country and help keep track of our recovery. 29.2% No, I'm concerned about my medical privacy and/or my choice to get vaccinated or not. 14.1% Other

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or need assistance with a federal agency, reach out to us through our website or by calling the district office at 858-455-5550.

To stay updated on my work throughout the week, you can also follow my social media accounts by clicking on the icons below.

Stay safe and be well,

Dear friend,

If you haven't received a COVID-19 vaccine yet, all Californians over the age of 16 are now eligible to get it. County officials recommend checking in first with your healthcare provider to receive a vaccine. If you can't get one from a provider, the County and its partners are offering vaccinations. Click here to schedule an appointment.

We continue making progress as more than one million San Diego County residents have received at least one vaccine dose. I'm grateful for all of our volunteers and health professionals who are moving this operation forward. Let's honor their work by wearing masks, practicing social distancing and washing our hands frequently.

This week, I continued my work from Washington, D.C. Below is another update on some of the work my staff and I have done this week to serve you.

Legislative work

Reintroduction of the Build More Housing Near Transit Act, Build for Future Disasters Act of 2021 and the TRUST Act

This week, I reintroduced three bills: one to help tackle the country's housing crisis; another to discourage costly development in regions prone to flooding; and a third to prevent the insolvency of trust funds that support critical programs such as Medicare and Social Security.

• The updated, bipartisan Build More Housing Near Transit Act encourages the construction of low and middle-income housing in transit-served, walkable locations. This bill would maximize federal investment in transit and increase housing options for Americans amid a shortage of affordable and available homes, especially for those who routinely spend more than half of their incomes on rent. This legislation also boosts efforts to protect the environment by getting more cars off the road and growing transit ridership.
  • Click here to watch my remarks on this bill during the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Members' Day hearing.
• The Build for Future Disasters Act of 2021 would end the costly system of building, flooding and rebuilding perpetuated by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP.) Federal taxpayer money is currently subsidizing the rebuilding of structures in some areas prone to flooding, and this bill would instead encourage regional resiliency planning as we prepare for future climate crisis-induced disasters.
• The Time to Rescue United States’ Trusts (TRUST) Act is bipartisan and bicameral legislation that would create a process to rescue federal trust funds from the threat of insolvency. Last September, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that four of the major trust funds will exhaust their reserves within the next 11 years. Some of our most important federal programs are financed through dedicated revenue sources and managed through trust funds. By addressing key structural issues behind the debt, Congress can put our major federal programs on stronger footing.

Joint Economic Committee hearing: “Vaccinations and the Economic Recovery”

On Wednesday, I took part in the Joint Economic Committee's hearing on the role vaccinations play in our economic recovery. I serve as one of only six Democratic House members on the bicameral committee in which members of both the Senate and House of Representatives participate. This was my first hearing on the committee since being appointed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi in March. 

We discussed the barriers involved with vaccine access, the importance of continued testing including the development of home testing and confidence in vaccine efficacy, among other topics.

Interview with the Evangelical Environmental Network

On Tuesday, I spoke with Rev. Mitch Hescox, President and C.E.O. of the Evangelical Environmental Network. This organization is a ministry that educates and mobilizes Christians to get involved in regions impacted by pollution, and advocate for policies that honor God and protect the environment. I spoke about my personal beliefs and how they're connected to my efforts to tackle climate change. We also discussed the need to address fugitive methane released from the oil and gas industry, and how a carbon fee and dividend can incentivize all economic actors--from middle-income families to large corporations--to reduce carbon emissions. 

Livestream event on the pragmatic plan to tackle climate change with the Neoliberal Project

On Wednesday, I spoke to Colin Mortimer from the Neoliberal Project on Twitch, a livestreaming platform. Our discussion on climate change covered a wide range of topics including the value of a carbon fee, building housing near public transit, and the development of clean energy sources. While we know we can't make meaningful changes overnight, I believe practical solutions should bring us together in our fight against climate change. If you missed this event, you can watch it here. 

San Diego Workforce Partnership board meeting

On Thursday, I spoke at the San Diego Workforce Partnership's board meeting. This local nonprofit connects job seekers and employers throughout San Diego County. I discussed my role as part of the Joint Economic Committee, how the American Rescue Plan Act invests in our recovering workforce, and the need to keep investing in quality training programs for workers. We also spoke about the push to raise the federal minimum wage and how there can be a compromise in Congress to make this happen.

Participate in our weekly poll!

We've recently introduced a new section in our e-newsletter for readers to weigh in on a relevant topic. Thank you to everyone who has participated so far. Here's this week's question:

Economists and scientists agree that putting a price on carbon is a vital step to combat climate change. A bill I recently cosponsored, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, would price carbon at $15 per metric ton of CO2e and increase the price by $10 every year. In turn, 100% of the net revenue would be given back as a rebate to American families.

Do you support a carbon fee and dividend as part of a national strategy to curb carbon emissions?

Click here to submit your answer via Google Forms. We'll share the results in next week's e-newsletter. Last week's question was: "Do you agree with San Diego's role to support federal officials as they work to process large numbers of unaccompanied minors at our southern border?"

Here are the results:

417 Responses: 63.8% Yes 22.5% No 13.7% Other

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or need assistance with a federal agency, reach out to us through our website or by calling the district office at 858-455-5550.

To stay updated on my work throughout the week, you can also follow my social media accounts by clicking on the icons below.

Stay safe and be well,