Dear friend,

After months of intense work and negotiations, the White House released a very promising framework for the Build Back Better Act. I am encouraged by the historic investments in climate to drastically reduce emissions, make preschool universal for 3- and 4-year-olds, and construct affordable housing. Congress must continue to work on including paid family leave and prescription drug price reforms, and I continue to advocate for these policies.

Below is another update on some of the work my staff and I have done recently to serve you.

This Week's Casework Success Story

Joe from Carmel Valley contacted my office earlier this month with an issue he was having to secure safe and affordable housing for his disabled son. Joe was seeking to expedite the approval process for an exception to the Section 8 Department of Housing and Urban Development payment standard. This exception would allow Joe's son to secure housing near his parents. Shortly after my staff contacted the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) on Joe's behalf, SDHC expedited the process and notified him of the approval. Securing safe and affordable housing for Joe's son marks a new chapter in his journey toward independence, and our office was happy to help.

"The very day after I sent in the HUD Privacy Act Waiver, we received the good news from the San Diego Housing Commission...We had been patient for greater than 45 days for such an approval, as well as the property manager who held the apartment for (my son) for 6 weeks. We would like to sincerely thank your office and colleagues, as well as the DC office of Congressman Scott Peters whom I contacted as well, for whatever role they played in this approval.”

- Joe from Carmel Valley

"Help Wanted: A Stronger Labor Market for Robust Growth" Hearing

On Wednesday, I participated in a Joint Economic Committee hearing on the current state of our country's labor market. I urged changing our immigration laws to help address today's labor shortage and asked Skanda Amarnath, Executive Director at Employ America, and Dr. Betsey Stevenson, from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy University of Michigan, about the role of the immigrant workforce in our economic growth. I also spoke about the value of the Child Tax Credit and how it empowers parents' choices to spend more of their hard-earned money on their families. Click here to watch my remarks during this hearing. 

Letter to Secretary Xavier Becerra

This week, I sent a letter to Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, requesting permission for San Diego health officials to share unused COVID-19 vaccines with Mexico. The letter, which was also signed by Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), requests a briefing about the barriers to sharing the vaccine with our neighbors in Baja California. Earlier this month, San Diego County medical leaders attempted to donate unused vaccine doses to residents of Mexicali, Baja California. Shortly thereafter, officials from the White House Vaccine Force notified them that donations could only be managed from Washington, D.C. since they are federal property. We strongly encourage our federal government to allow health authorities to share precious, limited supplies of COVID-19 vaccines so that shots go in arms, not the trash. A copy of this letter is available here.

Meeting with CA-52 Constituents

On Thursday, I met with Lynn Dedrick and Leslie Hopwood from my district to speak about caregiving challenges during the pandemic. We discussed H.R. 3733 the Essential Caregivers Act, and what that bill would do for families like theirs. Mikko Cook, the co-founder of the Essential Caregivers Coalition, also joined this call and I heard about first-hand experiences of caretaking for the elderly during these difficult times. I want to thank Lynn, Leslie and Mikko for sharing their personal stories and meeting with me this week.

Meeting with Temple Adat Shalom Men's Club

I was glad to join the Temple Adat Shalom Men's Club last weekend to provide a broad update on the current work in Congress. I spoke about drug pricing, affordable housing, the climate crisis, investments in infrastructure, and the state of current US-Israel relations. I remain committed to addressing these issues in Congress and for the people of California's 52nd district.

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,

I look forward to returning to Washington, D.C. next week as we continue to negotiate and deliver investments for the American people. Before returning to the Capitol, I spent a great week in San Diego meeting with the people I represent and answering important questions about my work in Congress. 

Below is another update on some of the work my staff and I have done this week to serve you.

Subcommittee on Health Legislative Hearing

On Wednesday, I spoke about a bill I authored, the Veteran Peer Specialist Act of 2021, during a House Veterans Affairs Committee Health Subcommittee legislative hearing. The bills considered during this hearing seek to support veterans' health and mental care needs. I want to thank Committee leadership for including my legislation to improve veterans' quality of life.

Virtual Town Hall on Current Events

in Congress

On Tuesday, I held a virtual event to hear from the people of California's 52nd district. Before taking questions from the audience, I discussed current negotiations in Congress related to the Build Back Better Act, also known as the reconciliation bill, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework. During the town hall, many people asked about my position on H.R. 3 to lower prescription drug costs and I elaborated on my own plan to lower costs, the Reduced Costs and Continued Cures Act. I also responded to questions about voting rights, pollution in the Tijuana River Valley, policies to tackle climate change, and carbon pricing among other topics. Thank you to everyone who attended and participated!

If you missed this event, you can watch it here.

Connecting with Students from Mt. Carmel High School Civics Class

On Wednesday, I met with students from Mt. Carmel High School in Rancho Peñasquitos to talk about my work in Congress and how young adults can be active in their communities to make a difference. I answered students' questions on the legislative process, my career that led me to Washington, D.C., as well my favorite parts of being a Member of Congress.

Meeting with Members of the American Diabetes Association

On Thursday, I had a great meeting with local members of the American Diabetes Association to discuss how COVID-19 has impacted people with diabetes and to talk about my commitment to lower the cost of drugs, especially for our seniors and for people who need insulin. I was honored to hear their personal stories of living with diabetes and dealing with the rising cost of insulin. We need to improve coverage in Medicare and Medicaid, reduce the cost of hospital care and medications, and reform food and nutrition policy in order to prevent the onset of prediabetes, delay or avert the evolution of prediabetes into diabetes, and manage diabetes care after diagnosis.

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,

October 7, 2021

Dear friend,

Congress continues our work to pass two important and historic bills for the American people: the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework and the reconciliation bill, or the Build Back Better Act. I mentioned in last week's newsletter that I will keep working and negotiating in good faith with my colleagues to get these critical but challenging efforts past the finish line. 

While these conversations take place in Washington, D.C., I want to take the time to hear from you and share more details on these legislative processes. Join me next Tuesday for a webinar to break down what's happening in Congress as we plan to make once-in-a-lifetime investments for our future. I will be taking questions to explain where we are now and what is expected in the weeks and months ahead.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Time: 4:00-5:00 P.M. (PST)
Location: Virtual via Zoom - Click here to register!

For questions, please contact our office at 858-455-5550.

I look forward to taking with you.

Dear friend,

I continued my work for the 52nd district from Washington, D.C., this week. The House voted on major pieces of legislation, including the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2022, a bill to keep our government running and prevent default, and the Women's Health Protection Act to protect a woman’s right to make her own reproductive health care decisions throughout the U.S.

I want to acknowledge the messages I have received regarding my vote on H.R. 3 and my drug pricing proposal, the Reduced Costs and Continued Cures Act, during the past few days. Many callers stated that they were encouraged to call by national organizations. However, these organizations did not provide the callers with complete or accurate information about my position or proposal, the Reduced Costs and Continued Cures Act.

It provides a yearly out-of-pocket cap in Medicare for the expense of prescription drugs for those who need assistance most: 

• $1200 annual out-of-pocket cap for those at 300 percent or less of the Federal Poverty Level;
• $1800 annual out-of-pocket cap for those at 300 to 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level; and
• $3100 annual out-of-pocket cap for those at above 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
• Caps insulin for Medicare beneficiaries at $50 per month.
• Closes the loopholes abused by drug companies to extend patents that delay generics
• Claws excess drug company profits going back five years.

H.R. 3 has passed the House twice but has never succeeded in the Senate. This means it has not lowered the cost of one drug or helped one patient. This time around, as Congress considers President Biden's $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill, enough senators have signaled they will not support H.R. 3 and I was not willing to watch history repeat itself. That’s why I offered an alternative – one that lowers drug costs for seniors as well as other consumers without stifling investment in future live-saving treatments. More than 50 patient advocacy groups, including the California Access Coalition, have stated strong concerns against H.R.3, and many of them have thanked me for my work to present an alternative. I want to make sure a solution to lower drug prices has the ability to be signed into law. 

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

Caroline, a veteran from the 52nd district, contacted my office in mid-August. She requested assistance with extending her HUD-VASH voucher, which was expiring imminently. The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs(VA). Due to a prior eviction on her record, she had trouble finding housing on her own. My staff reached out to the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) and provided necessary documentation and the VASH voucher extension request. The request was quickly reviewed and granted by SDHC and the VA, ensuring that Caroline would remain housed.

Committee Hearings

Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Hearing: "Addressing COVID-19's Impacts on Children"

On Wednesday, I attended an Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing to explore how the pandemic has affected children and adolescents. I asked two witnesses what we know about how the pandemic has affected development and academic achievement.

Lee Savio Beers, M.D., F.A.A.P. is the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She said the impacts of the pandemic have not been equitably distributed. Children from communities of color, those from lower income families, and those who deal with grief and loss are especially affected. She also emphasized the importance of safe and stable relationships for children to thrive and recover.

Arthur Evans, Jr., Ph.D., is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Psychological Association. He spoke about the wider societal affects on children besides the pandemic, and the need for efficient clinical services, and more resources to address early intervention and prevention to reduce the risk of behavioral problems.

Joint Economic Committee Hearing: "Examining the Economic Benefits of Electrifying America’s Homes and Buildings"

On Wednesday, I also participated in the Joint Economic Committee's hearing on electrification to save money and our climate. I asked Ari Matusiak, Chief Executive Officer at Rewiring America, what it means for America to electrify homes and buildings and the costs and resources involved in this undertaking. I also asked how Congress could establish programs and incentives to make this happen.

P3 Chamber of Commerce Roundtable

To mark this year's climate week, I participated in many events highlighting my relevant work in Congress and how we can further reach our climate goals. On Thursday, I spoke with the Chamber of Commerce on the importance of bring the public and private sectors together to address the climate crisis. Using the technical expertise and efficiencies of the private sector, combined with the institutional advantages of the public sector, we can establish partnerships that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and deliver benefits to our communities.

Meeting with Members of the International Conservation Council Foundation

I also met with members of the International Conservation Council Foundation to discuss climate and trade this week. I spoke about how the United States’ trade policy can strengthen the competitiveness of our industries while reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. I also emphasized the importance of establishing a domestic fee on carbon pollution and protecting rain forests across the globe.

San Diego Regional Chamber Board Meeting

On Thursday, I joined the San Diego Regional Chamber for its monthly board meeting. We discussed the bipartisan infrastructure bill, the reconciliation process, the federal deficit, and other items important to small businesses. Small business remains one of the leading drivers of economic growth, so I was excited to talk about the latest updates from Washington, D.C. Although I am disappointed I will not be seeing all the Chamber of Commerce members for their annual day on Capitol Hill, I appreciated this opportunity to connect via Zoom this week.

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,