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Dear friend,
This week, Congress heard directly from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. President Zelenskyy's courage and commitment reminded us that our American spirit evolved from our dedication to the right to sovereignty; a right Ukraine is fiercely fighting to protect.
Following his address, the U.S. has continued boosting support for Ukraine. In just the past week, we have committed $1 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, and a total of $2 billion since the beginning of the Biden Administration. On Thursday, I voted to pass a bill to suspend normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus. The bill would raise tariffs on goods from Russia and Belarus and give President Biden power to impose stricter import taxes on their exports.
Below is another update on the work my staff and I have done this week to serve you.
Update: STANDUP Act & Methamphetamine Response Act of 2021 Are Now Laws!
I had the honor of joining President Biden in the Oval Office on Monday as he signed the Methamphetamine Response Act of 2021 into law. This law targets meth addiction and overdose and prompts the Office of National Drug Control Policy to deploy a strategy to tackle the rising danger of this drug in our communities.
The STANDUP Act also became law this week. I loved visiting Bernardo Heights Middle School back in 2019 to see how this legislation can make a real difference in students' lives. Students told me about the practices they developed to keep each other safe and I knew it was important to amplify their efforts in Washington, D.C. I thank Sandy Hook Promise and my congressional colleagues for their collaboration to get this done.
Discussing Connections Among Climate Change, National Security, and Diplomacy
On Thursday, I participated in a virtual event held by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and Veterans for Smart Power. This was a great event to address how climate change presents security challenges here at home and abroad. We discussed how the war in Ukraine highlights our energy dependence from unfriendly countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia. I also stressed how San Diego's defense community is at the forefront of renewable energy technology and innovation. Thank you for having me and I look forward to seeing how these discussions continue advancing critical policies for our planet!
Announcements from Washington, D.C.
White House Tours Return this April!
The White House Visitors Office is pleased to announce public tours of the White House will begin on Friday, April 15, 2022! Initially, public tours will be available from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, excluding Federal holidays or unless otherwise noted. My office may begin submitting White House Tour requests for constituents starting on Monday, March 21, 2022. For more details and tour reservation requirements, click here.
2022 Congressional Art Competition Submissions Now Open
High school students in the 52nd district are encouraged to apply for the 2022 Congressional Art Competition! Applications are now open until Friday, April 15th. For the first time in three years, my office will host an in-person reception for these young creatives shortly after the deadline. More details on this competition can be found on my website.
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.
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