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As we head into the Labor Day weekend, I would like to acknowledge and honor the achievements of American workers during this Labor Day celebration.
Please be advised that an excessive heat warning has been issued until Monday for the San Diego County Coastal Areas. In addition to staying safe from the extreme heat, please be aware of potential fire hazards.
If you still have questions on the recently-announced student loan forgiveness plan, keep reading towards the end of my newsletter.
Below is another update on the work my staff and I have done recently to serve you.
This Week's Casework Success Story
Ana from Downtown San Diego contacted our office to request assistance with the IRS. She had recently gotten married and applied for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) so her husband could file a joint tax return. To receive the ITIN, Ana was required to send her original passport. After she submitted the passport, she received a denial notice on her ITIN application for not sending her passport. My staff worked with Ana to gather copies of all documentation, and then reached out to the IRS to request reconsideration of the ITIN application. This week, Ana received great news: her original passport was returned and she also received her ITIN, which was approved upon reconsideration.
NEXT TUESDAY: Virtual Town Hall on Monkeypox
Representatives Sara Jacobs (CA-53) and Scott Peters (CA-52), along with public health officials and local LGBTQ+ community leaders, will host a virtual Monkeypox town hall on Tuesday, September 6th. Panelists will deliver brief remarks about the status of Monkeypox in San Diego, how it spreads, how to avoid infection, testing, treatment, and federal efforts to contain the spread of Monkeypox. To join event, click here or image above.
Discussing Connections Between Climate Resiliency and National Security
On Wednesday, I participated in an event hosted by the American Security Project, a non-profit think tank. We discussed how to improve the climate resilience of the Armed Forces and installations operated by U.S. allies. We also spoke about gaps in current Department of Defense programs that need to be addressed to promote climate resilience, guidance on integrating climate change risks into security planning, and why climate remains crucial to advancing U.S. national security and foreign policy. If you missed this conversation, you can watch it here.
Bringing San Diego Together for the Introduction of the DANK Cannabis Research Act
Wednesday, I held a press conference to announce the introduction of the bipartisan Developing and Nationalizing Key (DANK) Cannabis Research Act at UC San Diego's Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research. Due to varying marijuana laws from state to state, our country lacks a federal effort to research the effects of cannabis consumption. Institutions and researchers face uncertainty in their line of work while cannabis remains criminalized at the federal level.
This DANK Cannabis Research Act would require the National Institutes of Health to create a coordinated cannabis research agenda, facilitate federal data collection on the effects of cannabis use, and support research to better understand the impact of cannabis use on public health. I want to thank Dr. Igor Grant and Dr. Mark Wallace from UC San Diego, Todd Walters from United Food and Commercial Workers Local 135, and Colin Wells from Veterans Walk and Talk for providing vital insights on this topic and your support.
Making an Impact
Quidel Corporation
Wednesday, I stopped by the San Diego headquarters of QuidelOrtho Corporation, a leading diagnostic healthcare manufacturer. I saw firsthand the work that Quidel's employees are doing on COVID OTC antigen and molecular diagnostic tests. I also participated in a town hall with company employees and discussed the role San Diego's robust innovation sector in our country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Biden-Harris Administration's Student Debt Relief Plan Explained
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Applications for forgiveness will become available in early October. Borrowers who would like to be notified once the application opens can sign up here.
The expected timeline for relief after completing the application is 4-6 weeks. ED is advising borrowers to apply before November 15th to receive relief before the end of the payment pause, but ED will continue to process applications after payments resume.
For more information regarding the payment pause extension, including information about requests for refunds for payments made during the payment pause, click here.
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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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