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Dear friend,
It is an honor to continue working for San Diegans in Washington, D.C. I had the chance to visit the White House once again this week and vote for legislation to uphold our NATO alliance and support for the Ukrainian people in the face of Russian aggression.
On a more personal note, I want to let you know that I tested positive for COVID-19 this week. I feel fine thanks to being vaccinated and boosted. I am following CDC guidance and isolating for the next several days. Please know that my office is fully operational for CA-52 constituents.
Below is another update on the work my staff and I have done recently to serve you.
This Week's Casework Success Story
Gini from La Jolla contacted my office three weeks ago seeking assistance with scheduling an expedited visa interview for her Ukrainian cousin and her two daughters. Her cousin fled Ukraine and applied for visitor visas to come to San Diego temporarily. Unfortunately, the soonest interview available online was in July, leaving Gini's family unsure of where to stay and how to cover day-to-day expenses until the appointment. My staff worked with Gini to gather documents proving she would cover all expenses for her family while in the U.S. My office also provided documents on Gini's family's background. Today, the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw scheduled an expedited interview for all three family members next week.
Introduction of the Federal Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act
This week, Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-20) and I co-introduced the Federal Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Leadership Act on the heels of the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. Our bill answers the report's call to action by creating a sustainable, long-term market for direct air capture and other carbon removal processes. The Federal CDR Leadership Act requires the Department of Energy to remove an increasing amount of carbon dioxide emissions every year using direct air capture or other technology-based removal solutions, among other provisions.
The federal government must provide robust support to develop and deploy these technologies quickly. Our bill proves we are serious about leading the world in addressing climate change, creating well-paying jobs in the clean energy transition, and developing essential next generation technologies in America. For more on the Federal Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act of 2022, click here.
Strengthening the Affordable Care Act
On Tuesday, I visited the White House to attend the signing of the executive order on strengthening access to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid. The Administration also announced a proposal to strengthen the ACA by fixing the "family glitch." This "glitch" affects about 5 million people and has made it impossible for many families to use the premium tax credit to purchase an affordable, high-quality Marketplace plan. Should this proposed rule be finalized, family members of workers who are offered affordable self-only coverage, but unaffordable family coverage, may qualify for premium tax credits to buy ACA coverage. Additionally, an estimated 200,000 uninsured people would gain coverage, and nearly 1 million Americans would see their coverage become more affordable.
Pushing for Oil and Gas Industries to Reduce Emissions
On Wednesday, I took part in the Energy and Commerce Committee's hearing on gas prices and the state of the oil industry. Given high gas prices and the ongoing war in Ukraine, we are seeing the interconnections among energy security, economy, and environment more than ever before. In light of the recent IPCC report findings, I asked Darren W. Woods, the Chief Executive Officer of ExxonMobil Corporation, about the industry's role in reducing emissions. Specifically, I asked if Exxon and other companies should set more aggressive commitments to reduce methane, the specific steps that Exxon should take to accelerate methane emission reduction, and if U.S. oil and gas companies should be leading the world in reducing methane pollution as customer shift toward clean gas. If you missed this hearing, you can watch here.
Discussing Immigration with Guatemalan Ambassador
On Thursday, I spoke with Alfonso Quiñonez, the Guatemalan Ambassador to the U.S. We discussed immigration, the implications of lifting Title 42, and Guatemala's efforts to mitigate drug trafficking through its territory. I thank Ambassador Quiñonez for answering my questions and for maintaining healthy relations between our two countries.
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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