September 18, 2020

Dear friend,

I hope you and your loved ones continue to stay safe and well. Below is another update on some of the work my staff and I have done this week to serve you.

I'm currently in Washington, D.C.; the House of Representatives returned to session on Monday. The House considered and passed many important bills related to support for small businesses, pregnant workers' rights and inequalities in public education, as well as others.

Notable Bills that Passed the House

• Microloan Improvement Act and Microloan Transparency and Accountability Act: provide support for small businesses by reforming rules for loans provided through the Small Business Administration's Microloan program.
• Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: requires employers to reasonably accommodate the needs of pregnant workers and new mothers.
• Resolution condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment as related to COVID-19: calls on federal law enforcement to work with state and local officials to investigate and collect data on reported incidents against Asian Americans.
• Equity and Inclusion Enforcement Act: addresses discrimination and inequalities in access to public education by allowing students and parents to bring disparate impact claims under the Civil Rights Act.

Problem Solvers Caucus Stimulus Framework

Millions of American households are still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 crisis. Our constituents are calling on us to help families, businesses, and communities get back on their feet as we face the greatest economic crisis and public health emergency of a lifetime. Congress can't afford to approach this situation with an all-or-nothing mindset.

This week, my Problem Solvers Caucus colleagues and I announced a bipartisan effort to offer fair solutions for our constituents. Equally divided with 25 democrats and 25 republicans, this bipartisan coalition is committed to finding common ground on key issues. We must put partisanship aside and form an agreement for the sake of the American people.

Fighting for a More Sustainable Future

A significant part of my work this week addressed climate change and the different solutions we can employ to fight it. 

Click on image to view video

I addressed the devastating wildfires burning in California, Oregon and Washington during a House floor speech and called on my fellow members of Congress to recognize the consequences of our actions on the planet. As we experience more extreme weather events, it's clear that climate change is increasingly becoming a matter of life and death.

Controlling methane emissions is another crucial approach to combat the climate crisis. I highlighted the importance of this issue and my related work in Congress in a detailed social media thread.

I also joined my colleagues on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Environment & Climate Change subcommittee for a virtual hearing on opportunities for an equitable, low-carbon economic recovery. To save our planet, every decision maker throughout the economy, from the largest corporation to each individual, must make changes. One of the best ways to incentivize this solution is to put a price on carbon.

In light of recent natural disasters, Fannie Mae is helping its borrowers affected by recent wildfires with mortgage assistance and disaster relief options. Additionally, homeowners currently on a COVID-19-related forbearance plan who are subsequently impacted by the fires should contact their mortgage adviser to discuss further options.

My staff is still accepting Service Academy nominations for 2020. Our informational night will be held on Wednesday, October 7 at 6:00 P.M. via Zoom.

This year, we ask that you apply by emailing your application with all supporting documents to juan.hernandez@mail.house.gov, then mailing the original materials to our San Diego office by November 30, 2020. For more information on nominations and deadlines, visit my website.

Mark from Rancho Bernardo is a federal worker who contacted our office in August regarding two medical co-payments he had been trying to get reimbursed for the past two years. His medical procedures were covered by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation. My staff reached out to our federal liaison at the Department of Labor for the status on his claim, and within a month, the agency resolved the issue, adjudicated his claim, and sent him a check for $500.

"… Much thanks for getting this insanity fixed… I should have listened to my wife and contacted you a year ago." - Mark from Rancho Bernardo

To stay up to date on my work throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

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.

Have a great weekend.

Sincerely,