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Dear friend,
I hope you and your loved ones continue to stay safe and well. As our state reaches 1,000,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and San Diego County finds itself once again in the purple tier, I urge you to be vigilant about your safety and the safety of those around you. Please wear a mask, practice social distance and avoid large gatherings. The future of our local businesses also depends on our willingness to follow state and county orders.
I continue my work in the district to stay in touch with the people I represent. Below is another update on some of the work my staff and I have done this week to serve you.
Legislative Work
Sgt. Daniel Somers Veterans Network of Support Act passes Senate, heads to White House
On the heels of Veterans Day, the Senate passed the COMPACT Act, and the bill is now on its way to the White House to be signed into law by the president.
The COMPACT Act is a comprehensive package of bipartisan bills dedicated to reducing veteran suicide. It includes my Sergeant Daniel Somers Veterans Network of Support Act to boost veterans' mental health by creating a network of support that shares information from the VA with designated family members and loved ones of veterans.
District Work
Visit to Frank Konyn Dairy Farm
This week, I visited Frank Konyn Dairy, only one of two dairy farms in all of San Diego County. I learned about the farm's operations in the San Pasqual Valley Agricultural Preserve, just south of Escondido. During my visit, we discussed the challenges the agriculture sector faces in San Diego and California. I also learned about Konyn Dairy's compost facility, which provides compost to nearby San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and the farm's sustainable agriculture techniques.
Virtual Discussion with members of the US-ASEAN Business Council and San Diego World Trade Center
On Tuesday, I participated in a virtual discussion hosted by the US-ASEAN Business Council and the San Diego World Trade Center. This event touched on different topics including the current state of the US-ASEAN trade relationship, the benefits of doing business in Southeast Asia for San Diego businesses, and how the US-ASEAN trade relationship is expected to develop over the next 10 years. I spoke about San Diego's critical role in international trade and the importance of access to foreign markets with protections for American-made intellectual property. I want to thank US-ASEAN Business Council and the San Diego World Trade Center for inviting me to this important event.
Veterans Day and Marine Corps' 245th Birthday
Click image to watch video.
This week, we celebrated the Marine Corps' 245th birthday as well as Veterans Day. I'm proud to represent a district with deep ties to our nation's armed forces.
Tickets for the Presidential Inauguration
The Presidential Inauguration is set for Wednesday, January 20, 2021.
If you're interested in securing tickets to the inauguration, please call our office at 858-455-5550. As we await event details, your name will be added to our wait list and we will follow up once more information becomes available.
Our office has no information or access to tickets for any supplemental inauguration events, such as the inaugural balls or parties. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
This Week's Casework Success Story
Salim from Carmel Valley contacted my office in October requesting assistance with obtaining a loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA.) Initially, the loan status on the SBA's website said "approved," but then changed to "denied" prior to funding. My staff reached out to the SBA to gather more information on the change and was notified that Salim could request reconsideration. My office worked on this reconsideration request and the loan was subsequently approved. Salim then received a loan for $149,300.
Economic Impact Payments for Self-Supporting College Students and Non-filers
Eligible self-supporting college students who don't need to file a tax return may receive an economic impact payment before the end of this year by using the non-filers tool by November 21. Dependent students do not qualify.
San Diegans who don't normally file taxes may also secure their stimulus checks by November 21. Click here to request your payment.
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.
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