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Dear friend,
The Tokyo Olympics officially kicked off today, giving billions of people the chance to witness the world's greatest athletes compete for the gold. This is a celebration that brings the world together and uplifts our countries, but it wouldn't have been possible without vaccines and the advances we've made to fight COVID-19. Please remember that getting a vaccine will keep you, your loved ones, and your community safe. For local appointments and site locations, click here.
This week, I continued my work from Washington, D.C. Below is another update on some of the work my staff and I have done this week to serve you.
This Week's Casework Success Story
Jack, 17, and his mother, Susan, from Coronado contacted the office to request help renewing Jack's passport. He was recently selected to play in an all-expenses-paid soccer tournament in Denmark. However, Jack's passport recently expired and his scheduled departure day was less than a week away. My hardworking staff worked with the family to gather all necessary documents and reached out to the San Diego Passport Agency for assistance. The agency was happy to help given the unique circumstances of the situation and Jack will take off to Denmark this Sunday.
"...we had exhausted every means of getting an emergency renewal appointment to no avail. We contacted the office of Congressman Scott Peters for help and (staff member) was a true life saver. He listened to our case, looked over our paperwork, and went to bat for us with the passport agency and because of his help we were able to get the necessary emergency appointment so that my son could fulfill his lifelong soccer dreams. We are forever grateful...!
- Susan from Coronado
Legislative Work
Introduction of Border Carbon Adjustment
On Monday, Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) and I unveiled new, bicameral legislation to establish a border carbon adjustment (BCA) on polluting imports. A BCA levels the field for domestic manufacturers by imposing a fee on carbon-intensive products from other countries when they reach the U.S. border. We're thrilled that this will incentivize investments in cleaner technologies and account for the cost of complying with U.S. laws and regulations on greenhouse gas emissions. The BCA will also provide a flexible framework for more ambitious climate policy to come.
As we continue assuming our responsibility to provide safe, clean, and reliable energy, our broader goal is clear: the U.S. will remain a global economic leader by addressing climate change, creating millions of good-paying jobs, and reducing economic inequality.
Introduction of Veteran Peer Specialist Act
On Tuesday, I co-introduced the bicameral, bipartisan Veteran Peer Specialist Act with Reps. Colin Allred (TX-32), Tracey Mann (KS-01) and Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) to expand the highly successful peer specialist support program to all Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers over the next five years.
This bill builds on the program established in the 2018 VA MISSION Act by permanently expanding access to veterans' best guide to care: fellow veterans. By applying their own lived experience, peer counseling specialists play a vital role in combatting risks of veteran suicide and treating mental health conditions. These specialists encourage recovery by helping fellow veterans access health services and navigate the VA health care system, while also teaching coping and positive health-affirming behaviors. Click here to learn more.
Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee Hearing: "The Growing Threat of Ransomware"
On Tuesday, I attended the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing on the threat of ransomware. Among the witnesses at this hearing were Christian Dameff, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Biomedical Informatics, and Computer Science at UC San Diego. When referring to the recent Scripps Health cyberattack, I asked whether hospitals could operate internally without exposure to hacks or ransomware. I also asked Kemba Walden, Assistant General Counsel from Microsoft Corporation if private companies are appropriately incentivized to deploy the best practices to protect individuals' data if it doesn't directly affect their bottom line. Click here to watch our exchange.
Passport Renewal Times
My office continues to receive a high volume of calls related to passport renewals. We thank you for your patience as my staff evaluates individual cases. Currently, regular processing takes approximately 18 weeks while expedite requests take around 12 weeks. Please check your passport expiration date before booking international travel as you may not receive your passport in time before your departure.
Visit the State Department's Passport Agencies website for more information.
Participate in Our Weekly Poll!
This section in our e-newsletter allows readers to weigh in on current events. Thank you to everyone who has participated so far. Here's this week's question:
An increasing number of high-profile executives including Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson are visiting space and encouraging more outer space exploration. Do you believe the government should invest more funds and resources beyond NASA to expand space tourism and recreation?
Click here to submit your answer via Google Forms.
Last week's question was: "As the economy continues to stabilize, we're seeing how inflation increases the price of goods and services. Have your spending habits or plans changed due to this recent inflation?"
Here are the results:
322 Responses: 35.1% This inflation has not influenced how I spend. 26.4% Yes; I have adjusted my spending habits to cover what I need to buy. 26.1% I have adjusted some spending habits but can generally afford to keep up with inflated prices. 12.4% Other
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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