Greetings!

After spending the weekend in Orange County, I was back in Washington this week. The week was full of meetings, committee hearings, and votes before kicking off another work period back home.

Here are some highlights from my week: 


Read on to learn more about this week’s activities and updates. 

I’ll be using this newsletter as a way to keep you up to date on my work on behalf of our Orange County community, so make sure you sign up for regular updates. You can also connect with my official Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages, where I’ll be posting the latest news and updates.
Serving California's 48th District
Celebrating Earth Day in CA-48
California’s 48th District is home to the most beautiful beaches. It is up to each of us to do our part to keep our coastline clean for generations to come. This Earth Day, members of my staff visited two conservancies in our district. Bolsa Chica Conservancy in Huntington Beach provides education in wetland science, watersheds, coastal ecology, and environmental sustainability. Newport Bay Conservancy in Newport Beach is focused on the protection and preservation of Upper Newport Bay. 
Newport Bay Conservancy, Newport Beach
Bolsa Chica Conservancy, Huntington Beach
Both of these organizations are doing great work to protect the natural beauty of our district, and I was proud to recognize both of these organizations with a congressional certificate this Earth Day. 
United Against Hate
This past Sunday I spoke with other community leaders and residents in Huntington Beach about combatting hate and racism in our community. Racism and hate have no home here.
Photo courtesy of Michael Fernandez, OC Register
Congressional Art Competition
Do you know a talented high school student who should enter the Congressional Art Competition? It’s not too late to submit an entry! The deadline for submissions is May 3rd. Read more about details and how to enter here.
Your Voice in DC
Recognizing the Armenian Genocide
Southern California is home to a proud Armenian community, and I am honored to support many Armenians who reside in the 48th District. This week I joined more than 100 of my bipartisan colleagues urging the Administration to directly recognize the Armenian Genocide on April 24th. Read the full letter here and an excerpt below:

 “The shameful silence of the United States Government on the historic fact of the Armenian Genocide has gone on for too long, and it must end. We urge you to follow through on your commitments and speak the truth,”
Restoring States' Rights
The American Rescue Plan Act included an unconstitutional provision that restricts a state's ability to cut taxes if they receive funds from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund. In addition to this being unconstitutional, this provision has also had an adverse impact on California’s small businesses. Last month I joined my California colleagues in calling for Speaker Pelosi to bring legislation that would have resolved this issue to the floor. Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi has failed to bring this bill to the floor for a vote.

That’s why this week I joined my colleagues in a letter to President Biden urging him to halt the implementation of Section 9901 (c)(2)(A) of the American Rescue Plan. Read the letter here. 
Your Voice in DC
My goal as your member of Congress is to be as transparent as possible about the votes I am taking in Washington. You can always view my vote record on my website.

I want to hear your feedback! Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or comments on legislation or items currently up for debate in Congress.

Click here to see what the House voted on this week. Here’s an explanation of some of my votes:

H.R. 51 Washington, D.C. Admission Act: This bill would grant statehood to Washington, D.C. Without a repeal of the 23rd amendment, a constitutional amendment is required to make D.C. a state. Our Founding Fathers believed that the seat of government should be separate and independent from the interests of any state, which is why I voted against this legislation.

H.Res. 130 Condemning the violation of rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong by the People’s Republic of China: China continues to take aggressive actions that infringe upon Hong Kong’s autonomy. I voted in support of this resolution because the CCP must be held accountable for their violation of Hong Kong’s rights. 
In the News
GOP reps ask Biden to halt provisions in COVID stimulus banning states from using money for tax cuts
A group of 45 House Republicans said on Thursday it is sending a letter to President Biden asking him to halt the implementation of a provision in the coronavirus stimulus bill that bars states from paying for tax cuts with the money they get through the law. Read more. 
SALT cap revolt led by New York Democrats snarls Biden spending plan
One of the co-sponsors of his bill is Michelle Steel, a newly elected Republican from Newport Beach, Calif., whose district is the most affected of any held by the GOP. About 23% of taxpayers in her district lost an average deduction of $26,254. Read more. 
Biden Called On To Recognize As Genocide Armenian Deaths A Century Ago
Pressure is building for President Biden to keep a campaign promise and announce this weekend that the U.S. views the massacres of Armenians a century ago by the Ottoman Empire as genocide. Read more. 
With food trucks and music, Huntington Beach hosts celebration of diversity as antidote to hate
Hundreds of people gathered under the tall trees at Huntington Beach’s Central Park on Sunday, April 18, to show unity against racism and hatred. Read more. 
Sincerely,
Rep. Michelle Steel
Member of Congress