Greetings!

What a busy week! This week I participated in three different committee hearings and highlighted important issues for our Orange County community. 

Here are some highlights from my week: 

  • Testified before the House Committee on Appropriations – the committee responsible for all federal funding - about the importance of sand replenishment
  • Introduced a bill to expand access to childcare
  • Participated in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee markup of the Surface Transportation bill and discussed California’s wasteful high-speed rail funding

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
Mobile Office Hours
My office was happy to host our first mobile office hours this week! If you couldn’t make this one, there are still a few more scheduled for June. If you have questions, please contact my district office at 714.960.6483.
When: June 19, 2021 | 9 am to 1 pm
Where: Aliso Viejo Ranch - 100 Park Ave, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
When: June 24, 2021 | 10 am to 2 pm 
Where: Westminster City Hall – 8200 Westminster Blvd, Westminster, CA 92683
Protecting our Coastline
This week I had the opportunity to testify before the Appropriations Committee about sand erosion on our Orange County coastline and the urgency of completing the sand mitigation project. We are one natural disaster away from devastating damage, and shoreline protection is our frontline defense. Listen to my remarks here or below.
Your Voice in DC
Questioning the Secretary of Labor
This Wednesday, the Committee on Education and Labor held a hearing with Labor Secretary Marty Walsh. I used my time to ask him about his plans for the PRO Act and concerns with union transparency. We know the disastrous impact AB-5 had on independent contractors in California, so it is troubling that the Biden Administration continues to support a policy that limits flexibility and opportunity for workers. Read more.
Participating in the Transportation and Infrastructure Markup
This week the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a markup of the surface transportation bill. During the markup, I offered an amendment with my fellow California colleague Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) that would divert the federal funds for California’s high speed rail project toward the successful, bipartisan railway-highway crossings program. This program has helped rural and urban communities improve highway and rail grade crossings, which helps eliminate hazards and save lives. Read more here. Watch my remarks on the amendment:
You can learn more about my work to protect more of your tax dollars from going to the high-speed train to nowhere, here.
Expanding Access to Childcare
The U.S. Department of Labor cited more than 1.6 million Moms and 1.3 million Dads have left the workforce between January 2020 and January 2021. We need to make it easier for these parents to return to work. By helping businesses that choose to provide childcare options, more parents will have the opportunity to get back to work full-time. I introduced a bill this week that would provide start-up funding for businesses so that they can invest in a childcare system for employees’ children, making it easier for parents to reenter the workforce.
In the News
Exclusive: Rep. Steel Calls on Biden To Share Additional COVID-19 Vaccine Doses With Taiwan as China Attempts To Block Access
Republican California Rep. Michelle Steel called on Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to share additional COVID-19 vaccines with Taiwan Wednesday amid China’s attempts to block access. Read more. 
More High-Speed Rail Needed in Highway Bill, State Officials Say
Some lawmakers point to the project’s flaws as reason to be cautious about high-speed rail. Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.) recently sponsored legislation (H.R. 1472) to prohibit federal assistance for the project, which she calls a “failure.” Read more. 
Sincerely,
Rep. Michelle Steel
Member of Congress