Greetings!

This week I was back in Washington, DC after spending the last few weeks working with local officials and responders following the devastating oil spill off our coast. This week we saw firsthand the number of cargo ships that are parked off our coast, waiting to unload and posing environmental and safety risks. Here are some actions I’ve taken this week to address the growing supply chain backlog and oil spill response efforts: 
Acting on Supply Chain Crisis
This week I joined House Republican Leadership for their weekly press conference to bring attention to the supply chain crisis affecting our entire country. This week, a record number of ships were anchored off our Southern California coast waiting to port. We need to solve the bigger issues – like policies that make it more difficult for truckers to deliver goods into the state – not double down on failing economic policies that make life for American businesses and workers harder and more expensive.

 Read more and watch my remarks below: 
The oil spill off the coast of Orange County is just one of the consequences of the backlog of ships off our coast. We must reverse bad policies that have caused this congestion and get these goods moving. I joined 160 of my House Republican colleagues in urging immediate action on this from the Administration. Read the full letter here. 
Opinion Poll: Supply Chain
Are you concerned about the supply chain backlog?
Yes
No
Demanding Accountability in the OC Oil Spill
This week, new reporting indicated that the U.S. Coast Guard had earlier notice about the oil spill than previously disclosed. For 15 hours the Coast Guard and Amplify Energy knew that oil was pouring into our ocean and still they waited to alert the public and get the leaking pipe shut off. This is a massive abuse of public trust during a crisis that has killed our wildlife and tarnished our beaches. This week I demanded the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hold a hearing on exactly what happened. We deserve to know. Read more. 
Protecting Your Bank Accounts from Government Overreach
This week I joined my colleagues in a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to express concerns over the Biden Administration’s proposal to significantly expand the size and scope of the IRS. I have serious concerns about turning local banks into another bureaucratic arm of the IRS to track your transactions. Read the full letter here and an excerpt below: 
“The impact that these new reporting requirements will have on tens if not hundreds of millions of unsuspecting Americans cannot be emphasized enough […] The last thing our financial institutions need is another layer of administrative reporting requirements to take away from their daily efforts to provide the capital that is the lifeblood of Main Street America.” 
Working in Committee
This week I participated in two hearings for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. I had the chance to ask the FAA Administrator about what they are doing to improve aviation noise and how they’re working with local groups to accomplish this goal. I also questioned the U.S. Coast Guard about their ability to safely monitor where ship anchors are dropping off the coast.
How I voted
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. 3110 PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act: This bill expands workplace protections for working mothers who are nursing. I voted yes on this bill because working moms have faced many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic as schools closed and many workplaces went virtual. It’s important that we help make it easier for parents to return to work – not harder. 

H.R. 2379 State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act: This legislation reauthorizes, updates, and expands the existing State Opioids Grants program. This program provides grants to assist states and tribes in addressing opioid and stimulant use and misuse. I voted in support of this bill because we have a serious opioid epidemic in this country, and addiction does not discriminate. We should support efforts to combat this epidemic and help those who are struggling. 
Oil Spill Resources
I’ve set up a page on my website with oil spill resources. Here is a list of some of the resources available for residents:

  • Health-related questions – Orange County Health Care Agency: (714) 834-2000
  • General oil spill inquiries – Huntington Beach Oil Spill Hotline: (714) 374-1702
  • Report wildlife concerns – Oiled Wildlife Care Network (877) 823-6926
  • Boat damage claims – Global Risk Solutions (866) 985-8366 and reference the Pipeline P00547 Incident
  • Details on Unified Command Response/Investigation: www.socalspillresponse.com
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.
Sincerely,
Rep. Michelle Steel
Member of Congress