Greetings!
This week, gas prices reached their highest rates ever - again. I'm working in Congress to secure policies that will restore American energy independence and bring down costs for Orange County families. I also led my colleagues in a letter to the Biden Administration this week calling for urgent action to prevent our broken supply chains from causing shortages of critical medical supplies, and I met with several groups working to improve public policy to benefit our communities. Read on to learn the details about what I've been working on in Washington, D.C.
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Working to Bring Back Energy Independence |
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With the official start of summer just a few days away, families are getting ready to pack up the car and hit the road, visiting places like our beautiful Orange County beaches and our world class theme parks.
But this year during their travels, families are being hit with some of the highest gas prices they’ve ever seen. In fact, Californians are paying the highest gas prices in the country. In some places across Southern California, gas is more than $7 a gallon. After months of higher prices at the pump, you don’t need to read national news headlines to know that people are fed up.
Included in the $6.40 gallon of gas is nearly $1.20 in taxes and fees, 51 cents of which is the state’s gas tax. This year the state of California has a budget surplus of almost $100 billion, thanks to state Democrats having collected an extra $55 billion in taxes. Those dollars belong in your pocket, not Gov. Gavin Newsom’s...
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My office is looking for a wounded warrior or medically retired veteran for a paid Wounded Warrior Program fellowship in my Huntington Beach district office. The person chosen for the special fellowship will work with our military and veteran community to handle casework and act as a facilitator between constituents and federal, state, and local agencies.
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I was glad to join the Westminster Police and the Orange County Fire Authority for the 2022 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. It was great to raise awareness for this good cause with our community’s heroes!
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Reversing Another Supply Chain Crisis |
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This week, I led a letter to President Biden about the ongoing supply chain crisis and the shortage of intravenous contrast fluids at hospitals nationwide. These fluids are necessary to perform Computer Tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect cancer, diagnose trauma injuries, and identify clots in the brain or heart.
It’s estimated that 50 million exams with contrast dyes are performed every year in the United States. The ongoing supply chain crisis, combined with the recent COVID-19 related lockdowns in China, have further delayed the delivery and availability of these products.
Americans are already experiencing shortages left and right – we cannot allow critical medical services to be the next thing Americans can’t get. Lives are on the line.
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I was glad to welcome my friend Connie Conway to Congress during her first week as the Representative from CA-22. I’m excited to work with her to deliver results for California families! |
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Michelle Murphy of United Way Orange County stopped by to discuss initiatives aimed at helping families get on a path to success through financial literacy and improvements to the tax code.
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Many of you have asked how to help Ukrainian citizens evacuate while Russia continues their violent assault on innocent people. Below is information from the State Department, and I will continue to keep you updated as more resources are shared. Please don't hesitate to contact my office if we can be of service.
Q: I am a U.S. citizen and need a passport to depart Ukraine. What should I do? The Department of State is not able to offer in-person emergency consular services in Ukraine at this time. U.S. citizens in Ukraine should fill out the online assistance form at: https://cacms.state.gov/s/crisis-intake and the Department of State will respond.
Q. Is the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv still open for visa applications?
The Department of State is not able to offer in-person emergency consular services in Ukraine at this time. U.S. embassies and consulates in neighboring countries can accept visa applications from Ukrainians. Interested applicants can find a list of embassy websites HERE, or visit a specific embassy website by clicking the buttons below and follow the instructions provided to apply for a visa.
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IRS Raises Mileage Rates as Gas Prices Increase
WASHINGTON-The Internal Revenue Service raised the mileage rate used for calculating business tax deductions for vehicle use, making a rare midyear change in response to increasing gasoline prices. The new rate for the final six months of 2022...
Read more
www.wsj.com
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Fed rate hike will have 'devastating' impact...
Former Home Depot CEO Bob Nardelli warned on " America Reports" Wednesday that the Federal Reserve hiking interest rates to cool inflation will have a "devastating impact" on consumers. "I would tell the consumer, make sure that you're building...
Read more
www.foxnews.com
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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. |
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Rep. Michelle Steel
Member of Congress
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