Greetings!

This week, I was among many of my Congressional colleagues sanctioned by Russia for standing up to their unprovoked attack on Ukraine. I'm continuing to stand with Ukraine and hold Vladimir Putin accountable for his crimes. I also introduced legislation to protect school choice from federal bureaucrats, met with our latest Volunteer of the month, and celebrated the vibrant Vietnamese culture in our community. Keep reading to learn more about what I've been doing on behalf of Orange County this week.

Make sure to follow my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get these updates in real-time! Here are some highlights from my week: 
Defending School Choice
Last month, the U.S. Department of Education issued new rules that will make it increasingly difficult for charter schools across the country to access federal funding. The rules, in addition to other requirements, would require a community impact study that proves public schools are over capacity before charter schools can receive critical funding.

To prevent federal bureaucrats from discouraging the opening of charter schools and limiting educational choices for families, I introduced the Protecting Charter Schools from Federal Overreach Act of 2022. This legislation will prohibit the Secretary of Education from subjecting charter schools to burdensome federal grant funding eligibility requirements.

The federal government has no business restricting families’ options for their children’s education. Parents, not teachers unions or DC bureaucrats, know what is best for their children, and we cannot allow the Administration to remove school choice as an option for countless families.
Honoring the Spirit of Volunteerism in Our Community
This week, I recognized Sandi Licata as the April Volunteer of the Month. Sandi is the Executive Director of the Miss Fountain Valley Scholarship program, and provides the candidates with valuable leadership guidance and advice.

She is also an active volunteer with KinderVision, which provides peer-to-peer crime prevention education to children and teens, and she leads a weekly Christian Bible Club at Harbor Trinity Church in Costa Mesa.

Thank you for giving back to our community, Sandi!
Helping You Navigate Federal Resources
Navigating federal bureaucracy can be frustrating and confusing, but my offices are equipped to help. That's why I'm I'm hosting a Community Resource Fair in Fountain Valley next week.

Whether you have questions about taxes and the I.R.S., or you need assistance with an agency like the Department of Veterans Affairs, my office is available to help you get answers.
 
The Fair will take place on Friday, April 22, 2022, at 10:00 AM at the Fountain Valley Recreation Center located at 16400 Brookhurst St. in Fountain Valley. Please RSVP by calling (714) 960-6483 or emailing Trish.Nguyen@mail.house.gov
 
I’m looking forward to seeing you there!
Art Competition Deadline Extended!
The deadline to enter the 2022 Congressional Art Competition has been extended and my office will continue accepting submissions until April 25 at 4:00 PM.

This nationwide high school arts competition takes place each Spring and is sponsored by Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Artistic Discovery Contest is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our Congressional District.

The Contest is open to all high school students in our District and the winning artwork of our district's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol alongside the winning artwork from all participating districts from around the country. The winning artwork is also featured on House.gov's Congressional Art Competition page, and the winner will be invited to a reception in Washington, D.C.

I encourage all student artists to enter a submission to the Competition!
Preserving Traditions for the Next Generation
On Sunday I joined the Asian American Senior Citizen Association for their Hùng Kings Great Memorial Celebration in Fountain Valley.

I was honored to be a part of this event to preserve Vietnamese tradition & culture.
Assistance for Ukraine
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.
What I'm Reading
California Is Making The Supply Chain Crisis Worse

California introduced new regulations for the trucking industry that would worsen supply chain issues and hurt industry workers, experts told the Daily Caller News Foundation.

Read more
dailycaller.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