Greetings!
This week in Washington was a “committee work week” – a week when members are not voting on the House floor but are instead meeting in their respective committees to attend hearings and markups. I flew to D.C. to attend markups for both the Education and Labor Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Our Education and Labor Committee bill markup lasted 13 hours! Just hours after we wrapped up that first committee markup of the year, I was back in the office with the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. It was a very busy few days, and I am looking forward to spending some time back in the district this upcoming week.
I am also writing to you at the start of the Lunar New Year – and want to wish you all a healthy, safe, and prosperous year. This year has been challenging for many, but with the new year comes a new beginning and the hope of better days ahead. Happy New Year!
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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Serving California's 48th District |
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Securing aid for OC Cities
Did you know that the majority of Orange County's cities did not meet the population threshold to receive direct aid via the CARES Act’s Coronavirus Relief Fund? This week I joined a bipartisan letter to House leadership requesting these cities, which face equal pandemic challenges, are not left behind. Read the letter here.
Mental Health Resources in Orange County
COVID19 has affected all Americans and amplified the need for mental health resources in our community. MemorialCare is now offering a free online resource for those struggling in our SoCal Community. Access their free resources here.
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Safely Reopening our Schools
This week I’ve continued my work to open our schools and get our students back in the classroom.
I joined over 60 of my colleagues in a letter to President Biden urging him to follow the science and safely reopen schools across the country. In December, then President-Elect Biden pledged to open the nation’s schools during his first 100 days in office. However, last month the Administration said that the goal only applied to schools teaching students up to eighth grade, and just this week they adjusted their pledge, stating that schools will be considered “open” if they are providing in-person instruction once a week. Read the letter here.
During our Education & Labor Committee Markup of the proposed budget for the next fiscal year, which included President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID relief legislation, I spoke in support of private and public schools as they work to educate students safely. I also offered an amendment that would have required schools to reopen as soon as vaccines are made available to teachers. This would not have required teachers to be vaccinated, rather it would have classrooms reopen once teachers had the opportunity to protect themselves from the virus.
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Supporting the Mental Health of our Transportation Workers
During our Transportation and Infrastructure markup, I offered an amendment that would have provided funds to organizations that support the mental health of our transportation workers, who are face-to-face with millions of Americans nationwide every single day. My colleague from California, Rep. Grace Napolitano, offered to work together in support of mental health support and funding. This is a bipartisan issue that we can all get behind.
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Cutting Taxes
This week I cosponsored bipartisan legislation to fully restore the State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction. The SALT deduction cap of $10,000 has resulted in a tax increase for many middle-class families. In California and other high cost of living areas, the SALT cap has been harmful. That’s why I am proud to cosponsor this legislation to help get more money back in your pocket. Read more.
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Small Businesses
The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department has reopened the Paycheck Protection Program loan portal for first- and second-time borrowers. If you’re a small business owner, check out the SBA’s website for the most up to date resources and guidance.
Economic Impact Payments
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 includes a second round of Economic Impact Payments for qualified individuals making up to $75,000 per year.
The second round of payments, or “EIP 2,” is generally $600 for singles and $1,200 for married couples filing a joint return. Most of these payments will be made by direct deposit. For those who are eligible for a second EIP and haven’t yet received a direct deposit, watch your mail for either a paper check or a debit card.
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Here's what local House members are doing, so far, in the legislative fight against COVID-19 |
Freshman GOP Rep. Michelle Steel of Seal Beach has been focused on getting students back in classrooms. Last week, she spoke on the House floor to support the Reopen Schools Act, which would make sure that the $54 billion in federal coronavirus aid set aside for education in the COVID-19 relief bill would go only to schools that have re-opened for in-person instruction. Read More.
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Rep. Michelle Steel
Member of Congress
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