Greetings!

Happy May! This month marks the start of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It’s an important time to recognize the contributions of our AAPI community and commit to ending the increase in hate the community has experienced this last year. This week also marked the start of National Nurses’ Week. Our nurses have been on the frontlines of this pandemic, and I am grateful to every one of our healthcare heroes for their sacrifice and dedication. 

Here are some highlights from my week: 


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
Vote in the Congressional Art Competition
Each spring, a nationwide high school arts competition is sponsored by the 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.

This year, my office received 35 submissions from nine high schools from students across the 48th district. While only one winner will be chosen by our panel of judges to be showcased in the U.S. Capitol, I wanted to showcase all submissions. Please enjoy and vote for your favorite artwork for our "People's Choice" winner using the link here. Thank you to all of our talented participants! 
Speaking with the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce
This week I had the opportunity to join the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce Government & Community Relations Meeting to provide an update on my work in DC. It is always great to hear directly from members of the community. Thanks for having me!
Your Voice in DC
Advocating for SoCal Jobs
Since cruises were suspended in March 2020, California has lost $1.86 billion in direct spending & more than 40,000 jobs related to the cruise industry. Southern California is home to 3 major cruise line ports, and has been especially impacted by the industry’s closures. I sent a letter to the CDC urging them to stand by their recent guidance that cruises will be able to resume by summer. Read the full letter here and an excerpt below:

 “The financial impact is felt across our districts, affecting our constituents who are hotel, restaurant, retail workers, longshoremen, transportation operators, and other small- and medium-sized business owners who continue to suffer from the ongoing cruise industry shutdown,”
Listening to Parents on the Impacts of School Closures
This week, the House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing on the impacts of COVID-19 on students with disabilities. I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Bush, who has a son that is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD and a daughter who has cerebral palsy, a speech disorder, and an intellectual disability. He spoke about the negative impacts school closures have had on his family and others. He said it best – “The kids are the ones who have no voice in this. They’ve been suffering. When are we going to open schools back up for these kids that really need it?” Watch his testimony here.
In the News
Fixes for 'Decrepit' Rail Split Democrats, GOP Over Price Tag
Michelle Steel (R-Calif.), a member of the subcommittee, said the “failed project” in California is unpopular and has hurt rural and suburban communities. Steel sponsored a bill in March that would prohibit the use of federal assistance to fund the project. Read more. 
Sand shortage: Officials call for replenishment program along 12-mile stretch of Orange County beaches
"It'll go from just being a recreational and environmental concern to a flooding and health and safety concern and I think we're pretty close to that tipping point," said Jim Merid, the Environmental Services Manager for Huntington Beach, who took a reporter up to Bluff Top Park where erosion is getting pretty bad. Read more. 
Fraudulent unemployment claims have cost the US tens of billions of dollars since the pandemic began. Congress and the Biden administration need to crack down on this abuse.
The Biden Administration should prioritize good governance and oversight of taxpayer money, especially as they begin doling out almost $2 trillion in new and unnecessary spending. Read more. 
Sincerely,
Rep. Michelle Steel
Member of Congress