Greetings!

This week I was happy to be back in our Orange County community to celebrate July 4th with you! I hope you all had the opportunity to spend some time celebrating this past holiday weekend with friends and family. Read on for updates on my work this week.

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
Celebrating Independence Day
I had a great time this past weekend celebrating Independence Day with our Orange County community. I had the opportunity to attend events in Laguna Niguel and Huntington Beach.
Rep. Steel with community members at the Laguna Niguel Summer Concert Series 4th of July Special
Rep. Steel with community leaders and community members at the opening of the Huntington Beach Pier 4th of July Kickoff
Mobile Office Hours
Here’s a list of the office hours my team will be hosting in July to help you with any issues you may be having with a Federal Agency.
When: July 13, 2021 | 10 am to 2 pm
Where: 7111 Talbert Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
When: July 20, 2021 | 9 am to 1 pm 
Where: 30111 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
When: July 29, 2021 | 10 am to 2 pm 
Where: 10200 Slater Ave, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
When: July 29, 2021 | 9 am to 1 pm
Where: 30111 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
OC Happenings
It is summertime and California is finally open again! Here are some events happening around CA48:
What: Local Harvest Garden Grove Farmer's Market
When: Sunday mornings 10 am to 2 pm
Where: 12976 Main St, Garden Grove, CA
What: Garden Grove Classic Car Show
When: Friday evenings 5 pm to 8 pm
Where: Main Street, Garden Grove, CA 92843
What: Seal Beach Concerts At The Pier
When: Thursday, July 21st at 6 pm
Where: Eisenhower Park, 901 Ocean Ave, Seal Beach, CA 90740
Protecting our Coastline
Two weeks ago, I questioned Lieutenant General Spellmon from the U.S. Army Corps about the need for the Army Corps to prioritize sand replenishment on our Orange County coastline. Last week, I sent General Spellmon and the Acting Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Army for Civil Works a letter detailing the history of this project and its importance for our community. Read the letter here.

Learn more about my work on sand erosion here.
Your Voice in DC
Pushing for Unemployment Fraud Transparency
In California, it is estimated that over $11 billion of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance has gone to fraudsters and criminals, while an estimated $20 billion in potentially fraudulent unemployment payments are still under investigation. We need a full audit to know exactly how much of your taxpayer dollars were abused to ensure something like this never happens again. That’s why Representative Dough Lamborn and I led 29 of our colleagues in a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor Inspector General requesting a full audit of these unemployment programs.

Read the full letter here and an excerpt below:
“We know that fraudulent activity is still rampant in UI programs across
the country. It is past time we learned how much of American
taxpayers’ dollars have actually been given to fraudulent claims.” 
Strengthening International Partnerships
This week I joined my bipartisan colleagues to reestablish The United States – Republic of Korea Interparliamentary Exchange. This group will consist of a U.S. delegation of bipartisan members of the House of Representatives and a South Korean delegation of National Assembly members. As a first-generation Korean American and one of the first Korean American women to ever serve in Congress, I am honored to work with my colleagues to strengthen this important alliance. Read more.
Supporting Veterans
Our service members and veterans deserve the best our Nation has to offer. That’s why this week I co-sponsored the Veterans in Parks Act – bipartisan legislation that will give active-duty service members, veterans, and Gold Star Families free access to our National Parks. Read more.

You can always check here to see the bills I’ve co-sponsored and introduced.
In the News
California Republican Delegation Release Statement on Governor Newsom’s 15% Voluntary Water Conservation Request
As we move into the hottest part of the driest year on record since 1977, this should be a clarion call to Governor Newsom, Sacramento Democrats, and California’s congressional Democrats to reassess their position and support an all-of-the-above water plan that includes not only conservation, recycling, and desalination, but also critical surface water storage projects. Read more. 
Sincerely,
Rep. Michelle Steel
Member of Congress