Serving Orange County

January 28, 2022

Greetings!

I was happy to be back in our Orange County community 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:

Supporting Public Safety

It was great to stop by the Garden Grove Police Department’s monthly community safety event to meet with some of the officers. I am so thankful for all their work to keep our communities safe!

Reaffirming U.S.-Taiwan Relationship

I was honored to meet with the Taiwanese Vice President this week while he was in Los Angeles to reaffirm the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. In the face of continued aggression from China, it is more important than ever to stand firmly with our ally Taiwan.

This week China’s ambassador to the United States issued a warning of military conflict between the U.S. and China over America’s continued support of a free and independent Taiwan. We cannot allow the CCP to continue bullying us and our allies. This continued hostility is why I’ve offered an amendment to the America COMPETES Act, legislation the House is planning to consider next week, that resumes diplomatic relations with Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), as a sovereign country and supports Taiwan’s membership in international organizations.

Connecting with the Community

This week I attended the Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce State of the City event to give an update on my work in Washington. We discussed supply chain issues and small business legislation that I’m supporting in Congress.

Assisting You This Tax Season

The 2022 tax filing season opened this week on January 24th. The IRS is currently facing an extreme backlog in processing returns, so it is advised to plan ahead for delays. My office is here to assist you with any issues you may have with the IRS. If you need assistance with the IRS or another Federal Agency, visit my website to submit a request or call my Huntington Beach office at 714.960.6483.

Helping Veterans

The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) is responsible for a wide range of veteran services. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a severe backlog at the NPRC with veterans now waiting up to 18 months to have their requests fulfilled. I joined my colleagues in requesting the NPRC immediately reopen to full capacity to quickly address veterans’ access to benefits. Read the full letter here.

Remembering the Holocaust

January 27th was International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It is important to never forget these atrocities so that we never repeat them. We must work to combat hate, anti-Semitism, and bigotry in all forms. Learn more.

Recognizing Outstanding Women in our Community

Ahead of Women’s History Month in March, I am looking forward to highlighting outstanding women in our Orange County community. If you or someone you know is a community-focused and civically engaged woman living in our district, please nominate them here. Nominations will be accepted until February 14, 2022.

In the News

Is the Ukraine Crisis Emboldening U.S. Adversaries?

Congresswoman Michelle Steel (R-C.A.) joins to explain why she believes the U.S. must take strong actions to deter potential invasions of Ukraine and Taiwan, the issues posed by China hosting the Olympics, and how foreign actors like North Korea will watch the U.S. response to these moments closely. Listen.

Fix California with Lowell Ponte and Michelle Steel

Rep. Steel joined the John Phillips Show to discuss California’s pro-crime policies that are allowing organized crime to target railroads. Listen.

Biden's taxes hurt middle-income families

California Congresswoman slams the Biden Administration's tax and spend economic policies and warns about the Chinese Olympics. Watch.

Employers Push for Renewal of Expired Covid Telehealth Waiver

Employers and health-care organizations are pushing Congress and the IRS to waive deductible requirements for telehealth services for 32 million people with some employer-sponsored plans. Read more.

Lawmakers send letter to NBC urging network to cover human rights protests during Winter Olympics in China

A group of over two dozen lawmakers is urging NBC to put a spotlight on human rights protests as the network airs the 2022 Winter Olympics in China. Read more.

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