Greetings!

This week we got some good news following a long 14 months of COVID-19 updates and restrictions. The CDC released new guidance on masks for individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and we are getting closer each day to returning to our normal way of life. This week is also National Police Week, which pays special recognition to law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. I was happy to participate in multiple pro-law enforcement events to honor and thank our law enforcement.

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
Answering your Questions
This week I hosted a tele-town hall to update you on my work in Congress. We had over 2,000 participants on the line and I got the opportunity to answer 21 of your questions. I enjoyed getting to speak to you directly and I look forward to hosting another one soon! 
Couldn’t make this one? Be sure to sign up here to get a call from me during my next town hall. 
Hosting Local Law Enforcement
In honor of Police Week, I kicked off this Monday with a roundtable lunch with local law enforcement. I hosted officers from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove and Seal Beach Police Departments to discuss ways to work together to improve community safety. Read more.
Recognizing our local AAPI Community
The month of May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month. Our district is home to a vibrant AAPI community, and I am proud to highlight local members of our community who are making a difference. Do you have someone you would like to recognize for their work in our community? Write in here. 
Your Voice in DC
Thanking our Law Enforcement
I joined my colleagues in co-sponsoring a resolution to honor by name the 394 officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2020, or whose stories were lost until now. I also joined Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and my House colleagues to lay a wreath at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in honor of those we have lost.
Watch my remarks on the House Floor thanking our police officers for their selfless service to our communities: 
Supporting our Democratic Ally Israel
Rep. Michelle Steel on Twitter: "Israel is our strongest ...

Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East. Our two nations share an important friendship that is built upon shared democratic ideals. We must stand by Israel in the wake of these violent attacks by Hamas. I will continue to #StandWithIsrael.

Read more
twitter.com
How I Voted
My goal as your member of Congress is to be as transparent as possible about the votes I am taking in Washington. You can always view my vote record on my website.

I want to hear your feedback! Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or comments on legislation or items currently up for debate in Congress.

Click here to see what the House voted on this week. Here’s an explanation of some of my votes:

H.R. 1065 Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: This bill would require employers to make reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers so that they can stay in their job. Employers may not discriminate against employees because of a needed accommodation due to pregnancy and are barred from retaliating against employees who invoke rights under the act. I voted in support of this legislation because we must ensure pregnant women are not forced out of their jobs or discriminated against in the workplace. 

As a member of the Mental Health Caucus in Congress, I am a strong supporter of increasing access to mental health care. I was happy to support several mental health bills that passed the House this week, including:

H.R. 1205 Improving Mental Health Access from the Emergency Department Act: This bill authorizes a grant program for emergency departments to increase access to follow-up psychiatric services for individuals who present for care of acute mental-health episodes.

H.R. 2955 Suicide Prevention Act: This bill establishes a grant program to provide self-harm and suicide prevention services to hospital emergency departments.

H.R. 1480 HERO Act: This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to improve detection, prevention, and treatment of mental health issues among public safety officers. 
In the News
High-speed rail advocates see new hope for funds in Biden infrastructure plan
First envisioned in the 1980s running 800 miles from San Diego all the way to Sacramento, an official estimate in 2008 put the total cost at around $33 billion. Now, they’re focused on just 171 miles in the central valley. That alone is expected to cost some $23 billion. Read more. 
State Department, Lawmakers Condemn Assault on Epoch Times Reporter in Hong Kong
The State Department criticized the violent assault on a reporter with the Hong Kong Epoch Times as “unacceptable” and urged a thorough investigation. Read more. 
Sincerely,
Rep. Michelle Steel
Member of Congress