Newsletter - October 20, 2023

A MESSAGE FROM CONGRESSWOMAN KAMLAGER-DOVE:

Dear Friend,

With President Biden and the international community depending on Congress to step up and support our allies, it was another shameful display of dysfunction in the House of Representatives this week as Republicans failed to elect a Speaker. Let me be clear: Jim Jordan would have been a threat to our nation and our national security. During his 16 years in Congress, he has yet to pass a single bill and has refused to aid Ukraine as it combats Russia. Instead, he would serve as a MAGA megaphone for extremists like Donald Trump and Matt Gaetz. As we look ahead, Republicans have an obligation to put forth someone who will work with Democrats to keep the House open. 

SPECTRUM NEWS 1'S 'INSIDE THE ISSUES' WITH AMRIT SINGH

On Monday night, I sat down with Amrit Singh on Spectrum News 1's 'Inside the Issues' to discuss the House vote for Speaker and what is happening in the Middle East. While the war against Hamas continues to unfold, I will work with my colleagues in Congress to ensure Israel has the support it needs to defend itself. First and foremost, we need a functioning Speakership to appropriate supplemental funding for our allies. I am supportive of a funding package that ties aid for Ukraine and Israel together. I also believe the first action the House needs to take when it has a Speaker is to pass the bipartisan resolution condemning the Hamas terror attacks against the Israeli people.

On Wednesday, President Biden announced $100 million in humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people in Gaza, which will be critical in providing funds for clean water, food, hygiene support, medical care, and other vital needs. We must continue to protect innocent civilians. To read more about resources for U.S. citizens in Israel and Gaza, click here. 

To watch my full interview, click here.

HOUSE VOTE FOR SPEAKER
I got deja vu this week watching the same chaos and dysfunction unfold on the House Floor as it did in January when we sat through 15 rounds of voting for a Speaker. The House Republicans put forward election denier Jim Jordan as their nominee this week, and the House went through three rounds of votes, with Rep. Jordan losing support each round. The House remains paralyzed. Without a Speaker, we cannot address government spending as we near the government shutdown deadline, and we cannot appropriate supplemental aid funding for our allies. Unlike recent Republican nominees for Speaker, Democratic Leader Jeffries is a proven bipartisan leader and is backed by the full Democratic Caucus. 

NEW LEGISLATION

This week, I introduced the bipartisan Granting Recognition to Accomplished Talented Employees for Unwavering Loyalty (GRATEFUL) Act with Congresswoman Salazar (FL-27) to ensure locally employed staff and their families, who are critical to the effective functioning of U.S. embassies abroad, are able to immigrate to the United States after completing a career of service to the U.S. government. This is House companion legislation to the bipartisan Senate bill introduced by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) earlier this year.

To read more about the GRATEFUL Act, click here.

WORLD FOOD DAY EVENT WITH AXIOS

On Monday, I joined Axios' Eugene Scott for a conversation on World Food Day, where we discussed the importance of food security at home and abroad. During my time on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, I have seen the importance of ensuring strong food systems around the globe, which is why I joined Congressman Lawler (NY-17) in sending a letter to House Committee on Agriculture leadership to strengthen international food assistance in the upcoming Farm Bill reauthorization. We must give our global partners the tools they need to feed their citizens sustainably.

Back at home in California's 37th District, I have visited the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, a WIC facility, and the SEE-LA Central Ave. Farmers' Market and spoken to staff and community members about the importance of nutrition assistance programs in making sure our friends and neighbors have nutritious food on the table, and I will continue to defend against Republicans' devastating cuts to SNAP and WIC.

To read more about this World Food Day event, click here.

UPCOMING MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMY VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSION

Calling all CA-37 high school students! If you are interested in attending one of our nation's service academies, sign up to attend my virtual information session on Wednesday, October 25 at 6 p.m. PT. On this call, you will hear more about the application and nomination processes for the service academies from the institutions' representatives. For more information about the nominations process, visit my website. To register to attend the virtual information session, click here.

To register to attend this virtual information session, click here.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS WEEK

• See my social post on California's designation as part of the Hydrogen Hub program, which will bring over 200,000 jobs to the state.
• See my social post about the introduction of the Clean Water Act of 2023.
• See my social post about Medicare Open Enrollment. Find the plan that's right for you!

As always, I encourage you to contact my offices with any comments or concerns about my work in Congress, the 37th District, or any other matters. Please connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date on my work in Congress. If you are experiencing issues with Social Security, passports, immigration, or another Federal agency, send in a casework request, and my staff will be happy to assist you. 

Sincerely,

kamlager-dove.house.gov

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