October 27, 2023

No Payoffs to Terrorists

On September 11, 2023, the Biden administration announced a deal with Iran in which the rogue nation would release five American hostages in return for a waiver for international banks to transfer $6 billion in frozen Iranian money from South Korea to Qatar.

There is no room for mistakes in our fight to contain the evil regime that orchestrated the murder of over 1,400 innocent Israelis and 30 Americans. That is why I introduced legislation to revoke the waiver granted by the Biden Administration that would release $6 billion in frozen funds to Iran.

Sending a $6 billion payout to the world's largest sponsor of terrorism is all but guaranteed to result in the deaths of more civilians. I am proud to lead this legislation to put an end to the Biden Administration’s short-sighted actions and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stand with us.

Intern in My Office

The application to intern in my D.C. or District office during the Spring session is now open! If you are a high school or college student looking to learn more about Congress and the legislative process, an internship in my office can be a fun, educational, and exciting opportunity.

Candidates must possess excellent writing and verbal communication skills. In addition, we are seeking highly collaborative team players with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. 

If you are a hardworking, dedicated individual who has a desire to help improve our Southern California communities, then an internship in my office might be for you! Visit my website to learn more and apply.

Supporting Patients

California’s 45th district is home to nearly 40% Asian Americans, for many of whom English is a second language. As the daughter of a non-English speaking immigrant, I understand the need for an increase in translation options, especially in health care. Patients with limited English are at greater risk for medical errors. Estimates suggest $1.7 billion in medical malpractice costs over five years could have been avoided with better patient communication.

That is why I introduced the Supporting Patient Education and Knowledge (SPEAK) Act to require Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to create a task force with stakeholders dedicated to improving language access in health care for Americans with limited English proficiency. The task force would develop recommendations and best practices for addressing barriers for people with limited English proficiency and lead to improved patient outcomes and reduced associated costs.

I am proud to lead the charge to help make it easier for all Americans to access health care services.

ONE WEEK LEFT: Apply for a Military Service Academy Nomination

For students considering their next steps after high school, the Military Service Academies present an exciting opportunity to receive a world-class education and unmatched leadership skills, paid for by the U.S. Military. The honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. 

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA); the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA); and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), does not require a congressional nomination for appointment. The deadline to apply for a nomination is November 3, 2023.

To request a Military Academy Nomination from my office, please complete the form on my website, and someone my office will be in touch with additional information. In the mean time, visit my website to learn more about the application process.

What I'm Reading

Thanks for taking the time to read about what I've been doing on behalf of Southern California families. Be sure to connect with my official Facebook, X, and Instagram pages, where I post the latest news and updates. It is an honor to serve you in Congress.

Sincerely,

Rep. Michelle Steel
Member of Congress