January 12, 2024

Dear Friend,

Congress is back to work and there's a lot to do. Tomorrow is Korean American Day, so I'm introducing a resolution marking the occasion and I have a special message about the day's significance.

I've also had a number of meetings with business leaders, foreign allies to brainstorm ways to advance American prosperity and sovereignty.

Finally, my team is hosting an important can't-miss event for veterans in our community.

Get the details about all of this and more below, and make sure to follow my Facebook, Instagram, and X to get these updates in real-time.

Honoring Korean American Day

Watch: Rep Steel Commemorates Korean American Day 2024

Tomorrow is Korean American Day, which marks the 121st anniversary of the first Korean immigrants arrival in the United States. This is the third time we have celebrated this special day since I came to Congress, and I'm joining Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) and 78 of our colleagues to introduce a resolution marking the occasion.

As one of the first Korean American women elected to Congress, commemorating the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States is personally meaningful not only to me, but also to the 50,000 Korean Americans I have the privilege of representing.

The story of those first Koreans to immigrate to the United States in 1903 is part of the American story that must be told and remembered, and I am proud to join my colleagues in offering this resolution to do just that by commemorating Korean American Day.

Watch My Korean American Day Message

Had a great meeting with business and city leaders from Hawaiian Gardens and Lakewood. Inflation and high taxes are crushing small businesses, and we need to cut red tape and get our fiscal policies to ensure these job creators can continue to thrive and power our economy.

Save the Date: Veterans Benefit Seminar

Those who have served our nation in uniform are heroes, and they deserve access to the benefits they have earned. While navigating the VA can be complicated and frustrating, my office is here to help

My team will be hosting a comprehensive veterans benefit seminar covering various benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Representatives from the San Diego Regional Office and the VA Long Beach Health Care System will be featured speakers and available to answer questions.

WHEN: January 24, 2024
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

WHERE: American Legion Post 354
8071 Whitaker St.
Buena Park, CA 90621

Questions: email joseph.dyer@mail.house.gov

If you are a Southern California veteran, you won't want to miss this event, so mark your calendar and be sure to contact my office with any questions at (714) 960-6483 or by email at the address above.

Contact My Office

Strengthening Key Alliances

On Wednesday, I met with former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso for a conversation about the importance of strengthening our relationship to counter the rising CCP threat. Today, our nations are at a crossroads and the stakes have never been higher. Evil regimes like the Chinese Communist Party are working to undermine democracy around the world. How we respond may very well determine the survival of the liberty we hold so dear.

The U.S. and Japan have enjoyed a beautiful, mutually beneficial relationship for over 70 years. In California, thanks to the 2020 U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement, we have benefited from more access to Japanese markets of our top exports including agricultural products and manufactured goods.

Nationally, as the U.S. continues to assess their supply chains concerns and the national security and human rights threats posed by the CCP, the U.S.-Japan Critical Minerals Agreement can help us work with our allies to reduce dependence on the CCP and bring safe and clean minerals into the economy.

While these are great first steps, there is a lot of work left to be done. However, I can confidently say after my meeting with Mr. Aso that when it comes to the U.S.-Japan relationship, the best is yet to come

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Having been born in Korea and raised in Japan, I understand the importance and value of strengthening U.S./Japan ties to defend democracy. That's why I was glad to meet with Japanese Consul General Sone to discuss the important partnership between our two nations

What I'm Reading

Orange County Register: California continues to stink at attracting new residents

"For the ninth consecutive year, fewer moving vans brought Americans to California than those headed out toward other states. The trusty spreadsheet reviewed my curious collection of annual migration data from three moving van lines – Allied, Atlas, and United – over the last 20 years. Let’s remember that this type of relocation is rare and expensive. Yet swings in usage can be seen as one measure of where folks with good-sized checkbooks or generous employers are moving."

"The number of migrants crossing the border from Mexico into the United States in 2023 surpassed the populations of 17 states, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).In the first 11 months of 2023, at least 2,953,676 migrants crossed either of the United States' southwestern or northern borders, according to CBP data. That's an increase from recent years that has created a headache for President Joe Biden..."

Read More

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

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