March 8, 2024

Securing Funding for Our Community

This week, the House passed the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) funding package, which I'm proud to report included over $27 million in direct funding requested by cities and community stakeholders in California’s 45th District. 

These important projects originate from the community and will support key needs within our cities. They provide much needed upgrades to our communities from law enforcement facilities to critical water and transportation infrastructure.

The funding includes the following projects:

$2,500,000 - City of Fullerton - Police Station Historic Rehabilitation & Remediation Project

$350,000 - City of Garden Grove - Police Department Cyber Security Infrastructure Enhancement Project

$748,800 - City of Garden Grove - Arterial Highway Rehabilitation of Trask Avenue, from Harbor Boulevard to Fairview Street

$750,000 - City of Placentia - Public Safety Center 911 Technology Upgrades

$500,000 - City of Fountain Valley - Fountain Valley Universally Accessible Playground

$1,000,000 - City of Hawaiian Gardens - Recreation Center Improvements

$2,000,000 - City of Brea – Modernize and expand Arovista Park

$1,000,000 - City of Buena Park - Construct a new municipal water well in order to provide and store a local supply of safe drinking water for the community

$6,000,000 - City of Artesia - Citywide Road Project

$5,000,000 - City of Cerritos, Lakewood, La Palma, and Cypress - Del Amo Boulevard Bridge Replacement and Signal Enhancements Project

$383,000 - Westminster Police Department - Backup Data Center

$1,000,000 - Cerritos College - Cerritos College Career Command Center, a Student Veteran Career Readiness Training Program

$250,000 - Boys and Girls Club of Greater Anaheim/Cypress - Workforce Development Program

$5,000,000 - California State University, Fullerton - Titan Gateway Bridge

$582,410 - City of Los Alamitos - Los Alamitos Active Transportation Plan

Calling All Student Artists

My office is accepting submissions for the 2024 Congressional Art Competition. If you know a talented young artist who should have their work displayed in the Halls of Congress, this competition is for them!

Submissions are open through April 12th, at 3:00 PM. The competition is open to middle and high school students from the grades of 6th - 12th. The school must be located in California’s 45th District, or the student must reside in the District.

Holding the Vietnamese Communist Party Accountable

Taking their cues from the CCP, Vietnam continues to commit egregious violations of their citizens’ religious freedoms. The Communist Party of Vietnam requires all religious organizations to register with the government, and jails and oppresses offenders.

This cannot be allowed to continue unanswered. This week, I wrote to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging him to classify Vietnam as a “Country of Particular Concern” in response to their worsening human rights violations.

Reports have found that Vietnam has increased its suppression of religious freedoms compared to four years ago, including holding 260 prisoners of conscience. By re-classifying Vietnam, the action could affect Vietnam’s foreign aid and result in international condemnation.

I am asking Secretary Blinken to take this action to raise the United States’ pressure on Vietnam to release its political prisoners and end this war on religious freedom.

Coming Soon: Community Health & Resource Fair

My office is hosting a Community Health and Resource Fair in Westminster on March 23, 2024, to share information on how to access public services available to Southern Californians. 

Representatives from the Department of U.S Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), the Department of Labor (DOL), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and many other local, state, and non-profit resources will be present to answer questions and provide assistance.

Any questions about the event can be directed to my team by phone at (714) 960-6483 or email. As always, we welcome questions, concerns, or requests for assistance with federal agencies at any time. 

Preventing CCP Theft

The CCP has a long history of exploiting United States intellectual property for their own gain, costing U.S. innovators up to $600 billion a year. They have made clear that stealing intellectual property is faster and cheaper than developing their own technology.

That is why I led my colleagues in asking President Biden to reject the World Trade Organization’s proposal to waive global IP protections for COVID-19 therapeutics and diagnostics. President Biden must put an end to this waiver that would simply aid and abet the CCP’s grand larceny.

Intern in My Office

The application to intern in my Washington, D.C. or Cypress, CA offices for the Summer is open. Students selected for an internship will gain invaluable work experience while learning about the inner workings of the House of Representatives. 

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 the Southern California community, this internship is for you!

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