This installment of the Signal Tribune’s monthly series covers actions taken and statements made by Long Beach and Signal Hill’s federal and state representatives throughout September.
Elected officials were involved in discussion and legislation surrounding the presidential race, drug prices, smartphones in schools and more. The purpose of this ongoing series is to help the public stay abreast of their elected officials and hold them accountable before and beyond election day.
Robert Garcia – U.S. Representative for California’s 42nd Congressional District
EPA Response: On Sept. 4, Garcia responded to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to add a former Exide Technologies facility in Vernon, California to the Superfund National Priorities List, which includes sites that have been prioritized for clean up by the federal government. Exide’s battery recycling plant left behind dangerous pollutants in the area.
The EPA will open a 60-day public comment period, with a final decision expected in Spring 2025. If the Vernon site is added to the list, the EPA will create a remediation plan addressing contamination at the site.
“The EPA’s announcement is a critical step forward to a full Superfund Designation and a full federal cleanup of the Exide site. I will be working tirelessly to make sure the EPA pursues the strongest possible lead cleanup and remediation effort, to the highest possible standard. The federal government must bring justice to a community which has been overlooked time after time,” Garcia said in a public statement.
Unions: On Labor Day, Garcia made a post on X in support of the PRO Act. The bill would expand and protect workers rights to organize and collectively bargain.
“Happy Labor Day! As the son of a proud @SEIU union worker, I’m giving thanks for all Unions have given our country, from helping to create social security to upholding safe conditions. But there’s more to be done. It’s time to pass the PRO Act to strengthen the right to organize,” Garcia posted on X on Sept. 2.
Presidential Debate: Garcia live tweeted during the presidential debate on Sept. 10, during which he criticized former president Donald Trump and praised Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Donald Trump was angry, incoherent, and could not contain his anger. He showed us who he is: an unhinged and sad man with no real plan for the future,” Garcia wrote in one of his posts. “We are not going back.”
Election Conspiracy Theory: Garcia posted a statement in response to unsubstantiated claims made by Trump that there was widespread election fraud keeping him from winning California.
“If I ran with an honest vote counter in California, I would win California,” Trump said during a press conference in Rancho Palos Verdes on Sept. 13. “The votes are not counted honestly. It’s a very dishonest system you have in California.”
“This man is completely deranged,” Garcia posted in response. “He would win California? Besides this insanity are reporters going to push him on how fucking crazy his lies are getting?”
There is no evidence or proof whatsoever that election fraud is what is preventing Trump from winning California. In 2023, there were twice as many voters registered as Democrat than Republican in the state, at 46% and 23%, respectively. California last turned red during a presidential election in 1988, when George H.W. Bush won the popular vote in the state by around 350,000 votes, and then received 47 of the state’s 54 electoral college votes.
Trump also threatened to cut federal funding aid to fight wildfires in California if Governor Gavin Newsom doesn’t channel more of the state’s water supply to its farmers.
Garcia demanded that California’s Republican congress members denounce Trump’s statements.
“Donald Trump’s attacks on California are dangerous,” Garcia posted on Sept. 13. “His intention to hold back federal funding to combat wildfires and his lies about our election system are disqualifying. All GOP candidates running for Congress in California must denounce these remarks immediately.”
Campaigning for Harris: Garcia has been named the National Campaign co-chair for Harris’ campaign. He and two buses full of volunteers from Long Beach went to Nevada to promote Harris’ campaign among the state’s Latino communities.
Lena Gonzalez – California State Senator for the 33rd District
Bill Vetoed: Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed The Climate Resilient Schools Act, authored by Gonzalez, on Sept. 22. A previous version of the bill was also vetoed by Newsom last year.
The bill would have developed a long-term plan to protect California schools from the impacts of climate change while lowering their greenhouse gas emissions.
“With the increasing frequency of climate emergencies, we need to be well-prepared to protect the safety of students, teachers, and communities when they are most at risk,” Gonzalez said in a public statement. “We need a comprehensive plan to address climate-related health and safety threats to California students, and can no longer rely on a disjointed and piecemeal approach to fortifying our thousands of school facilities. I’m incredibly disappointed that the Climate Resilient Schools Act was vetoed for the second year in a row. The longer we wait, the harder and more expensive it will be to make the changes we need to see real impact.”
Presidential Debate Statement: “The United States of America DESERVES Kamala Harris as our next President,” Gonzalez posted on X on Sept. 10, the same day as the presidential debate between Harris and Trump.
Taylor Swift: On Sept. 15, Trump posted on the social media site Truth Social “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!” Later that same day, Gonzalez posted “Today sounds like a good day to listen to [Taylor Swift],” on X.
Latin Bands: Gonzalez praised the Mexican pop rock band Maná after they removed a song from their online discography that featured Nicky Jam, a Puerto Rican reggaeton artist that supports Trump.
“Maná does not work with racists,” read an image in Spanish posted to the band’s Instagram page. In the caption below, the band posted in Spanish “For the last 30 years Maná has supported and defended the rights of Latinos in the world. There is no business or promotion that is worth more than the dignity of our people.”
“So glad one of my fave Mexican bands, Maná spoke out against artists who are Trumpers..” Gonzalez posted on X on Sept. 15. “I can’t believe as Latina/os we have to waste our energy on reminding our community that Trump is a fool.”
Nanette Díaz Barragán – U.S. Representative for California’s 44th Congressional District
Pacific Avenue Improvements: Barragán successfully requested that the U.S. Department of Transportation provide funding for the City of Long Beach to update Pacific Avenue. The City will receive $25 million for the project through the Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads All (SS4A) grant program. Improvements to the corridor will include protected bike lanes, pedestrian crossings and more, according to a statement by Barragán’s office.
“This critical infrastructure project will be a great addition for the City of Long Beach and the improved health and safety of its residents,” Barragán said in a public statement. “This federal funding will modernize a major corridor and improve connectivity to schools, parks, public transit stations, and other key destinations between the Wrigley neighborhood and Downtown Long Beach. I was proud to advocate for this funding earlier this year to create safer streets for our communities in Long Beach.”
Drug Prices: Barragán introduced the Prompt Approval of Safe Generic Drugs Act on Sept. 17, in an effort to improve access to affordable generic drugs. The bill aims to remove obstacles in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s drug approval process that delay the release of generic medications, which are just as effective as brand-name drugs but much cheaper.
“The skyrocketing price of prescription drugs is one of the top issues my constituents have continuously asked us to address in Congress. In the United States, three in ten adults say they haven’t taken their medicine as prescribed due to the costs. That is unacceptable,” Barragán said in a public statement. “That is why I am proud to introduce the Prompt Approval of Safe Generic Drugs Act, which is a critical step to ensuring all Americans can access the prescription drugs they need at an affordable price.”
Latina Mothers: At a press conference with health advocates on Sept. 24, Barragán introduced a resolution addressing the dangers of air pollution and extreme heat on the health of Latina mothers and infants. The resolution highlights how these environmental factors are linked to increased risks of preterm birth, low birth weight and stillbirth.
Latinas, particularly in low-income communities, are disproportionately affected, often living in areas with higher pollution and working in jobs that require more heat exposure. The resolution calls for interventions to address these vulnerabilities, including air quality monitoring systems, bilingual public alerts, Latina doulas, more affordable air conditioners for pregnant women and families, more shaded areas in low-income neighborhoods and more.
“Air pollution and extreme heat are not just environmental issues—they are issues of equity and health that disproportionately harm Latina moms,” Barragán said in a public statement. “This resolution calls on Congress to invest in clean air initiatives, bilingual air quality alerts, improved maternal healthcare access, and much more. We must act now to ensure that no mother has to choose between her health and her job, or between staying cool and protecting her unborn child.”
Trip to Mexico: On Sept. 24, Barragán announced that she would be part of the official Presidential Delegation which will accompany First Lady Jill Biden to Mexico to attend the inauguration of its newest president, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, in Mexico City on Oct. 1.
Sheinbaum Pardo made history with her election to Mexico’s presidency, as the first woman and the first Jewish person to hold the office.
“It’s a true honor to join Dr. Biden and the Presidential Delegation to represent the United States at President-Elect Sheinbaum Pardo’s historic inauguration,” said Barragán in a public statement. “As our neighbor and trading partner, collaboration between our nations is critical to bolster trade, tackle the climate crisis, reduce delays at our ports of entry and address root causes of migration. Her Excellency’s inauguration and new administration will bring renewed partnership on critical issues that impact the lives of our people. I look forward to celebrating this historic achievement for Mexico with Dr. Biden and the Delegation, and working with President-elect Sheinbaum Pardo to build on over 200 years of strong bilateral relations.”
Israeli Hostage: On Sept. 1, Barragán posted condolences on X for the death of an American-Israeli hostage who was abducted by Hamas on Oct. 7. Hersh Goldberg-Polin and several other hostages were found shot to death inside a tunnel in Gaza on Aug. 31, according to the Israeli military. His parents were invited to speak at this year’s Democratic National Convention.
“Heartbroken to hear of the loss of American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin and the 5 other Israeli’s who were kidnapped on October 7th and murdered by Hamas terrorists,” Barragán posted on X. “Hersh’s parents were a symbol of strength at the Democratic Convention in Chicago as they called to bring Hersh and the other hostages home. My thoughts are with them and the other families today. It’s time to end this conflict. We need a cease fire deal that brings the remaining hostages home.”
There was controversy surrounding this year’s Democratic National Convention because no Palestinians or Palestinian Americans were allowed to address the crowd.
Josh Lowenthal – U.S. Representative for California’s 69th Assembly District
PANS/PANDAS: On Sept. 14, Lowenthal joined members of the California Coalition for PANS/PANDAS Advocacy on Granada Beach in Long Beach, for an event bringing awareness to Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). These illnesses cause sudden onset symptoms similar to obsessive compulsive disorder in children after an infection, such as strep throat.
Families of children with PANS/PANDAS have experienced difficulty getting their insurance providers to cover diagnosis and treatment for their children. Lowenthal authored Assembly Bill 2105, which aims to secure insurance coverage and expedite care for those suffering from PANS/PANDAS. The bill has passed through both houses of the state legislature, was sent to the governor’s office on Sept. 11, and is awaiting the governor’s final decision.
Candidate Forum: Lowenthal joined other local politicians for a forum at the Alpert Jewish Community Center on Sept. 18, where he answered questions alongside Josh Rodriguez, the Republican candidate running for Lowenthal’s seat in the upcoming November election.
Online Privacy Bill Vetoed: Lowenthal’s Assembly Bill 3048 was vetoed by the governor on Sept. 20.
The bill would have required browsers and devices to enable consumers to express their privacy preferences via “opt-out signals.” These signals would have allowed consumers to prevent the sale or sharing of their personal data while browsing the web.
Freeway Cleanup: On Sept. 21, Lowenthal and Gonzalez’s offices co-hosted a community clean up in Signal Hill, along the 405 Freeway Off and On-Ramp on Atlantic Avenue.
Smartphones in Schools: Assembly Bill 3216, the Phone Free School Act, was signed into law by the governor on Sept. 23. The bill was co-authored by Lowenthal, as well as his fellow Assemblymembers Josh Hoover, David Alvarez and Al Muratsuchi.
This bill requires school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to create and implement a policy by July 1, 2026, that limits or bans students from using smartphones while at school or under staff supervision. These policies must be updated every five years. The bill also allows exceptions for specific situations where students may need to use smartphones. Under the bill, if these changes result in additional costs for local schools, the state will reimburse them.
