Editor’s Note: An unfinished draft of this story was mistakenly published previously.
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 June.
Elected officials were involved in discussion and legislation surrounding public safety, oil drilling, drink-spiking 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
SPEED through Screening Act: Congressman Robert Garcia, alongside Congressmen Nick LaLota and Morgan McGarvey, introduced the Supporting Passengers with Efficient and Effective Detention (SPEED) through Screening Act on June 5. This bipartisan bill would mandate that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) develop methods that minimize intrusive pat-downs while maintaining security standards. The Act aims to enhance passenger respect and comfort during travel by reducing the frequency of pat-downs and the need for passengers to remove items during security checks, with a focus on groups disproportionately subjected to these procedures. Additionally, TSA will be required to collect anonymized data to evaluate the effects of its screening practices, addressing concerns about inequities affecting minority communities, people with disabilities and those with religious headwear.
“The SPEED through Screening Act will push the TSA to do everything they can to make the traveling experience more comfortable and pleasant without compromising safety,” Garcia said in a public statement. “TSA has a responsibility to ensure their practices protect communities disproportionately targeted for security pat-downs while also protecting our national security. We must make sure folks feel respected as they undergo travel checkpoints, and don’t fear flying.”
Marjorie Taylor Greene vs. Fauci: On June 3, Garcia attended the Oversight Committee’s hearing on the nation’s response to COVID-19. During the hearing, Marjorie Taylor Greene refused to address Dr. Anthony Fauci, former medical advisor to the president, as a doctor, and also said he should be in prison. Garcia criticized Greene’s behavior and defended Fauci.
Israel-Palestine War: In response to an Israeli military operation that resulted in the rescue of four hostages and the deaths of over 200 Palestinians, Garcia tweeted “Great news to see four more hostages home and rescued. Every hostage must be freed and Hamas needs to accept the ceasefire proposal and end this war.”
Pride Safety: In May, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and State Department issued a warning about potential terrorist threats during Pride Month events. Garcia sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray urging the federal government to work to ensure the safety of LGBTQ+ people at Pride events.
“Over the last several weeks, your respective agencies and departments have issued stark warnings, and travel advisories to the public over potential threats from foreign terrorist organizations (FTO), and their supporters during this year’s Pride Month,” Garcia said in a public statement. “I understand that these steps have come after deeply concerning increases in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, calls for targeted violence, and foiled violent plots.”
NDAA Amendments: Garcia spoke in protest of recent amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act, which would ban defense funding from being used on drag performances. This follows the Department of Defense’s decision to ban drag shows on military bases in 2023.
As Garcia spoke, a staff member held up images of the internet meme of actress Jennifer Coolidge saying “These gays are trying to murder me,” in the television series “The White Lotus,” as well as a photo of Donlad Trump and Rudy Giuliani dressed in drag from a 2000 comedy sketch.
“My Republican colleagues want us to believe that gays are trying to murder us,” Garcia said while gesturing to the meme. “They want to believe that drag is harmful or immoral or wrong. This is completely ridiculous.”
Lena Gonzalez – California State Senator for the 33rd District
Enhanced Firearm Safety Certifications Act: Gonzalez presented SB 1253 to the Committee on Public Safety on June 11. It was passed, and sent to the Committee on Appropriations. The bill would require any gun owners moving to California from another state to gain a firearm safety certificate within 120 days of arriving. Under this bill, violations of this rule would be classified as a misdemeanor.
“California has made great strides in recent decades to reduce gun violence,” Gonzalez said in a public statement. “However, accidental and unintentional shootings continue to be a leading cause of firearm related incidents in the state, particularly for children.”
Oil Wells: The California Independent Petroleum Association announced that it was withdrawing a ballot measure meant to overturn a law authored by Gonzalez. Gonzalez’s law aimed to stop oil companies from building oil wells next door to sensitive areas, such as homes and schools, and was passed in 2022. Gonzalez said in a public statement that the law can now soon take effect, but members of the petroleum industry stated they plan to fight the law in court rather than on the ballot.
Referendum Funding Transparency Act: On June 5, the Assembly’s Standing Committee on Elections passed the Referendum Funding Transparency Act, Senate Bill 1337. The bill was passed by the Senate in May. The bill focuses on corporations that try to overturn existing law through petitions and referendums. SB 1337 would require petitions attempting to repeal a law to list its top three funders so people can more easily see what corporations may be behind a petition. The bill was then sent to the Committee on Appropriations.
Bond Measures: On June 30, the state legislature voted to place two bond measures co-authored by Gonzalez on the November ballot. Each bond measure will require $10 billion each in borrowed money. One bond measure is aimed at investing in safe drinking water and preventing wildfires. The second will be used to repair and modernize schools across the state.
Gonzalez released the following public statement after the legislature vote to put the bond measures on the ballot:
“The climate and education bond measures passed today are significant investments for our future to ensure our schools have up-to-date infrastructure and that our communities are climate resilient.”
Mexican Presidential Election: Gonzalez expressed her support for the election of Mexico’s new president, Claudia Sheinbaum.
“My heartfelt congratulations go out to Claudia Sheinbaum on her victory as the next President of Mexico,” Gonzalez said in a public statement. “Her groundbreaking achievement as Mexico’s first female President in two centuries serves as a significant and inspiring moment for women and girls worldwide. Claudia’s remarkable contributions as a physicist, climate scientist, Mexico City’s Environment Chief, and her involvement in the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, are truly commendable, offering hope for progress in climate action. This election not only inspires hope for a more just society and enhanced climate efforts but also signals a brighter economic future. I eagerly anticipate the ongoing fruitful and collaborative partnership between our state and Mexico.”
Nanette Díaz Barragán – U.S. representative for California’s 44th Congressional District
U.S.-Croatia Treaty: Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44), along with fellow Congressional Croatian Caucus leaders, has called on the Senate to engage with the U.S. Department of Treasury to finalize the ratification of the U.S.-Croatia Treaty for the Avoidance of Double Taxation. Signed in Dec. 2022 by the U.S. Under Secretary of State and Croatia’s Finance Minister, the treaty aims to prevent double taxation on investments and trade between the two nations.
“The Republic of Croatia is a critical ally to the United States, and the Senate must work with [the] Treasury to resolve issues and move towards treaty ratification.” Barragán said in a public statement. “This treaty builds on 30 years of diplomatic partnership and will further deepen cooperation between our nations and will serve the interest of American and Croatian taxpayers. These opportunities to strengthen social, economic, and cultural partnerships with Croatia are vital to the United States and my district, which is home to one of the largest and liveliest Croatian communities in the United States.”
HUD Proposed Rule Changes: On June 10, Barragán spearheaded an initiative with over 30 other lawmakers, urging the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to adopt stronger policies promoting housing access for those affected by the criminal justice system. In a letter addressing HUD’s recent proposed rule changes, which aim to lower barriers to affordable housing for individuals with criminal records, the legislators expressed support for the agency’s efforts. They endorsed reforms to prevent automatic denials based on criminal convictions and advocated for individualized assessments that consider mitigating factors in housing applications. The letter also backed HUD’s proposal to define a three-year period as a reasonable timeframe for assessing applicants following criminal activity. The proposed changes seek to reform regulations for public housing authorities and HUD-subsidized housing providers to better support reintegration and housing stability for impacted individuals.
“Without access to safe and stable housing, individuals returning from incarceration are more likely to fall into homelessness and return to prison or jail,” the Congress members wrote. “These obstacles complicate successful reentry and create a cycle between incarceration, homelessness, and reincarceration…HUD must consider the entire tenancy cycle and enact policies that help secure and maintain housing for these individuals, who are working towards building a new life but are often targeted due to their past.”
Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month: On June 28, Barragán, along with Congressman Vern Buchanan, Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, and Congressman Gus Bilirakis introduced a resolution to commemorate Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, which occurs in June.
“Nearly 7 million Americans, including my mom, live with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, making it a significant public health issue,” said Rep. Barragán. “That is why it is important to raise awareness of how this heartbreaking disease impacts patients and to highlight the crucial role that millions of unpaid family caregivers play to support individuals with Alzheimer’s.”
Immigrant Spouses: On June 28, Barragán released a statement in support of President Joe Biden’s executive order that protects the immigrant spouses and children of U.S. citizens from deportation. The executive order also allows college-educated immigrants who were brought into the United States as children to obtain work visas.
“This is a great day for hundreds of thousands of immigrant families in America,” Barragán said in a public statement. “President Biden’s actions will keep American families together, in California it means possible relief for up to 120,000 non-citizen spouses and provide many of our DACA recipients and Dreamers the opportunity to continue their pursuit of the American Dream. […] While Congressional action is still needed, today’s actions will bring much needed relief to immigrants and their families across the country and sends a clear message – home is here.”
Immigrant Heritage Month: On June 28, Barragán introduced a resolution to recognize immigrants’ contributions to society, in honor of Immigrant Heritage Month.
“Immigrants built America and continue to make incredible contributions to our country’s economy, institutions, and culture,” said Rep. Barragán. “Immigrants work tough jobs in construction, farming, and manufacturing, and many, including our DREAMers have thrived as doctors, nurses, lawyers, and students. Immigrants work hard, pay their taxes, and make our country great. I am proud to work with my colleagues in Congress to uplift their voices and advocate for their priorities.
Josh Lowenthal – U.S. Representative for California’s 69th Assembly District
PANDAS/PANS: AB 2105 was passed by the Senate Standing Committee on Health on June 12, and was then sent to the Committee on Appropriations where it passed again on June 24.
This bill aims to secure insurance coverage and expedite care for those suffering from 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 after an infection, such as strep throat.
“Early and expedient access to the treatments is crucial to the effective treatments of PANDAS and PANS,” Lowenthal said to the committee on June 24. “In order to avoid the debilitating symptoms, potentially permanent neurological damage, and sometimes fatal outcomes associated with these disorders. AB 2105 will ensure that individuals and families who are confronted with these disorders, do not experience unnecessary delays in treatment that can lead to disastrous outcomes.”
Lowenthal’s Assembly Bill 3172 was passed by the Senate Standing Committee on the Judiciary on June 25. The bill is now in front of the Committee on Appropriations.
Kids on Social Media: AB 3172 would set financial penalties for social media platforms that are found to harm children. If a court finds that a social media site is found to have failed to take appropriate precautions to protect children on its site or knowingly takes action that is detrimental to the well being of children, they would be forced to pay up to a $1 million per child ($5,000 per violation), or three times the damages suffered by the child.
“I’m not against social media at all and like all of you in this chamber, use social media as a powerful communications vehicle. As a parent, I see the positive effect some social media tools have on connecting young people,” Lowenthal said to the committee on June 25. “I just want social media companies to much more vigorously step up to the plate and be responsible partners that take safety well being of our children as serious as they do their profits. The issues raised in AB 3172 are not new, but the demand for relief is getting louder and louder by the day.”
Drink Safety: Lowenthal’s AB 2402 was passed by the Senate Standing Committee on Governmental Organization on June 25. This bill would require the Alcohol and Beverage Control to add information on how to prevent roofying to its trainings offered to restaurant, bar and nightclub staff. It has now been sent to the Committee on Appropriations.
“I want to note that no single bill, as I stated earlier, will end drink spiking, sexual assault or rape,” Lowenthal told the standing committee. “But it’s important that we keep adding to the comprehensive approach in addressing this epidemic, keep chipping away at this to better protect the people of California.”
Another one of Lowenthal’s bills aiming to curb drink spiking in bars passed through committee on the same day. Assembly Bill 2375 would require bars and nightclubs to offer lids for customers’ drinks upon request, and to post signs informing customers that lids are available, in an effort to prevent drink spiking. It was passed by the Senate Standing Committee on Governmental Organization, and was sent back to the Committee on Appropriations.
“Typically, drink spiking is not an independent crime,” Lowenthal said to the committee. “Rather, it’s done to make other horrific crimes such as rape, sexual assault, easier to commit. And while anyone can turn victim to roofing, it’s women and members of the LGBTQ community that are targeted the most. Dare I say we’ve allowed this to go on this long because it’s women and members of the LGBTQ community that are targeted the most.”
Foreclosures: When a foreclosure occurs, previous homeowners are entitled to the money leftover after mortgage and fees are paid. This is known as “surplus money.” Lowenthal’s new bill, AB 295, aims to stop practices by “surplus hunters,” who offer to unnecessarily help the previous homeowner access their surplus money, while charging exorbitant rates for the services. Since people are entitled by law to their surplus money, there is no need for surplus hunters, who Lowenthal said are taking advantage of people who are already in a vulnerable state. The new bill would require surplus hunters to wait at least 90 days after the foreclosure is recorded before approaching people about their surplus money. AB 295 was passed by the Assembly Standing Committee on Judiciary on June 25.
“These changes will help ensure that the borrowers receive the full amount of money that they are entitled to and not be taken advantage of,” Lowenthal said.
