Working to Pass the President’s Agenda: A Message from Rep. Huffman

Hello,

September was another busy month for House Democrats making progress on our many priorities to serve you. Between working to fund the government, protect our economy from defaulting on debts incurred under multiple Presidential administrations, and ensuring we pass President Biden’s full Build Back Better agenda, there has been a lot going on.

Here are a few highlights of the work I’ve been doing this past month.

What We’ve Been Voting On:

• The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): I have long believed that too much of our federal budget is spent on the machinery and bureaucracy of war making, and not enough is focused on critical domestic priorities. This year's NDAA continues that trend. But, beneath the disappointing topline numbers in this spending bill for the Pentagon, we are achieving some historic and urgent policy reforms such as finally confronting military sexual assault, ending federal banking bans on lawful cannabis businesses, combatting the growing scourge of extremism in the military, and improving climate resiliency. It also includes my Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act, which will permanently protect millions of acres of unique, pristine public lands in our district. Because the Senate filibuster is being used to keep dozens of House bills from getting a vote in the Senate, this annual defense bill is one of our only practical opportunities to enact these much needed reforms – which is ultimately why I voted “yes.” I continue to have huge concerns about the bloated Pentagon budget and will keep supporting amendments and other legislation to pare it down.
• Funding the government and suspending the debt limit: On September 30, the House and Senate came together to pass a bill to avert a government shut down and keep the lights on for millions of folks across the U.S. Unfortunately, as Senator Mitch McConnell said himself, some members are refusing to work with Democrats to ensure our country does not default on our debts, even though raising the debt ceiling is about paying national debts that have already been incurred – including trillions of dollars in debt incurred under former President Trump's policies. Holding the economy hostage and threatening America's global standing is a reckless political stunt. But I'll keep working diligently with my colleagues to make sure we get the debt ceiling raised, just as we have always done in the past under both Democratic and Republican administrations.
• The Women’s Health Protection Act: Since the Supreme Court neglected to block Texas’s unconstitutional abortion ban, House Democrats acted immediately to pass this bill and protect women and their right to access health care.

Advocating for the President’s Full Agenda

Rep. Huffman joins CNN to talk about delivering the Build Back Better Act and Infrastructure.

Congress has a remarkable opportunity to address the most pressing issues of our lifetimes. We need to pass President Biden’s entire agenda, which includes confronting the climate crisis, eradicating income inequality, rebuilding the middle class, creating green jobs, and increasing access to health care and education. We can make these goals a reality, while cutting taxes for the middle class and making big corporations and the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share. But we can't do that without moving the President’s Build Back Better Act and Infrastructure plans at the same time. With both bills we will deliver on that agenda in its entirety.

Stopping the Unnecessary Militarization of Space

For generations, we’ve enjoyed the scientific advances that come with peaceful space travel – but that is at risk of changing because of the newly established Space Force. While I strongly support space exploration, we shouldn’t be wasting billions of taxpayer dollars on the costly and unnecessary Space Force, which flagrantly violates international space law. Instead, we should allocate those taxpayer dollars to priorities that deserve our attention, such as defeating the COVID-19 pandemic, battling the climate crisis, and eradicating economic inequality. So this past month, I introduced the No Militarization of Space Act to abolish the Space Force once and for all.

Defending Democracy

Over the past four years we’ve learned just how fragile democracy is – and we can no longer rely on conventional norms to guide politicians. I joined Rep. Adam Schiff’s Protecting Our Democracy Act so we can prevent future abuses of power, strengthen checks and balances, and protect our elections. Democrats are committed to restoring Americans’ trust in government, and we’ll make sure these reforms pass the House.

Protecting the North Coast from Dirty Energy Transportation 

The North Coast Railroad is in disrepair, but it has a promising future as a rail-banked trail for folks in our district to enjoy as they explore the beautiful public lands California has to offer.

However, a shadowy company has emerged and is scheming to use this railway to transport coal through our district – a costly and environmentally disastrous decision.

I sent a letter with Rep. Mike Thompson to the Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg asking him to ensure no federal money goes to this project that will hurt our districts and the environment. 

Serving You

As always, my staff is hard at work serving you. Whether it’s assistance working with a federal agency or providing information about legislation and policy – we're here to help.

There is no problem too big or small. Your needs matter, and I’d like to share one of our recent success stories:

“My fiancé, Marcelo Holot, had been locked down in Covid-ravaged Buenos Aires for a year with no vaccine and a languishing fiancé visa at the embassy. Rep. Huffman's staff managed to intervene and expedite the visa, getting him on a plane and here for our August wedding this year. We are eternally grateful to Jared Huffman's office for providing this possibility and their tireless efforts in executing it!”
– Doreen, Fairfax

This is just one example of how my office can help you. As I continue my work for the people of California’s Second District, please don’t hesitate to contact my office for assistance if you are in need.

Don’t forget – Military Academy nominations are just around the corner. I have the great honor of nominating students in CA-02 for academy positions, so if you’re interested, learn more about how to apply here.

If you would like to keep up with the work I am doing as your representative, please subscribe to my newsletter, and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

Thank you, and stay well, 

Jared Huffman
Member of Congress

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