May 2022
Good afternoon. I would like to provide you with a few updates about recent developments in Congress and share some important information.
Combating Gun Violence
My prayers are with the victims of the devastating attack in Uvalde, their families, and community. We must do more to end gun violence and protect children. It's time to force a vote on common-sense gun reform that is supported by a majority of Americans so there's clarity on exactly where Republicans stand. If they're opposed to universal background checks, banning assault weapons from kids, & "red flag" laws, the American people should know.
This month also marks the one-year anniversary of the shooting of nine VTA employees at the Guadalupe railyard in San Jose, CA. I am thinking of the families of the victims and our San Jose community as we mourn those who were killed. They will always remain with us in spirit and in memory. Click to read the full statement.
Imploring President Biden to Erase Student Debt:
This month, I wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post on student debt. This is an issue that is very personal to me, as I struggled to make my monthly payments to pay off my student loans fresh out of college. I empathize with the millions of young Americans who struggle to pay off their student debts and feel like the American Dream is out of reach. The solution is simple: cancel student debt for working and middle-class Americans so they can build wealth and grow our economy.
Being able to cancel student debt is a power that President Biden can do and has used in the past. Using the Higher Education Act of 1965, he eliminated nearly $20 billion dollars in student loans for select borrowers defrauded by for-profit colleges, individuals with permanent disabilities and those working in public service. He also paused federal student loan repayments and forgave interest payments on these loans to relieve the burden during the pandemic. While these are vital steps, it is not enough for a moment that demands bold action.
If Democrats want to regain the trust of people across the country both young and old, rural and urban, and across lines of race, gender and class, we need to deliver on the things that materially improve people's lives. The best way to start the new school year for everyone saddled with crushing student loans would be for Biden to free them of this burden. Click to read the full article.
Aid to Ukraine
Congress passed a $40 billion-dollar aid package (H.R. 7691),to assist Ukraine in their ongoing war against Russia. This package will include $15 billion in military equipment, training and intelligence support for Ukraine's military, $14 billion in humanitarian aid for Ukraine, such as support for refugees and re-establishing a US embassy in Kyiv, as well as $5 billion that will be used to address the larger issue of global food insecurity. I am a proud supporter of this bill, which President Biden signed into law, as I believe it will provide Ukraine much needed support as it continues its battle against Russian aggression.
Tackling Inflation
I recently held a community discussion at a local East Bay grocery store to discuss how inflation is hurting people in our community. I had the opportunity to hear from many of you about how rising costs have been impacting every part of your life. We need to act boldly and decisively to bring down the prices of food and gas. For starters, we should pass my Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax to curb profiteering by big oil companies and put money back in the pockets of working Americans. I appreciate all of you expressing your concerns and am fighting for meaningful legislation that helps bring back price stability.
Op-ed with Annie Leonard from Greenpeace: Combating the influence of Big Oil
I joined forces with Annie Leonard, co-executive director of Greenpeace USA, to write an article discussing how to combat the climate crisis and lower costs. Fossil fuel companies have been taking advantage of the Ukraine war in order to jack up prices for Americans, with prices in California being the highest in the nation. Oil and gas companies stand to collect at least $126 billion in "wartime profits" this year, which is money that comes directly out of our pockets.
Now more than ever, we must combat the climate disinformation campaign led by big oil companies and end their grip on public policy. Governor Gavin Newsom needs to put the health of Californians ahead of polluter profits by keeping his promise to move California to a renewable energy future.
Additionally, we need to rein in polluter greed and prioritize working families. Congress is working on legislation to ensure that Big Oil's big windfall profits go back to the hardworking people who are paying for it at the gas pump. The Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax Act, introduced by me and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) will provide an incentive to cap gas prices and return Big Oil's excess profits to consumers through a quarterly rebate.
At the same time, we must also commit to the renewable energy economy of the future we desperately need. Only with a moonshot for clean energy can we break free from destructive oil and gas barons who are driving this boom-and-bust cycle and jeopardizing a livable future. Click to read the full article.
Urging our Congressional Leaders to bring Big Oil Windfall Profit Tax to the floor
In order to further the goals of fighting big oil and bringing gas money back in the hands of young Americans, I sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi and Leader Schumer along with Senator Whitehouse (D-RI), Rep. DeFazio (D-OR), Rep. Bowman (D-NY) and 30 members of the House and Senate urging them to bring windfall profit tax legislation to the floor in order to deliver gas price relief to Americans.
In the letter, we called for a windfall profits tax to be brought to the floor to stop Big Oil from taking advantage of the Ukrainian crisis to increase their profits at the expense of hard-working Americans. A windfall tax would deliver immediate relief to families struggling with high gas prices, as well as curtailing the greed and profiteering of Big Oil. Click to read full letter.
Fighting Discrimination
I recently partnered with Reps. Ami Bera (CA-07), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) to send a letter to the Coppell Middle School North regarding their handling of a situation where a 14-year-old Indian American was assaulted in a targeted bullying incident at school. In the aftermath, the administration decided to give Shaan Pritmani, the Indian American targeted, a longer suspension than the aggressor.
In this letter, we implored the administration of the school to evaluate whether there was a thorough, objective investigation that lead to a fair determination for the period of suspension for the incident, and to make sure there were steps for restorative justice to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again in this school. Click to read the full letter.
Videos
Protecting Children's Health and ensuring everyone has access to baby formula
On Immigration, Ukrainian Aid, and Inflation
Addressing the Fertilizer Cost Crisis
Working with the USDA and the US Agricultural committee, I recently introduced a bill (H.R. 7763) to address the fertilizer cost crisis. If passed, this bill would authorize $100 million to support in the advancement of US made fertilizer, including research into innovative fertilizers, fertilizer alternatives, development of more sustainable fertilizer, as well as supporting proper competition and supply chains. Fertilizer is a useful tool that is used by millions of people across the country, and I believe it is incredibly important to do our part to make our fertilizer more cost effective and sustainable.
Updates in the District
I am pleased that my fifteen newly proposed FY2023 Community Project Funding (CPF) programs are moving ahead in the House Appropriations Committee process, and I am optimistic that they will be selected by the Committee to be included in the House bill this summer. The list of these requests is here: /services/community-projects. I look forward to visiting with the program sponsors in the coming weeks to highlight the benefits of these programs to the community, and will share that with you on social media.
Facebook Live Town Halls
Thank you to all who participated in the May Facebook Live town hall. Stay tuned for upcoming town halls in June. Announcements will be coming soon. Please be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @RepRoKhanna.