Keeping You Updated

March 25, 2021

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Dear Neighbor,

My heart breaks for those we lost in the past few weeks to senseless gun violence. Some will say now is not the time to talk about actions we need to take in order to stop gun violence. I think every day is the right time. It’s time to act now! I’m proud to support policies that would save lives and greatly reduce gun violence. That’s why two weeks ago I voted for H.R. 8 to require universal background checks and to close loopholes that led to the tragic Charleston shooting in 2015.

This newsletter provides updates about coronavirus vaccinations, resources for our community, and news from D.C. this week.

COVID-19 Vaccines and Updates

Here in California, we’ve vaccinated more than 14 million people. However, there is a concerning rise in the transmission rate in LA County. There may be enough immunity among populations to fuel at least some hope a new COVID surge wouldn’t be as bad as previous ones. Still, it’s important to still mask up in public, keep your distance, and get tested if you fear you’ve been exposed to the virus or are experiencing symptoms.

VaccinateLACounty.com and Myturn.ca.gov are the major online appointment hubs to look for and schedule appointments in LA County. If you are eligible for a vaccine, on Myturn.ca.gov you are now able to put in your address or zipcode and it will tell you where the closet vaccination site is as well as appointment availability.

I understand finding a nearby vaccine site and navigating the appointment process has been a challenge for many in our community. To help ease the process, we have added a list of vaccination sites in our district to my website.

We will continue to collect information on new CA-44 vaccination sites and also update the information for current sites. We will be updating the list and information as it is received.

Please call a vaccination site to schedule and/or confirm that they are still providing the vaccine, their hours, and your eligibility to receive the vaccine at that location.

If you are aware of additional vaccine sites in our district that should be included on this list, please contact us at RSVP.Barragan@mail.house.gov or call (310) 831-1799.

Community News and Resources

South Gate "State of the City"

Join South Gate Mayor Maria Davila and the South Gate Chamber of Commerce on March 31st at 12:00 p.m. for the Virtual State of the City. She will look back on the last year and look ahead to the recovery and plans for the new year. For more info click here.

Carson One-Stop Veteran Services

If you are a veteran or know of a veteran who is interested in vocational training or job placement assistance, the Carson One-Stop AJCC (America’s Job Center of California) is providing career development services. Thanks to federal funding these services are free!

Please contact Carson One-Stop at (310) 680-3870 or carreception@sbwib.org for more details.

Track Your Direct Payment $$

The IRS has opened an online tracking tool, Get My Payment, to check on the status of your federal relief payment provided through the American Rescue Plan.

Get Involved in the Conversation on Clean Air

The Watts Clean Air and Energy Committee is recruiting community members to join the South Coast AQMD AB617 Community Steering Committee (CSC) for South Los Angeles. The purpose of the CSC is to support active community involvement and collaboration in the AB617 implementation process by providing a forum for identifying air pollution issues in the community and potential solutions. Applications for the CSC are due on March 26th. Here is the interest form.

Updates from D.C.

It was a committee work week. The House Energy & Commerce committee held several critical hearings on rebuilding and greening our nation’s infrastructure, the Affordable Care Act and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and energy grid resiliency -- a topic that is especially important ahead of another likely hot and wildfire-filled summer here in California.

This week, Senator Feinstein and I reintroduced legislation to designate the U.S.S. Iowa Museum as the National Museum of the Surface Navy. In the past, the Iowa defended our nation. Now, it teaches the next generation. This bill will make the Iowa a living monument to the Surface Forces of the U.S. Navy.

Also, I released a statement on Tuesday regarding the situation at the southern border in my role as the Chairwoman of the House Border Security Subcommittee.

In Community,