Hope and Healing

Historic Marijuana Reform

On Thursday, President Biden announced historic steps to reform America's approach to marijuana. These transformative actions are the latest manifestation of Democrats' unyielding commitment to justice, especially for those unfairly harmed by cannabis criminalization. Californians take great pride in our state's longtime leadership in this effort, and we welcome the federal government's vital steps forward.

For far too long, failed federal drug policies — which have specifically targeted communities of color — have torn apart too many families. Arrests and jail sentences for conduct that is now legal in many states has upended lives across the country – needlessly obstructing Americans' access to housing, employment and education. By pardoning those arrested for simple marijuana possession, and encouraging governors to follow suit, President Biden is advancing racial and economic justice: empowering more Americans to return to their loved ones, find a good-paying job and contribute to our communities.

House Democrats applaud these bold actions by President Biden, which build on the important progress we forged in passing our Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act. This legislation, which decriminalizes marijuana at the federal level and empowers all to participate in the rapidly growing cannabis industry, must become law. Our proud Democratic Majority will never relent in fighting for these reforms, and more, as we work to advance justice for all.

Building Safer Communities

Thursday, I had the privilege of joining United Playaz to celebrate this remarkable organization's 28th anniversary. For nearly three decades, United Playaz has transformed the lives of young people and mobilized San Franciscans to forge a brighter, safer future for our City. They are a sanctuary: replacing fear and isolation with peace and community. That's why I'm fighting in Congress to secure $4 million to help them expand into a new building, where they can continue their fight to keep our kids safe.

This summer – fueled by the passionate advocacy of grassroots organizations like United Playaz – Democrats proudly enacted the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to curb our nation's epidemic of gun violence. Now, we are continuing our fight for additional, common-sense measures – including the House-passed Assault Weapons Ban, landmark legislation to get weapons of war off our streets. House Democrats will never relent in our work to build safer communities across the nation

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi joined Rudy Corupz, Jr., Founder and Executive Director of United Playaz, to honor the 28th Anniversary of UP's programs.

Combating Hunger

Today, I was proud to join the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank in unveiling its newly-expanded warehouse facility.

One of our nation's most basic moral duties is ensuring that every child is free from the awful scourge of hunger. The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank has led the way in living up to that sacred obligation – extending a vital lifeline to families across the Bay Area. Now, equipped with this new facility, they can bring hope to even more of our neighbors – as many as 200,000 people every week!

From their 9/11 Day of Service to their pop-up pantries across the region, I have had the privilege of seeing firsthand the impacts of the Food Bank's life-changing work. That is why I have fought to secure the federal resources they need to grow – including $1 million to dramatically expand their refrigeration and freezer capacity.

Building on the findings of President Biden's historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, House Democrats will continue our work to support our nation's food banks, bolster federal nutrition efforts and end the unjust suffering of hunger once and for all.

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi joined Vice Chair Johnathan Walker, Executive Director Tanis Crosby and the rest of the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank Staff and Board to honor the ribbon cutting of the warehouse expansion.

Protecting Dreamers
Wednesday's appellate court ruling against the 2012 DACA Memorandum offers a measure of temporary relief for our Dreamers, who are a pride and constant reinvigoration of our nation. President Biden is to be commended for his proactive action in August to strengthen the DACA initiative against extreme MAGA Republican attacks.

More must be done to offer the permanent stability and security that millions of Dreamers and their families deserve. That's why House Democrats have twice passed the American Dream and Promise Act: to finally offer Dreamers a permanent pathway to citizenship, while fixing our broken immigration system through comprehensive reform. And that's why I stood and spoke on the Floor for eight hours in support of our Dreamers in 2018.

Shamefully, extreme MAGA Republicans in the Senate have blocked this bill, playing political games with families' futures while embracing an extreme agenda of anti-immigrant cruelty. Senate Republicans must join us to immediately pass this urgent, necessary, House-passed legislation and send it straight to President Biden's desk.

Monkeypox and COVID in San Francisco: What You Need to Know