A War on Women’s Rights

Supreme Court Ruling on Abortion
This week, the Supreme Court decided to leave in place Texas's SB 8, the most extreme, dangerous and restrictive abortion ban in fifty years, and in doing so, upheld a flagrantly unconstitutional assault on women's rights and health. This law delivers catastrophe to women in Texas, particularly women of color and women from low-income communities. Every woman, everywhere has a constitutional right to basic health care.

SB 8 unleashes one of the most disturbing, unprecedented and far-reaching assaults on health care providers – and on anyone who helps a woman, in any way, access an abortion – by creating a vigilante bounty system that will have a chilling effect on the provision of any reproductive health care services. This provision is a cynical, backdoor attempt by partisan lawmakers to evade the Constitution and the law to destroy not only a woman's right to health care but potentially any right or protection that partisan lawmakers target.

On Thursday, I announced that upon the House's return to session, the House will bring up Congresswoman Judy Chu's Women's Health Protection Act to enshrine into law reproductive health care for all women across America.

Congresswoman Pelosi joined Chairman Lloyd Doggett at a press conference in Austin to highlight Democrats' priorities in the Build Back Better Act that will lower health costs for working families

Ending America's Longest War
On August 31st, President Biden ended the twenty-year war in Afghanistan. As we all know, too many men and women in uniform and their families have had to bear the burden of this conflict. As we honor the heroism of the fallen, particularly the thirteen U.S. servicemembers killed last Thursday, we salute each member of our military, intelligence and diplomatic communities who conducted this evacuation, which is the largest airlift in U.S. history, helping over 124,000 people get to safety.

Over the past month, my office has been contacted by many constituents regarding family members and loved ones still in Afghanistan. Our caseworkers in San Francisco are working hard to help individuals who want to relocate to the United States at this challenging and dangerous time.

San Franciscans with Afghanistan repatriation or Special Immigrant Visa needs, please call my San Francisco office at (415) 556-4862 to be connected with a caseworker. If you are unsure of what options are available to you or your family, visit the Department of State's website to view the types of inquiries that can be made for U.S. Citizens, legal permanent residents, non-US citizens, and Special Immigrant Visa applicants.

Fire Season in California
During National Preparedness Month and with several major fires ongoing in our state, including the Dixie Fire and the Caldor Fire, it is important to stay up to date so you and your family stay safe. This week the Bay Area Air Quality Management District released an air quality advisory for Thursday and Friday due to smoke from the Caldor Fire. Sign up here to receive alerts to stay up to date on the latest air quality information in the Bay Area.

Check out these Wildfire Recovery Resources from the Governor's Office of Emergency Services to learn more about the state's response to wildfires. To stay up to date on current burning wildfires and see their status and location, check out Cal Fire's Incident Map. Stay safe and stay prepared!

If you are currently unemployed, here are financial resources available to you in California:

Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, Help Is Here! Make sure you get your Rescue Plan benefits today.

Keeping Ahead of COVID in San Francisco
Last week, the FDA announced full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine which shows Americans can have full confidence in the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine that has been carefully studied and reviewed. As the Delta variant spreads, you can get vaccinated and continue to take precautions to keep you and your loved ones safe. For eligible residents over the age of 12, find out where your local free vaccination sites are here. San Francisco is now offering a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to immunocompromised people. Learn about free testing options in San Francisco, including a high volume testing site at 7th and Brannan in SOMA. California also announced a digital vaccination portal which can be accessed here.