BREAKING: @SteveScalise is telling Republicans to vote "NO" on the updated #HeroesAct. Here's why:

1) The bill "provides subsidized Obamacare to anyone receiving UI during the public health emergency." They're voting "NO" bc the bill gives health care during a pandemic. (1/x) 2) They don't like that the updated #HeroesAct makes it EASIER for Americans to vote.

Republicans are being told to vote "NO" because of provisions "including early voting, no ID requirement for in-person voting, same-day registration, and no excuse vote by mail." (2/x)

THREAD: With 175,000+ Americans dead from #COVID19, continuing attacks on our democracy, and constant injustice on our screens, like the horrific shooting of #JacobBlake — it's easy to feel powerless. Here are some things you can do to make a difference: (1/x) 1. Fill out your Census. The United States uses Census data to allocate funding for schools, libraries, and hospitals. Even a 1% undercount in your community can mean a loss of MILLIONS of dollars. Fill it out here: (2/x) my2020census.gov

THREAD: #COVID19 is out of control in Orange County.

The OC congressional delegation and I sent a letter to the OC Board of Supervisors expressing our strong concerns regarding their use of federal $$ to prevent, test, trace, treat, and limit COVID-19. We have questions. (1/x) 1) The County has committed funds provided by the CARES Act for testing, PPE, disease control, food assistance, and other #COVID19 related expenses. How has the County used such funds and how does the County plan to use remaining funds? (2/x)

THREAD: Today the @ClimateCrisis Committee released the first-ever comprehensive congressional #climatechange report in our nation's history.

I'm proud to announce the Select Committee has recommended 2 of my bills to #ActOnClimate (1/x) The first bill, the Coastal Communities Adaptation Act, would provide coastal states with grants to help communities conduct vulnerability assessments and carry out other measures to reduce climate risks to coastal communities. (2/x) congress.gov/bill/116th-con…

THREAD: Here's why you should #WearAMask (1/x) A recent study from researchers compared #COVID19 infection rate trends in Italy and New York before and after face masks were made mandatory. They found that mandatory mask orders prevented more than 78,000 infections in Italy and 66,000 in NYC. (2/x) pnas.org/content/early/…

THREAD: American families and small businesses deserve better than Republican @senatemajldr's callous threat of inaction in the face of a global pandemic.

Sen. McConnell's refusal to debate/deliberate/vote on the #HeroesAct is a failure of democracy. Period. (1/x) Are there provisions in the #HeroesAct that are flawed? Certainly.

I welcome amendments, edits, and suggestions from Senators to improve this bill for the American people. (2/x)

THREAD: Out of an abundance of caution, I will not be in Washington to vote on the CARES Act. However, I would proudly cast my vote for this essential bipartisan legislation that helps Orange County families + small businesses through these unprecedented times. (1/x) Here's what the bill includes:
🏥 $200 billion for hospitals, health care workers, and health research
🏪 $375 billion for small business relief
💼 $260 billion for expanded unemployment benefits
💰 Immediate direct cash payments
(2/x)

THREAD: This morning, I visited the @HHSGov Operations Center, where I learned about #COVID19 containment and mitigation strategies. Here's what you need to know: (1/x) Our federal government is working with state and local officials to slow the spread of #COVID19 across the United States. This ensures that our health care system isn't overwhelmed with a high number of infected individuals all at once. (2/x)

THREAD: Today, as Los Angeles honors the life of #KobeByrant — I'm thinking about what this loss has meant to my community. Here's how Orange County has grieved, supported each other, and celebrated the lives of neighbors, friends, and heroes. (1/x) Thousands gathered at @Angels stadium to honor the Altobelli family, whose love of the game (baseball & basketball) was unmatched.

Coach John Altobelli was honored by the young men he coached, umpires he "tormented," and his OCC family. (2/x) ocregister.com/2020/02/10/alt…

Remember their names.

Alyssa, Keri + John Altobelli
Gianna + Kobe Bryant
Payton + Sarah Chester
Christina Mauser
Ara Zobayan

They were all connected by a love of the game. A steadfast belief in sports being bigger than a score - more than just an hour or two on the court. The parents we lost knew all too well the early morning wake-ups, sweaty car rides, and late nights in a gym were worth the lessons they instilled in their children - teamwork, dedication, faith.

THREAD: I just voted to pass the bipartisan conference report for the National Defense Authorization Act, commonly referred to as the #NDAA. (1/x) rouda.house.gov/media/press-re… This #NDAA prioritizes the protection of our service members and their families' health, well-being, and wallets. It's a strong bipartisan/bicameral piece of legislation that reaffirms our nation's commitment to assisting those who protect and defend our freedom. (2/x)

BREAKING: President Trump signed my bill, the Office of National Drug Control Policy Technical Corrections Act of 2019, into law. (1/x)
rouda.house.gov/media/press-re… In Orange County, drug and alcohol overdose deaths have increased by 82 percent since 2000. This law will give the Office of National Drug Control Policy additional authority to help fight the addiction crisis. (2/x)

THREAD: Today, @RepDanKildee and I spent a letter to @EPAAWheeler seeking information and documents concerning the Agency's progress on protecting public health and the environment from #PFAS contamination. thehill.com/policy/energy-… (1/x) Over the past months, my @OversightDems Subcommittee on Environment has investigated the exposure of Americans to toxic #PFAS chemicals. At a hearing on March 6, the EPA stated they were working to develop a regulatory determination for #PFAS in water by the end of 2019. (2/x)

THREAD: It’s been an honor to serve alongside @RepKatieHill – a woman who fought for her constituents. A leader who proudly and boldly stood up for LGBTQ Americans who never thought the Halls of Congress would recognize or represent them. (1/x) A human being who isn’t and will never be perfect – none of us are.

@RepKatieHill acknowledged her errors in judgement and is resigning because she values integrity, decency, and accountability – I can’t say the same about several of our colleagues. (2/x)

This year, Americans will lose close to 70,000 friends, family, and loved ones to drug-related deaths. My bill, the Effective Drug Control Strategy Act, is a small but significant step to improve the effectiveness of our fight against the addiction crisis. (1/x) Lives are being lost at unprecedented rates, and it is clear that our efforts to reduce addiction-related deaths have failed. We need strategic initiatives that WORK and communication between our government agencies to stop this crisis. (2/x)

THREAD: Today, I voted to pass H.R. 2740, a bill to fund the Depts. of Labor, HHS, Energy, Defense, and State - arms of government that have a profound impact on our lives. I've worked closely with @AppropsDems to make sure that the budget reflects the priorities of O.C. (1/x) It includes provisions that protect our environment, support health centers, advance the rights of LGBTQ people, and strengthen the infrastructure and resiliency of Orange County. I submitted amendments last week to call attention to two urgent concerns in our community. (2/x)

THREAD: During the Fukushima nuclear disaster, @NRCgov recommended an evacuation radius of 50 miles. 8.4 million Americans - from San Diego to San Bernardino - are living within a 50-mile radius of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. (1/x) ocregister.com/2019/06/06/nuc… The federal government has failed to find a solution to our country’s nuclear waste problem. Today, as the chair of the @OversightDems Subcommittee on Environment, I will lead a hearing focusing on this critical issue. (2/x) ocweekly.com/harley-rouda-t…

THREAD: Communities across the United States have been drinking PFAS contaminated water for DECADES.

I just introduced H.R. 2570, the PFAS User Fee Act of 2019, to protect Americans from these toxic chemicals and hold polluters accountable.

So, what are #PFAS chemicals? PFAS chemicals are man-made toxins found in every-day items like Teflon, food-wrappers, and fire-fighting foam.

PFAS exposure can cause:

🔹Cancer
🔹Decreased fertility
🔹Birth defects

At the 2017 G20 summit, President Trump took the unprecedented step of seizing his interpreter’s notes, and directing her not to discuss details of the meeting. He also met privately with Putin in Helsinki without aides or note-takers, accompanied only by interpreters “documentary material” under the Presidential Records Act of 1978 includes notes taken during or documenting the content of presidential meetings with foreign leaders. If reports about the President destroying and seizing interpreter notes are true, he has violated the law