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September 27, 2011

Dear Neighbor,

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As your representative, my number one focus is creating jobs and putting Californians back to work. Last week I was pleased that President Obama’s jobs bill was introduced in Congress. We need to put people to work and this bill is a serious effort to stimulate the economy and grow jobs. If it becomes law, the bill would save the jobs of thousands of California teachers and first responders, while making much needed investments in infrastructure and our schools. It would also encourage businesses to hire additional employees, with special incentives to hire veterans and the long-term unemployed.

Read my full statement about the bill here.

Supporting the Passage of the New Patent Reform Law

On September 16, the patent reform bill, The America Invents Act, became law. This bipartisan law will help generate new jobs in California. By making the patent system in this country more efficient and reliable, we will encourage the development of new technologies, greater competitiveness in the global marketplace, and, overall, a stronger economy. I have been working on patent reform since I came to Congress, and I am thrilled that the President signed this bill into law. The bottom line is that the America Invents Act will put more Californians to work.

To read more about the law, click here.

Celebrating the End of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

Since our country’s founding, gay and lesbian men and women have honorably served in our military. Many of the same brave men and women paid the ultimate price defending our country. However, gay and lesbian service members had to hide their sexuality in order to serve. Seventeen years ago, our country instituted the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. The policy prevented military personnel from discriminating against closeted gay and service members, but barred them from openly serving in the military. Over 14,000 brave and loyal service members were discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”—prevented from serving the country they love simply because of the person they love.

“Today, with implementation of the new law fully in place, we are a stronger joint force, a more tolerant force, a force of more character and more honor, more in keeping with our own values.”

Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the full repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
On Tuesday, September 20, our country entered an era in which an individual’s sexual orientation does not determine his or her eligibility to serve in the military. While it is clear that the fight for equality is far from over, I was thrilled to take a moment to celebrate the victory for civil rights. There is nothing more important than protecting and defending the tested belief that all Americans are created equal. Today, we are a stronger nation because of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

You may find this quick reference guide helpful. The Department of Defense created it to educate service members on the future impacts of this policy change. For more on the repeal, click here.

Standing Up for Small Businesses

Last week, I addressed the House Committee on the Judiciary regarding the misguided Legal Workforce Act, which the committee began considering. The Legal Workforce Act would require employers to use an electronic employment eligibility verification system (E-Verify) to establish the immigration status of employees. Bloomberg Government estimates that mandatory E-Verify will cost all employers $2.7 billion every year, and puts the bill for small businesses at $2.6 billion each year. I oppose this bill because it fails small businesses and fails southern California. Watch my testimony in front of the committee here.

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Did you know?...

Every week I will bring you a fun fact that you might not have known about your district. This week’s fun fact features the city of Lynwood.

Did you know that Kevin Costner, star of Dances with Wolves, Field of Dreams, Bull Durham, and The Untouchables, was born in Lynwood? Be sure to check out next week’s fun fact in my newsletter!
Thank you for taking the time to read the Latest from Linda. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your feedback or if I can ever be of assistance to you. I value your views, and your input helps me to better represent the people of our community in Congress.

Sincerely,

Linda Sánchez
Member of Congress


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