Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (DE-SOWN-YAY) proudly represents California’s 11th Congressional District, which includes the majority of Contra Costa County. For more than 30 years in public service and as a small business owner, Mark has been a leader for working families. During his time in U.S. House, most of which Republicans were in charge, Mark passed more than 60 legislative efforts. He is an effective legislator who knows how to get things done.
Mark is one of only a few Members of Congress to serve on four committees. He currently sits on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Committee on Education and Labor, where he serves as Chairman of Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and the Committee on Oversight and Reform. He also is a Member of the House Committee on Rules, where he has the opportunity to weigh in on major pieces of legislation before they are brought to the House Floor and where he was chosen by his colleagues to serve as Vice Chair of the Committee. Mark is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
The security of our nation is Congressman DeSaulnier’s top priority in Congress. Threats to our nation are constantly evolving and are not the same as they were even a decade ago. Today, we face more elusive and dangerous threats, including terrorist organizations, radicalized individuals, and cyberattacks. We must be tough and smart while maintaining our principles, which means targeting and eliminating ISIS and other terrorist threats without engaging in another civil war on foreign soil. We must also provide law enforcement officials and the intelligence community with the resources and capabilities necessary to defend the nation and simultaneously uphold the Constitution’s hard-fought and hard-won protections.
Working for You
Israel and the Middle East
Israel is one of our closest allies, and ensuring they have the resources necessary to protect their homeland is important to our national security interests. Congressman DeSaulnier supports U.S. funding for Israel’s defense needs in this crucial part of the world.
Congressman DeSaulnier voted in favor of the international agreement to address Iran’s nuclear capabilities. At the heart of his decision was maximizing the opportunity for long-term peace in the Middle East and creating security and stability for the United States. Congressman DeSaulnier believes this accord is our best option for achieving this goal. Mechanisms for oversight and enforcement are comprehensive and are strengthened by the unified international front.
Funding for Homeland Security
Due to political gaming, funding for the essential Department of Homeland Security was in peril early in 2015. Congressman DeSaulnier stood up for our national security by voting to extend the agency’s funding despite some efforts in Congress to play political games with our nation’s security.
First Responders
Congressman DeSaulnier voted in favor of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act (H.R. 1786) , extending lifetime health care benefits to first responders from September 11, 2001. Their selfless service to our nation deserves all of the support we can provide to them and their families. Mark strongly supports local and state law enforcement and firefighters, and has consistently worked to increase funding for COPS grants, Byrne grants, and the Assistance to Firefighters grant program, which helps fire departments and emergency medical service organizations meet their firefighting and emergency response needs.
Guantanamo
Operations at Guantanamo undermine one of America’s most fundamental principles, the rule of law. The political and legal expediency of the detention center at Guantanamo Bay has not been worth the cost to America’s reputation around the world, nor to the erosion of our legal and ethical standards here at home. Mark supports the President’s plan to close Guantanamo.