Floor SpeechNeutral2026-02-04

HONORING EXCEPTIONAL WORK OF STAFF

ImmigrationHealthcareForeign PolicyEducationSocial Security

Context

On 2026-02-04, Representative Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING EXCEPTIONAL WORK OF STAFF" in the House. The speech addressed immigration and also covered healthcare, foreign policy.

Full Text

HONORING EXCEPTIONAL WORK OF STAFF

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026)] [House] [Page H1990] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING EXCEPTIONAL WORK OF STAFF (Mr. DeSaulnier of California was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the dedicated work of the staff that I get to work with and who work for me. Mr. Speaker, I have served my community in the Bay Area as a city council member, a mayor, a county supervisor, State assembly member, a State senator, and now as a Member of the House of Representatives. In all of those years, one of the keys to our success and our engagement has been the dedicated public servants who have worked for me in all of those capacities. They are the people I will talk about today. At community centers, healthcare clinics, schools, small businesses, townhalls, and more, our staff and I have encountered tens of thousands of Californians. At these stops, I heard from families across California 10 about the urgent need to lower the cost of living and make everyday essentials more affordable. I heard from healthcare providers and patients about the looming harm of cuts from the big, ugly bill to Medicaid, called Medi-Cal in California, and the Affordable Care Act. I heard from students and teachers about the growing need for Federal support for education and specifically for special education. I heard from seniors worried about threats to their Social Security and Medicare. Overwhelmingly, I heard from constituents about the deep concerns of the actions of the current administration, both here in our communities, in our country, and abroad. Day in and day out, our team and I answered phones and read constituent emails and letters. Over the past year, we registered and responded to more than 170,000 constituent opinions in our district. When constituents call our offices here in Washington, in Walnut Creek, California, and Antioch, California, they speak to real people. We answer the phone. Sometimes that person is even me, which has led to some interesting conversations. Every single constituent receives a written response quickly. One of the statistics that I am most proud of this year is that we hosted 23 townhalls. Under the lawlessness and the chaos of the current administration, townhalls and community meetings are more crucial than ever. Since coming to Congress, I have hosted almost 300 community townhalls. In 2025, we hosted more townhalls than in any prior year and connected with thousands of constituents across our community at these events. Outside of townhalls, our team is still crisscrossing our district. They attended more than 370 community events in 2025 alone. Sometimes, the only time people ever interact with their congressional Member's offices is because they need help desperately with a Federal agency. We are the last people they call desperately for help. Thanks to our casework team's compassion and persistence, we helped nearly 1,500 constituents in 2025, assisting with everything from immigration to Social Security. Here in Washington, D.C., our legislative team was also hard at work. Last year, I authored 11 pieces of legislation and sponsored more than 200 bills. We used all of the tools at our disposal to hold the administration accountable in sending a voice for our constituents from 3,000 miles away here to this Chamber, sending dozens of oversight inquiries, joining amicus briefs, and more to protect our constituents. Mr. Speaker, Tip O'Neill famously once said: ``All politics is local.'' I thank my staff for living that admonition from Speaker O'Neill. Altogether, I hope this work helps people back home see that this House, Congress, even in the minority with this administration, can work hard for you. I look forward to continuing to serve you this coming year. ____________________

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HONORING EXCEPTIONAL WORK OF STAFF Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026)] [House] [Page H1990] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING EXCEPTIONAL WORK OF STAFF (Mr. DeSaulnier of California was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the dedicated work of the staff that I get to work with and who work for me. Mr. Speaker, I have served my community in the Bay Area as a city council member, a mayor, a county supervisor, State assembly member, a State senator, and now as a Member of the House of Representatives. In all of those years, one of the keys to our success and our engagement has been the dedicated public servants who have worked for me in all of those capacities. They are the people I will talk about today. At community centers, healthcare clinics, schools, small businesses, townhalls, and more, our staff and I have encountered tens of thousands of Californians. At these stops, I heard from families across California 10 about the urgent need to lower the cost of living and make everyday essentials more affordable. I heard from healthcare providers and patients about the looming harm of cuts from the big, ugly bill to Medicaid, called Medi-Cal in California, and the Affordable Care Act. I heard from students and teachers about the growing need for Federal support for education and specifically for special education. I heard from seniors worried about threats to their Social Security and Medicare. Overwhelmingly, I heard from constituents about the deep concerns of the actions of the current administration, both here in our communities, in our country, and abroad. Day in and day out, our team and I answered phones and read constituent emails and letters. Over the past year, we registered and responded to more than 170,000 constituent opinions in our district. When constituents call our offices here in Washington, in Walnut Creek, California, and Antioch, California, they speak to real people. We answer the phone. Sometimes that person is even me, which has led to some interesting conversations. Every single constituent receives a written response quickly. One of the statistics that I am most proud of this year is that we hosted 23 townhalls. Under the lawlessness and the chaos of the current administration, townhalls and community meetings are more crucial than ever. Since coming to Congress, I have hosted almost 300 community townhalls. In 2025, we hosted more townhalls than in any prior year and connected with thousands of constituents across our community at these events. Outside of townhalls, our team is still crisscrossing our district. They attended more than 370 community events in 2025 alone. Sometimes, the only time people ever interact with their congressional Member's offices is because they need help desperately with a Federal agency. We are the last people they call desperately for help. Thanks to our casework team's compassion and persistence, we helped nearly 1,500 constituents in 2025, assisting with everything from immigration to Social Security. Here in Washington, D.C., our legislative team was also hard at work. Last year, I authored 11 pieces of legislation and sponsored more than 200 bills. We used all of the tools at our disposal to hold the administration accountable in sending a voice for our constituents from 3,000 miles away here to this Chamber, sending dozens of oversight inquiries, joining amicus briefs, and more to protect our constituents. Mr. Speaker, Tip O'Neill famously once said: ``All politics is local.'' I thank my staff for living that admonition from Speaker O'Neill. Altogether, I hope this work helps people back home see that this House, Congress, even in the minority with this administration, can work hard for you. I look forward to continuing to serve you this coming year. ____________________