{"id":200903,"date":"2026-03-02T19:07:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T19:07:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/200903\/"},"modified":"2026-03-02T19:07:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T19:07:11","slug":"what-did-long-beach-representatives-do-in-february","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/200903\/","title":{"rendered":"What did Long Beach representatives do in February?"},"content":{"rendered":"

This installment of the Signal Tribune\u2019s monthly series covers actions taken and statements made by Long Beach\u2019s federal and state representatives in February 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Elected officials were involved in discussions, debate and legislation surrounding immigration, tariffs, healthcare and housing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The purpose of this ongoing series is to help the public stay abreast of their elected officials and hold them accountable beyond Election Day.<\/p>\n

Federal representatives:<\/p>\n

Robert Garcia \u2013 U.S. Representative for California\u2019s 42nd Congressional District\u00a0<\/p>\n

LBCC: Garcia announced on Feb. 6 that Long Beach City College will receive $1.5 million in federal funding to upgrade the school\u2019s Child Development Center. Improvements will be made to the outdoor learning space, additional playground equipment will be added, and access to early childhood education will be expanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know reliable childcare can make a real difference for families, and the LBCC Child Development Center is a space that so many families rely on,\u201d Garcia said in a public statement. \u201cAt LBCC, many of our students and faculty are also parents, and having a safe, welcoming place for their kids matters.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tariffs: On Feb. 20, the Supreme Court ruled against the trade tariffs President Donald Trump imposed on imports from other nations, deciding that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not give the president the power to impose tariffs. In response to the Supreme Court ruling, Trump has imposed additional tariffs.<\/p>\n

\u201cDonald Trump has caused chaos globally with his reckless tariff policies that have raised prices and impacted America\u2019s ports,\u201d Garcia said in a public statement. \u201cThe Supreme Court has made it clear that these tariffs are illegal and harming consumers. It\u2019s time to move forward and bring costs down for families.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Signs fill up the Long Beach streets as protestors as they show their solidarity to Venezuela on Jan. 10, 2026. (Samuel Chacko | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n

Venezuela: Garcia sent letters to the Treasury<\/a>, State, and Energy Departments on Feb. 23, demanding these departments provide details of any funds and agreements made between the United States and Venezuelan governments. Since the U.S. abducted Venezuela\u2019s leader and took control of the smaller nation\u2019s oil, over $1 billion of oil has been sold. The U.S. has also agreed to sell Venezuelan oil to the Cuban private sector.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Trump Administration\u2019s shady oil deal in Venezuela should concern every American,\u201d Garcia said in a public statement. \u201cIt\u2019s clear the White House is avoiding congressional oversight and dodging accountability. Given this Administration\u2019s track record of corruption, it\u2019s even more critical that Congress has full visibility and receives answers immediately. Oversight Democrats will not stop until we know exactly who is profiting from these decisions and the full extent of this scheme is exposed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nanette D\u00edaz Barrag\u00e1n \u2013 U.S. representative for California\u2019s 44th Congressional District<\/p>\n

ICE: Barrag\u00e1n joined other members of the Steering and Policy Committee for a hearing on the intensified immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. During the hearing, officials heard from the son of a veteran who had been allegedly assaulted by ICE, a pastor, the policy director of the American Immigration Council, the Mendota Heights chief of police, and the lawyer for Renee Good\u2019s family.<\/p>\n

\u201cKristi Noem, Stephen Miller and Donald Trump have unleashed unaccountable, untrained, and lawless immigration enforcement agents to terrorize and strike fear into our communities,\u201d Barrag\u00e1n said in a public statement. \u201cWhat we heard today reaffirms what we have seen in communities across the country, including in my district in Los Angeles County: disturbing patterns of abuse, racial profiling, verbal intimidation, unnecessary use of force, and blatant disregard for due process. These actions tear apart our families, destabilize communities, and erode trust in government. ICE should be bound by the same rules as any other law enforcement organization. They are not exempt from the Constitution.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Sexual health information pamphlets lay on a desk in the renovated lobby of the renovated health clinic during the opening of the Ronald R. Arias Health Equity Center on April 4, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n

Healthcare: Barrag\u00e1n met with decision-makers and doctors from the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County and AltaMed to discuss rising medical costs and cuts to federal programs, such as Medi-Cal.<\/p>\n

Participants discussed how recent cuts in federal funding are affecting patients and medical facilities. Those present expressed concern over proposed slashes to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grants that could cost California hundreds of millions of dollars, potentially impacting HIV prevention, disease tracking and access to care. After $50 million in federal funding was previously cut<\/a>, some clinics have been forced to close, while others can no longer afford to provide services such as vaccinations and STI testing.<\/p>\n

\u201cAmericans pay too much and receive too little,\u201d Barrag\u00e1n said in a public statement. \u201cDue to skyrocketing health care costs, many working families are forced to have to decide between feeding their families or being able to afford to see a doctor. You deserve better. House Democrats continue to fight to restore critical federal funding, protect Medi-Cal, and extend the expired insurance premium tax credits.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Housing: In San Pedro on Feb. 18, Barrag\u00e1n brought together housing providers, landlords, advocates and renters for a roundtable discussion focused on the rising cost of housing<\/a>. The group spoke about challenges families face finding and keeping affordable homes, as well as concerns about proposed cuts to federally funded housing programs<\/a>, such as the Housing Choice Voucher Program.<\/p>\n

Lourdes Castro Ramirez, president and chief executive officer of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, said the Housing Choice Voucher Program, or Section 8, has a waitlist of 10 to 15 years. She also stated the average annual income of beneficiaries of this program is about $13,874, with about 20% being seniors.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen rent goes up, the cost of living goes up,\u201d Barrag\u00e1n said in a public statement. \u201cBut Trump and Republicans continue to try and make drastic cuts to our affordable housing programs that make it harder and harder for Americans to remain housed. This is unacceptable. Trump and Republicans promised to lower costs on Day 1, but they have only increased the costs of our groceries, rent, utilities, child care, and elder care. Americans deserve better and House Democrats will fight for your right to remain housed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"DJ PJ speaks with rally attendees during the first Disability Pride Rally that was held at Harvey Milk Promenade Park on July 26, 2022. DJ PJ is an artist with Able ARTS Work who deejayed the event Tuesday. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n

Lena Gonzalez \u2013 California State Senator for the 33rd District<\/p>\n

Disability Advocacy: Gonzalez introduced Senate Bill 1052 on Feb. 12, which aims to ensure Californians with mental and physical disabilities are still able to access necessary services if their primary caregiver is detained or deported by immigration agents.<\/p>\n

Under current law, representatives can be appointed to advocate for individuals with disabilities, but cannot be pre-designated for emergencies.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If passed, this bill would allow the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to assign authorized representatives when someone\u2019s primary caregiver is detained or deported, helping people maintain their access to housing, employment and regional center services.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo family should live in fear of what happens to their loved one with a disability if they are suddenly no longer able to be there to provide support,\u201d Gonzalez said in a public statement. \u201cYet that is the reality families are facing more and more every day, as reckless federal immigration raids tear families apart. SB 1052 provides clear, commonsense safeguards to protect the rights of people with disabilities and ensure they never lose the support, stability, and peace of mind they deserve, especially in these difficult times.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"File photo of security cameras<\/p>\n

Traffic Safety: Gonzalez introduced Senate Bill 1279<\/a> on Feb. 20, which would allow Long Beach to install speed cameras on Pacific Coast Highway. Because PCH is a state route, the City is not currently allowed to place speed cameras there.<\/p>\n

Although PCH represents 8 of the city\u2019s 217 miles of major roadway, it has accounted for 39 of 192 traffic deaths since 2020<\/a>\u2014about 20% of vehicle-related fatalities in Long Beach.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t ignore that one in five of our city\u2019s speed-related deaths occur on the PCH,\u201d Gonzalez said in a public statement. \u201cTo protect the pedestrians, bikers, and drivers of Long Beach effectively, we need to improve safety along this corridor. Let\u2019s give Long Beach the authority it needs to use proven tools and calming-traffic measures that keep our city safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

AI Deepfakes: Gonzalez introduced Senate Bill 1146, a proposal aimed at addressing the use of artificial intelligence to create fake videos and audio recordings of doctors. The measure, sponsored by the California Medical Association, seeks to prevent scams in which physicians\u2019 images and voices are copied without their permission.<\/p>\n

According to a statement from Gonzalez\u2019s office, some scammers are using AI-generated \u201cdeepfake\u201d content to sell unproven supplements and so-called miracle cures, and to share false medical advice.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cScammers who use deepfake doctors are exploiting the credibility of the medical profession to trick vulnerable Californians into buying unproven and potentially harmful products,\u201d Gonzalez said in a public statement. \u201cSB 1146 will put a stop to this deceptive practice and ensure that when patients see a doctor online, they can trust that the person \u2013 and their medical advice \u2013 is real.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Josh Lowenthal \u2013\u00a0 California Assemblymember for the 69th District<\/p>\n

Trans Kids in Sports: On Feb. 6, a press conference and protest was held in Long Beach calling for transgender children\u2019s participation in sports to be limited. Lowenthal showed up to speak against the gathering.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all know that they don\u2019t actually care about women,\u201d Lowenthal said.<\/p>\n

Lowenthal then challenged the Republican politicians who organized the press conference to vote in favor of an early action budget vote to allocate $90 million for women\u2019s healthcare, reproductive health, cancer care screenings and children\u2019s health, if they actually cared about women.<\/p>\n

In the video<\/a> Lowenthal posted in front of the anti-trans press conference, he could be seen wearing a button reading \u201cICE OUT!\u201d<\/p>\n

Netizens have accused Lowenthal of showing his middle finger to demonstrators during the press conference, and have been leaving angry comments on his social media posts since then.<\/p>\n

Bob Foster: Lowenthal made a public statement on the floor of the state legislature honoring late Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, calling him \u201ca public servant who led with integrity, who led with courage, who led with an unwavering commitment to doing what was right even when it wasn\u2019t easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

ICE: Lowenthal posted a video<\/a> alongside Garcia and Gonzalez on Feb. 3, where they expressed support for immigrant communities and condemned ICE.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are all immigrants,\u201d Lowenthal said in the video. \u201c[\u2026] And we\u2019re proud of our community and we stand with you shoulder to shoulder.\u201d<\/p>\n

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