WSSN Stories

By Tanu Henry, Lila Brown and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

A video recently went viral online showing a brazen flash mob of about 17 young people robbing a Nike store in Watts, a neighborhood in Los Angeles. The culprits got away with an estimated $12,000 worth of goods.

This incident along with many others like it capturing the growing incidents of violent store heists in the Golden State prompted State and Local Law Enforcement to highlight new and intensified efforts to combat theft during the holiday shopping season.

On November 20, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is increasing statewide efforts to combat organized retail crime.

“When criminals run out of stores with stolen goods, they need to be arrested and escorted directly into jail cells,” Newsom said in a statement. “Leveraging hundreds of millions of dollars in law enforcement investments, the California Highway Patrol — working with allied agencies — is increasing enforcement efforts and conducting and supporting covert and confidential takedowns to stop these criminals in their tracks during the holiday season, and year-round.”

As part of the Governor’s Real Public Safety Plan, the CHP is increasing its law enforcement presence in key retail districts across California and its Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) is increasing enforcement efforts through proactive and confidential law enforcement operations with allied agencies and retail store security outfits through the holidays — keeping more shoppers, merchants, and retail districts safe.

The Governor’s office hosted a news briefing featuring California Highway Patrol (CHP) Commissioner Sean Duryee, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Assistant Sheriff Holly Francisco and District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.

“The men and women of the California Highway Patrol are working around the clock to keep shoppers, merchants, and retail districts safe this holiday season– and year-round,” said Duryee. “Much of our task force’s success can be attributed to the strong working relationships we have with our law enforcement partners throughout the state and the rapport we have cultivated with the retail industry.”

“My office takes these cases seriously and will continue to do our part to hold those who engage in this behavior accountable,” said Jenkins.

“These crimes are deeply impactful and will not be tolerated. Law enforcement agencies are working together to identify, arrest, and prosecute the thieves and those who traffic in stolen merchandise.”

Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney John McKinney has been a vocal critic of current DA George Gascón because the Sheriff’s Department will no longer detain suspects over crimes like theft and shoplifting since new zero-bail policy went into effect on October 1.

“These robberies aren’t borne out of desperation. They’re the result of having a district attorney who won’t enforce the law,” McKinney told California Black Media. “As long as criminals know there won’t be any accountability for their actions, then retail businesses of all sizes will continue to operate in constant fear and eventually depart for safer cities. Beefing up law enforcement may provide some deterrence, but, ultimately, we need a district attorney that understands accountability is a necessary part of a safe and functioning society.”

Eyeam Cinema’s new film “Clinic” is both entertaining and thought-provoking on the subject of popular cosmetic procedures that compel women to put their health and lives at risk.

ATLANTA, GA—- A new thriller with a unique storyline and surprising plot twist goes behind the operating curtain of an underground cosmetic surgery clinic where a myriad of terrifying encounters await. Clinic takes viewers on a suspense-filled journey into a clinic that upends one woman’s life forever. The latest movie released by the Atlanta-based female filmmaker duo Aleshia Cowser Jackson and Sharna L. Brown, Clinic follows a young single mother who decides to get a Brazilian Butt Lift against professional opinion. What was meant to be a three-hour procedure turns into a fight for her life and the gut-wrenching ordeal is portrayed on screen by Eyeam Cinema. Clinic is streaming now on Amazon Prime Video.

“We’re proud of this film,” says Aleshia Cowser Jackson, the founder and CEO of Eyeam Cinema. “Our goal with this film, as with all of our films, was to find the middle ground between entertainment and intentionality. We know the power of media. Thus, our films are intended to be both thought-provoking and entertaining, and this film raises some pretty complex questions.”

Tough topics are the norm for Jackson and Brown, who write, direct and produce their own films, as well as provide full-service production and distribution services for other filmmakers and creatives seeking to bring their ideas to life.

The movie Clinic is a prime example of Eyeam Cinema’s commitment to its unique form of collaboration. Eyeam Cinema teamed up with director and cinematographer Aarron Tyson, the CEO of Music Mob. Tyson served as a creative producer and music composer on Clinic–lending a variety of talents to aid in the success of the project.

“Our entire approach is collaborative, from start to finish,” shares Sharna Brown, the president and Chief Operating Officer of Eyeam Cinema. “We love teaming up with others who share a similar passion for excellent storytelling and filmmaking. We’re here to help our clients achieve the highest quality content and production.”

Clinic is directed by Aleshia Cowser Jackson, and Aarron Tyson, and written by Aleshia Cowser Jackson, Mel Jackson, and Abdul Majid. The movie stars Candice Marie Singleton, Alex Will Brooks and Shavonia Jones.

Mel Jackson, known for his acting roles in Soulfood, The Temptations and Deliver Us from Eva, took on the role of Executive Producer and screenwriter for Clinic, researching and writing on a topic that he believes is timely and important.

“In exploring a solid motivation for our antagonist, I discovered Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and realized it was a compelling and serendipitous opportunity to integrate this important topic into our story,” states Executive Producer, Mel Jackson. “The whole team agreed and believed that by addressing issues like BDD inside the art, we could enrich the work for the actors, profoundly impact our viewers’ experience and hopefully make a positive difference in society,” Jackson states.

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About Eyeam Cinema
Eyeam Cinema is a full-service production company committed to providing audiences with fresh and exciting stories that touch hearts, make audiences laugh, and think deeply about the world around them. Established in 2014 by Aleshia Crowser Jackson and Sharna L. Brown, the Atlanta-based production company offers a comprehensive range of services to help filmmakers and creatives bring their projects to life. From conception to completion, Eyeam Cinema’s team of directors, producers, and actors work to ensure that every film contains the highest quality content and production. Eyeam Cinema’s diverse catalog is featured on a variety of streaming platforms including BET+, Prime Video, Lifetime Movie Network, TubiTV, AspireTV, and Pureflix. To learn more visit www.EyeamCinema.com.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— California PBIS honored 55 San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) sites for successfully developing systems to create welcoming, safe, and inclusive learning environments where all students can thrive.

“Whenever our schools are recognized at the state level, it’s certainly a reason to celebrate,” said Superintendent Mauricio Arellano. “And when the majority of our schools are honored for creating nurturing learning environments where all children feel safe and a part of the school community, that means we are creating optimal conditions for learning and academic risk-taking, which are key ingredients for academic excellence.”

PBIS stands for Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports and is described as a framework to establish school-wide support for positive behavior using evidence-based interventions with the goal of improving social and academic outcomes for all students.

PBIS is grounded in classroom practices that are proactive, instructive, and restorative. Staff teach and model good behavior and provide positive corrections to behavior when needed.

Students are equipped with the social skills to respond to situations in a safe, responsible, and respectful manner. School staff also use restorative practices to develop, maintain, and repair relationships with students to ensure they stay connected.

According to Colleen Williams, Director of Student Wellness & Support Services (SWSS), an important aspect of developing a positive school climate and culture is to acknowledge positive interactions and behavior, while also addressing inappropriate behaviors with additional instruction, coaching and practice.

SBCUSD schools, as well as other PBIS schools across the state, are evaluated annually on how well they implement each of the three PBIS tiers using a nationally recognized evaluation method. Tier 1 is universal interventions and support for all students, which is aimed at stopping behavior problems before they start. Tier 2 provides targeted support for small groups of students who may need additional guidance. Tier 3 provides individual support for the few students who need intensive intervention. Based on this evaluation, schools in California may earn bronze, silver, gold, or platinum recognition.

Gold schools must demonstrate a structured approach to implementing Tier 1 and Tier 2, as well as meet data requirements, including that no more than 20% of the school’s student body received two or more major referrals. The 16 SBCUSD schools that earned a prestigious Gold PBIS Implementation Award are:

• Anton Elementary
• Arrowhead Elementary
• Cajon High
• Hunt Elementary
• Indian Springs High
• Jones Elementary
• Kendall-Harmon Complex
• Kimbark Elementary
• Lankershim Elementary
• Newmark Elementary
• Pacific High School
• Ramona-Alessandro Elementary
• Riley Elementary
• Roosevelt Elementary
• Rodriguez Prep Academy Middle
• San Andreas High School

To earn Silver recognition, a school must be fully implementing Tier 1 systems to address the schoolwide proactive and preventive supports and meet data requirements. The 32 sites that earned a silver award are:

• Arrowview Middle School
• Barton Elementary
• Belvedere Elementary
• Bing Wong Elementary
• Bonnie Oehl Elementary
• Bradley Elementary
• Brown Elementary
• Chavez Middle School
• Child Development Program
• Cole Elementary
• Curtis Middle School
• Cypress Elementary
• Davidson Elementary
• Del Vallejo Middle School
• Emmerton Elementary
• Golden Valley Middle School
• Gomez Elementary
• Henry Elementary
• Lytle Creek Elementary
• Marshall Elementary
• Monterey Elementary
• Muscoy Elementary
• North Park Elementary
• North Verdemont Elementary
• Paakuma’ K-8 School
• Parkside Elementary
• Rio Vista Elementary
• San Gorgonio High School
• Serrano Middle School
• Thompson Elementary
• Warm Springs Elementary
• Wilson Elementary

To earn Bronze recognition, a school must begin a systematic approach to Tier 1 implementation. The seven schools that earned a bronze PBIS Implementation Award are:

• Arroyo Valley High
• Fairfax Elementary
• Hillside Elementary
• Holcomb Elementary
• Lincoln Elementary
• Palm Avenue Elementary
• Urbita Elementary

In order to provide continued support for positive changes in school climate and culture and to recognize successful SBCUSD schools, the District provided PBIS Award-winning schools with funds ranging from $500 to $1,000 to purchase student incentives.

Students earn the incentives for meeting behavioral expectations. Additionally, staff from the District’s SWSS department are assigned to support school implementation of positive climate and culture systems Districtwide.

To learn more about Student Wellness & Support Services, visit www.sbcusd.com/departments/student-services-division/student-wellness-support-services.

 

Congratulations to our former intern Noelle Lilley. She and her news team at Channel 12 News in the Bronx, New York won their first Emmy. They won it for a story that Ms. Lilley covered earlier this year about a funeral of a New York police officer that was killed in the line of duty. Noelle is an inspiration to us here at the Westside Story Newspaper.

TORRANCE, CA—- 1,200 local families received free turkeys and groceries to make their Thanksgiving special. Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), in partnership with El Camino College, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and U.S. VETS Inglewood distributed  1,200 turkeys and pork roasts, bags of groceries, and gift cards to families in need this holiday season. Senator Bradford began this annual tradition when he served on the Gardena City Council and has continued it during his service in the State Assembly and now as a member of the State Senate.

“This incredible community event grows bigger and more important every year,” said Senator Bradford. “Seeing the faces of the people receiving these turkeys gives me great hope that these meals will not only feed our community but act as the centerpiece of families gathering to give thanks for each other’s support, faith and love. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to represent our communities in the state capitol and this turkey giveaway is one of my favorite ways to show my appreciation. We could not do this without all our sponsors and volunteers who care deeply about serving and helping others. An event of this scale is only possible because of them. I am enormously grateful to each of them.”

This drive-thru event was made a reality by volunteers and sponsors from Senate District 35 and the surrounding area including: Lawndale Councilmember Pat Kearney, Gardena Councilmembers Paulette Francis and Wanda Love, Torrance Councilmember Bridgett Lewis, U.S.Vets Inglewood, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Phillips 66 Black Employee Network, Torrance Refinery, AAA, Republic Services, Starbucks, Enterprise, LA County Probation Department, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Sigma Pi Omega Chapter, Zeta Phi Beta, Stiiizy, Crystal Stairs, Let’s Be Whole, National Association of University Women, and the AMAAD Institute.

“Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the things we are most grateful for in life. Thank you again to all the participants who stopped by and to El Camino College for hosting our event this year,” said Senator Bradford.

The California Black Power Network has been actively involved in the movement to make reparations in California a reality. As we move forward in the next phase of this work, we care excited to announce a new alliance in collaboration with six former members of the California Reparations Task Force – Dr. Cheryl Grills, Lisa Holder, Dr. Jovan Scott Lewis, Assembly member Reggie Jones-Sawyer, Senator Steven Bradford, and Donald Tamaki.

Introducing the Alliance for Reparations, Reconciliation, and Truth Equal Justice Society (ARRT). The Alliance’s mission is to educate the public about reparations; amplify the Task Force on Reparations’ report and its recommendations; achieve broad-based, multi-racial public support of reparations; and grow the base of multi-racial and multi-sector allies who support reparations in California.

For more information about this historic collaboration, visit Alliancefor.org.

 

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

As California and the federal government invests trillions of dollars in infrastructure projects, advocates say there’s a cost for not guaranteeing equitable racial and ethnic participation in contracting, as firms are hired to carry out the necessary work.

In California, many of the firms owned by Blacks and other minorities qualify as Historically Underutilized Businesses, a U.S. Small Business Administration certification that prioritizes companies in the procurement process.

“Inequity costs everybody,” said Ingrid Merriwether, a member of the Equity Infrastructure Project (EIP)Advisory Council and CEO of Merriwether & Williams Insurance Services (MWIS).

Merriwether told California Black Media (CBM), “Things cost more because you don’t have enough competition. In public contracting, they award business on the lowest responsive bidder,” she said.

“When you have fewer people competing, people are paying more. With tax dollars involved, we are all paying more.”

Merriwether and other advocates are working to ensure more Black-owned and other minority-owned firms gain from California’s upcoming taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects through government contracts.

In California, where more than 99% of all businesses are designated small businesses and 45% are minority-owned, advocates stress the importance of fair contracting according to the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA).

Merriwether played a key role in the creation and administration of the LA Regional Contractor Development and Bonding Program (CDABP).

MWIS has administered successful contractor development programs for the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Metro, County of Los Angeles, Alameda County, and the City and County of San Francisco – the latter for over 20 years. These programs have facilitated over $1 billion in bonding for small local contractors and have saved public sponsors over $22 million due to low bids from program participants.

In 2021, President Biden signed a $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, mandating a minimum of 10% of its funding for surface transportation projects go to ‘small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

In May, Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled proposals to streamline projects, declaring that the state will invest up to $180 billion towards clean infrastructure over the next decade. His office predicts this investment will generate 400,000 quality jobs while helping to achieve the state’s climate goals.

“The only way to achieve California’s world-leading climate goals is to build, build, build – faster,” said Newsom, speaking at the site of a future solar farm in Stanislaus County.

“This proposal is the most ambitious effort to cut red tape and streamline regulations in half a century,” the Governor continued. “It’s time to make the most out of taxpayer dollars and deliver results while creating hundreds of thousands of good jobs.”

Newsom says that California is funding statewide construction projects. Funding will come from previous state budgets and from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

On the local level, organizations are doing their part to increase equity when it comes to diverse firms landing infrastructure contracts. In Los Angeles, the CDABP is actively helping small, local and diverse contractors build their business capacities and access millions of dollars in contracts. The program helps fund surety bonds which can be expensive barriers for smaller firms fighting for contracts, and financing for firms whose cash flow is held up during the long wait for approval to pay workers after completing government jobs.

Critics of government preferences for minority-owned businesses claim that programs raise costs and invite fraud. In 2019, $300 million in federal contracts intended for minority-owned businesses went to business owners with false claims of Native American Heritage.

Another concern critics share is that smaller firms have a lower work completion rate. The industry ‘loss ratio’ or number of contractors who do not finish the job is 20% in the United States.

However, with a track record of having less than a 1% surety bond guarantee default rate for program-enrolled contractors, Merriwether envisions being able to facilitate access to contract funding once they’ve been successful in winning contracts with the program’s public agency sponsors.

“We’ve been able to demonstrate that these contractors are also competent. If you provide equitable resources, they can compete, they can be low bidders and they successfully complete their contracts compared to their peers,” she pointed out.  We’ve been very fortunate to demonstrate the true potential of these firms. What we want to do is amplify what we’ve been doing on a small scale to show folks that this is what we need to be doing on a national scale; using public funding as an appropriate source to change these dynamics and supply chain for small minority business. It’s the right thing to do.”

EIP was formed in April 2022 to leverage infrastructure spending to build wealth in underserved communities. It has persuaded several municipalities, including the California State Transpiration Agency to pledge more infrastructure funds to HUBs. On October 11, 2022, EIP and five other state-level departments of transportation signed an equity pledge in Washington, DC.

“Some may say that our work is about infrastructure or contracting, and indeed it is. Most importantly, however, our mission is about people,” said Co-Founders Phil Washington and John Porcari in a letter on EIP’s status. “It’s about creating careers in underserved communities. It’s about creating generational wealth and closing the racial wealth gap to break long-lasting cycles. It’s about people’s economic security and peace of mind.”

“The recommendations are the result of meeting with Californians from all walks of life—elected officials from around the state and heads of major transportation agencies but also community leaders and members,” said former Los Angles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in a press release. “Centering community and advancing equity is essential in this work, as is promoting environmental sustainability and expanding economic opportunity for all.

Learn more about the CDABP and find out how to apply for state government procurement in California.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Last week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office released data that established which demonstrated a connection between domestic violence and gun violence, and highlighted the risks women face in abusive relationships.

The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (CPEDV), reports that women being abused by male partners who own guns are five times more likely to be murdered by their abusive partners. From 2013 to 2022, women accounted for 83% of victims killed in domestic violence-related gun homicides by a current or former intimate partner.

“The data is clear. People who commit domestic violence and abuse, they simply should not have firearms,” Bonta said during a news conference on Nov. 6, at the office of WEAVE in Sacramento’s Midtown. WEAVE is the primary provider of crisis intervention services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Sacramento County.

The California Department of Justice “Domestic Violence Involving Firearms in California” report explores the effect of firearm-related domestic violence incidents involving firearms throughout California. It covers the state’s long-term progress in reducing domestic violence involving firearms, the significant increases since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the large differences among counties across the state, and the impacts on different populations based on victims’ reported sex, age, and race or ethnicity.

The report broadly defines “domestic violence” to include both family-related and intimate partner-related violence, which may occur in “public as well as private spaces.” The data indicates that the state’s efforts have helped significantly reduce the incidence of domestic violence, especially incidents involving firearms.

California’s population grew from 31,274,928 in 1993 to 39,437,610 in 2019, a 26% increase. Correspondingly, on a per capita basis, from 1993 to 2019, California law enforcement agencies reported a 53% reduction in domestic violence-related homicides and a 61% reduction in domestic violence-related gun homicides.

Researchers estimate that about 4.5 million women alive today have been threatened by an inmate partner with a gun and that nearly one million have been shot, shot at, or had a gun used against them by an inmate partner.

The report highlights that there are significant differences across California communities in rates of reported domestic violence involving firearms. Los Angeles County, for example, recorded 184,956 domestic violence calls between 2018 and 2022, with 2,908 calls involving firearms.

In addition, the counties of Alameda reported 27,482 calls (265 involving firearms), San Francisco had 16,509 (105), Sacramento reported 24,752 (247), Riverside 34,464 (212), and San Diego listed 88,497 calls (523 involving firearms) during the four-year span.

“Violence is not an accident. It is also not inevitable, and it can be prevented. Removing dangerous weapons from people who pose a danger to others is key to that goal,” Bonta stated. “This report gives an in-depth look at the ties between domestic violence and firearms, shining a light on the problem at hand, and illuminating the path to safety before us.”

Recognizing the dangerous connection between domestic violence and gun violence, California has adopted and invested in policies that enhance safety for survivors and the community, the report states.

Bonta launched the Department of Justice’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) in 2022 with the mission of supporting data-driven and impact-driven efforts to prevent gun violence and related traumas.

From 2013 to 2022, California law enforcement agencies reported 1,254-gun homicides where the suspected offenders were identified as a current or former intimate partner or family member of the victim, based on the OGVP’s analysis of victims’ race and ethnicity.

A majority (38%) of these domestic violence gun homicide victims in California were identified as non-Hispanic White, followed closely by Hispanic victims (33%). However, Black victims (13%) were disproportionately represented among adult female, male, and minor victims of domestic violence gun homicides. The Black population of California accounts for about 5.7% of the state’s population of nearly 40 million people.

“Survivors deserve to begin their pathway to healing with laws that promote their safety. We refuse to leave domestic violence survivors and communities behind — especially Black and Native women who disproportionately feel the impacts of gun violence,” stated Rocci Jackson, Gun Violence Restraining Order Community Analyst at the CPEDV.

Bonta held the news conference one day before the U.S. Supreme Court began hearing arguments in the U.S. v. Rahimi, a case involving a Second Amendment challenge to a federal law disarming individuals subject to certain Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs).

The report highlights California’s efforts to empower and protect survivors by providing a range of support services, offering crisis intervention and safety planning options, providing DVROs, and enforcing laws to protect against gun violence.

Bonta urges the SCOTUS to reverse a decision that would endanger domestic violence victims and allow firearms to remain in the hands of their abusers. The Fifth Circuit vacated the criminal conviction of a defendant who had possessed a firearm while subject to a DVRO, which a state court in Texas issued against him after finding he had assaulted his ex-girlfriend.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit’s decision in U.S. v. Rahimi would, Bonta expressed, invalidate a federal law that prohibits adjudicated domestic abusers subject to DVROs from possessing firearms.

On August 22, 2023, Bonta joined a coalition of 25 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the case, urging the Supreme Court to strike down the Fifth Court’s decision and reaffirming California’s commitment to preventing gun violence through protective orders such as DVROs.

“No one should ever fear becoming a victim of gun violence, let alone at the hands of an abusive partner or loved one.,” Bonta stated. “Violent perpetrators like Zackey Rahimi have demonstrated their risk to public safety and have no business possessing a firearm. Removing dangerous weapons from people who pose a danger to others is key to protecting both survivors and the broader community.”

By Lou Coleman

“Everybody talkin’ ’bout heaven ain’t goin’ there.” O my Lord!

[I Corinthians 6:9-11] says, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” [Revelation 9:21; Revelation 21:27; Revelation 22:15; Galatians 5:19-21].

As in [Proverbs chapter 30 verse 12] it says, “There is a kind of generation who is pure in their own eyes, yet not washed from their filthiness,” “They have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.” [Romans 10:2]. I tell you, “Everybody talkin’ ‘bout heaven ain’t goin’ there.”

The Word of God is quite clear that many will be excluded from Heaven. [Matthew 7:13-14]. Jesus warned, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” [Matthew 7:21-23]. Your soul is being weighed in the balances. Mene, Mene,Tekel, Peres [Daniel 5:7]. Depart from Me, ye that work iniquity. [Matthew 7:21-23].

Everybody talkin’ ‘bout heaven ain’t goin’ there.” Oh my Lord!

By Tanu Henry, Antonio Ray Harvey and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

In recognition of Veterans Day on November 12, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) urged military veterans to submit claims for burn pit exposure, which research has shown is linked to several illnesses, including some cancers.

“This Veterans Day, let us recognize the courageous servicemembers and their families who have sacrificed so much on behalf of our nation,” stated Lee, whose father was also a servicemember.

According to Lee, funds for treating veterans affected by ailments linked to burn pit exposure was made possible by the Honoring Our PACT Act, federal legislation President Biden signed into law in 2022.

“It delivered more than $2.46 billion dollars in PACT Act benefits to veterans,” the statement from Lee’s office read.

“Additionally, 1,103,860 total PACT Act-related claims have been submitted, more than 4.6 million veterans have received new toxic exposure screenings, and more than 426,000 new veterans have enrolled in VA health care,” Lee’s statement continued.

Lee is currently in the race for California U.S. Senator. According to a Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll conducted in October, at 9%, Lee is trailing three frontrunners: Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA-47) at 17%; Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA-30) at 16%; and Republican Steve Garvey, a former professional baseball player at 10%.