Mark DeSaulnier

In 1968, a small group of Contra Costa residents banded together to create a memorial college scholarship in honor of two men who were assassinated that year, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. In the nearly six decades since, Kennedy-King has awarded over 1,000 scholarships to undergraduates and graduates in Contra Costa, and our team joined them to recognize the 2026 scholarship recipients.

This week Democrats again voted to try and put an end to Trump’s disastrous and illegal war in Iran and today I took to the Floor to speak about the costs of this war of choice – the lives of over 2,000 civilians and 15 American servicemembers, $30 billion of taxpayer money, and America’s standing in the world. I call on my Republican colleagues to stand up and push back against this reckless president.

Tune in to our weekly video update to hear about my questioning of Secretary of Education Linda McMahon on her disastrous proposed Education Department budget, Democrats’ efforts to end Trump’s illegal war in Iran, and more.

At today’s @EdWorkforceDems hearing, I grilled the Secretary of Education about her proposed budget, which cuts overall K-12 spending by more than $8 billion and would erode services and supports required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, leaving students and families in the lurch. Investments in our young people, especially in ensuring all students receive a quality education, benefit all of us, and I questioned Secretary McMahon about why she is slashing these important services.

I’m hosting another town hall – this time in San Ramon – at the end of the month! Join us on Thursday, May 28th from 6:30 -7:30 p.m. for the latest on my work to hold the Trump Administration accountable, federal dollars I am bringing back to CA-10, and more. As always, I will take your questions live. RSVP to reserve your spot and attend: desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp

The scientific community resoundingly agrees that e-cigarettes are not safe, especially for young people. For sharing this view and refusing to bow down to the tobacco industry, the FDA Commissioner was forced out by President Trump who consistently puts corporate interests over the wellbeing of the American people. nytimes.com/2026/05/12/us/…

Thrilled to share that all 15 of the local CA-10 projects I advanced as part of the 2026 appropriations cycle received federal funding, totaling over $16 million! From lowering everyday costs for families to bolstering traffic safety to increasing access to public spaces, these projects will improve quality of life in our community, and I am proud to have fought for and secured the funding that will make them possible. Learn more about the projects and the local governments and organizations who partnered with us. desaulnier.house.gov/media-center/p…

New Pentagon data today confirms that Trump’s war in Iran is costing American taxpayers $4 billion more than they claimed just two weeks ago. More than 15,000 American troops are still deployed. It’s time for this war to end. nytimes.com/live/2026/05/1…

Under the Trump Administration, the average American household is spending an additional $5,000 this year thanks to Trump tariffs, soaring gas prices because of his war with Iran, and Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill. And the President openly says he doesn’t care. America First?

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms in CA-10 whose dedication, sacrifice, and endless love are the backbone of our community. I’m thinking, as I always do, of my own mom Virginia, and I feel lucky I had such a cheerleader and advocate who was always in my corner.

We are so lucky here in CA-10 to have dedicated educators whose passion and drive empowers students across our region on a daily basis, and I love to visit them in the classroom on my Education Listening Tours. Nearly every American, myself included, can think back on a childhood teacher who believed in them, encouraged their curiosity, or equipped them with a skill they still rely on today. Appreciating our nation’s educators also means working to ensure they are compensated fairly and have the resources they and their students need to thrive – something I fight for every day in Congress and as a member of @EdWorkforceDems. Happy National Teacher Appreciation Week!

I joined @DisabilityCA today in Berkeley to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), a landmark piece of legislation that opened classroom doors for countless students with disabilities. This celebration is bittersweet as the Trump Administration has slashed funding and staffing at the Department of Education, including some of the most severe cuts at the office which oversees IDEA and ensures the civil rights of students with disabilities are protected. As I shared today, this should not be a partisan issue, and I am proud every day to continue my strong partnership with groups like Disability Rights California to support people with disabilities.

I spent the week around CA-10 including a town hall in Lafayette, site visit at the Concord Immigration Court as it prepares for an influx of cases, and celebration for the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Act. Tune in to hear where else I’ve been:

This National Small Business Week, I’m thinking back to my days running TR’s in Concord. The days were long, the work was hard, but the experience was incredibly rewarding. Thanks to all the fantastic small businesses in the East Bay that sit at the heart of our communities. Leave your recommendations in the comments for which small businesses I should visit next on my Business Listening Tours!

We had a great town hall yesterday at Stanley Middle School in Lafayette discussing a myriad of recent events including President Trump’s ongoing war in Iran. Thanks to all who participated both in person and by livestream for your wonderful questions and for taking time out of your busy schedule to participate in our democracy!

I delivered a check today for $1 million to the City of Walnut Creek to upgrade 120 of their public safety body cameras as part of our 2026 Community Project Funding cycle! These new cameras will promote ongoing transparency, accountability, and community trust in the police department. Proud to deliver this federal funding back to CA-10!

If you can’t join this evening’s town hall in person, you can still tune in via livestream at 6:30! For those who are joining us in Lafayette at 6:30, we look forward to seeing you. Facebook: facebook.com/RepMarkDeSauln… YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=7iI6n9…

The refineries we have in Contra Costa deeply affect all of us, and providing oversight is an important part of my job. I toured the Martinez Refining Company and discussed safety and operations following the February 2025 fire. We discussed the need to ensure the health and safety of all residents while protecting local jobs.