{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"CA\" and year = 2013 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://scottpeters.house.gov/media-center/op-eds/an-attitude-of-cooperation", "An Attitude of Cooperation", "2013-12-30", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Scott Peters", "P000608", "scottpeters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As seen in UCCA December Newsletter - http://www.universitycitynews.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Dec-Jan-201314.pdf\nDuring my time on the San Diego City Council and as a Commissioner for the Port of San Diego, I was proud to work with members of both parties to address difficult problems facing the region. We worked with the mentality that while we wouldn\u2019t always agree on every issue, we would put the interests of constituents above all else to reform our local government.\nSince taking office in January to represent San Diego in the U.S. House of Representatives, I have worked to bring that same attitude of cooperation to Washington to cut through gridlock, change the culture of dysfunction, and reform Congress.\nOne major change that needs to be made in Congress is making our representatives live by the same rules as everyone else. That\u2019s why one of the first pieces of legislation I supported was \u2018No Budget No Pay,\u2019 a bill that applies the commonsense concept that if members of Congress don\u2019t do their job and pass a budget, they don\u2019t get paid.\nTo help fix Congress, I also became a member of the \u2018No Labels Problem Solvers\u2019 coalition made up of more than 80 Republican, Democrat, and Independent members of the House and Senate. I also joined the bipartisan United Solutions Caucus made up of newly elected House members. These groups are working to build the kind of bipartisan coalitions we expect in San Diego and need in Washington.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://juliabrownley.house.gov/media-center/op-eds/julia-brownley-urgent-need-to-extend-lifeline-to-unemployed", "Julia Brownley: Urgent need to extend lifeline to unemployed", "2013-12-29", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Everyone remembers what happened five years ago when our economy fell into the worst recession since the Great Depression.\n\t\t\t\t\tEveryone knows someone \u2014 or knows of someone \u2014 who lost their job through no fault of their own during this severe economic downturn.\n\t\t\t\t\tIt\u2019s not just our families and friends who have suffered, but our local businesses who depend on their customers doing a little home improvement, replacing an old refrigerator, getting their car fixed, or buying some new clothes for their kids.\n\t\t\t\t\tYet, while we are still climbing back during this long and slow recovery, we have an extreme tea party faction in Congress who \u2014 despite the facts and history \u2014 refuses to help the 1.3 million Americans whose unemployment insurance was cut off just three days after Christmas.\n\t\t\t\t\tFor 214,000 Californians, it\u2019s anything but a happy holiday season. Families should be coming together to celebrate and enjoy the holidays, but they are worrying about whether they can afford to pay for food, rent or electricity.\n\t\t\t\t\tTo most of us, $303.37 per week \u2014 the average weekly benefit \u2014 doesn\u2019t seem like a lot. We can\u2019t pay our monthly bills on that. But for our 4,600-plus friends and neighbors in Ventura County who rely on the benefit, it helps them make ends meet so they can look for work.\n\t\t\t\t\tWe\u2019ve all heard the statistics: there are three people looking for work for every job opening. Our country faces a jobs shortage, and the only way to solve it is to create more jobs and to prepare our workers for the jobs that do exist.\n\t\t\t\t\tOpen up the classified section of this newspaper and others around the country.\n\t\t\t\t\tEvery week, there are lots of job listings in computer programming, network administration, high-tech manufacturing, and nursing and medical support roles. Those are the very sectors for which we need to train those looking for work.\n\t\t\t\t\tMost people who depend on unemployment insurance can\u2019t find employment because the jobs they once had will never return. We need to help them retool and retrain so they can go from where the good-paying jobs of the 20th century were to where the good-paying jobs of the 21st century are.\n\t\t\t\t\tBut when Congress adjourned for the year, it left without extending a lifeline to those who simply cannot find work before their unemployment benefits run out, despite the fact that the rate of Americans unemployed for longer than six months remains near historic highs due to a slow and fragile economic recovery still underway.\n\t\t\t\t\tIn addition, another 325,000 people in the Golden State will lose their benefits in the first six months of 2014 if Congress fails to act.\n\t\t\t\t\tSpeaker John Boehner is giving into the extreme right-wing tea party faction of his party by not allowing the House to vote to extend this vital relief for people who worked hard, played by the rules, and lost their jobs largely due to a Wall Street-fueled real estate binge.\n\t\t\t\t\tWhere\u2019s the holiday spirit in that? Where\u2019s the goodwill toward men (and women) in that?\n\t\t\t\t\tBoehner and the tea party extremists in his own party would rather continue to give tax breaks to Big Oil and hedge fund managers than to help middle class families that fell on hard times. Merry Christmas to these special interests, they say, while giving lumps of coal to the most vulnerable among us.\n\t\t\t\t\tBut what about the 240,000 jobs in the U.S. \u2014 46,000 of them in California \u2014 that would be lost if extended unemployment insurance is ended? Should we just turn a blind eye on our friends and neighbors as they go from making a middle-class living to having to work two minimum-wage jobs just to make ends meet?\n\t\t\t\t\tThese may be the values of Boehner and his tea party colleagues, but they are not Ventura County values and they are not the values of the vast majority of the American people.\n\t\t\t\t\tAfter we recover from the holiday festivities, let us once again find the bipartisan consensus that finally reopened the government after the disastrous tea party-led shutdown, and resolve to help our friends and neighbors find their footing in 2014.\n\t\t\t\t\tWe cannot adequately grow our economy, expand the middle class and stay true to our values as a nation if we do not.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221184342/http://bass.house.gov/press-release/statement-calling-ugandas-president-veto-anti-homosexuality-legislation", "Statement Calling on Uganda's President to Veto Anti-Homosexuality Legislation", "2013-12-28", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Karen Bass", "B001270", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressmember Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Africa, released the following statement calling on Uganda President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to veto the recently passed Anti-Homosexuality Bill:\n\"I join with Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) in calling on Uganda President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to veto the Uganda's parliament recently passed Anti-Homosexuality Bill. Rights of LGBT people around the world are human rights, and I am deeply concerned regarding the harassment, discrimination and violence that Uganda's LGBT community will certainly face should this legislation become law.\n\"As the world moves forward on ensuring equality under the law of the LGBT community, this proposed law is a giant step backwards. It sets a 14-year jail term for a first-time conviction for men who are convicted of engaging in sexual relations with other men, and a life imprisonment for committing aggravated homosexuality. The bill also criminalizes 'promotion and recognition' of homosexuality that will cause unnecessary harassment to health care workers who are working in Uganda to provide services to those living with HIV/AIDS.\n\"One of the great lessons of human history-- and one certainly that the United States knows all to well-- is that any government which legalizes the subjugation of a portion of its citizenry ultimately regrets that decision and will have to face the judgement of the world.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://swalwell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-swalwell-urges-immediate-extension-federal-unemployment-insurance", "Rep. Swalwell Urges Immediate Extension of Federal Unemployment Insurance", "2013-12-27", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Eric Swalwell", "S001193", "swalwell.house.gov", "swalwell", "https://swalwell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", null, 0, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/feinstein-in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=c9d00393-37ca-45da-a1cd-b06da8afd09a", "Transfer of planes a good start against wildfire - Oakland Tribune", "2013-12-26", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Being from opposing parties as well as opposite ends of the political spectrum, it is not surprising that Sens. Dianne Feinstein and John McCain don't agree on many issues. But when they do agree on one, it should warrant our close attention.\r\n\r\nSuch is the case when the pair co-sponsored language -- inserted into a defense bill by Feinstein -- that will double the size of the U.S. Forest Service fleet of large air tankers used to help fight wildfires.\r\n\r\nIt is an upgrade that is desperately needed. The Government Accountability Office reports that federal air tanker fleet that had once topped 40 planes had dwindled to eight.\r\n\r\nThose of us who live in the West know that the nation's wildfires have not waned in a like manner. We know firsthand the devastation that can be caused by wildfires and know what tremendous benefit air tankers bring to firefighting, especially in rugged terrain.\r\n\r\nJust last week the 500-acre wildfire in Big Sur destroyed more than a dozen homes, but it was tiny compared to the 250,000-acre Rim Fire that scorched parts of Yosemite National Park for two months, leaving more than $50 million in damage.\r\n\r\nIn the East Bay, we saw a fire that engulfed the southside of Mt. Diablo as it burned more than 3,000 acres and cost more than $5.3 million to extinguish. Air tankers were used in fighting that blaze and we can only image how much more devastating it would have been without them.\r\n\r\nBut property damage and equipment costs are trivial compared to the death of the 19 members of an elite firefighting crew last June near Prescott, Ariz.\r\n\r\nIt is important to be clear that this bill is not some government spending boondoggle. In fact, we believe it is smart fiscal policy.\r\n\r\nInstead of purchasing new aircraft, the bill merely transfers seven HC-130H Hercules U.S. Coast Guard aircraft that have been deemed surplus to the Forest Service. The transfer effectively doubles the size of the air tanker fleet virtually overnight.\r\n\r\nThat should be of significant help to the service. Feinstein says the planes can carry a combined 21,000 gallons of water or fire retardant.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the transfer includes 15 smaller C23-B Sherpa aircraft, which are essential for transporting cargo and are used to deploy the legendary smoke jumpers, who parachute into difficult fire areas.\r\n\r\nWhile this bill is smart policy, it clearly is not enough. We believe that Congress must do more to bolster federal firefighting efforts throughout the country, especially in the West. But we applaud this first step.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lowenthal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=365266", "Holiday Greetings from Congressman Lowenthal", "2013-12-24", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Alan Lowenthal", "L000579", "lowenthal.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Holiday Greetings from Congressman Lowenthal \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, D.C.,\r\n        December 24, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      The holiday season is a time when most of us find it just a little easier to smile, perhaps a little easier to give of ourselves, and a little easier to think the best of each other. But let us not forget that there are too many Americans who may pass this time of year worrying about where the most basic things might come from: a solid meal, a warm bed, or a change of clothes. Be fortunate for the love and compassion in your life, and, please, consider sharing that same love and compassion with the people in your community. It will mean a happier and more joyous season for everyone.\u00a0Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones.\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://scottpeters.house.gov/media-center/op-eds/progress-in-dc-but-hold-off-celebrating", "Progress in D.C., but hold off celebrating", "2013-12-24", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Scott Peters", "P000608", "scottpeters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Pomerado News Chieftan - http://www.pomeradonews.com/2013/12/24/guest-column-progress-in-d-c-but-hold-off-celebrating/\nWhen I ran for Congress, I was tired of the crisis-to-crisis pattern that Congress had adopted. I called for \u201cNo Budget \u2013 No Pay\u201d \u2014 if Congress didn\u2019t pass a budget, they shouldn\u2019t get a paycheck. Well, maybe we weren\u2019t the only ones who felt that way. For the first time in four years, Congress passed a budget, and it looks like we\u2019ll avoid another irresponsible shutdown that cost our economy jobs.\nThis budget is not the solution to every problem facing our country nor is it perfect, but it is a step in the right direction. Most important, the budget provides stability and predictability for the next two years to agencies, the military and the large and small businesses that interact daily with the federal government.\nFinally the two sides are talking, and working, together. To San Diegans that\u2019s not a novel concept, but bipartisan collaboration has been sadly uncommon in Washington, D.C. There is optimism that Congress may avoid further self-inflicted crises, a fact that should give the economy a chance to grow and expand at a greater rate.\nIt\u2019s not yet time to celebrate, however. Everyone knows that Congress has significant issues to address, but this Congress remains on pace to be among the least productive in history and was in session fewer hours in 2013 than in any recent year.\nLogic and common sense would bring both sides together to address the overly burdensome tax code, replace the foolish across-the-board sequester cuts with smarter ones that don\u2019t undercut our future competitiveness or national security, cut waste and fraud, ensure a fair and sustainable safety net and fix the broken immigration system. These are areas where a vast, bipartisan majority of Congress agrees action is needed, and finding productive solutions to any of them would yield huge economic benefit for the country.\nIt is no secret that I have been frustrated with the gridlock and lack of bipartisan progress in Washington. The D.C. weather is not why I fly cross-country twice a week. San Diego is poised to lead in science, technology, and innovation, and our businesses and community could teach a lot to Washington about collaboration and cooperation.\nThat\u2019s what I have seen in the last year, through meetings with constituents in Poway, Coronado, and San Diego, on-site visits to local businesses, research facilities and military bases, and in dialogues with students at local universities. Life-changing things are happening here every day.\nFurther, my district office here in San Diego is working to bring due benefits and navigate federal agencies for thousands of constituents by hosting workshops and handling casework claims.\nOver the next year, I will continue to be a vital advocate for San Diego\u2019s interests in Congress. I hope that the recent budget deal is the beginning of a thaw in the D.C. gridlock. San Diegans, and all Americans, deserve a government that works for them and gives a clear path to economic growth, not a series of politically generated, manufactured crises.\nScott Peters, D-San Diego, represents the 52nd District, which includes much of inland North County.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140222062516/http://lorettasanchez.house.gov/2014-fafsa-workshops-making-college-affordable", "2014 FAFSA Workshops - Making College Affordable", "2013-12-24", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Loretta S\u00e1nchez", "S000030", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Applying for federal aid for college can be overwhelming and complicated, which is why our office will be hosting workshops across Orange County in January and February to help students and families file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and explore scholarship opportunities.\u00a0\nThere is no registration is necessary. For more information, please contact Beatriz Fern\u00e1ndez in my Garden Grove office at (714) 621-0102.\u00a0\nThursday, January 16\n6:30 pm\nGodinez Fundamental High School\n3002 W Centennial Rd,\nSanta Ana, CA 92704\n\u00a0\nTuesday, January 21\n6:00 pm\nValley High School\n1801 S Greenville St\nSanta Ana, CA 92704\n\u00a0\nWednesday, January 22\n6:30 pm\nSegerstrom High School\n2301 W MacArthur Blvd\nSanta Ana, CA 92704\n\u00a0\nThursday, January 23\n6:00 pm \nSaddleback High School\n2802 South Flower Street\nSanta Ana, CA 92707\n\u00a0\nMonday, January 27\n5:30 pm\nCentury High School\n1401 S Grand Ave\nSanta Ana, CA 92705\n\u00a0\nThursday, February 6\n6:00 pm \nAnaheim High School\n811 W Lincoln Ave\nAnaheim, CA 92805\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://bera.house.gov/media-center/amis-updates/grateful", "Grateful", "2013-12-23", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ami Bera", "B001287", "bera.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I sent an e-mail update today to express my thanks for such an incredible year and give an update about my office during the Holidays. \u00a0Join my e-newsletter\u00a0now so you don't miss out on any future updates!\n\u00a0\nWith Christmas almost here and 2013 quickly coming to an end, I want to thank you for such an incredible year. I am grateful for all of your letters and emails, your questions at my Congress on Your Corner meetings, your input on my surveys and social media, and most of all, for allowing me to serve as your representative. Listening to you is my most important job. It\u2019s your advice, suggestions, and constructive criticism that inform my work for you in Washington. If you should need help from my office between Christmas and New Years Day (December 25th through January 1st) or if you would like to share your views with me, please call my Rancho Cordova office at (916) 635 0505 or my Washington DC office at (202) 225 5464. \u00a0My staff will be checking messages frequently throughout the holidays so that we can continue serving you, but like many local businesses and government offices, my offices will be closed during this time. Best wishes for a happy holiday season, and a happy and healthy 2014! Be well,\nAmi Bera, M.D.\u00a0  \n\tMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://bera.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-bera-applauds-local-manufacturer-siemens-usa-in-win-for-a-multi", "Rep. Bera applauds local manufacturer, Siemens USA, in win for a multi-state contract to build new locomotives, creating jobs in Sacramento", "2013-12-23", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ami Bera", "B001287", "bera.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sacramento \u2013 The Siemens USA's facility in Sacramento has won a contract from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to build and assemble approximately 35 new electronic locomotives for several Midwestern and West Coast states, the company announced Friday. The high-performance, 125 mile per hour, diesel-electric locomotives will be built using funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation.\nCongressman Ami Bera, M.D. visited Siemens in July during the Congress at your Company tour and advocated for the project with the U.S. Department of Transportation.  \n\t\u201cThis is a huge win for Sacramento County and exactly the kind of project that both creates jobs, and improves our infrastructure safety for the American people,\" said Bera. \"It will bring jobs to our region, and help spur our local economy. As we continue to rebuild an economy that works for middle class families, we must work to attract high-tech jobs to the region,\u00a0 improve our infrastructure, and invest in education that prepares our children for the jobs of the 21st century economy.\"\nMichael Cahill, president of Siemens Rail Systems in the U.S., said \"We are extremely proud to have been selected as a rolling stock partner to help bring the next era of passenger rail service to Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, California and Washington State. Leveraging Siemens\u2019 proven rail expertise and technology, we look forward to building the most energy-efficient, advanced technology, diesel-electric locomotives in North America at our solar-powered transportation manufacturing facility in Sacramento, California.\u201d\nSiemens Rail Systems is bringing one of the most modern and efficient passenger rail, diesel electric locomotives in the world to the U.S. marketplace.\u00a0 Cummins' QSK95 diesel engines will be used in Siemens' diesel electric locomotives in the U.S., resulting in one of the most energy-efficient, lightweight, smart, diesel electric locomotives available today in North America.\nLeveraging Siemens proven rail technology, these locomotives will be designed and built specifically for today's new train passenger, providing a smoother, more reliable and more energy-efficient riding experience.\u00a0 The state-of-the-art locomotives will also deploy a new engine after treatment system that will deliver a cleaner ride with better air quality and reduced emission rates.\u00a0 Importantly, these smarter, lighter trains are being developed with passenger and crew safety top-of-mind.\nCongressman Ami Bera, M.D. represents Sacramento County. Born and raised in California, Bera is a physician and the only Indian American currently serving in Congress. He\u2019s fighting to rebuild an economy that works for middle class families and to reduce our country\u2019s debt in a responsible way. One of Bera\u2019s first acts in Congress was to help lead the effort to pass the No Budget No Pay Act, which says if members of Congress don\u2019t pass a budget, they don\u2019t get paid. As a co-chair of No Labels' Problem Solvers, he\u2019s working with people from both parties to find bipartisan solutions to our nation\u2019s challenges. He and his wife Janine live in Elk Grove with their daughter Sydra. For more updates on Rep. Bera follow @RepBera on Twitter, like Congressman Bera on Facebook, or visit https://www.bera.house.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://juliabrownley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/brownley-introduces-bill-to-repeal-cut-in-military-retiree-cola", "Brownley Introduces Bill To Repeal Cut In Military Retiree COLA", "2013-12-23", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) introduced a bill that would repeal the provision in the Bipartisan Budget Agreement (H.J. Res. 59) that reduces the Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) for military retirees under the age of 62\n\u201cAs a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I believe our servicemembers, veterans, and their families must receive the benefits they have earned and deserve,\u201d said Congresswoman Brownley. \u201cThese benefits are owed to them without equivocation. That is why I have introduced legislation to repeal the military retiree COLA reduction.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=61fc7d89-6d9b-45e3-95f8-876de78ed6d8", "Feinstein Statement on Energy Efficient Set-Top Boxes", "2013-12-23", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington\u2014Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement on an agreement reached by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, the Consumer Electronics Association and the National Cable & Telecommunications Association to improve energy efficiency standards for pay-TV set-top boxes.\r\n\r\nThe agreement will improve set-top box efficiency by 10 to 45 percent (depending on box type) by 2017, and is expected to save more than $1 billion on consumer energy bills annually. The agreement also pledges to field test boxes that shut down when not in use and to begin deploying these boxes in 2016 if technically feasible.\r\n\r\nSenator Feinstein initiated the call for energy efficient set-top boxes, calling on the country\u2019s television providers to improve efficiency in order to cut energy use in 2011.\r\n\r\nSenator Feinstein said: \u201cIn 2011, I urged the CEOs of every major television service provider to work together to introduce more energy efficient set-top boxes. At the time, set-top boxes were costing Americans $3 billion in electricity charges each year\u2014with $2 billion wasted when televisions were not being used.\r\n\r\n\u201cToday\u2019s voluntary announcement demonstrates the television industry took this matter seriously, and I commend industry and efficiency advocates for agreeing to make 90 percent of all set-top boxes as efficient as today\u2019s most energy efficient boxes by 2017. This will cut box energy consumption by 10-45 percent and save consumers $1 billion per year. To put that in perspective, this amount of energy savings would eliminate the need for three power plants and prevent 5 million tons of CO2 emissions per year.\r\n\r\n\u201cThis is a big win for nearly every American who pays a monthly television bill because experts tell me that federal standards could not have produced this much financial and energy savings by 2017. This agreement lasts until 2017, and I intend to monitor the situation carefully to ensure the industry remains committed to building on today\u2019s substantial progress in future years.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe new set-top box efficiency commitments announced today will ultimately save enough electricity each year to power 700,000 homes. The standards will also avoid more than five million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. The agreement runs through 2017. Efficiency gains after that date will require a future agreement or federal regulations.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-introduces-bill-to-repeal-cut-in-military-retiree-cola/", "Brownley Introduces Bill To Repeal Cut In Military Retiree COLA", "2013-12-23", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", "juliabrownley", "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) introduced a bill that would repeal the provision in the Bipartisan Budget Agreement (H.J. Res. 59) that reduces the Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) for military retirees under the age of 62.\n\n\u201cAs a member of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee, I believe our servicemembers, veterans, and their families must receive the benefits they have earned and deserve,\u201d said Congresswoman Brownley. \u201cThese benefits are owed to them without equivocation. That is why I have introduced legislation to repeal the military retiree COLA reduction.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:40:02Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-on-passage-of-anti-homosexuality-bill-in-uganda", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Passage of Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda", "2013-12-23", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.23.13\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Passage of Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda \n\t\t\tFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  \r\n\tDecember 23, 2013  \r\n\tContact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661\r\nWashington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement upon passage of the anti-homosexuality bill by the Ugandan parliament. First introduced by the Ugandan Parliament in 2009, the bill's many cruel and unconscionable provisions include life imprisonment as the maximum penalty for repeated homosexual behavior. It also criminalizes the promotion of homosexuality, which includes funding organizations that serve LGBT people or that support the human rights of sexual minorities:\r\nI am dismayed and disappointed that the Ugandan legislature has passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. Around the world, human rights are being extended to LGBTQ communities, and this draconian legislation moves us in the opposite direction of our goals of equality and justice. This dangerous legislation would also threaten life-saving health services, eliminate access to HIV testing and treatment programs, and significantly impair Uganda's HIV response. I urge President Museveni to consider the broader international standards of human rights, and it is my hope that he would uphold these standards.\"\r\n###\r\nFollow Barbara Lee on Facebook and Twitter at @RepBarbaraLee. To learn more, visit lee.house.gov. \r\nCongresswoman Barbara Lee is a former Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and currently serves as CPC Whip and Chair of the Task Force on Global Peace and Security. Congresswoman Lee is also a founding member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. \r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221165830/http://bass.house.gov/press-release/statement-violence-south-sudan", "Statement on Violence in South Sudan", "2013-12-23", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Karen Bass", "B001270", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressmember Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Africa, released the following statement on the violence in South Sudan:\n\u00a0\n\n\"South Sudan is one of the world's youngest countries, and the United States should do all that it can to bring about a peaceful solution that will end the country's crisis, which has already cost hundreds of lives, forced the evacuation of United States personnel, and threatens to further destabilize this nation.\n\u00a0\n\"Last year I had the opportunity to travel to South Sudan, where I met with both President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar, who represent the hope of South Sudan's 8 million citizens that they will live in a nation that values democracy and the rule of law. I join with other world leaders, including United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in calling on President Kiir and \u00a0former Vice President Machar to put a stop to the violence in South Sudan and begin the process of finding a peaceful way to resolve this crisis.\n\u00a0\n\"I commend Secretary Kerry for his leadership and commitment to continued dialogue with South Sudanese leaders as he works to bring both sides together, and I will work with my colleagues in Congress to support U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, Ambassador Donald Booth as he crafts a diplomatic solution that will hopefully stop the current bloodshed and prevent ethnic violence from erupting in the nation.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140222061051/http://lorettasanchez.house.gov/key-support-orange-county-pension-reform-dec-9-2013", "KEY SUPPORT FOR ORANGE COUNTY PENSION REFORM (Dec. 9, 2013)", "2013-12-23", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Loretta S\u00e1nchez", "S000030", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Dear friend \u2013\nLike so many municipalities across the nation, Orange County struggles with underfunded pensions and rising costs. But instead of picking corners, Orange County\u2019s pension stakeholders came to the table and found a fiscally sustainable way to provide retirement security for our hardworking government employees.\nIn 2009, the County of Orange and the Orange County Employees Associations (OCEA) developed a smart solution. The plan, supported by both sides of the aisle, provides a lower defined benefit option that the County would offer along with participation in an employer matching, defined contribution plan.\nHowever, the plan requires a change in the Internal Revenue Code to protect the income tax treatment of employee contributions. The Treasury Department, despite three years of lobbying by me, OCEA and the County, has been unwilling to make this change.\nLast week I convened a meeting between reform stakeholders and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (MI-4). During the meeting, Chairman Camp pledged his support to lobby the Treasury Department for a waiver necessary to implement reform. The Chairman\u2019s support marks a key step forward to make this bipartisan plan a reality.\nThere is simply no good reason that Orange County should not be able to proceed with their innovative solution to keep their pension system solvent and control future costs and liabilities.\nI will continue to push for an administrative or legislative fix to solve this difficult fiscal issue.\nSincerely,\nLoretta Sanchez", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140222181627/http://lorettasanchez.house.gov/d%C3%A2n-bi%E1%BB%83u-li%C3%AAn-bang-loretta-sanchez-g%E1%BB%ADi-l%E1%BB%9Di-chia-bu%E1%BB%93n-tr%C6%B0%E1%BB%9Bc-s%E1%BB%B1-ra-%C4%91i-c%E1%BB%A7a-mc-vi%E1%BB%87t-dz%C5%A9ng", "D\u00e2n Bi?u Li\u00ean Bang Loretta Sanchez g?i l?i chia bu?n tr??c s? ra ?i c?a MC Vi?t Dz?ng", "2013-12-23", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Loretta S\u00e1nchez", "S000030", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "D\u00e2n Bi\u1ec3u Li\u00ean Bang Loretta Sanchez (CA-46) g\u1eedi l\u1eddi chia bu\u1ed3n tr\u01b0\u1edbc s\u1ef1 ra \u0111i c\u1ee7a MC Vi\u1ec7t Dz\u0169ng.\n\t\"H\u00f4m nay ch\u00fang ta v\u1eeba m\u1ea5t \u0111i \u00f4ng Vi\u1ec7t D\u0169ng, ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e3 c\u1ed1ng hi\u1ebfn h\u01a1n 30 n\u0103m ph\u1ee5c v\u1ee5 cho c\u1ed9ng \u0111\u1ed3ng Qu\u1eadn Cam v\u00e0 c\u1ed9ng \u0111\u1ed3ng ng\u01b0\u1eddi Vi\u1ec7t h\u1ea3i ngo\u1ea1i. \u00d4ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c m\u1ecdi ng\u01b0\u1eddi bi\u1ebft \u0111\u1ebfn v\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1ee1ng m\u1ed9 nh\u01b0 m\u1ed9t nh\u1ea1c s\u1ef9, ca s\u1ef9, nh\u00e0 t\u1eeb thi\u1ec7n, ng\u01b0\u1eddi t\u1ed5 ch\u1ee9c c\u00e1c s\u1ef1 ki\u1ec7n c\u1ed9ng \u0111\u1ed3ng, nh\u00e0 b\u00e1o, MC, v\u00e0 l\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi d\u1eabn ch\u01b0\u01a1ng tr\u00ecnh c\u1ee7a Radio Bolsa. C\u00e1 nh\u00e2n t\u00f4i bi\u1ebft \u0111\u1ebfn \u00f4ng nh\u01b0 m\u1ed9t nh\u00e0 ho\u1ea1t \u0111\u1ed9ng nh\u00e2n quy\u1ec1n, ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e3 c\u1ed1ng hi\u1ebfn cu\u1ed9c \u0111\u1eddi m\u00ecnh cho cu\u1ed9c \u0111\u1ea5u tranh cho t\u1ef1 do v\u00e0 d\u00e2n ch\u1ee7 t\u1ea1i Vi\u1ec7t Nam.\n\tT\u00f4i xin g\u1edfi l\u1eddi ph\u00e2n \u01b0u, l\u1eddi c\u1ea7u nguy\u1ec7n v\u00e0 s\u1ef1 c\u1ea3m th\u00f4ng s\u00e2u s\u1eafc nh\u1ea5t c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i \u0111\u1ebfn gia \u0111\u00ecnh \u00f4ng Vi\u1ec7t D\u0169ng v\u00e0 nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi ng\u01b0\u1ee1ng m\u1ed9 anh. T\u01b0\u1edfng ni\u1ec7m \u00f4ng.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/feinstein-in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=5ea0f232-ade4-4b18-8966-6593290ca0f8", "Feinstein to Obama: Move without Congress on GMOs - The Hill", "2013-12-22", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is urging President Obama to use the power of his office to require labels on food containing genetically engineered ingredients.\r\n\r\nLegislation pending in both the House and Senate would force companies to tell consumers which products contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs), though there is no clear path forward in the divided Congress.\r\n\r\nMajor agriculture and biotechnology firms oppose the effort, and have poured millions of dollars into campaigns to defeat state ballot initiatives seeking to mandate a labeling system.\r\n\r\nBut Feinstein contends that imposing a federal labeling system could be achieved through a simple directive from the president to his Food and Drug Administration.\r\n\r\n\u201cYour administration should re-evaluate the Food and Drug Administration\u2019s outdated policy that genetically engineered food does not need to disclose this fact on required labels,\u201d the California Democrat wrote Friday in a letter to Obama.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt is my view that the FDA does have the authority to require labeling for genetically engineered food products,\u201d she said.\r\n\r\nSpecifically, Feinstein argues that the Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act (FD&C) prohibits the misbranding of food, including \u201cmisleading\u201d labels. Any label that fails to reveal material facts about the product is misleading, according to the statute.\r\n\r\nCurrent FDA policy, rooted in a 1992 policy decision, does not consider a product\u2019s inclusion of GMOs ingredients as material information that must be disclosed.\r\n\r\nBut Feinstein said the use of genetically enhanced ingredients has changed in the years, and she pointed to a July New York Times poll that found 93 percent of Americans favor GMO labeling.\r\n\r\nThe FDA has remained largely silent on the issue. Michael Taylor, the agency\u2019s deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine, formerly worked for the biotechnology firm Monsanto and has recused himself from the issue.\r\n\r\nFood safety advocates have long said the FDA has the authority to enact mandatory labels in lieu of congressional action, and contend that consumers have a right to know what\u2019s in their food.\r\n\r\nBut industry groups say GMO products, widely used for years, are perfectly safe. Mandatory labels would only serve to prejudice consumers against important technological advancements.\r\n\r\nAfter the narrow defeats of mandatory labeling laws in California and Washington state, major food industry groups are floating bill language calling for voluntary labeling standards\r\n\r\nSen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) have introduced competing legislation that would require labeling on all genetically modified food.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221210648/http://waters.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=366600", "Rep. Maxine Waters calls for improved security at LAX", "2013-12-21", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Maxine Waters", "W000187", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "In the wake of last month's deadly shooting at Los Angeles International Airport, a local congresswoman has called for improvements to airport security, including the permanent assignment of armed police officers near passenger screening checkpoints.\nRep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) also urged law enforcement officials to allow airport police to have access to all airport security cameras.\n\"I believe these recommendations will play a vital role in ensuring that all travelers and airport employees are safe in our nation's airports,\" said Waters, whose district includes LAX.\nWaters made the request on Thursday in a letter sent to John Pistole, head of the Transportation Security Administration, which is responsible for screening passengers at the nation's commercial airports.\nCopies of the correspondence were sent to four members of Congress who serve on the House Homeland Security Committee and the transportation security subcommitee.\nIn the Nov. 1 shooting, a gunman armed with an assault-style rifle entered Terminal 3 and shot his way though the screening area before he was shot and captured near the boarding gates. A TSA agent was killed and two other TSA officials as well as a school teacher were wounded.\nPaul Anthony Ciancia, 23, has been charged with murder and attempted murder in the attack.\nEarlier this year, the Los Angeles Airport Police Department removed armed officers from the checkpoints at LAX and added them to patrols, ending a policy that was put in place shortly after 9/11.\nCritics of the decision, including former airport security officials, said the reassignment of the officers reduced the chances officers had of stopping the gunman. In addition, union officials, who represent TSA workers, requested that TSA officials be trained to carry firearms at the checkpoints.\nAirport Police Chief Patrick Gannon said the officers were reassigned at LAX to make the security strategy less predictable.\nIn her letter, Waters reiterated a suggestion made by the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Assn. in September 2012 to the TSA. It called for the location of an armed police officer within 300 feet of passenger checkpoints and the need to increase police access to airport security cameras.\n\"I am deeply concerned that these issues have yet to be addressed by TSA,\" Waters wrote. \"I urge you to immediately revisit and re-evaluate the proposals put forth .... \"\nRepresentatives of the American Alliance for Airport Police Officials said they supported Waters' call for improvements and described them as common-sense measures that will enhance security at LAX and all major airports.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://garamendi.house.gov/press-release/garamendi-supports-military-retirement-restoration-act", "Garamendi Supports Military Retirement Restoration Act", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "John Garamendi", "G000559", "garamendi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Legislation would undo military retiree benefit cuts included in the Bipartisan Budget Act\nWALNUT GROVE, CA \u2013 Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, announced that he is an original cosponsor of the Military Retirement Restoration Act, legislation that would repeal cuts to military retiree cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) included in the Bipartisan Budget Act. This legislation will be fully paid for by closing tax loopholes for offshore corporations. Congressman Dan Maffei (D-Syracuse, NY) is introducing the bill in the House of Representatives. Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate by U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA).\nCongressman Garamendi said, \u201cThe bipartisan budget compromise was needed to support our economic recovery and to prevent harmful unfocused cuts to vital defense functions. However, the bill\u2019s provision that cuts military pensions places an unjust burden on military servicemembers who have already made enormous sacrifices for our country. It seems eminently fairer to end loopholes that allow corporations to avoid paying taxes. Simply put, I cosponsored the Military Retirement Restoration Act, so that we don\u2019t balance our budget on the backs of the men and women who valiantly served us and earned their pension.\u201d\n\u201cThe Bipartisan Budget Act is an important step in the right direction that creates some certainty for our middle class families and businesses across Central New York, but it is not perfect,\u201d said Congressman Maffei. \u201cThe cuts to military pension COLAs included in the Bipartisan Budget Act unfairly target our military families and could create serious hardship for some of our veterans. The bill I am going to introduce will fix this problem and ensure our military retirees get the benefits they have earned and deserve. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this common sense legislation.\u201d\nThe Military Retirement Restoration Act would replace the cuts to military retiree benefits included in the Bipartisan Budget Act by preventing companies from avoiding U.S. taxes by abusing overseas tax havens.\u00a0 Specifically the bill:\n Repeals the provision in the Bipartisan Budget Act (Section 403) that modifies the annual cost-of-living adjustment for working-age military retirees by making the adjustments equal to inflation minus one percent. This provision, which is scheduled to go into effect in December 2015, would result in a benefit cut for working-age military retirees. The Bipartisan Budget Act modifies the annual cost-of-living adjustment for working-age military retirees by making the adjustments equal to inflation minus one percent.\u00a0At age 62, the retired pay would be adjusted as if the COLA had been the full CPI adjustment in all previous years, and the service members would receive the full COLA from then on.\u00a0The provision would have saved approximately $6 billion over ten years.\n  Prevents companies from avoiding paying their fair share of U.S. taxes. The repeal would be fully offset by stopping companies incorporated offshore but managed and controlled in the United States from claiming foreign status and avoiding U.S. taxes on their foreign income. It would require these companies to be treated as U.S. domestic corporations for tax purposes.\u00a0This provision is expected to raise over $6.6 billion over ten years.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://juliabrownley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/brownley-bill-benefitting-ventura-county-sent-to-president-s-desk", "Brownley Bill Benefitting Ventura County Sent to President's Desk", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Yesterday, the Senate sent to the President\u2019s desk legislation passed last week by the House that includes a provision spearheaded by Congresswoman Brownley (D-Westlake Village) that will directly benefit Ventura County.\n\u00a0\nBrownley originally introduced the provision as a stand-alone bill in the House (H.R. 1581). The legislation would transfer land from the former Oxnard Air Force Base back to the County of Ventura. Working with her colleagues, Brownley was able to include the language in the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act and the final conference agreement.\n\u00a0\n\u201cI came to Congress to create jobs by strengthening Ventura County\u2019s diverse economy,\u201d said Congresswoman Brownley. \u201cThe transfer of the land back to the County will spur business development at the airport, which is an important economic driver for Ventura County.\u201d\n\u00a0\n\u201cCongresswoman Brownley continues to be a champion for our aviation issues in the County of Ventura,\u201d said Todd McNamee, Director of Airports. \u00a0\u201cThe Business Park at the Camarillo Airport generates approximately 40 percent of the revenue for the airport, and transferring the land back to the county through this legislative action will provide opportunity for future development and revenue generation. I offer a sincere thank you to Julia Brownley and her wonderful staff for their efforts.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://scottpeters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-peters-cosponsors-bill-to-restore-military-retirement-cuts", "Rep. Peters Cosponsors Bill to Restore Military Retirement Cuts", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Scott Peters", "P000608", "scottpeters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Peters Cosponsors Bill to Restore Military Retirement Cuts\nSAN DIEGO, CA \u2013 Today, Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) released the following statement after signing onto legislation that would restore the one-percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) cuts to military-retiree benefits that were part of the recent bipartisan budget agreement. The bill, introduced by Rep. Dan Maffei (NY-24), would offset this change by closing tax loopholes currently exploited by corporations that incorporate in overseas tax havens but operate in the United States.\n\u201cLast week\u2019s budget was not perfect, legislation rarely is, but it was a good step in the right direction because it reduces the chance of a government shutdown, relaxes the sequester cuts for the next two years, and provides the stability and predictability that our military and federal agencies desperately need. I have a proven record of working to fix imperfect legislation, and this budget agreement is no exception.\n\u201cIt is clear that the cuts to military-retiree COLAs in the budget are not an appropriate way to cut spending and need to be addressed. The legislation I am supporting today not only restores the cut funds, but pays for it as well \u2013 instead of just adding money to our national deficit.\n\u201cOur veterans, military retirees, and their families have struggled and sacrificed for our country \u2013 it would be irresponsible to allow this cut to their promised benefits to continue.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://scottpeters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-peters-food-security-advocates-highlight-local-effects-of-snap-cuts", "Rep. Peters, Food-Security Advocates Highlight Local Effects of SNAP Cuts", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Scott Peters", "P000608", "scottpeters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Peters, Food-Security Advocates Highlight Local Effects of SNAP Cuts\nl-r: Jim Lovell, TACO; Rep. Peters; Jennifer Gilmore, Feeding America SD; Parke Troutman, SD Hunger Coalition; James Floros, SD Food Bank\nSAN DIEGO, CA \u2013 Today, Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) joined with local hunger and food-security advocates to highlight the effects of cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The press conference, in coordination with the Third Avenue Charitable Organization (TACO) and the First Lutheran Church, was held before volunteers participated in the twice-weekly community food service.\n\u201cIn a country undergoing a slow economic recovery, it is imperative that we not force people into impossible choices like whether to put food on the table for their children or buy necessary medicine,\u201d Rep. Peters said. \u201cHarsh cuts to SNAP are not the way to get people back to work or provide food security for the thousands of San Diego families that are facing instability. While we often think of the less fortunate during the Christmas season, there is a need for nutrition assistance and volunteer energy year round.\u201d\nOver his first year in Congress, Representative Peters has voted numerous times against drastic cuts to the SNAP program. He also sent a letter to Speaker Boehner calling for SNAP benefits to be included in the final version of the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (FARM Bill) agreement.\n\u201cIt is unfortunate that SNAP, which helps millions of families struggling to put food on the table, has become targeted by cynics engaging in policy by stereotype,\u201d said Parke Troutman, Public Policy and Advocacy Director for the San Diego Hunger Coalition. \u201cWhen you realize how poor someone has to be to qualify for the program, it becomes a scandal that so many are eligible.\u201d\nReductions in SNAP funding have undercut the safety net of those most at risk, including veterans, the elderly and those on fixed incomes, and children. The vast majority of SNAP recipients live in households where at least one member is working.\nThe FARM Bill, supposed to be renewed every five years, expired September 30th, 2013, and has been under temporary extension since. Current negotiations are underway between the House and Senate to negotiate a full five-year compromise.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://vargas.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/representatives-vargas-and-polis-fight-for-daca-individuals-eager-to", "Representatives Vargas and Polis Fight for DACA Individuals Eager to Join Military", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Juan Vargas", "V000130", "vargas.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC (December 20, 2013) \u2013Today, U.S. Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-51) and Jared Polis (CO-2) were joined by fellow Members of Congress in urging the Department of Defense to issue a memo allowing Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to enlist in all branches of the United States military. Currently, individuals who qualify for DACA are ineligible for service.\n\u201cBy allowing DACA individuals to enlist, we not only ensure that all branches of our military remain fully staffed, but also give those who call the United States home an opportunity to defend their country,\u201d said Congressman Vargas.\u00a0 \u201cFor many Deferred Action individuals, joining the military would be a way for them to give back to a country that has offered them wonderful opportunities and a bright future.\u201d\nWith a shortage of eligible candidates enlisting, the military is facing severe recruiting issues, particularly in the reserves. DACA individuals, who have already undergone extensive background checks and finished high school or received a high school equivalent, make an ideal pool of vetted candidates.\u00a0\n\u201cFor many young people brought to the United States before adulthood, America is the only place they\u2019ve known as home,\u201d said Congressman Polis. \u201cI hope the Department of Defense seizes this opportunity to enlist interested Deferred Action individuals in all branches of our military and allow them to help keep our nation, and their home, safe.\u201d\n\u201cDACA individuals have spent the majority of their lives in the United States, many with no memory or tie to their country of origin,\u201d said Congressman Vargas.\u00a0 \u201cThey view themselves as Americans, and as such, would be honored to serve their country and defend the land they call home.\u201d\nVargas represents California\u2019s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California\u2019s entire US/Mexico border.\u00a0 Vargas is currently serving his first term in Congress.\u00a0 He represented the 40th California State Senate District from 2010-2012, the 79th California State Assembly District from 2000 \u2013 2006 and served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 \u2013 2000.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://vargas.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/vargas-strategically-preserves-environmental-resources-and-strengthens", "Vargas Strategically Preserves Environmental Resources and Strengthens National Security", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Juan Vargas", "V000130", "vargas.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC (December 20, 2013) \u2013 Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) applauded Senate passage of H.R. 3304, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included a key provision he authored. The NDAA is now heading to the President\u2019s desk for signature.\nVargas\u2019 provision is based on H.R. 1691, \u201cChocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range Transfer Act of 2013,\u2019\u2019 that he introduced in April. By strategically attaching his bill\u2019s provisions to the NDAA, Rep. Vargas was able to effectively preserve crucial environmental resources in his district and strengthen national security.\n\u201cI am extremely proud that my legislation was included in the NDAA, which passed the Senate and is now making its way to the President\u2019s desk,\u201d stated Rep. Vargas. \u201cThe Chocolate Mountain provision not only provides a much-needed management arrangement between the Bureau of Land Management and the Department of the Navy, but also preserves the environmental integrity of the land and supports our national security.\u201d\nVargas\u2019 provision transfers the administrative jurisdiction of the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range (CMAGR) from the Bureau of Land Management to the Secretary of the Navy. CMAGR, located within desert mountain terrain in Imperial and Riverside counties, supports numerous types of military training.\n\u201cThe Department of the Navy appreciates that Congress is taking action to retain the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range (CMAGR),\u201d said a spokesperson from the Department of the Navy. \u201cThis range is essential to the Marine Corps' current aviation training and readiness requirements and is used extensively by Naval Special Warfare units. It is the Marine Corps' premier Aerial Gunnery Range on the West Coast and retention will greatly enhance the ability of naval aviators in maintaining their combat superiority.\u201d\n\u201cConsolidating the land management under a sole federal agency will provide regulatory relief and certainty to the Department of the Navy, and allow the range to operate more efficiently while maintaining the spirit of the land withdrawal program,\u201d said Rep. Vargas.\nVargas represents California\u2019s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California\u2019s entire US/Mexico border.\u00a0 Vargas is currently serving his first term in Congress.\u00a0 He represented the 40th California State Senate District from 2010-2012, the 79th California State Assembly District from 2000 \u2013 2006 and served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 \u2013 2000.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/feinstein-in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=43bef713-5746-4f01-b014-b28a5108b456", "Congress adds air tankers to Forest Service fleet - Los Angeles Times", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tucked inside the defense bill approved by Congress this week was a provision that would add seven air tankers to the U.S. Forest Service's beleaguered air fleet.\r\n\r\nThe fleet of planes, which drop retardant to give firefighters on the ground crucial time to put out raging wildfires, has been reduced from 47 to 12 over the last decade because of fatal crashes and fears about the planes' safety. Many of the aircraft were former military planes built during the Eisenhower administration\r\n\r\nThe Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 late Thursday after included language by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) that would transfer seven surplus HC-130H Hercules cargo planes from the U.S. Coast Guard to the Forest Service.\r\n\r\n\"This is a real step forward in replenishing the Forest Service's dwindling air tanker fleet, which is critically important to fighting wildfires,\" McCain said in a statement. \"Congress must do more to restore the Forest Service air tanker fleet, but this transfer will boost their ability to fight wildfires.\"\r\n\r\nThe Forest Service said the planes are expected to be ready \"incrementally\" by fall 2014.\r\n\r\nFew details were disclosed about the seven \"new\" planes. What is known is the HC-130H is a search and rescue airplane that flew for the first time in 1964 and remains in service with the Coast Guard today.\r\n\r\n\"If the planes are in good shape, it is very good news,\" said Bill Gabbert, a former fire management officer who now writes for the blog WildfireToday.com. \"However, they were used by the Coast Guard for maritime patrol... and there are questions about how the salt environment may have affected the metals on the aircraft.\"\r\n\r\nThe U.S. Coast Guard will transfer the HC-130Hs to the Air Force, which will spend up to $130 million for structural reinforcement to extend their operational lifetime to about 10 years. The planes will then be transferred to the U.S. Forest Service, which will turn them over to private companies.\r\n\r\nNearly all of the nation's firefighting aircraft are owned and operated by private companies \u2014 more than a dozen of which are part of the American Helicopter Services & Aerial Firefighting Assn. trade group.\r\n\r\nTom Eversole, association executive director, said the provision is contrary to what the Forest Service has requested in recent years. The agency said it wanted to modernize and use \"next-generation\" jet aircraft.\r\n\r\nThe HC-130H is a four-engine turboprop. It will have a tanker capacity of 3,000 to 4,000 gallons per aircraft, according to the Forest Service.\r\n\r\nDemands that the service replace its air tanker fleet have come from former pilots, government officials, firefighter advocacy groups and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, which works alongside the service on wildfires in the state.\r\n\r\nSince 2001, air tanker crashes have killed 22 aviators. Six died last year.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=26c60a85-9e46-4930-8046-6c90672ceb04", "Feinstein: Mandatory Labeling for Genetically Modified Foods", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington\u2014Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is urging the Obama administration to mandate the labeling of genetically modified foods and ingredients. In a letter to the president, Feinstein requested a reevaluation of the Food and Drug Administration\u2019s labeling policy for genetically engineered food products.\r\n\r\nFeinstein wrote: \u201cIt is my strong opinion that consumers have the right to know whether their food originates from genetically modified organisms. Your administration should re-evaluate the Food and Drug Administration\u2019s outdated policy that genetically engineered food does not need to disclose this fact on required labels.\u201d\r\n\r\nFull text of the letter follows:\r\n\r\nDecember 19, 2013\r\n\r\nPresident Barack Obama  The White House  1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.  Washington, D.C., 20001\r\n\r\nDear President Obama,\r\n\r\nI am writing today to urge you to take administrative action to require the mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods and ingredients. It is my strong opinion that consumers have the right to know whether their food originates from genetically modified organisms. Your administration should re-evaluate the Food & Drug Administration\u2019s outdated policy that genetically engineered food does not need to disclose this fact on required labels.\r\n\r\nIt is my view that the FDA does have the authority to require labeling for genetically engineered food products. The Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act (FD&C) prohibits the misbranding of food articles, which includes if a label is \u201cmisleading.\u201d The FD&C defines misleading to include a failure to \u201creveal facts material\u201d about a food product. The FDA has interpreted these provisions in a 1992 statement of policy such that the fact of whether a food product is genetically engineered is not necessarily a material fact that must be provided to consumers.\r\n\r\nSince 1992, the number and type of genetically engineered foods has vastly changed, including the pending application of the first genetically engineered animal, AquaAdvatage Salmon. It is also clear that consumer interest in whether their food is genetically engineered has increased dramatically, as a poll conducted by the New York Times in July found that 93% of Americans favor GE labeling. Given these facts, I believe that genetic engineering is clearly of material importance to American consumers, and thus the outdated policy position the FDA took over 21 years ago on labeling should be revised.\r\n\r\nPlease act in the best interest of American consumers and use your authority to require labeling of genetically engineered foods. Thank you for your time and consideration of my views. Please do not hesitate to contact me.\r\nSincerely,\r\nDianne Feinstein   United States Senator", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5e251d7c-f8ba-4e5f-812f-8607aec2dc04", "Feinstein on President\u2019s Review Group on Intelligence and Communications", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington\u2014The leadership of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees today released the following statement on the President\u2019s Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies:\r\n\r\n\u201cThe Report of the President's Review Group makes some constructive recommendations, many of which the House and Senate Intelligence Committees have previously addressed in legislation reported by one or both committees. These include measures to increase transparency of the U.S. intelligence community\u2019s collection programs, improve the security clearance process, and enhance whistleblower protections for intelligence community employees.\r\n\r\n\"However, a number of recommendations in the report should not be adopted by Congress, starting with those based on the misleading conclusion that the NSA's metadata program is \u2018not essential to preventing attacks.\u2019 Intelligence programs do not operate in isolation and terrorist attacks are not disrupted by the work of any one person or program. The NSA's metadata program is a valuable analytical tool that assists intelligence personnel in their efforts to efficiently \u2018connect the dots\u2019 on emerging or current terrorist threats directed against Americans in the United States. The necessity of this program cannot be measured merely by the number of terrorist attacks disrupted, but must also take into account the extent to which it contributes to the overall efforts of intelligence professionals to quickly respond to, and prevent, rapidly emerging terrorist threats. As the president has said, the NSA metadata program \u2018is an important tool in our effort to disrupt terrorist plots.\u2019 We continue to believe that it is vital this lawful collection program continue.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe White House has indicated it will review the recommendations and determine which it will endorse and which it will reject. We look forward to working with the administration during this process and appreciate the assurances we have received that this consultation will happen.\u201d\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=a0eac89f-02df-4bc5-a8ff-05e63cf15c60", "Feinstein, McCain Provision Doubles Forest Service Air Tanker Fleet", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington\u2014Last night the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014, which included language by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) transferring 22 military aircraft to the Forest Service to battle major wildfires.\r\n\r\nEvery year, millions of acres are destroyed by wildfires across the western United States. While aircraft are vital to the Forest Service\u2019s ability to fight wildfires, the aviation fleet owned by the Forest Service has become seriously degraded. A U.S. Government Accountability Office report released in August warns the number of Forest Service large air tankers (LATs) has dropped from 44 aircraft in 2003 to just 8 aircraft in 2013.\r\n\r\nUnder the Defense bill passed yesterday, seven surplus HC-130H Hercules aircraft will be sent to the Forest Service as LATs and 15 C-23B Sherpa aircraft will serve as smokejumper and cargo transports. The transfer of the HC-130H aircraft nearly doubles the number of LATs operated by the Forest Service today.\r\n\r\nSenator Feinstein said, \u201cI am pleased the amendment I cosponsored with Senator McCain to transfer seven HC-130H planes from the Coast Guard to the Forest Service was included in the defense authorization bill that passed the Senate last night. These seven planes combined can carry over 21,000 gallons of water or fire retardant to help combat dangerous forest fires. Given California\u2019s worsening risk of forest fires\u2014as evidenced by the ongoing Pfeiffer Fire near Big Sur\u2014this transfer is a critical step to help address our ability to defend forests and communities from the threat of wildfires.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cThis is a real step forward in replenishing the Forest Service\u2019s dwindling air tanker fleet, which is critically important to fighting wildfires,\u201d said Senator McCain. \u201cThis year\u2019s wildfire season burned millions of acres across the West and brought tragedy to Arizona with the loss of the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots in the Yarnell Hill Fire. Wildfire suppression aircraft are vital to protecting human life and property. Congress must do more to restore the Forest Service air tanker fleet, but this transfer will boost their ability to fight wildfires.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe tanker capacity of the HC-130H is 3,000-4,000 gallons per aircraft and each aircraft will be structurally reinforced by the U.S. Air Force to extend their operational lifetime to about 10 years, according to the Forest Service.\r\n\r\nIn 2012, Senator McCain authored a similar provision in the Defense Authorization bill calling for the transfer seven C-27J Spartan aircraft to the Forest Service as medium-sized 1,500-gallon air tankers. The language in this year\u2019s Defense bill swaps out these C-27J for the larger HC-130H after the U.S. Coast Guard offered the Forest Service those aircraft in exchange for the C-27Js.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-bill-benefitting-ventura-county-sent-to-president-s-desk/", "Brownley Bill Benefitting Ventura County Sent to President\u2019s Desk", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", "juliabrownley", "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Yesterday, the Senate sent to the President\u2019s desk legislation passed last week by the House that includes a provision spearheaded by Congresswoman Brownley (D-Westlake Village) that will directly benefit Ventura County.Brownley originally introduced the provision as a stand-alone bill in the House (H.R. 1581). The legislation would transfer land from the former Oxnard Air Force Base back to the County of Ventura. Working with her colleagues, Brownley was able to include the language in the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act and the final conference agreement.\n\n\u201cI came to Congress to create jobs by strengthening Ventura County\u2019s diverse economy,\u201d said Congresswoman Brownley. \u201cThe transfer of the land back to the County will spur business development at the airport, which is an important economic driver for Ventura County.\u201d\n\n\u201cCongresswoman Brownley continues to be a champion for our aviation issues in the County of Ventura,\u201d said Todd McNamee, Director of Airports. \u201cThe Business Park at the Camarillo Airport generates approximately 40 percent of the revenue for the airport, and transferring the land back to the county through this legislative action will provide opportunity for future development and revenue generation. I offer a sincere thank you to Julia Brownley and her wonderful staff for their efforts.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:40:02Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-on-passage-of-2014-ndaa", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Passage of 2014 NDAA", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.20.13\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Passage of 2014 NDAA \n\t\t\tFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  \r\n\tDecember 20, 2013  \r\n\tContact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661\r\nWashington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the Senate's passage of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2014 (NDAA), which is expected to be signed into law by President Obama early next week: While this bill continues funding for the war in Afghanistan, fails to audit the Pentagon, does not close Guantanamo, and fails to reign in the NSA surveillence operations, I am pleased that my bipartisan amendment was included. This amendment requires a report to Congress on the use of the Uniform Code of Military Justice regarding military service members living with or at risk of contracting HIV. This report is essential to understanding how we can modernize discriminatry and outdated laws and practices related to HIV.\r\nText ofReport on Uniform Code of Military Justice and HIV/AIDSAmendment: Requires the Defense Secretary to report to Congress on the use of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the Manual for Courts-Martial, and related policies, punitive articles, and regulations with regard to service members living with or at risk of contracting HIV.\r\n###  \r\n\t\r\nCongresswoman Lee has been a leader in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. She co-authored legislation signed into law creating the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in 2000, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2003, the PEPFAR Reauthorization Act in 2008, and in 2005 legislation addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. She has also been a leader in the effort to establish a NationalAIDS Strategy, and is a member ofthe Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services & Educationwith jurisdiction over all domesticHIV/AIDS funding. She is the only United States representative on United Nations Development Programme's Global Commission on HIV and the Law and was the original sponsor of legislation that lead to the repeal of the Immigration and Travel ban that barred the entry of HIV positive individuals. The repeal allowed the International AIDS conference to take place in July 2012 in Washington, D.C., which was held in the U.S. after 20 years. Rep. Lee is a former Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and currently serves as CPC Whip and Chair of the Task Force on Global Peace and Security. Congresswoman Lee serves as a representative from the United States to the 68th General Assembly of the United Nations.\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://speier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-speier-responds-president-obama-military-sexual-assault", "Congresswoman Speier responds to President Obama on Military Sexual Assault: Survivors Deserve Action Now", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jackie Speier", "S001175", "speier.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "For Immediate Release\n\n\tDecember 20, 2013\n\n\t\n\n\tContact:\n\n\tDC  Bill Silverfarb (202) 225-3531 / (202) 957-4340 cell\n\n\tBill.Silverfarb@mail.house.gov\n\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById('cloak548f3f771a55eac9e6d08b47372273cf').innerHTML = '';\n\t\t\t\tvar prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to';\n\t\t\t\tvar path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '=';\n\t\t\t\tvar addy548f3f771a55eac9e6d08b47372273cf = 'Bill.Silverfarb' + '@';\n\t\t\t\taddy548f3f771a55eac9e6d08b47372273cf = addy548f3f771a55eac9e6d08b47372273cf + 'mail' + '.' + 'house' + '.' + 'gov';\n\t\t\t\tvar addy_text548f3f771a55eac9e6d08b47372273cf = 'Bill.Silverfarb' + '@' + 'mail' + '.' + 'house' + '.' + 'gov';document.getElementById('cloak548f3f771a55eac9e6d08b47372273cf').innerHTML += ''+addy_text548f3f771a55eac9e6d08b47372273cf+'<\\/a>';\n\t\t\n\n\t\n\n\tCA  Katrina Rill (650) 342-0300 / (650) 208-7441 cell\n\n\tKatrina.Rill@mail.house.gov\n\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById('cloaka90f673bb7c73df9ff1156383ea4da32').innerHTML = '';\n\t\t\t\tvar prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to';\n\t\t\t\tvar path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '=';\n\t\t\t\tvar addya90f673bb7c73df9ff1156383ea4da32 = 'Katrina.Rill' + '@';\n\t\t\t\taddya90f673bb7c73df9ff1156383ea4da32 = addya90f673bb7c73df9ff1156383ea4da32 + 'mail' + '.' + 'house' + '.' + 'gov';\n\t\t\t\tvar addy_texta90f673bb7c73df9ff1156383ea4da32 = 'Katrina.Rill' + '@' + 'mail' + '.' + 'house' + '.' + 'gov';document.getElementById('cloaka90f673bb7c73df9ff1156383ea4da32').innerHTML += ''+addy_texta90f673bb7c73df9ff1156383ea4da32+'<\\/a>';\n\t\t\n\n\t\n\n\tSAN MATEO - Congresswoman Jackie Speier, (D-San Francisco/San Mateo/Redwood City) issued the following statement today in response to President Obama's calling for a review of sexual assault in the military. The President directed Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey to report to him about the military's progress on resolving the crisis by Dec. 1, 2014.\n\n\t\n\n\tThe public and many in Congress now understand that the chain of command is the central challenge to addressing sexual assault, and we must have a full and vigorous debate and vote in Congress. Every day that we neglect to fundamentally reform the military justice system, 71 men and women that serve and protect us are raped or sexually assaulted. Survivors of these heinous crimes expect and deserve us to act now.\n\n\t\n\n\tI am encouraged by the President's commitment and focus to address the systemic issue of sexual assault in our military and look forward to continuing to work with the President and Secretary of Defense on this issue. The President made it clear that he demands a fair and just military judicial system for service members where punishments fit the crime. I believe that this requires leaving legal decisions to legal experts. I will continue to fight for this with every fiber of my being.\n\n\t\n\n\tOn April 17, 2013, Congresswoman Speier re-introduced the Sexual Assault Training Oversight and Prevention Act (STOP Act), which would take the reporting, oversight, investigation and victim care of sexual assaults out of the hands of the military's normal chain of command and place jurisdiction in the newly created, autonomous Sexual Assault Oversight and Response Office comprised of civilian and military experts. The bipartisan STOP Act has 148 co-sponsors.\n\n\t\n\n\t###\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\tCongresswoman Jackie Speier is proud to represent California's 14th Congressional District, which includes parts of San Francisco and San Mateo counties. She is a senior member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the House Armed Services Committee (HASC). In her role on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, the Congresswoman is a ranking member on the Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care, and Entitlements and serves on the Subcommittee on National Security. She serves on the Readiness Subcommittee and the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee on HASC and is a member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. Congresswoman Speier was appointed to serve as a Senior Whip for the Democratic caucus in the 113th Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://vargas.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-vargas-and-polis-fight-for-daca-individuals-eager-to-join-military", "Representatives Vargas and Polis Fight for DACA Individuals Eager to Join Military", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Juan Vargas", "V000130", "vargas.house.gov", "vargas", "https://vargas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC (December 20, 2013) \u2013Today, U.S. Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-51) and Jared Polis (CO-2) were joined by fellow Members of Congress in urging the Department of Defense to issue a memo allowing Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to enlist in all branches of the United States military. Currently, individuals who qualify for DACA are ineligible for service.\n\n\"By allowing DACA individuals to enlist, we not only ensure that all branches of our military remain fully staffed, but also give those who call the United States home an opportunity to defend their country,\" said Congressman Vargas. \"For many Deferred Action individuals, joining the military would be a way for them to give back to a country that has offered them wonderful opportunities and a bright future.\"\n\nWith a shortage of eligible candidates enlisting, the military is facing severe recruiting issues, particularly in the reserves. DACA individuals, who have already undergone extensive background checks and finished high school or received a high school equivalent, make an ideal pool of vetted candidates.\n\n\"For many young people brought to the United States before adulthood, America is the only place they've known as home,\" said Congressman Polis. \"I hope the Department of Defense seizes this opportunity to enlist interested Deferred Action individuals in all branches of our military and allow them to help keep our nation, and their home, safe.\"\n\n\"DACA individuals have spent the majority of their lives in the United States, many with no memory or tie to their country of origin,\" said Congressman Vargas. \"They view themselves as Americans, and as such, would be honored to serve their country and defend the land they call home.\"\n\nVargas represents California's 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California's entire US/Mexico border. Vargas is currently serving his first term in Congress. He represented the 40th California State Senate District from 2010-2012, the 79th California State Assembly District from 2000 \u2013 2006 and served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 \u2013 2000.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:40:02Z"], ["https://vargas.house.gov/media/press-releases/vargas-strategically-preserves-environmental-resources-and-strengthens-national-security", "Vargas Strategically Preserves Environmental Resources and Strengthens National Security", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Juan Vargas", "V000130", "vargas.house.gov", "vargas", "https://vargas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC (December 20, 2013) \u2013 Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) applauded Senate passage of H.R. 3304, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included a key provision he authored. The NDAA is now heading to the President's desk for signature.\n\nVargas' provision is based on H.R. 1691, \"Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range Transfer Act of 2013,'' that he introduced in April. By strategically attaching his bill's provisions to the NDAA, Rep. Vargas was able to effectively preserve crucial environmental resources in his district and strengthen national security.\n\n\"I am extremely proud that my legislation was included in the NDAA, which passed the Senate and is now making its way to the President's desk,\" stated Rep. Vargas. \"The Chocolate Mountain provision not only provides a much-needed management arrangement between the Bureau of Land Management and the Department of the Navy, but also preserves the environmental integrity of the land and supports our national security.\"\n\nVargas' provision transfers the administrative jurisdiction of the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range (CMAGR) from the Bureau of Land Management to the Secretary of the Navy. CMAGR, located within desert mountain terrain in Imperial and Riverside counties, supports numerous types of military training.\n\n\"The Department of the Navy appreciates that Congress is taking action to retain the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range (CMAGR),\" said a spokesperson from the Department of the Navy. \"This range is essential to the Marine Corps' current aviation training and readiness requirements and is used extensively by Naval Special Warfare units. It is the Marine Corps' premier Aerial Gunnery Range on the West Coast and retention will greatly enhance the ability of naval aviators in maintaining their combat superiority.\"\n\n\"Consolidating the land management under a sole federal agency will provide regulatory relief and certainty to the Department of the Navy, and allow the range to operate more efficiently while maintaining the spirit of the land withdrawal program,\" said Rep. Vargas.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:40:02Z"], ["https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cfpb-announces-billions-relief-homeowners", "CFPB Announces Billions in Relief to Homeowners", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Maxine Waters", "W000187", "waters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Following the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) announcement of a settlement with Ocwen Financial Corporation, the nation's largest nonbank mortgage loan servicer, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, lauded the CFPB's efforts to return millions of dollars to adversely affected consumers and billions more to mitigate foreclosures. Waters also pointed out that the CFPB's authority to supervise nonbanks was included at the urging of Democratic members of the Financial Services Committee as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act. CFPB entered into the settlement in partnership with state attorneys general. \nShe released the following statement:\n\"During the debate over the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act, Democrats worked hard to create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and pushed to give it the authority to supervise nonbanks' that provide services to consumers. As a result, nonbank mortgage servicing companies like Ocwen are, for the first time, subject to rules that ensure the fair treatment of their customers. Today's announcement underscores the importance of this authority. \nI'm pleased that the CFPB, in partnership with state attorneys general, is holding Ocwen accountable for consumer protection failures. Indeed, the list of transgressions against consumers is long, and includes actions such as robosigning, charging unauthorized fees, failing to provide accurate information and improperly denying loan modification requests, among many others. This settlement is a victory for those consumers who were adversely affected. It also sends a strong message to others in the industry, that consumers now have an advocate at the highest levels of government  with the power to fight for them.\"\nThe settlement will return $125 million to consumers who were subjected to these improper actions, and will require Ocwen to provide $2 billion in relief to its customers facing foreclosure through principal reduction.  \n  \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131231012012/http://lorettasanchez.house.gov:80/press-release/rep-sanchez-issues-statement-passing-viet-dzung", "REP. SANCHEZ ISSUES STATEMENT ON PASSING OF VIET DZUNG", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Loretta S\u00e1nchez", "S000030", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Garden Grove, Calif. - Rep. Loretta Sanchez (CA-46) today released the following statement on the passing of respected Orange County community member Viet Dzung.\n\"Today we lost Mr. Viet Dzung, a man who has devoted more than 30 years of service to the Orange County community and to the Vietnamese community abroad. He was known and respected as a composer, singer, philanthropist, community organizer, journalist, a master of ceremonies and host of Radio Bolsa. I personally know him as a human rights activist, who committed his life to the fight for freedom and democracy in Vietnam.\u00a0\n\"I send my thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy to Mr. Viet Dzung's family and the people who admired him. He will be missed.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140206212738/http://waxman.house.gov/rep-waxman-urges-renewal-legislation-protect-religious-minorities-iran", "Rep. Waxman Urges Renewal of Legislation to Protect Religious Minorities in Iran", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Henry Waxman", "W000215", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "December 20, 2013\n\u00a0\n\t\t\t\tThe Honorable Hal Rogers\n\t\t\t\tChairman\n\t\t\t\tCommittee on Appropriations\n\t\t\t\t\tH-305 The Capitol\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\tWashington, DC 20515\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThe Honorable Nita M. Lowey\n\t\t\t\tRanking Member\n\t\t\t\tCommittee on Appropriations\n\t\t\t\t1016 Longworth House Office Building\n\t\t\t\tWashington, DC 20515\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\tDear Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Lowey,\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We are writing to urge you to take swift action to once again extend the \u201cLautenberg Amendment,\u201d a critical tool available to threatened religious minorities trapped inside Iran who seek religious freedom and refuge in the United States.\u00a0 Congress included this provision in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2013, and must include it again in any continuing resolution to prevent a lapse that would place these persecuted minorities at great risk.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Lautenberg Amendment, first enacted as part of the 1989 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, established a presumption of refugee eligibility for historically persecuted groups in the former Soviet Union and Southeast Asia.\u00a0 Since 2003, the Lautenberg Amendment has been expanded to cover Iranian religious minorities facing persecution.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Today, the provision is more necessary than ever as Iranian Jews, Christians, and Baha\u2019is suffer systematic persecution and discrimination by the Iranian government.\u00a0 The State Department International Religious Freedom Report and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom have consistently designated Iran as a \u201cCountry of Particular Concern\u201d for chronic and systematic violations of religious freedom, and this year\u2019s report states that \u201creligious freedom in Iran deteriorated further from an already egregious situation.\u201d\u00a0 At a time when the Iranian regime continues its campaigns to demonize Jews and jail Baha'i leaders for their beliefs, the Lautenberg Amendment preserves a pathway to freedom that is a beacon of hope.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Without the safeguards provided by the Lautenberg Amendment, past experience has shown that safe transit countries like Austria would no longer be willing to provide visas to allow religious minorities to be processed on their soil. \u00a0With no U.S. Embassy in Tehran, persecuted religious minorities would be forced to flee to dangerous neighboring countries such as Pakistan, where religious minorities also face grave danger.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 We urge you to act in an expeditious manner to reauthorize the Lautenberg Amendment and thus preserve a safe and reliable mechanism for vulnerable religious minorities to escape harm\u2019s way.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221030036/http://speier.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1320:congresswoman-speier-responds-to-president-obama-on-military-sexual-assault-survivors-deserve-action-now&catid=20&Itemid=14", "Congresswoman Speier responds to President Obama on Military Sexual Assault: Survivors Deserve Action Now", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jackie Speier", "S001175", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Speier responds to President Obama on Military Sexual Assault: Survivors Deserve Action Now\t\t \n\n\tFor Immediate Release\n\n\tDecember 20, 2013\n\n\t\n\n\tContact:\n\n\tDC  Bill Silverfarb (202) 225-3531 / (202) 957-4340 cell\n\n\t\n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.\n \n\n\t\n\n\tCA  Katrina Rill (650) 342-0300 / (650) 208-7441 cell\n\n\t\n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.\n \n\n\t\n\n\tSAN MATEO - Congresswoman Jackie Speier, (D-San Francisco/San Mateo/Redwood City) issued the following statement today in response to President Obamas calling for a review of sexual assault in the military. The President directed Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey to report to him about the militarys progress on resolving the crisis by Dec. 1, 2014.\n\n\t\n\n\tThe public and many in Congress now understand that the chain of command is the central challenge to addressing sexual assault, and we must have a full and vigorous debate and vote in Congress. Every day that we neglect to fundamentally reform the military justice system, 71 men and women that serve and protect us are raped or sexually assaulted. Survivors of these heinous crimes expect and deserve us to act now.\n\n\t\n\n\tI am encouraged by the Presidents commitment and focus to address the systemic issue of sexual assault in our military and look forward to continuing to work with the President and Secretary of Defense on this issue. The President made it clear that he demands a fair and just military judicial system for service members where punishments fit the crime. I believe that this requires leaving legal decisions to legal experts. I will continue to fight for this with every fiber of my being.\n\n\t\n\n\tOn April 17, 2013, Congresswoman Speier re-introduced the Sexual Assault Training Oversight and Prevention Act (STOP Act), which would take the reporting, oversight, investigation and victim care of sexual assaults out of the hands of the militarys normal chain of command and place jurisdiction in the newly created, autonomous Sexual Assault Oversight and Response Office comprised of civilian and military experts. The bipartisan STOP Act has 148 co-sponsors.\n\n\t\n\n\t###\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\tCongresswoman Jackie Speier is proud to represent Californias 14th Congressional District, which includes parts of San Francisco and San Mateo counties. She is a senior member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the House Armed Services Committee (HASC). In her role on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, the Congresswoman is a ranking member on the Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care, and Entitlements and serves on the Subcommittee on National Security. She serves on the Readiness Subcommittee and the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee on HASC and is a member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. Congresswoman Speier was appointed to serve as a Senior Whip for the Democratic caucus in the 113th Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221205127/http://waters.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=366598", "Torrance resident receives top Congressional Award for youth", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Maxine Waters", "W000187", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Max Kaplan, a 20-year-old Ivy League student who graduated from South High School, has earned a gold Congressional Award medal, one of only 236 awarded this year nationwide.\nThe honor is the highest Congress can award to youths aged 14 to 23, South Bay Rep. Maxine Waters said in presenting Kaplan with the award at a ceremony held this week at Torrance City Hall. The event was held during Kaplan\u2019s holiday break from Princeton University because he was unable to attend a ceremony in June in the nation\u2019s capital.\n\u201cThis was a really cool experience and I appreciate Congress\u2019 role in this awesome honor,\u201d Kaplan said as his parents, Neil and Adele Kaplan, looked on.\nEarning the highest of six Congressional Award levels was a four-year process for the Princeton sophomore.\nTo earn one, participants set and achieve individual goals in four program areas: voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration.\nKaplan volunteered as one of six student delegates for the California State PTA Board of Managers who lobbied against state cuts in school funding.\n\u201cIn my family, education is a first priority,\u201d he said in an essay explaining his public service. \u201cAs a public school student, I see how education is also the cornerstone of community. Everyone is entitled to a quality education; our future depends on it, yet financial problems separate this quality from reality.\u201d\nKaplan spent the summer of 2009 interning at Carson-based Major League Soccer club Chivas USA. At age 15, he was the youngest-ever intern at the franchise.\nHe also improved his mile time by more than a minute while running cross-country in high school and organized a four-night camping trip for friends in Mammoth Lakes, his first overnight experience in the wilderness.\nKaplan was the lone South Bay recipient this year of a Congressional Award.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301050619/http://lorettasanchez.house.gov/press-release/rep-sanchez-praises-senate-passage-ndaa-and-president-obama%E2%80%99s-military-sexual-assault", "REP. SANCHEZ PRAISES SENATE PASSAGE OF NDAA AND PRESIDENT OBAMA\u2019S MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT REVIEW", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Loretta S\u00e1nchez", "S000030", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Garden Grove, Calif. \u2013 Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, Ranking Member of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee and co-founder of the Women in the Military Caucus today praised the Senate passage of the FY14 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill passed with an 85-15 vote and is expected to be signed by President Obama. Rep. Sanchez also commended the President for setting a deadline for the military to make significant progress on stopping sexual assault.\n\u201cI am glad the Senate passed this year\u2019s annual defense bill that includes my Track it to Prevent it Act, which holds commanders accountable for their unit\u2019s climate and strengthens their ability to prevent and respond to sexual assaults. It requires that sexual harassment complaints be permanently noted on a service member\u2019s record and that any new commander review that history. This prevents a perpetrator from running away from accusations and empowers commanders to prevent assault. The Act will also evaluate the efficacy of the office that currently handles harassment issues.\n\u201cThis year\u2019s NDAA also includes my provisions to increase oversight of spending to prevent waste. I look forward to the President\u2019s signature.\n\u201cI am also heartened to hear that President Obama has asked the military to report back in one year with a review of its work to prevent and respond to sexual assaults. Every year Congress asks for this report and I am pleased that the President is increasing the pressure and shining a spotlight on the problem.\n\u201cAs co-founder of the Women in the Military Caucus, I have been part of the long fight to address this issue. In 2006 we were able to reform the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to include a meaningful sexual assault statute, in 2009 we requested a Sexual Assault Database and every year Congress has asked for a review of the military\u2019s handling of the issue. The unprecedented reforms in this year\u2019s NDAA and the President\u2019s request are important steps forward in this ongoing effort, but it is by no means the end of the road. We will continue to persevere to protect our servicemen and women from these deplorable crimes.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301112441/http://ruiz.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=394", "Dr. Ruiz Joins Bipartisan Effort to Restore Veteran Retiree Benefit Cuts Included in the Bipartisan Budget Act", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Raul Ruiz", "R000599", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-Palm Desert) joined a group of bipartisan lawmakers in support of legislation that would restore cuts to military retiree cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) included in the Bipartisan Budget Act.\n\n\t  \n\t\u201cThe budget agreement was critical to averting another manufactured crisis and government shutdown but the bill contained COLA reductions for military retirees that I would not have supported outside of the context of the budget agreement. This legislation corrects a flaw in the Bipartisan Budget Act by restoring critical cost-of-living- adjustments to military pensions. I urge House leadership to take this bill up for a vote right away. As a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, it is a top priority of mine to ensure veterans in the Coachella Valley and across the country receive the benefits they have earned.\u201d\n\n\t\n\tClick here for text of the bill. \n\n\t  \n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20160907012513/http://speier.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1320:congresswoman-speier-responds-to-president-obama-on-military-sexual-assault-survivors-deserve-action-now&catid=20&Itemid=7", "Congresswoman Speier responds to President Obama on Military Sexual Assault: Survivors Deserve Action Now", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jackie Speier", "S001175", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "For Immediate Release\n\n\tDecember 20, 2013\n\n\t\n\n\tContact:\n\n\tDC  Bill Silverfarb (202) 225-3531 / (202) 957-4340 cell\n\n\tThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.\n\n\t\n\n\tCA  Katrina Rill (650) 342-0300 / (650) 208-7441 cell\n\n\tThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.\n\n\t\n\n\tSAN MATEO - Congresswoman Jackie Speier, (D-San Francisco/San Mateo/Redwood City) issued the following statement today in response to President Obamas calling for a review of sexual assault in the military. The President directed Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey to report to him about the militarys progress on resolving the crisis by Dec. 1, 2014.\n\n\t\n\n\tThe public and many in Congress now understand that the chain of command is the central challenge to addressing sexual assault, and we must have a full and vigorous debate and vote in Congress. Every day that we neglect to fundamentally reform the military justice system, 71 men and women that serve and protect us are raped or sexually assaulted. Survivors of these heinous crimes expect and deserve us to act now.\n\n\t\n\n\tI am encouraged by the Presidents commitment and focus to address the systemic issue of sexual assault in our military and look forward to continuing to work with the President and Secretary of Defense on this issue. The President made it clear that he demands a fair and just military judicial system for service members where punishments fit the crime. I believe that this requires leaving legal decisions to legal experts. I will continue to fight for this with every fiber of my being.\n\n\t\n\n\tOn April 17, 2013, Congresswoman Speier re-introduced the Sexual Assault Training Oversight and Prevention Act (STOP Act), which would take the reporting, oversight, investigation and victim care of sexual assaults out of the hands of the militarys normal chain of command and place jurisdiction in the newly created, autonomous Sexual Assault Oversight and Response Office comprised of civilian and military experts. The bipartisan STOP Act has 148 co-sponsors.\n\n\t\n\n\t###\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\tCongresswoman Jackie Speier is proud to represent Californias 14th Congressional District, which includes parts of San Francisco and San Mateo counties. She is a senior member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the House Armed Services Committee (HASC). In her role on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, the Congresswoman is a ranking member on the Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care, and Entitlements and serves on the Subcommittee on National Security. She serves on the Readiness Subcommittee and the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee on HASC and is a member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. Congresswoman Speier was appointed to serve as a Senior Whip for the Democratic caucus in the 113th Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://garamendi.house.gov/press-release/sacramento-based-siemens-locomotive-manufacturing-facility-scores-big-new-bid-good", "Sacramento-Based Siemens Locomotive Manufacturing Facility Scores Big New Bid, Good News for Jobs in Region", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "John Garamendi", "G000559", "garamendi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WALNUT GROVE, CA \u2013 Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), a Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and a leading voice for Make It In America policies to rebuild America\u2019s manufacturing sector, today congratulated Siemens USA in Sacramento on successfully securing a multi-state 125 mph diesel electric locomotive Notice of Intent to Award. The trains were bulk ordered on behalf of the Departments of Transportation from California, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, and Washington.\nThe new locomotives will achieve a maximum speed of 125 mph and meet new Federal Tier 4 emissions standards, the cleanest to date. The Notice of Intent to Award means a potential vendor (Siemens) has been identified. A contract still needs to be awarded before the purchase can proceed.\nCongressman Garamendi joined a support letter in April 2012 to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials urging them to reject a proposal from the Senate to lower the congressionally approved Next Generation Equipment Committee\u2019s requirement that new diesel-electric passenger locomotives be capable of operating at a sustained speed of 125 mph. The Senate proposal would have lowered the requirement to 110 mph, an idea that was ultimately rejected thanks to leadership in the House from Garamendi and other leaders.\n\u201cWhen Congress passed the Recovery Act in the midst of the Great Recession in 2008, they wisely required that all transportation projects funded with that money must go back to American manufacturers. Siemens USA in Sacramento was thus born, and with this announcement, we\u2019re continuing to see the fruits of smart public policy,\u201d said Congressman Garamendi. \u201cI\u2019m happy for every American who will have a job thanks to this contract and happy for the commuters who will get to ride these state-of-the-art locomotives. Let\u2019s replicate this tremendous success story and require that all future transportation projects paid for with taxpayer dollars must Make It In America.\u201d\n\"We are extremely proud to have been selected as a rolling stock partner to help bring the next era of passenger rail service to Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, California and Washington State,\" said Michael Cahill, president of Siemens Rail Systems in the U.S.\u00a0 \"Leveraging Siemens\u2019 proven rail expertise and technology, we look forward to building the most energy-efficient, advanced technology, diesel-electric locomotives in North America at our solar-powered transportation manufacturing facility in Sacramento, California.\"\n\u201cThis award creates jobs, spurs economic growth and further lays the foundation for a sustainable, long-term passenger rail network in the United States,\u201d U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said. \u201cWe\u2019re proud to make investments in the next generation of passenger locomotives that will be built in the United States by the hands of American workers and will provide faster, safer and more reliable intercity passenger service.\u201d\u00a0\nAbout the Award\nThe Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) allocated $808 million to fund the manufacturing of the next generation of passenger rail equipment including approximately 35 new locomotives and 130 bi-level rail cars. The locomotives will meet the standards developed by Amtrak, states, FRA and rail industry experts under the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008. The locomotives and all of their component parts will be built in the United States by American workers in Sacramento, California. The project will retain and create jobs in several states across the country.\nAbout Siemens\u2019 Diesel Electric Locomotive\nSiemens Rail Systems is bringing one of the most modern and efficient passenger rail, diesel electric locomotives in the world to the U.S. marketplace.\u00a0Cummins' QSK95 diesel engines will be used in Siemens' diesel electric locomotives in the U.S., resulting in one of the most energy-efficient, lightweight, smart, diesel electric locomotives available today in North America.\nLeveraging Siemens\u2019 proven rail technology, these locomotives will be designed and built specifically for today's new train passenger, providing a smoother, more reliable and more energy-efficient riding experience.\u00a0The state-of-the-art locomotives will also deploy a new engine aftertreatment system that will deliver a cleaner ride with better air quality and reduced emission rates. Importantly, these smarter, lighter trains are being developed with passenger and crew safety top-of-mind.\nTo further boost American manufacturing through investment in rail, the locomotives will be built and assembled at Siemens' solar-powered transportation manufacturing facility in Sacramento, California.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://vargas.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-juan-santa-claus-vargas-makes-a-surprise-visit-to-children-at-head", "Rep. Juan \u201cSanta Claus\u201d Vargas Makes a Surprise Visit to Children at Head Start Center", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Juan Vargas", "V000130", "vargas.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "National City, CA (December 19, 2013) \u2013Today Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) dressed up as jolly old Saint Nicholas and visited nearly 100 children at the Neighborhood House Association Urban Village I Head Start Center. As part of a holiday tradition, Rep. Vargas selects a Head Start, surprises the children as Santa, reads them stories and poses for photos.\n\u201cSpending time with the children of Head Start is one of my favorite things to do during the holiday season,\u201d said Rep. Vargas. \u201cIt is a heartwarming experience to see all of their faces light up as \u2018Santa Claus\u2019 walks through the door. These moments are a gift to me as much as they are a gift to the kids.\u00a0 I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to volunteer my time to them each year.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \nRep. Vargas, as Santa, with the children of the Urban Village I Head Start Center\n\u00a0\n\u201cNeighborhood House Association is honored to have Congressman Juan Vargas visit our Urban Village I Head Start Center,\u201d said Rudolph A. Johnson III, President and CEO of Neighborhood House Association. \u201cThe holidays can be a challenging time for families and the efforts of the Congressman are a great way to bring holiday cheer. NHA appreciates the support Congressman Juan Vargas has provided to NHA families over the years, and for his efforts in reaching out to our communities.\u201d\nHead Start is a federal program designed to prepare young children in low-income families to be successful in school by developing their cognitive, social, and emotional skills. The Neighborhood House Association in particular is the largest multi-purpose human services organization in San Diego County. It serves thousands of children and families every year through a variety of programs, including Head Start.\u00a0\n\u201cI believe it is critical to invest in our nation\u2019s youth through programs such as Head Start,\u201d Rep. Vargas said. \u201cChildren from all backgrounds should have an equal opportunity for a successful future. Head Start programs help make that possible by allowing these children to develop important foundational skills at an early age.\u201d\nVargas represents California\u2019s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California\u2019s entire US/Mexico border.\u00a0 Vargas is currently serving his first term in Congress.\u00a0 He represented the 40th California State Senate District from 2010-2012, the 79th California State Assembly District from 2000 \u2013 2006 and served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 \u2013 2000.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/feinstein-in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=182c334e-38c2-43f8-9d95-80b3b9c89d39", "Feinstein urges cooperation to restore passenger levels at Ontario airport - Los Angeles Times", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on Thursday called on Los Angeles and Inland Empire officials to work together to restore the economic health of LA/Ontario International Airport, which has lost more than 40% of its passengers since 2007.\r\n\r\nIn a letter to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Feinstein noted that almost half the flights at the once fast-growing airport have been eliminated, causing gates to shutdown, concessions to leave and significant job losses.\r\n\r\n\"I have heard deep concerns from many business and community leaders that the decline of Ontario International Airport traffic will have a long lasting, negative regional impact on the Inland Empire,\" Feinstein wrote.\r\n\r\nSince 2007, the number of passengers at Ontario have plummeted from 7.2 million to about 4.3 million in 2012. At the current rate, the level could fall below 4 million this year.\r\n\r\nOfficials for Los Angeles World Airports, the operator of Ontario, blame the drop on the recession, which forced airlines to move to larger airports, such as Los Angeles International.\r\n\r\nInland Empire officials, who are seeking to gain control of the airport, claim that poor management, severe advertising cutbacks and little progress to lower some of the highest airline costs in the region have significantly contributed to the decline.\r\n\r\nThey have sued Los Angeles World Airports, claiming the agency has reneged on a longstanding agreement to do its best to develop airline service at the facility.\r\n\r\nThe lawsuit has been halted temporarily so talks could resume related to a possible transfer of ownership from Los Angeles to the Ontario International Airport Authority.\r\n\r\n\"We are grateful to Sen. Feinstein for engaging on this vital issue that has united all of Southern California,\" said Ontario City Councilman Alan Wapner. \"We look forward to productive negotiations with Mayor Garcetti.\"\r\n\r\nFeinstein noted that many airports across the nation and California have made significant progress in their recoveries from the economic downturn, even those with challenges similar to Ontario's.\r\n\r\nThose airports, she stated, have worked with local business leaders, transit agencies and governments to improve transportation access, reach out to new carriers, waive fees for airlines and offer other incentives to attracts service.\r\n\r\nThe senator has discussed the airport's continuing decline with Inland Empire mayors, county supervisors and community leaders.\r\n\r\nLos Angeles officials say they have worked to reduce airline costs by cutting expenses and staff at Ontario. They also have begun marketing, advertising and incentive programs to try to attract more air service.\r\n\r\nFeinstein noted that the recently initiated programs appear to be bearing some fruit. United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, AeroMexico and Volaris have added some capacity, she stated, demonstrating that Ontario's traffic can be restored.\r\n\r\nDespite those programs, airport statistics show that Ontario's passenger volume is down about 8.7% so far this year and additional losses of service are predicted for 2014. Inland Empire officials have asserted in the past that the initiatives by Los Angeles are too little too late.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=b728f990-8e3c-4b1f-b085-36ff4c15d3f2", "Feinstein Urges LA to Help Revive Ontario Airport, Inland Empire Economy", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington\u2014Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is urging cooperation between Los Angeles and Inland Empire leaders to restore the economic health of Ontario International Airport (ONT).\r\n\r\nIn a letter to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Feinstein indicated that between 2007 and 2012, ONT lost 49 percent of its flights, causing gates to shut down, concession to leave and significant job losses.\r\n\r\nFeinstein wrote: \u201cI have heard deep concerns from many business and community leaders that the decline of Ontario International Airport traffic will have a long lasting, negative regional impact on the Inland Empire. I urge you to reach out to Inland Empire leaders to develop a cooperative strategy to address the challenges at the airport.\r\n\r\n\u201cMany airports across the Nation and in California have made significant progress in their recovery since the recession. Airports with similar challenges to Ontario have worked with local business leaders, transit agencies, and governments to put plans together to improve transportation access, reach out to new carriers, waive fees and offer other incentives to attract international service, and market the strengths of their facilities,\u201d Feinstein added.\r\n\r\nFull text of the letter follows:\r\n\r\nDecember 18, 2013\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Eric Garcetti  Mayor, City of Los Angeles  City Hall  200 North Spring Street, Room 300  Los Angeles, California 90012\r\n\r\nDear Mayor Garcetti:\r\n\r\nI am writing to request your involvement and ultimately your leadership to restore Ontario International Airport (\u201cONT\u201d) to economic health. I have heard deep concerns from many business and community leaders that the decline of ONT traffic will have a long lasting, negative regional impact on the Inland Empire. I urge you to reach out to Inland Empire leaders to develop a cooperative strategy to address the challenges at the airport.\r\n\r\nInland Empire Mayors, County Supervisors, and community leaders have approached me and my staff expressing their deep concern over economic growth in the area. The region has been greatly affected by the economic downturn, and unemployment remains around 11 percent. Many Inland Empire leaders inform me that they are eager to work with you to restore ONT as a successful transportation hub and economic driver for the region.\r\n\r\nAs I am sure you are aware, ONT continues to struggle \u2013 gates are shutting down, concessions are leaving, and jobs are being lost. Between 2007 and 2012, ONT lost 49 percent of its flights, the largest drop of any airport in California, while average fares have risen 17 percent since 2010. To cover costs, per passenger fees are among the highest in the nation.\r\n\r\nMany airports across the Nation and in California have made significant progress in their recovery since the recession. Airports with similar challenges to Ontario have worked with local business leaders, transit agencies, and governments to put plans together to improve transportation access, reach out to new carriers, waive fees and offer other incentives to attract international service, and market the strengths of their facilities.\r\n\r\nRecently initiated marketing and fee waiver incentive programs modeled on the successful efforts of other airports appear to be bearing fruit at ONT. Service expansions at ONT by United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, AeroMexico, and Volaris demonstrate that ONT traffic can be restored.\r\n\r\nI am optimistic that cooperation between you and Inland Empire leaders will turn around ONT. I urge you to exhaust all options and to sit down with leaders in Ontario and the County of San Bernardino to bring Ontario Airport back to economic vitality.\r\n\r\nThank you for your time and consideration to this matter. Please know you can count on me and my staff to help in any way we can.\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\n\r\nDianne Feinstein  United States Senator\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-on-violence-in-south-sudan", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Violence in South Sudan", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.19.13\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Violence in South Sudan  \n\t\t\tDecember 19, 2013  \r\n\tContact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661\r\nWashington, D.C. Today, Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Sudan and South Sudan, Reps. Caupano, Lee, McCaul, and Wolf, released the following statement regarding recent revelations of violence in South Sudan:\r\nAs the co-chairs of the Sudan Caucus, we urge all leaders in South Sudan to show restraint and put an immediate end to the tragic violence in Juba and elsewhere in the country. We are deeply concerned about the violence and killings that havespread across Juba over the past few days, as well as the internal displacement caused by the unrest. We call upon President Kiir and his government to allow unfettered distribution of vital humanitarian assistance. We urge all who have resorted to force to rededicate themselves to the democratic ideals which South Sudan has long strived toward, including the freedoms of assembly and association, as well as respect for other basic human rights.\r\n###\r\nFollow Barbara Lee on Facebook and Twitter at @RepBarbaraLee. To learn more, visit lee.house.gov. \r\nCongresswoman Barbara Lee is a former Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and currently serves as CPC Whip and Chair of the Task Force on Global Peace and Security.\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://vargas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-juan-santa-claus-vargas-makes-a-surprise-visit-to-children-at-head-start-center", "Rep. Juan \u201cSanta Claus\u201d Vargas Makes a Surprise Visit to Children at Head Start Center", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Juan Vargas", "V000130", "vargas.house.gov", "vargas", "https://vargas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "National City, CA (December 19, 2013) \u2013Today Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) dressed up as jolly old Saint Nicholas and visited nearly 100 children at the Neighborhood House Association Urban Village I Head Start Center. As part of a holiday tradition, Rep. Vargas selects a Head Start, surprises the children as Santa, reads them stories and poses for photos.\n\n\"Spending time with the children of Head Start is one of my favorite things to do during the holiday season,\" said Rep. Vargas. \"It is a heartwarming experience to see all of their faces light up as \u2018Santa Claus' walks through the door. These moments are a gift to me as much as they are a gift to the kids. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to volunteer my time to them each year.\"\n\nRep. Vargas, as Santa, with the children of the Urban Village I Head Start Center\n\n\"Neighborhood House Association is honored to have Congressman Juan Vargas visit our Urban Village I Head Start Center,\" said Rudolph A. Johnson III, President and CEO of Neighborhood House Association. \"The holidays can be a challenging time for families and the efforts of the Congressman are a great way to bring holiday cheer. NHA appreciates the support Congressman Juan Vargas has provided to NHA families over the years, and for his efforts in reaching out to our communities.\"\n\nHead Start is a federal program designed to prepare young children in low-income families to be successful in school by developing their cognitive, social, and emotional skills. The Neighborhood House Association in particular is the largest multi-purpose human services organization in San Diego County. It serves thousands of children and families every year through a variety of programs, including Head Start.\n\n\"I believe it is critical to invest in our nation's youth through programs such as Head Start,\" Rep. Vargas said. \"Children from all backgrounds should have an equal opportunity for a successful future. Head Start programs help make that possible by allowing these children to develop important foundational skills at an early age.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:40:02Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140111071308/http://waxman.house.gov:80/press-release/rep-waxman-questions-tribune-company-future-plans-los-angeles-times", "Rep. Waxman Questions Tribune Company on Future Plans for the Los Angeles Times", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Henry Waxman", "W000215", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Today Rep. Henry A. Waxman sent a letter to Tribune Company President and CEO Peter Liguori expressing concerns about the Tribune Company\u2019s future plans for the Los Angeles Times.\u00a0 The Los Angeles Times is the largest metropolitan newspaper in the country, serving as the primary source of news for millions of people in Southern California.\u00a0\nRecent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission indicate that the Tribune Company intends to spin off its newspaper unit, which includes the Los Angeles Times.\u00a0 The newspaper unit will be required to pay an undetermined cash dividend to the Tribune Company funding exclusively through borrowing, and the Los Angeles Times will have to pay rent to the Tribune Company to occupy the paper\u2019s own building.\nIn the letter, Rep. Waxman writes, \u201cI am writing on behalf of my constituents who rely daily on the Los Angeles Times for their national news and local reporting.\u00a0 I am concerned that corporate actions the Tribune Company is taking may not be in the best interests of the Los Angeles Times.\u201d\nThe full text of the letter is available below and online here.\nDecember 19, 2013 Mr. Peter Liguori  \n\tPresident and Chief Executive Officer  \n\tTribune Company  \n\t435 North Michigan Avenue  \n\tChicago, IL 60611\nDear Mr. Liguori:\n  \n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I am writing on behalf of my constituents who rely daily on the Los Angeles Times for their national news and local reporting.\u00a0 I am concerned that corporate actions the Tribune Company is taking may not be in the best interests of the Los Angeles Times.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 First published in 1881, the Los Angeles Times is the largest metropolitan newspaper in the United States.[1]\u00a0 Millions of people in Southern California and throughout the country use the Los Angeles Times as their primary source of distinguished and reliable news gathering and reporting.\u00a0 Since 1942, the Los Angeles Times has won 41 Pulitzer Prizes, six of which are gold medals for public service.[2]\u00a0 It is in the interests of both Southern California and the nation that the Los Angeles Times remain a vibrant news source.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In recent years, the Los Angeles Times has suffered as Tribune Company reduced staffing levels by approximately 900 positions in 2012, 560 positions in 2011, and 360 positions in 2010.[3]\u00a0 In November, the Tribune Company announced to its staff it intended to further lay off 700 employees, representing an additional cut of 6% of its workforce.[4]\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Now the difficulties faced by the Los Angeles Times may get worse.\u00a0 According to paperwork filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 9, 2013, the Tribune Company intends to spin off its newspaper unit, which includes the Los Angeles Times.[5]\u00a0 According to the filing, the newspaper unit would be required to pay an undetermined cash dividend to the Tribune Company funded exclusively through borrowing.[6]\u00a0 And the historic Los Angeles Times building will become the property of the Tribune Company, with the newspaper paying money to rent its own facility.[7]\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I recognize that recent years have been difficult for the newspaper industry.\u00a0 There have been layoffs throughout the industry, so I understand that cost-cutting at the Los Angeles Times may have been unavoidable.\u00a0 But I have questions about how the terms of the spin-off could affect the future of the Los Angeles Times.\u00a0 The requirement that the newspaper unit go into debt to pay a cash dividend to the Tribune Company will undoubtedly enrich the Tribune Company, but it may do so at the expense of the financial health of the Los Angeles Times and the other papers in the newspaper unit, all of which are already facing financial strains.\u00a0 Some have described the obligation of the Los Angeles Times to pay rent to the Tribune Company to occupy the paper\u2019s own building as tantamount to \u201clife as a corporate orphan.\u201d[8]\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I would like to learn more about the transaction you are proposing and how it will impact the Los Angeles Times and my constituents.\u00a0 I ask that company officials knowledgeable about the transaction contact Shawn Chang on my staff to schedule a briefing on why the transaction was structured this way and what the ramifications will be for one of the nation\u2019s most important sources of news.\u00a0\nSincerely,\nHenry A. Waxman\n    \n\t\t[1] The Times\u2019 128-year history, Los Angeles Times (online at www.latimes.com/about/mediagroup/la-mediacenter-milestones,0,1502162.story#axzz2nlWqS6b4).\n\t\n\t\n\t\t[2] Times\u2019 Pulitzer Prizes, Los Angeles Times (online at www.latimes.com/la-mediagroup-pulitzers,0,737028.htmlstory#axzz2nlWqS6b4).\n\t\n\t\n\t\t[3] Securities and Exchange Commission, Tribune Publishing Company \u2013 Form 10 General Form for Registration of Securities Pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Dec. 9, 2013).\n\t\n\t\n\t\t[4] Tribune Company to Cut 700 Newspaper Employees, New York Times (Nov. 20, 2013).\n\t\n\t\n\t\t[5] Securities and Exchange Commission, Tribune Publishing Company \u2013 Form 10 General Form for Registration of Securities Pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Dec. 9, 2013).\n\t\n\t\n\t\t[6] Securities and Exchange Commission, Tribune Publishing Company \u2013 Form 10 General Form for Registration of Securities Pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Dec. 9, 2013).\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t[8] LA Times now a renter in its own building, LA Observed (Dec. 11, 2013) (online at www.laobserved.com/archive/2013/12/la_times_now_a_renter_in.php).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221220553/http://waters.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=366751", "Congresswoman Waters Urges Airport Security Improvements", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Maxine Waters", "W000187", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) sent a letter to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John Pistole, expressing concerns about airport security in the aftermath of the tragic shooting incident at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).\u00a0 Copies of her letter were sent to Rep. Michael McCaul, Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee; Rep. Bennie Thompson, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee; Rep. Richard Hudson, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security; and Rep. Cedric Richmond, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.\nThe text of her letter follows:\n\"I write you today to express the importance of having law enforcement officers stationed within 300 feet of TSA passenger screening checkpoints and the need for airport police to have access to all airport security cameras.\u00a0 \n\"It is my understanding that these two security recommendations were included in a September 2012 letter to you signed by Mr. Marshall McClain, President of the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association (LAAPOA). In the aftermath of the tragic shooting incident at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), I am deeply concerned that these issues have yet to be addressed by TSA. I expressed the importance of implementing these security recommendations in my statement during the House Homeland Security Committee Subcommittee on Transportation Security hearing entitled \u201cTSA\u2019s SPOT Program and Initial Lessons from the LAX Shooting,\u201d on November 14, 2013. I believe that these recommendations will play a vital role in ensuring that all travelers and airport employees are safe in our nation\u2019s airports. \n\"As the Member of Congress who represents LAX, the safety and security of all of the people who work in and pass through LAX is of paramount importance to me.\u00a0\u00a0 Following the tragic shooting incident at the airport, I met with representatives from the American Alliance of Airport Police Officers (AAAPO), including the Presidents of LAAPOA and the police associations of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports) and Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) airport, to discuss suggestions for addressing serious security gaps in our nation\u2019s airport system.\u00a0 We all agreed that requiring a law enforcement officer to be located within 300 feet of a TSA passenger screening checkpoint and requiring airport police to have access to all airport security cameras are sensible and cost-effective steps that will significantly enhance the security of all major airports across the nation. \"In this regard, I urge you to immediately revisit and reevaluate the proposals put forth by the AAAPO in their letter to you dated September 28, 2012, which I have enclosed for your reference.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\"Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.\u00a0 I look forward to your response.\"\n### \u200b", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221222939/http://waters.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364990", "CFPB Announces Billions in Relief to Homeowners", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Maxine Waters", "W000187", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Following the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau\u2019s (CFPB) announcement of a settlement with Ocwen Financial Corporation, the nation\u2019s largest nonbank mortgage loan servicer, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, lauded the CFPB\u2019s efforts to return millions of dollars to adversely affected consumers and billions more to mitigate foreclosures. Waters also pointed out that the CFPB\u2019s authority to supervise nonbanks was included at the urging of Democratic members of the Financial Services Committee as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act. CFPB entered into the settlement in partnership with state attorneys general.\u00a0 \nShe released the following statement:\n\u201cDuring the debate over the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act, Democrats worked hard to create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and pushed to give it the authority to supervise \u2018nonbanks\u2019 that provide services to consumers.\u00a0 As a result, nonbank mortgage servicing companies like Ocwen are, for the first time, subject to rules that ensure the fair treatment of their customers. Today\u2019s announcement underscores the importance of this authority. \nI\u2019m pleased that the CFPB, in partnership with state attorneys general, is holding Ocwen accountable for consumer protection failures. Indeed, the list of transgressions against consumers is long, and includes actions such as robosigning, charging unauthorized fees, failing to provide accurate information and improperly denying loan modification requests, among many others. This settlement is a victory for those consumers who were adversely affected. It also sends a strong message to others in the industry, that consumers now have an advocate at the highest levels of government \u2013 with the power to fight for them.\u201d\nThe settlement will return $125 million to consumers who were subjected to these improper actions, and will require Ocwen to provide $2 billion in relief to its customers facing foreclosure through principal reduction.  \n\u00a0  \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/huffman-to-fcc-improve-broadband-internet-capacity-in-north-coast", "Huffman to FCC: Improve Broadband Internet Capacity In North Coast Schools", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jared Huffman", "H001068", "huffman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00ac\u2014Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), along with over two dozen colleagues including Representatives Jared Polis (D-CO), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Chris Gibson (R-NY), and Don Young (R-AK), urged the FCC to modernize the federal E-rate program to better help connect schools and libraries to affordable, high-speed broadband internet access.\nE-rate provides discounts of up to 90 percent to help schools and libraries throughout the United States obtain affordable telecommunications and internet access. However, in many cases the infrastructure or technology previously provided through the E-rate program is now obsolete by today\u2019s standards, preventing schools in rural areas from using modern learning technologies.\n\u201cE-rate was critical to bringing basic internet connection to schools on the North Coast and in rural areas across the United States, but the program hasn\u2019t kept pace with changing technology,\u201d Congressman Huffman said. \u201cModernizing the E-rate program will improve collaboration in the classroom, allow students and teachers to access cutting-edge educational tools and material from around the world, and help schools prepare students for tomorrow\u2019s job market.\u201d\n\u201cAdequate broadband is an equity issue that must be achieved to ensure that all students, rural , remote and urban, have the opportunity to receive a quality education to graduate from high school college and career ready,\u201d said Paul Tichinin, Superintendent, Mendocino County Office of Education.\n\u201cWe appreciate Congress taking a strong stance in favor of reform and helping to strengthen this important program that increases high-speed broadband for our rural schools, libraries, and underserved neighborhood,\u201d said Jim Moorehead, chair of the Broadband Alliance of Mendocino County.\nThe average American school has about the same bandwidth as the average American home, but with 200 times as many users. Currently, 72% of American schools do not have the Internet infrastructure they need to take advantage of digital learning opportunities, and fewer than 1% have the infrastructure they will need in the future.\nThe lawmakers urge the FCC to:\n1. Focus E-rate on broadband connectivity and infrastructure, and limit support for outdated dial-up era technologies or pager services\n2. Create a one-time upgrade fund within the E-rate program, to connect every school and library to high-speed broadband\n3. Increase transparency and accountability for the program in order to reduce costs and improve efficiency\n4. Simplify and streamline onerous paperwork requirements to improve program efficiency\n\u201cThe district I represent in Upstate New York is largely rural, making increased access to broadband a priority of mine in Congress. I am pleased to be partnering with a bipartisan group of members to improve education through broadband expansion. If our children are going to compete in the 21st century workforce, they must have access to 21st century resources and I look forward to continuing to work with Rep. Huffman to make that a reality,\u201d said Rep. Gibson (R-NY).\n\u201cAt a time in which technology is transforming so many aspects of our lives, too many schools do not have access to the connectivity they need to take advantage of the opportunities that digital learning presents,\u201d said Rep. Polis (D-CO). \u201cIt is time for the FCC to act to improve, modernize, and streamline the E-Rate program in order to bring high-speed broadband to every classroom and personalize learning for every student.\u201d\nA copy of the letter may be found below:\nFederal Communications Commission  \n\t445 12th Street, SW  \n\tWashington, DC 20554\nDear Chairman Wheeler, Commissioner Clyburn, Commissioner O\u2019Rielly, Commissioner Rosenworcel, and Commissioner Pai:\nAs Members of Congress concerned with improving our education system and preparing students for the jobs of the future, we are writing to urge swift action to improve and modernize the E-rate program in order to help connect our nation\u2019s schools with high-speed broadband over the next five years. This critical update will ensure every school has the ability to accelerate next-generation education reforms, support teachers, and enhance student learning. We believe this is an important step we can take to provide our children with high-quality digital learning opportunities in order to improve student outcomes and prepare them to succeed in a 21st century economy.\nImproving our children\u2019s ability to take advantage of learning technologies has always been a bipartisan endeavor, as has been the E-rate program itself. We are proud to support the bipartisan recommendations to update E-rate and we call for those across the education, government, and business communities to recognize the opportunity we have to improve and modernize our schools. Therefore, we ask the Commission for swift action to bring high-speed broadband to our students on an expedited basis.\nClosing the education gap means ensuring that our schools and libraries have access to digital learning opportunities that require high-speed broadband. However, too many of our children are currently trying to learn skills for tomorrow with outdated infrastructure from the past. While the E-rate program was enormously successful in bringing basic telephone and broadband to schools and classrooms, the connectivity provided is no longer sufficient. The average American school has about the same bandwidth as the average American home, but with 200 times as many users. Therefore, 72% of our schools do not have the Internet infrastructure they need to take advantage of digital learning opportunities today, and fewer than 1% have the infrastructure they will need in the future.\nIn an age when high-speed broadband is transforming almost every aspect of our lives, we must extend digital opportunities to every classroom. This is particularly crucial in rural areas, where students are less likely to have the speeds and infrastructure they need to take advantage of new technologies and high-quality educational content. Forty million of our nation\u2019s students\u2014the next generation of talent in the United States\u2014are being left behind without the speeds they need to succeed. As Commissioner Ajit Pai has noted, \u201cToday, too many kids walk off the school bus, only to walk decades into the past. This is unacceptable. \u2026 Parents are right to expect that schools will help prepare their children for the America of tomorrow, and they know that can\u2019t happen in the classroom of yesterday.\u201d\nExperts agree that to enable students to take full advantage of digital learning, America\u2019s schools should aim for 100 Mbps of bandwidth or more for every 1,000 students and staff members today, and 1 Gbps by 2017. In today\u2019s global economy, these high speeds aren\u2019t just an educational imperative, but a competitive necessity. Test results released this month show that American students still lag far behind countries like China, South Korea, Japan, Switzerland, and the Netherlands in math, reading, and science. It\u2019s no longer enough just to compete for jobs; we have to compete for higher educational outcomes enabled by higher broadband speeds.\nThis means we need to: (1) Focus E-rate on broadband connectivity and infrastructure to ensure that we maximize the impact of the program on learning by limiting support for yesterday\u2019s outdated dial-up era technologies; (2) Create an upgrade fund within the E-rate program to connect every school and library, particularly those in rural areas, to high-speed broadband; (3) Increase transparency and accountability for the program in order to reduce costs, research effective practices, and ensure that all students have access to the connectivity they need; and (4) Simplify and streamline onerous paperwork requirements to improve program efficiency. These reforms will make possible strategic investments to deploy high-speed broadband to schools and classrooms across the country.\nWe simply cannot prepare our kids to compete for 21st century jobs by leaving them stranded with age-old technologies. Therefore, we ask you to support swift action to modernize and expand the E-rate program to bring transformative learning opportunities to every school in America.\nSincerely,\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-statement-death-armenian-soldier", "Costa Statement on Death of Armenian Soldier", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jim Costa", "C001059", "costa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FRESNO, CA Rep. Jim Costa released the following statement in response to news that Azerbaijani troops had killed an Armenian soldier,Hrant Poghosyan,along the border of Nagorno-Karabakh.\n\n\tI am appalled to learn of yet another murder of an Armenian solider in an unprovoked attack by Azerbaijani troops against Armenian forces, said Costa. This tragic bloodshed follows the Azerbaijani government's heroic treatment of Ramil Safarov  the Azerbaijani military officer who savagely killed an Armenian solider. Azerbaijan, its military, and the perpetrator of this heinous crime must be held accountable for their actions and brought to justice.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://swalwell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/swalwell-announces-15-million-federal-grant-hayward-small-business", "Swalwell Announces $1.5 Million Federal Grant for Hayward Small Business", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Eric Swalwell", "S001193", "swalwell.house.gov", "swalwell", "https://swalwell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", null, 0, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140121104717/http://napolitano.house.gov:80/press-release/rep-napolitano-holds-free-healthcare-enrollment-event", "Rep. Napolitano Holds Free Healthcare Enrollment Event", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Grace Napolitano", "N000179", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "(El Monte, CA) On Saturday, December 14, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32) hosted a free healthcare enrollment event for residents of the 32nd District to sign up for health coverage through Covered California or Medi-Cal. The event was held at Lambert Park Auditorium in El Monte.\n\u201cIt is wonderful to be here, and I want to express my gratitude to the city of El Monte and all the staff that helped put this together,\u201d Napolitano said. \u201cThe last day to enroll is December 23, so be sure to remind your family, friends, and neighbors so that they are covered. We are encouraged by today\u2019s attendance, and we will continue to hold events to connect constituents with service providers.\u201d\nSpecial guest California State Senator Ed Hernandez (SD-24) joined Congresswoman Napolitano in El Monte to encourage enrollment in healthcare.\n\u201cIt is great to work with Congresswoman Napolitano to make these services available to our constituents,\u201d said Senator Hernandez.\u00a0\u201cWe are here today to help you sign up for coverage. Do not be afraid of signing up. This is something that is very important. Utilize these healthcare services and ask questions.\u201d\n12 Covered California certified enrollment counselors from the Community Health Alliance of Pasadena (ChapCare) and L.A. Care Health Plan registered more than 40 families from the 32nd District and surrounding area for health coverage. December 23, 2013 is the last day to sign up at Covered California in order for health insurance to begin by January 1, 2014. Visit coveredca.com for more information.  \n\t\u00a0\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140207012642/https://waxman.house.gov/press-release/rep-waxman-calls-investigation-pollution-santa-monica-airport", "Rep. Waxman Calls for Investigation into Pollution at Santa Monica Airport", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Henry Waxman", "W000215", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Today Rep. Henry A. Waxman sent a letter to South Coast Air Quality Management District Executive Officer Barry Wallerstein to request that the agency investigate reports of high levels of ultrafine particle pollution around Santa Monica Airport (SMO).\u00a0 A study released last week from scientists at UCLA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) suggested that ultrafine particle levels were between four and thirty-seven times higher in the area downwind of SMO than in neighboring areas.\u00a0 Research on particulate matter pollution indicates it can cause a range of health impacts, including premature death, heart attack, irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma, and decreased lung function.\u00a0\nIn the letter, Rep. Waxman writes, \u201cThe residents neighboring SMO and those who work there are entitled to a safe living and working environment, including clean air protected by pollution controls and responsible management practices.\u201d\nThe full text of the letter is available below and online here.\nDecember 18, 2013\nDr. Barry Wallerstein\nExecutive Officer\nSouth Coast Air Quality Management District\n21865 Copley Drive\nDiamond Bar, CA 91765\nDear Dr. Wallerstein:\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Last Friday, the Los Angeles Times reported that elevated levels of ultrafine particle pollution have been measured in the residential neighborhoods downwind of Santa Monica Airport (SMO).[1]\u00a0 The report cited recent research from scientists at UCLA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), who found that ultrafine particle levels were between four and thirty-seven times higher in the area downwind of SMO than in a neighboring area.[2]\u00a0 This research confirms findings from an earlier study by scientists at UCLA, USC, and CARB.[3]\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 I am writing to request your assessment of this information and any recommendations you may have regarding steps to understand and properly address this pollution issue.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0I have long been concerned about air pollution at SMO and its impacts on the health of those living near and working at the airport.\u00a0 The recent study from UCLA and CARB suggests that aircraft at SMO may affect public health due to their emissions of ultrafine particles.\u00a0 Particulate matter pollution is known to cause a wide range of health impacts, including premature death, heart attack, irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma, and decreased lung function.\u00a0 Research on ultrafine particles\u2014the smallest types of particulate matter\u2014is ongoing, but suggests that these ultrafine particles likewise pose significant health implications, which may be distinct from the impacts of larger particles.\u00a0 For example, ultrafine particles which are 0.1 microns or smaller in diameter\u2014the size of viruses\u2014can penetrate cell membranes, pass through the lungs and into the bloodstream, and cause heart disease and inflammation of the brain.[4]\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 In light of these findings and concerns, I would appreciate your assistance with the following questions:\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What does the latest scientific research reveal about ultrafine particle pollution and the potential impacts of this pollution on human health?\u00a0 Is SCAQMD looking into these issues?\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What is SCAQMD\u2019s assessment of the implications of UCLA and CARB\u2019s findings on ultrafine particle pollution at SMO?\u00a0 What threats do the particle levels measured in the study pose to workers\u2019 health and the health of the community that neighbors SMO?\u00a0 Do the levels of ultrafine particles from SMO exacerbate the problems in the area with PM2.5 (i.e., particulate matter of up to 2.5 microns in diameter)?\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Are existing regulatory efforts at SCAQMD or other agencies to address PM2.5 pollution adequate to address ultrafine particle pollution at SMO?\u00a0 Are there any specific regulatory efforts at SCAQMD or other agencies that address problems unique to ultrafine particle pollution at SMO?\u00a0 If so, what do these efforts entail?\u00a0\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Are additional measures needed to address ultrafine particle pollution at SMO?\u00a0 If so, what additional steps are needed and what agencies\u2014local, state, and/or federal\u2014will need to be involved?\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The residents neighboring SMO and those who work there are entitled to a safe living and working environment, including clean air protected by pollution controls and responsible management practices.\u00a0 I appreciate your attention to this and to other air quality problems at SMO.\nSincerely,\n\u00a0\nHenry A. Waxman\nRanking Member\n\u00a0\n    \n\t\t[1] Big disparities in air pollution detected in L.A. neighborhoods, Los Angeles Times (Dec. 13, 2013) (online at www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-air-pollution-neighborhood-ultrafine-particles-20131213,0,7983027.story).\n\t\n\t\n\t\t[2] Wonsik Choi, Shishan Hu, Meilu He. Kathleen Kozawa, Steve Mara, Arthur M. Winer, and Suzanne E. Paulson (2013), Neighborhood-scale air quality impacts of emissions from motor vehicles and aircraft, Atmospheric Environment 80: 310-321.\n\t\n\t\n\t\t[3] Shishan Hu, Scott Fruin, Kathleen Kozawa, Steve Mara, Arthur M. Winer, and Suzanne E. Paulson (2009), Aircraft emission impacts in a neighborhood adjacent to a general aviation airport in Southern California, Environmental Science & Technology 43: 8039-8045.\n\t\n\t\n\t\t[4] See, e.g., Presentation by Dr. John Froines, Southern California Particle Center, UCLA, Air Pollution and Its Health Effects (Sept. 12, 2012) (online at hydra.usc.edu/scehsc/pdfs/Froines%20-%20Air%20Pollution%20and%20Its%20Health%20Effects%209-12-12.pdf).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://bera.house.gov/media-center/amis-updates/see-you-there", "See you there?", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ami Bera", "B001287", "bera.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I sent an update today announcing how I'll be meeting with Sacramento County residents at two public events on this Thursday, December 19th. \u00a0Join my e-newsletter now so you don't miss out on any future updates!\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nAs your representative in Congress, listening to you is my most important job.\u00a0 That\u2019s why on Thursday, December 19th, I\u2019m holding two public events so I can hear directly from Sacramento County residents like you. Here are the details: Coffee with your Congressman: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Want to grab a cup of coffee? \u00a0I\u2019ll be at the Black Rooster in Folsom next week so we can catch up. I hope to see you there so we can discuss what\u2019s on your mind.\n\u00a0Here are all the details:\nWhat:\n\t\t\tCoffee with your Congressman\u00a0\n\t\t\u00a0Date:\n\t\t\tThursday, December 19th\u00a0\n\t\t\u00a0Time:\n\t\t\t10:00 AM to 11:00 AM\u00a0\n\t\t\u00a0Where:\u00a0\n\t\t\tThe Black Rooster\n\t\t\t\t807 Sutter Street\n\t\t\t\tHistoric Folsom, CA 95630\n\t\tNeighborhood Office Hours: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM You can also drop by my Rancho Cordova office on Thursday so we can chat one-on-one during my Neighborhood Office Hours. I\u2019m looking forward to hearing from as many residents as possible. \u00a0I want to listen to your concerns on the important issues that matter to Sacramento County families.\nHere are all the details:\n\u00a0\n\u00a0What:\n\t\t\tNeighborhood Office Hours\n\t\t\u00a0Date:\n\t\t\tThursday, December 19th\n\t\t\u00a0Time:\n\t\t\t11:30 AM to 1:30 PM\n\t\t\u00a0Where:\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t11070 White Rock Road\n\t\t\t\tSuite 195\n\t\t\t\tRancho Cordova\n\t\tDon\u2019t miss out - Email me now at\u00a0bera.officehours@mail.house.gov\u00a0to reserve a time to meet! Throughout the day, my staff will also be around to help you if you\u2019re having trouble with a federal government agency.\u00a0 My local office specializes in making government work for you. We can help veterans receive backlogged VA benefits, assist seniors with Social Security and Medicare, or even get a stalled passport. If we\u2019re not able to see each other on Thursday, please never hesitate to call my office at (916) 635 0505 or visit\u00a0bera.house.gov/gethelp\u00a0for assistance. \u00a0And always feel free to call or write to share your views with me. My door is always open. Be well,\u00a0\nAmi Bera, M.D.\u00a0  \n\tMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://garamendi.house.gov/press-release/garamendi-concurs-federal-court-ruling-nsa-us-phone-metadata-collection-overreach", "Garamendi Concurs with Federal Court Ruling that NSA U.S. Phone Metadata Collection an Overreach in Violation of 4th Amendment", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "John Garamendi", "G000559", "garamendi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Cosponsors Legislation to Protect Civil Liberties\nDAVIS, CA \u2013 Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), a cosponsor of legislation to prevent the abuse of surveillance powers, today concurred with District Court Judge Richard J. Leon\u2019s ruling that the National Security Agency\u2019s (NSA) bulk metadata collection of phone records of people residing within U.S. borders is likely an overreach of their authority and a violation of the Fourth Amendment. Given the significance of the ruling, Judge Leon stayed his ruling to give the government time to appeal.\nCongressman Garamendi is a cosponsor of the bipartisan and bicameral USA FREEDOM Act, H.R. 3361/S. 1599, which would \u201crein in the dragnet collection of data by the NSA and other government agencies, increase transparency of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Courts, provide businesses the ability to release information regarding FISA requests, and create an independent advocate to argue cases before the FISA Courts.\u201d\nIn his decision, Federal District Court Judge Leon wrote, \u201cI cannot imagine a more \u2018indiscriminate\u2019 and \u2018arbitrary\u2019 invasion than this systematic and high-tech collection and retention of personal data on virtually every single citizen for purposes of querying and analyzing it without prior judicial approval. Surely, such a program infringes on \u2018that degree of privacy\u2019 that the founders enshrined in the Fourth Amendment.\u201d\n\u201cThe more I learn about the NSA\u2019s bulk metadata collection program, the more concerns I have,\u201d Congressman Garamendi said. \u201cIn the interests of keeping America safe from external threats, the NSA has instituted a catchall data collection program which I believe to be an extraordinary overreach of their power, in violation of the Fourth Amendment and beyond any intent of Congress.\u201d\nGaramendi continued, \u201cThis dragnet program alone is an unwarranted intrusion into Americans\u2019 lives, but coupled with other NSA programs that have recently been made public, it raises serious concerns about the state of privacy in our country. Today\u2019s ruling is a positive step towards protecting our rights to privacy enshrined in the Fourth Amendment and I hope next year that Congress takes a serious look at these programs.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lowenthal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364863", "Reps. Pascrell, Runyan, Lowenthal, Reed Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Assist Long-Term Unemployed", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Alan Lowenthal", "L000579", "lowenthal.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Building on their efforts to assist our nation's long-term unemployed, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) was joined by Reps. Jon Runyan (R-NJ), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) and Tom Reed (R-NY) in introducing legislation that would incentivize businesses to hire qualified individuals that have been out of work for 27 weeks of more.\u00a0 The bill, H.R. 3726, the Long-term Unemployed Hiring Incentive Act, would extend the successful Work Opportunity Tax Credit program to allow companies that hire long-term unemployed individuals to be eligible for a tax credit of up to $2400. This effort comes as Extended Unemployment Benefits are set to expire on December 28th for approximately 1.3 million Americans, and an additional 3.6 million people - 260,100 \u00a0in New Jersey \u2013 will lose access to benefits beyond 26 weeks by the end of 2014. \"Although we have seen a decrease in the unemployment rate in our country, there are too many folks that continue to slip through the cracks,\" said Rep. Pascrell.\u00a0 \"The fact is the rate of long-term unemployment has remained largely stagnant, even as our economy continues to climb out of the worst recession in decades.\u00a0We simply can't stand by idly and allow this stigma to prevent folks from providing for their families.\u00a0Offering employers an incentive to hire the long-term unemployed is a big step forward in breaking this cycle, in addition to extending unemployment benefits. I'll continue to fight to alleviate the devastating impact long-term employment has on families across our country.\" \u201cAlthough the economy is showing signs of improvement in some parts of the country, millions of Americans who are eager to get to work are still having difficulty finding jobs. With unemployment benefits set to expire on December 28th, these Americans will lose access to the benefits they need to make ends meet. That is why I am pleased to join Congressman Pascrell in this bipartisan effort to encourage employers to hire workers who have been unemployed for more than 27 weeks,\" said Rep. Jon Runyan. \u201cIncentivizing American small businesses to hire the long-term unemployed is an investment worth making. Not only is this a good investment, but this is a common sense, bipartisan jobs bill,\" said Rep. Alan Lowenthal. \u201cFinding a job can be difficult enough, even without the stigma of being out of work for a long period of time. This bill will help those unemployed long-term find jobs and give employers an added incentive to hire these prospective employees. We want to get individuals back on their own two feet and \u2018teach them to fish\u2019 rather than \u2018hand them a fish\u2019 so they can support their families. Creating a fair environment for these individuals to get a job and support themselves takes a step in the right direction to break the cycle of long-term unemployment and will save taxpayer dollars in the long run,\" said Rep. Tom Reed. The Long-Term Unemployed Hiring Incentive Act extends the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program to cover qualified long-term unemployed individuals. \u00a0WOTC provides businesses who hire certain qualified individuals a general business tax credit equal to 40% of the first $6000 of their first years\u2019 salary, meaning the maximum credit a business can claim per employee is $2400. H.R. 3726 defines \"long-term unemployed\" as an individual who has exhausted their regular unemployment compensation (the first 26 weeks of unemployment benefits, or slightly over six months) since the crisis began in 2007.\u00a0 Although the unemployment rate has fallen to seven percent in November of 2013, the lowest rate measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics since 2008, the unemployment rate for those out of work for 27 weeks or more remained unchanged from the previous month. About 4.1 million Americans fall into this category of \u201clong-term unemployed\u201d, or about 2.6 percent of the labor force. While this has fallen from a high of four percent at the height of the recession, the current long-term unemployment rate of 2.6 percent equals the highest rate on record prior to the current crisis. The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston recently published research showing that job applications from those out of work for more than six months receive far fewer call backs from prospective employers. In fact, the study found that those out of work for six months or longer received fewer call backs for a job in the same industry they were previously employed than someone with no experience in that industry but who had only been out of work for a short period of time. The National Employment Opportunity Network, a non-profit dedicated to supporting cost effective government incentives to encourage employers to hire from groups that for historical and structural reasons have had difficulty finding and retaining jobs, drafted a letter in support of H.R. 3726. Original cosponsors of H.R. 3726 include Congressmen Jon Runyan (R-NJ), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) and Tom Reed (R-NY).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://scottpeters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/san-diego-reps-vargas-davis-and-peters-fight-for-san-ysidro-port-of", "San Diego Reps. Vargas, Davis and Peters  Fight for San Ysidro Port of Entry Project Funding", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Scott Peters", "P000608", "scottpeters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "San Diego Reps. Vargas, Davis and Peters Fight for San Ysidro Port of Entry Project Funding\nWashington, DC (December 17, 2013) \u2013 Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) was joined by Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53), and Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) in sending a letter to the House Appropriations Committee urging that the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry Renovation and Expansion Project be funded at the President\u2019s FY 2014 Budget level.\u00a0 This money would allow Phase II and Phase III of the project to begin moving forward.\n\u201cThe San Ysidro Land Port of Entry Expansion Project is critical to stimulating our region\u2019s economy,\u201d stated Rep. Vargas.\u00a0 \u201cThe current, outdated port of entry creates delays that result in staggering losses of jobs and revenue.\u00a0 We must invest in infrastructure that will not only spark economic activity, but also create jobs and increase border efficiency.\u201d\nIn a 2007 study, the San Diego Association of Governments estimated that delays due to border wait times cost our cross-border economies $7.2 billion in lost gross output and more than 62,000 jobs.\n\"My colleagues and I who represent border districts know how vital this project is to our economy,\" said Rep. Davis. \u00a0\"Delays at the border cost our districts billions of dollars in lost output and tens of thousands of jobs. I hope my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee will recognize the importance of modernizing the San Ysidro Port of Entry and give this project the funding it needs.\"\n\u201cCompleting the San Ysidro Port of Entry Expansion continues to be a top economic priority for me and for our region,\u201d Rep. Peters said. \u201cI am proud to work with my San Diego colleagues and the local community to promote this necessary project. Finishing this expansion would increase efficiency and security at the world\u2019s busiest land port while boosting economic growth.\u201d\nThe San Ysidro Land Port of Entry, the world\u2019s busiest land port, serves more than 50,000 vehicles and approximately 25,000 pedestrian crossings every day.\u00a0 In 2011, the United States and Mexico agreed to modernize and expand the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry.\u00a0 Mexico completed their side of the construction and opened the new El Chaparral border station on October 31, 2012.\u00a0 However, due to cuts in infrastructure funding, the U.S. has not yet been able to complete its side of the construction.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://speier.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1317:congresswoman-jackie-speier-on-house-passage-of-national-defense-authorization-act-and-inclusion-of-her-amendments-it-doesn-t-cure-the-cancer-of-military-sexual-assault&catid=20&Ite", "Congresswoman Jackie Speier on House Passage of National Defense Authorization Act and Inclusion of Her Amendments: It Doesnt Cure the Cancer of Military Sexual Assault", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jackie Speier", "S001175", "speier.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "About Jackie \nJackie Speier (pronounced SPEAR)  \n\trepresents Californias 14th Congressional  \n\tDistrict, which stretches from the southern  \n\tportion of San Francisco through San Mateo  \n\tCounty to East Palo Alto. She is a recognized  \n\tchampion of womens rights, privacy, and  \n\tconsumer safetyas well as an avowed  \n\topponent of government inefficiency and  \n\twaste. In 2012, she was named to  \n\tNewsweeks list of 150 \"Fearless  \n\tWomen\" in the world.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://speier.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1318:congresswoman-jackie-speier-on-inclusion-of-the-article-32-reform-act-in-the-national-defense-authorization-act&catid=20&Itemid=14", "Congresswoman Jackie Speier on Inclusion of the Article 32 Reform Act in the National Defense Authorization Act", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jackie Speier", "S001175", "speier.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "About Jackie \nJackie Speier (pronounced SPEAR)  \n\trepresents Californias 14th Congressional  \n\tDistrict, which stretches from the southern  \n\tportion of San Francisco through San Mateo  \n\tCounty to East Palo Alto. She is a recognized  \n\tchampion of womens rights, privacy, and  \n\tconsumer safetyas well as an avowed  \n\topponent of government inefficiency and  \n\twaste. In 2012, she was named to  \n\tNewsweeks list of 150 \"Fearless  \n\tWomen\" in the world.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://speier.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1318:congresswoman-jackie-speier-on-inclusion-of-the-article-32-reform-act-in-the-national-defense-authorization-act&catid=20&Itemid=7", "Congresswoman Jackie Speier on Inclusion of the Article 32 Reform Act in the National Defense Authorization Act", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jackie Speier", "S001175", "speier.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "About Jackie \nJackie Speier (pronounced SPEAR)  \n\trepresents California\u2019s 14th Congressional  \n\tDistrict, which stretches from the southern  \n\tportion of San Francisco through San Mateo  \n\tCounty to East Palo Alto. She is a recognized  \n\tchampion of women\u2019s rights, privacy, and  \n\tconsumer safety\u2014as well as an avowed  \n\topponent of government inefficiency and  \n\twaste. In 2012, she was named to  \n\tNewsweek\u2019s list of 150 \"Fearless  \n\tWomen\" in the world.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://vargas.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/san-diego-reps-vargas-davis-and-peters-fight-for-san-ysidro-port-of", "San Diego Reps. Vargas, Davis and Peters  Fight for San Ysidro Port of Entry Project Funding", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Juan Vargas", "V000130", "vargas.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC (December 17, 2013) \u2013 Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) was joined by Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53), and Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) in sending a letter to the House Appropriations Committee urging that the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry Renovation and Expansion Project be funded at the President\u2019s FY 2014 Budget level.\u00a0 This money would allow Phase II and Phase III of the project to begin moving forward.\n\u201cThe San Ysidro Land Port of Entry Expansion Project is critical to stimulating our region\u2019s economy,\u201d stated Rep. Vargas.\u00a0 \u201cThe current, outdated port of entry creates delays that result in staggering losses of jobs and revenue.\u00a0 We must invest in infrastructure that will not only spark economic activity, but also create jobs and increase border efficiency.\u201d\nIn a 2007 study, the San Diego Association of Governments estimated that delays due to border wait times cost our cross-border economies $7.2 billion in lost gross output and more than 62,000 jobs.\u00a0\n\"My colleagues and I who represent border districts know how vital this project is to our economy,\" said Rep. Davis. \u00a0\"Delays at the border cost our districts billions of dollars in lost output and tens of thousands of jobs. I hope my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee will recognize the importance of modernizing the San Ysidro Port of Entry and give this project the funding it needs.\"\n\u201cCompleting the San Ysidro Port of Entry Expansion continues to be a top economic priority for me and for our region,\u201d Rep. Peters said. \u201cI am proud to work with my San Diego colleagues and the local community to promote this necessary project. Finishing this expansion would increase efficiency and security at the world\u2019s busiest land port while boosting economic growth.\u201d\nThe San Ysidro Land Port of Entry, the world\u2019s busiest land port, serves more than 50,000 vehicles and approximately 25,000 pedestrian crossings every day.\u00a0 In 2011, the United States and Mexico agreed to modernize and expand the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry.\u00a0 Mexico completed their side of the construction and opened the new El Chaparral border station on October 31, 2012.\u00a0 However, due to cuts in infrastructure funding, the U.S. has not yet been able to complete its side of the construction.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=77de634e-fdf4-4515-a0a1-159882812b8f", "Feinstein Statement on NSA Call Records Ruling", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington\u2014Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement on a ruling by D.C. District Court Judge Richard Leon that the NSA business records program may be unconstitutional:\r\n\r\n\u201cJudge Leon made a preliminary ruling yesterday that the NSA business records program may be unconstitutional. The preliminary injunction was stayed pending appeal by the government.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt should be noted that last month Judge Jeffrey Miller of the Southern District of California found the NSA business records program to be constitutional.\r\n\r\n\u201cJudge Miller was ruling on a real world terrorist case involving the February 2013 conviction of Basaaly Moalin and three others for conspiracy and providing material support to the Somali terrorist organization Al-Shabaab. In that case, the NSA provided the FBI with information gleaned from an NSA query (under Section 215) of the call records database that established a connection between a San Diego-based number and a number known to be used by a terrorist with ties to al Qaeda.\r\n\r\n\u201cIn upholding these convictions, Judge Miller cited Smith v. Maryland (1979) the controlling legal precedent and held the defendants had \u2018no legitimate expectation of privacy\u2019 over the type of telephone metadata acquired by the government\u2014which is the \u2018to\u2019 and \u2018from\u2019 phone numbers of a call, its time, its date and its duration. There is no content, no names and no locational information acquired.\r\n\r\n\u201cJudge Leon\u2019s opinion also differs from those of at least 15 separate federal district court judges who sit, or have sat, on the FISA Court and have reauthorized the program every 90 days\u2014a total 35 times in all.\r\n\r\n\u201cClearly we have competing decisions from those of at least three different courts (the FISA Court, the D.C. District Court and the Southern District of California). I have found the analysis by the FISA Court, the Southern District of California and the position of the Department of Justice, based on the Supreme Court decision in Smith, to be compelling.\r\n\r\n\u201cOnly the Supreme Court can resolve the question on the constitutionality of the NSA\u2019s program. I welcome a Supreme Court review since it has been more than 30 years since the court\u2019s original decision of constitutionality, and I believe it is crucial to settling the issue once and for all. In the meantime, the call records program remains in effect.\r\n\r\n\u201cThose of us who support the call records program do so with a sincere belief that it, along with other programs, is constitutional and helps keep the country safe from attack. I believe the program can benefit from additional transparency and privacy protections\u2014including additional public reporting and added court review provisions which were recently adopted by the Senate Intelligence Committee in the bipartisan FISA Improvements Act.\u201d\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-cheers-progress-drought-response", "Costa Cheers Progress on Drought Response", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jim Costa", "C001059", "costa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FRESNO, CARep. Jim Costa cheered the Brown Administration and California Department of Water Resources' (DWR) decision to mobilize additional drought management resources and appoint an individual tasked with monitoring ongoing drought conditions and prioritizing and coordinating the state and federal agencies responses.\n\n\tThough the hardship from these conditions will be felt state-wide, the farm communities in the San Joaquin Valley will be the hardest hit by the water shortages that will jeopardize agriculture jobs throughout the region. This announcement also puts a focus on easing water transfers, which will be a key tool to quickly assist drought management that Costa has advocated for in this and previous years.\n\n\tWaiting to prepare for the challenges of 2014 is not and was never an option, said Costa. While we still need a formal drought declaration, the Brown Administration heard our call for swift action and is taking steps that are in the best interest of our entire state. Thisis a first, but important, step in putting the pieces together for a coordinated, comprehensive response to looming drought conditions. I know Governor Brown shares our concerns for both the short-term and long-term water challenges California is facing.\n\n\tLast week, Costa and Feinstein stressed in a letterthat low storage levels will leave the state with fewer options to adapt to next year's dry conditions and drought declarations in previous years have helped ease the pain. In 2008 and 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger declared states of emergency and authorized additional drought relief activities. They are calling on Governor Brown to take similar action that builds on the lessons learned from those difficult years.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sherman-statement-on-killing-of-armenian-soldier-by-azeri-forces", "Sherman Statement on Killing of Armenian Soldier by Azeri Forces", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Brad Sherman", "S000344", "sherman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA) released the following statement on the unprovoked killing of an Armenian soldier, Hrant Poghosyan, by Azerbaijani forces along the border of Nagorno-Karabakh.\n\nAzerbaijan has yet again shown that it is not serious about establishing peaceful relations with Armenia and Artsakh. Despite the request for a ceasefire during the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Azeri forces have killed an Armenian solider, Hrant Poghosyan. The shooting was unprovoked and Armenian forces have respected the request for a ceasefire. \n\nAzerbaijan's actions continue to harm the cause of peace. Last year, Azerbaijan celebrated a murderer, Ramil Safarov, who violently killed an Armenian soldier during a NATO Partnership for Peace exercise. Azerbaijan and its forces must be held accountable for this latest display of violence towards Armenia and lack of respect for the OSCE's settlement negotiations. I will continue to stand by Artsakh and Armenia in their ongoing quest for peace and security.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://speier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-jackie-speier-house-passage-national-defense-authorization", "Congresswoman Jackie Speier on House Passage of National Defense Authorization Act and Inclusion of Her Amendments: It Doesnt Cure the Cancer of Military Sexual Assault", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jackie Speier", "S001175", "speier.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo/Redwood City) voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act of FY2014. The bill included nine of the Congresswoman's amendments, including six amendments to address military sexual assault. Neither the House nor the Senate allowed a vote on taking military sexual assault prosecution out of the chain of command, however, a fundamental reform for survivors the Congresswoman has championed since 2011.\n\n\t\n\n\tThis bill ignores problems with the chain of command related to sexual assault. It addresses the symptoms of the crisis but doesn't cure the cancer. While I'm pleased that many of my amendments were accepted and we moved the ball forward to address sexual assault, much of the work is still yet to be done. Until we hold perpetrators accountable by punishing them appropriately and in greater numbers the work and duty of Congress will remain incomplete, Congresswoman Speier said. As I have said before this fight is not a sprint but a marathon and it will be won.\n\n\t\n\n\tOn the other amendments, Speier said: The bill does not ultimately make the hard choices needed to get the Pentagon's budget in order. It ignores the need for military pay and personnel reform. It also approves continued spending on unaffordable missile defense programs the Defense Department simply does not need.\n\n\t\n\n\tSPEIER'S INDIVIDUAL AMENDMENTS INCLUDED IN NDAA\n\n\t(SEXUAL ASSAULT RELATED)\n\n\t\n\n\tArticle 32\n\n\tBipartisan compromise legislation by House and Senate negotiators includes provisions sponsored by Congresswoman Speier and Congressman Patrick Meehan (R/PA-7) that amends Article 32 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to help prevent abusive treatment of sexual assault victims in a pre-trial setting..\n\n\t\n\n\tThe compromise agreement includes a number of reforms that address the issue of sexual assault in the military. It strips commanders of their authority to dismiss a finding by a court martial. It will also prohibit commanders from reducing guilty findings to guilty of a lesser offence.\n\n\t\n\n\tOn this amendment Congresswoman Speier said:\n\n\tArticle 32s are currently rigged in favor of the perpetrators. The scales have been exceedingly tilted in favor of the accused. This amendment to the NDAA will stop treating the victims of rape in the military as the criminals. Article 32s mutated and put the victim on trial, not the accused. These proceedings have destroyed legitimate cases before they got to trial, re-victimized survivors and served as a dire warning to those who considered coming forward.\n\n\t\n\n\tMilitary Character Disposition Authority\n\n\tThis amendment precludes a Convening Authority from not charging an individual of rape or sexual assault based on the good military character of the individual. It has been common for commanders to not charge assailants or offer non-judicial punishment to them because they were good soldiers.\n\n\t\n\n\tOn this amendment Congresswoman Speier said: \n\n\tGood military character has absolutely nothing to do with whether someone is a serial predator. Good military character certainly shouldn't be a reason for someone not to stand trial. This is the first step in taking good military character completely out of the equation in these cases. \n\n\t\n\n\tSexual Assault Nurse Examiner\n\n\tRequires that all brigades in our military have an individual who is a certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner to care for victims of sexual assault and have the skills to administer rape kits.\n\n\t\n\n\tOn this amendment Congresswoman Speier said: \n\n\tRape kits are useless if the person collecting evidence doesn't know what they are doing. My amendment will ensure that trained personnel will be administering the kits, which could make the difference between proving an assault or letting a rapist walk free. \n\n\t\n\n\tStripping Commander's Ability to Lessen Sentences\n\n\tAmendment precludes the convening authority from lessening a sentence after a judge or jury has sentenced an individual.\n\n\t\n\n\tOn this amendment Congresswoman Speier said: \n\n\tCommanders have no business reducing sentences after a jury in a court-martial case has convicted and sentenced the defendant, which currently happens all too often. My amendment will largely take this power from them, and end this miscarriage of justice. \n\n\t\n\n\tVictims' Rights \n\n\tIt provides service members who are victims of crimes the same basic rights given to civilian victims, such as reasonable protection from the accused, the right to be treated with fairness, and respect for the victim's dignity and privacy.\n\n\t\n\n\tOn this amendment Congresswoman Speier said:\n\n\tThe military has a gross problem of underreporting incidents of sexual assault and retribution. Victims will continue not to come forward as long as the military justice system runs roughshod over their rights. \n\n\t\n\n\tMilitary Whistleblower Protection Enhancements\n\n\tThis amendment modernizes the protections available to whistleblowers and victims of sexual assault by protecting disclosures up the chain of command, establishing reasonable legal burdens to demonstrate retaliation available to other federal whistleblowers against reprisal, providing a reasonable amount of time to report wrongdoing, requiring discipline against those who retaliate against whistleblowers, and providing a review process that will give victims and whistleblowers the ability to have their records corrected if they have experienced reprisal.\n\n\t\n\n\tOn this amendment Congresswoman Speier said:\n\n\tThe system to protect victims of sexual assault and whistleblowers in the military is fundamentally broken, and as a result most victims never come forward because they know they will be retaliated against, and that there will be no accountability for those that act against them. Of the victims that are brave enough to come forward, 62 percent report experiencing retaliation. Without real protections and remedies against reprisals, the decision to report your attacker is a decision to end your career in the military. These reforms are overdue for everyone in our military.\n\n\t\n\n\t(ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS)\n\n\t\n\n\tComptroller Review of the Costs of a Top-Heavy Military\n\n\tThis amendment requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a review of the costs of sustaining the top-heavy military by looking at the direct and indirect costs associated with their support general and flag officers.\n\n\t\n\n\tOn this amendment Congresswoman Speier said:\n\n\tWhen most organizations are becoming flatter, the military has become increasingly top-heavy. The military has added nearly 100 general and flag officers since 2011, and the number of officers in the military is outpacing the number of service members they have to lead. Taxpayers cannot afford to subsidize Generals' golf courses and palatial housing any longer. It is time to have a clear-eyed analysis of the perks and luxury expenses of Star Creep. \n\n\t\n\n\tTransparency for Waivers of Suspension or Debarment\n\n\tThis amendment requires the Secretary of Defense to make compelling reason memos waiving suspension or debarment contractor decisions public.\n\n\t\n\n\tOn this amendment Congresswoman Speier said:\n\n\tKeeping these waivers of suspension or debarment decisions confidential has kept this information from being effectively shared between suspension and debarment officers across the federal government. This has also made it harder for good government groups and Congress to oversee the responsibility determinations of our federal procurement system. The GAO found in 2012 that the Pentagon issued and failed to send to other agencies 14 compelling reason waivers between 2009 and 2011. We cannot have contractor accountability if we don't have transparency about when we waive suspension or debarment decisions. \n\n\t\n\n\tReport On Provider Referrals for Ancillary Services Under TRICARE\n\n\tThis amendment requires the Defense Department to assess the policies and controls in place in the TRICARE system to ensure taxpayers do not have to pay excessive costs for ancillary service referrals by TRICARE providers.\n\n\t\n\n\tOn this amendment Congresswoman Speier said:\n\n\tA recent Government Accountability Office report has confirmed that physician self-referral for advanced imaging services is costing Medicare more than $100 million in unnecessary spending each year. We must root out this potential waste in the TRICARE system as well.\n\n\t\n\n\t###\n\n\t\n\n\tCongresswoman Jackie Speier is proud to represent California's 14th Congressional District, which includes parts of San Francisco and San Mateo counties. She is a senior member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the House Armed Services Committee (HASC). In her role on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, the Congresswoman is a ranking member on the Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care, and Entitlements and serves on the Subcommittee on National Security. She serves on the Readiness Subcommittee and the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee on HASC and is a member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. Congresswoman Speier was appointed to serve as a Senior Whip for the Democratic caucus in the 113th Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://speier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-jackie-speier-inclusion-article-32-reform-act-national", "Congresswoman Jackie Speier on Inclusion of the Article 32 Reform Act in the National Defense Authorization Act", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jackie Speier", "S001175", "speier.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act that included the Article 32 Reform Act as an amendment, which fundamentally reforms how preliminary hearings are conducted in the military. The legislation was introduced last month by Congresswoman Jackie Speier, D-San Francisco/San Mateo/Redwood City, Congressman Patrick Meehan, R-Springfield-PA and U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California.\n\n\t\n\n\tThe bill will bring Article 32 proceedings more in line with civilian courts and limit the scope of the proceedings to the question of probable cause.\n\n\t\n\n\tIn Article 32 proceedings, it is standard operating procedure for the defense team to subject the victim to every irrelevant, indecent, and outright degrading question one can imagine, Speier said. In a recent Naval Academy case, the victim was asked: How wide do you open your mouth to perform oral sex?' and Did you feel like a ho the next morning.' These questions would simply never be permitted in a civilian criminal trial, let alone in a preliminary hearing.\n\n\t\n\n\tThe bill also prevents victims from being forced to testify at Article 32 proceedings, giving victims the choice to take the stand. A recent case of a 21-year-old female student at the Naval Academy has brought the need to reform Article 32 proceedings into vivid focus. The victim reported that three Navy football players raped her while she was intoxicated at a party but under an Article 32 proceeding had to endure 30 hours over a five-day period of humiliating questions that were meant to intimidate her into dropping the case.\n\n\t\n\n\tSpeier continued: It is time we bring the military justice system in line with our civilian criminal courts and give the same rights to brave men and women who come forward to report a crime as their civilian counterparts. If we are serious about addressing the epidemic of sexual assault we must stop treating the victim as the criminal and continue protecting the sexual predators. This reform is by no means a substitute to taking cases out of the chain of command, which is imperative, but it does address a glaring and destructive flaw in the military justice system.\n\n\t\n\n\tThe amendment is supported by Protect Our Defenders, a human rights organization that advocates for military sex assault survivors and the Service Women's Action Network (SWAN).\n\n\t\n\n\tSpeier has shared the stories of 28 military sexual assault survivors for nearly three years and has introduced numerous bills and amendments to fundamentally reform the military justice system.\n\n\t\n\n\tSusan Burke, an attorney who represents the Naval Academy victim and has been the staunchest legal advocate for survivors of military sexual assault, said about the amendment: No one should be forced to endure what the Naval Academy Midshipman recently endured: an abusive quasi-judicial charade that was intended to suppress rather than elicit truth. I applaud Senator Boxer and Congresswoman Speier for drafting legislation that will reform this broken system and call on their Congressional colleagues to ensure its immediate passage.\n\n\t\n\n\t###\n\n\t\n\n\tCongresswoman Jackie Speier is proud to represent California's 14th Congressional District, which includes parts of San Francisco and San Mateo counties. She is a senior member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the House Armed Services Committee (HASC). In her role on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, the Congresswoman is a ranking member on the Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care, and Entitlements and serves on the Subcommittee on National Security. She serves on the Readiness Subcommittee and the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee on HASC and is a member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. Congresswoman Speier was appointed to serve as a Senior Whip for the Democratic caucus in the 113th Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://vargas.house.gov/media/press-releases/san-diego-reps-vargas-davis-and-peters-fight-for-san-ysidro-port-of-entry-project-funding", "San Diego Reps. Vargas, Davis and Peters  Fight for San Ysidro Port of Entry Project Funding", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Juan Vargas", "V000130", "vargas.house.gov", "vargas", "https://vargas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC (December 17, 2013) \u2013 Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) was joined by Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53), and Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) in sending a letter to the House Appropriations Committee urging that the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry Renovation and Expansion Project be funded at the President's FY 2014 Budget level. This money would allow Phase II and Phase III of the project to begin moving forward.\n\n\"The San Ysidro Land Port of Entry Expansion Project is critical to stimulating our region's economy,\" stated Rep. Vargas. \"The current, outdated port of entry creates delays that result in staggering losses of jobs and revenue. We must invest in infrastructure that will not only spark economic activity, but also create jobs and increase border efficiency.\"\n\nIn a 2007 study, the San Diego Association of Governments estimated that delays due to border wait times cost our cross-border economies $7.2 billion in lost gross output and more than 62,000 jobs.\n\n\"My colleagues and I who represent border districts know how vital this project is to our economy,\" said Rep. Davis. \"Delays at the border cost our districts billions of dollars in lost output and tens of thousands of jobs. I hope my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee will recognize the importance of modernizing the San Ysidro Port of Entry and give this project the funding it needs.\"\n\n\"Completing the San Ysidro Port of Entry Expansion continues to be a top economic priority for me and for our region,\" Rep. Peters said. \"I am proud to work with my San Diego colleagues and the local community to promote this necessary project. Finishing this expansion would increase efficiency and security at the world's busiest land port while boosting economic growth.\"\n\nThe San Ysidro Land Port of Entry, the world's busiest land port, serves more than 50,000 vehicles and approximately 25,000 pedestrian crossings every day. In 2011, the United States and Mexico agreed to modernize and expand the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry. Mexico completed their side of the construction and opened the new El Chaparral border station on October 31, 2012. However, due to cuts in infrastructure funding, the U.S. has not yet been able to complete its side of the construction.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:40:02Z"], ["https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-waters-other-elected-officials-and-community-organizations", "Congresswoman Waters, Other Elected Officials and Community Organizations Call on LAUSD Board to Delay Action on District 1 Seat", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Maxine Waters", "W000187", "waters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "At a press conference prior to a Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) board meeting, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) today joined with other elected officials and over 35 community organizations in urging board members to respectfully delay any action to replace the late Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte until following her services and interment. \nCongresswoman Waters made the following statement:\n\"In every way, Marguerite LaMotte was a model educator, advocate and dear friend. Our community is still coping with the loss of this important leader, who fought especially hard for students in underserved communities.\n\"That is why today, we are respectfully requesting that the LAUSD delay any action to determine how Ms. LaMotte will be replaced. Moving forward at this sensitive time is premature and would be hurtful to her family, friends and community, all of whom are still grieving. \n\"It is a violation of African-American custom and practice to replace, substitute or eliminate any position before the conclusion of services and interment. We have come here today out of respect for these traditions  and for Ms. LaMotte's family  to ask the board to delay any motion until its next meeting. \n\"Marguerite LaMotte truly left her mark on all who knew her. Her presence in this building  and across Los Angeles  will be missed. I believe that after giving generations of our children so much, the very least we can do is properly celebrate her extraordinary accomplishments by delaying this vote.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221002413/http://www.house.gov/susandavis/press2013/pr121713.shtml", "Reps. Davis, Vargas, and Peters Fight for Border Improvements to Boost Local Economy", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Susan Davis", "D000598", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Press Release\n            December 17, 2013\n             Reps.\n              Davis, Vargas, and Peters\n              Fight for Border Improvements to Boost Local Economy\n             \n               \n            \n              \n                \n              \n              \u00a0\n              \n                \n              WASHINGTON \u2013\u00a0\n              \n              \n              \n              Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53)\n              joined\u00a0Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) and\n              Congressman Scott Peters\n              (CA-52)\u00a0in urging\u00a0the House Appropriations\n              Committee to fund the San\n              Ysidro Land Port of Entry Renovation and Expansion Project\n              at the President\u2019s\n              FY 2014 Budget level.\n              The United States and Mexico agreed to modernize and\n              expand\n              the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry.\u00a0 Mexico completed\n              their side of the\n              construction and opened the new El Chaparral border\n              station in 2012.\u00a0\n              However,\u00a0construction on the\u00a0U.S. side has been\n              in\u00a0limbo\u00a0due to cuts in infrastructure\n              funding.\u00a0This money would\n              allow Phase II and Phase III of the project to move\n              forward.\n               \"My colleagues and I who represent border districts\n              know how vital this project is to our economy,\" said Rep.\n              Davis.\n              \u00a0\"Delays at the border cost our districts billions of\n              dollars in lost\n              output and tens of thousands of jobs. I hope my colleagues\n              on the\n              Appropriations Committee will recognize the importance of\n              modernizing the San\n              Ysidro Port of Entry and give this project the funding it\n              needs.\"\n               \"The San Ysidro Land Port of Entry Expansion Project is\n              critical to stimulating our region\u2019s economy,\" stated Rep.\n              Vargas, who led the\n              delegation letter.\u00a0 \"The current, outdated port of\n              entry creates delays\n              that result in staggering losses of jobs and\n              revenue.\u00a0 We must invest in\n              infrastructure that will not only spark economic activity,\n              but also create jobs\n              and increase border efficiency.\" \"Completing the San Ysidro Port of Entry Expansion\n              continues\n              to be a top economic priority for me and for our region,\"\n              Rep. Peters said. \"I\n              am proud to work with my San Diego colleagues and the\n              local community to\n              promote this necessary project. Finishing this expansion\n              would increase\n              efficiency and security at the world\u2019s busiest land port\n              while boosting\n              economic growth.\" In a 2007 study, the San Diego Association of Governments\n              (SANDAG) estimated that delays due to border wait times\n              cost our cross-border\n              economies $7.2 billion in lost gross output and more than\n              62,000 jobs.\n               The San Ysidro Land Port of Entry, the world\u2019s busiest\n              land\n              port, serves more than 50,000 vehicles and approximately\n              25,000 pedestrian\n              crossings every day.  \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n                \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n                \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n                \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \u00a0   \n            \n            <style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">\n               \n                    \n                    \n                    \n                    \n                    \n                    \n                      \n            <style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">\n                    ###\n                  <style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">\n                    <- Back to releases", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221163448/http://bass.house.gov/press-release/statement-rep-karen-bass-filling-term-la-unified-school-board", "Statement from Rep. Karen Bass on Filling Term on LA Unified School Board", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Karen Bass", "B001270", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Los Angeles, CA \u2013 Representative Karen Bass (D-Calif.) released the following statement today on Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD\u2019s) upcoming decision on how to fill the vacant seat following the passing of Board Member\u00a0Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte: \n\n\t\u201cFilling the sudden vacancy left with Marguerite LaMotte\u2019s passing is an unexpected and difficult process for the students and will have major implications for the community. Marguerite was a leader and a voice for Los Angeles. \u00a0We honor her legacy as LAUSD is about to undergo important funding decisions that will have a long-term impact on the district.\n\t\u201cOver the next three months, LAUSD will be taking up both complex and important policy decisions that will determine how it will participate in a new state funding formula for our schools. These decisions will impact students\u2014especially students from South Los Angeles\u2014for years to come.\u00a0 Although I supported an election, it appears an election cannot be held in time for these important funding deadlines, and there is no way that District One cannot have a representative in these critical decisions.\n\t\u201cI still firmly believe that voters should and must have the ultimate voice in their representatives. However, having an empty seat at the school board at this time could leave too many children\u2019s needs unmet.\n\t\u201cFortunately, there is a middle ground. The district should appoint a strong community leader with years of education experience who will serve as a caretaker. They should look for someone who is independent and understands the intricacies of LA Unified and has intimate knowledge of the needs of students and the concerns of parents.\n\t\u201cDr. George J. McKenna is a strong candidate to fill this seat during the interim, where he can bring his 50 years of education experience\u2014most of those at LAUSD\u2014to the Board.\u00a0\u00a0Dr. McKenna will be an advocate for funding equity, and his passion, wisdom and knowledge will be an invaluable asset to our students and our community.\n\t\u201cThis path will allow voters to be able to participate in an informed and deliberate election in a year, where ultimately both voters\u2019 voices will be heard and their children will have an advocate at the LAUSD Board.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221205130/http://waters.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364688", "Congresswoman Waters, Other Elected Officials and Community Organizations Call on LAUSD Board to Delay Action on District 1 Seat", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Maxine Waters", "W000187", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "At a press conference prior to a Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) board meeting, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) today joined with other elected officials and over 35 community organizations in urging board members to respectfully delay any action to replace the late Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte until following her services and interment. \nCongresswoman Waters made the following statement:\n\"In every way, Marguerite LaMotte was a model educator, advocate and dear friend. Our community is still coping with the loss of this important leader, who fought especially hard for students in underserved communities.\n\"That is why today, we are respectfully requesting that the LAUSD delay any action to determine how Ms. LaMotte will be replaced. Moving forward at this sensitive time is premature and would be hurtful to her family, friends and community, all of whom are still grieving. \n\"It is a violation of African-American custom and practice to replace, substitute or eliminate any position before the conclusion of services and interment. We have come here today out of respect for these traditions \u2013 and for Ms. LaMotte\u2019s family \u2013 to ask the board to delay any motion until its next meeting. \n\"Marguerite LaMotte truly left her mark on all who knew her. Her presence in this building \u2013 and across Los Angeles \u2013 will be missed. I believe that after giving generations of our children so much, the very least we can do is properly celebrate her extraordinary accomplishments by delaying this vote.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301050641/http://lorettasanchez.house.gov/press-release/rep-sanchez-commends-senate-confirmation-jeh-johnson-secretary-department-homeland", "REP. SANCHEZ COMMENDS SENATE CONFIRMATION OF JEH JOHNSON AS SECRETARY OF DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Loretta S\u00e1nchez", "S000030", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Garden Grove, Calif. \u2013Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), senior member of the House Homeland Security committee and Border and Maritime Security subcommittee, today released the following statement following the Senate\u2019s confirmation of Jeh C. Johnson to be the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on Monday.\n\u201cI am glad that the Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeh Johnson to be the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Jeh is a seasoned manager who I am confident will be a strong leader for the organization.\n\u201cI look forward to working with him on the House Homeland Security Committee as we address the agency\u2019s broad range of issues, especially enacting comprehensive immigration reform and improving terrorism tracking programs like biometric entry-exit.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://garamendi.house.gov/press-release/college-affordability-forum-garamendi-urges-college-rating-system-clearly-demonstrates", "At College Affordability Forum, Garamendi Urges College Rating System that Clearly Demonstrates Value to Students and Parents", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "John Garamendi", "G000559", "garamendi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "DAVIS, CA \u2013 Today at UC Davis, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), a former University of California Regent and California State University Trustee who represents the UC Davis campus community as a Member of Congress, spoke at a panel discussion on college affordability and President Obama\u2019s initiative to create a uniform rating system that measures universities on the basis of access, completion, affordability, innovation, and transparency. He was joined by Congressman Ami Bera (D-Elk Grove, CA), U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Education Jamienne Studley, and UC Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi, as part of a panel of more than a dozen educators and campus leaders.\n\u201cStudents and parents are faced with the reality that the public is no longer investing in education as much as they once did,\u201d said Garamendi, the proud father of three UC Davis graduates. \u201cIt\u2019s a national problem. It\u2019s a national tragedy. With students now facing more than a trillion dollars in college loan debt, the President has challenged us to measure the value of an education to make sure every student finds the right school for them.\u201d\nAs a Regent and Trustee, Garamendi voted against every undergraduate tuition increase because he was gravely concerned about skyrocketing student loan debt pricing students out of an education.\n\u201cWe need to understand that going to college is a major consumer decision. Students are going out and accumulating incredible debt, so let\u2019s give them the information they need to help them make the correct decision for their needs,\u201d Garamendi added.\nThe UC Davis panel was the fifth of five panels this year that took place across the country in an effort to solicit feedback from education leaders as the Administration crafts the college rating policy.\nDeputy Under Secretary Studley noted that the purpose of the President\u2019s initiative is to help make clear to students what schools are offering the best value for the needs of every student. She stressed that the system being designed is a rating system, not a ranking system, with broad categories and benchmarks taking precedence over a numbered list that offers an imprecise and unhelpful measure of campuses across the nation. \u00a0\nThe college rating system, which is scheduled to reach fruition in 2015, hopes to not just make sure that taxpayer dollars are invested wisely but also to encourage colleges to offer a better value. Incentives are being developed that reward campuses for helping lower income and disadvantaged students complete their college education. It will also help ensure that no student is required to pay more than 10% of their income in repaying loans to give students more opportunities and flexibility to establish their lives in early adulthood.\nUC Davis and the greater University of California system are leaders in trying to keep higher education affordable in America. 53% of undergraduates are able to have their tuition paid for without taking out loans. 44% receive Pell Grants. Two-thirds graduate with less than $25,000 in student loan debt, well below the national average. The campus has recently expanded access to middle class scholarships for families too poor to afford an unsubsidized education but too wealthy to qualify for most need-based grants. They\u2019ve also partnered with Central Valley businesses to help create a smoother transition from college to the workplace, especially in communities that need the talent pool, and the campus recently raised a billion dollars from private donors to create 1,500 new scholarships and significantly increase fellowship opportunities for post-graduates. The campus has also been a leader in helping California foster children graduate with little to no debt.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/media-advisory-huffman-to-attend-camp-meeker-post-office-reopening", "***MEDIA ADVISORY***    Huffman to Attend Camp Meeker Post Office Reopening Ceremony", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jared Huffman", "H001068", "huffman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sonoma County\u2014Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) will attend the reopening ceremony for the Camp Meeker Post Office on Tuesday, December 17, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. The U.S. Postal Service was considering closing the Camp Meeker Post Office, but after community outcry and Congressman Huffman\u2019s input, the Postal Service has suspended the discontinuance process and will reopen the post office.\nWHO:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Congressman Jared Huffman\nWHAT:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Camp Meeker Post Office Reopening\nWHEN: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. PT\nWHERE: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 US Post Office - 5240 Bohemian Highway\n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Camp Meeker, CA 95419\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lowenthal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364617", "Congressman Lowenthal Introduces Small Business Jobs Bill", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Alan Lowenthal", "L000579", "lowenthal.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Alan Lowenthal today introduced the \u201cAmerican Unemployed Worker Investment Act,\u201d which extends tax incentives to small businesses who hire workers currently receiving unemployment benefits.  If enacted, small businesses with 10-25 full-time employees would be able to qualify for a $4,000 per employee tax credit for up to two years under the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). To qualify, the employees must be kept on payroll for at least one year, working at least 35 hours per week. Businesses must also show a net increase of at least 1 new employee per year in order to qualify for the credit.  \u201cCongress adjourned without extending unemployment benefits to the millions of Americans who will lose them next year and that must be one of our top priorities when we return in January. We must do everything we can to get Americans back to work and that is why I have introduced a practical solution that will create private sector incentives for hiring out-of-work Americans. The American Unemployed Worker Investment Act is such a solution,\u201d Congressman Lowenthal said. \u201cThis new tax credit is an investment in our small businesses and an investment in millions of unemployed Americans. The more Congress is able to focus on empowering small businesses to hire, the more we will able to transition Americans off unemployment benefits, while creating thousands of jobs and saving millions of tax payer dollars.\u201d  The American Unemployed Worker Investment Act is consistent with President Barack Obama\u2019s yet-to-be-passed signature jobs bill, the \u201cAmerican Jobs Act,\u201d which calls for a $4,000 tax break for employers who hire unemployed workers. Congressman Lowenthal\u2019s bill is also similar to California\u2019s New Jobs Credit, which is responsible for creating almost 35,000 new California jobs.  The Congressman\u2019s jobs bill is officially endorsed by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Black Chamber of Commerce, and California Small Business Association. Javier Palomarez, President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) said, \u201cBy providing tax relief to small businesses growing their organizations, Congressman Lowenthal\u2019s American Unemployed Worker Investment Act will encourage entrepreneurs to open their doors to individuals searching for work. This bill provides the right incentives to bring the unemployed back into the labor force and adds fuel to American\u2019s economic engine \u2013 its small business community. It is a commonsense bill that we at the USHCC urge Congress to pass expeditiously into law.\u201d  \u201cThe National Black Chamber of Commerce is happy to support this bill.\u00a0 It is pro-business and will certainly have a positive impact on employment,\u201d Harry C. Alford, President & CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, said. \u201cThe small business community has been America\u2019s Job Creators for centuries and this legislation will provide additional incentives for re-establishing our role as job creators.\u00a0 We thank Congressman Lowenthal for his on-going efforts to help small biz!\u201d Betty Jo Toccoli, President of the California Small Business Association, said. Congressman Alan Lowenthal represents the cities of Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, Avalon, Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, Cypress, Westminster, Garden Grove, Anaheim, Buena Park, Midway City, and Stanton in California\u2019s 47th Congressional District. He can be followed on Facebook, Twitter, or his website.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roybal-allard.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364618", "Roybal-Allard, Grijalva House Colleagues Request Meeting With Department of Homeland Security to Discuss Humanitarian Concerns", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Lucille Roybal-Allard", "R000486", "roybal-allard.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Reps. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) sent a letter with 37 other Members of Congress today to acting Secretary of Homeland Security Rand Beers requesting a meeting to discuss dangerous deportation practices, the significant recent increase in migrant deaths, and severely inadequate short-term custody conditions.  Current enforcement policies, many instituted in the 1990s, have pushed migrants into the driest, most remote regions of the desert borderlands and put migrants at risk of inhumane treatment by law enforcement. The letter, available at http://1.usa.gov/1gC37Z2, outlines the major concerns. Migrant Deaths In recent years, an alarming number of migrants have died in the U.S. borderlands. Last year, the remains of 463 migrants were found in U.S. territory, the second-highest year for migrant deaths in the past 15 years. In a five-month period, between October 2012 and February of 2013, CBP discovered the remains of 70 human bodies in the Rio Grande Valley sector alone. Short-term Custody Migrants are being subjected to inhumane conditions while in short-term Customs and Border Protection custody, including in holding cells at Border Patrol stations, checkpoints, ports of entry, and secondary inspection areas. Complaints of CBP misconduct regularly mention verbal and physical abuse, denial of medical care, inadequate food and water, due process violations, exposure to extreme temperatures, extended use of bright lights, inadequate provision of space or bedding making sleep impossible, extreme overcrowding, and permanent confiscation of personal items including legal documents, medication and personal identification. Dangerous Deportations Current CBP deportation practices often separate families and potentially place individuals at risk. Specifically, current CBP deportation practices include repatriating Mexican migrants to border cities with extremely high levels of violence and criminal activity. Migrants are frequently returned to Mexico in the middle of the night, when basic services are unavailable and most shelters are closed. \u201cWe have to ask ourselves whether this is how we want to spend our tax dollars,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cIt matters how we enforce our laws, and it matters who\u2019s getting harmed in the process. We should never turn a blind eye to needless suffering, especially if it\u2019s taking place in the name of security. Members of Congress have a duty to conduct proper oversight, and we believe a meeting is the right opportunity to start making some decisions about how CBP can best conduct its mission going forward.\u201d \u201cI'm extremely concerned about reports of migrants being held in poor conditions at DHS facilities along our borders,\u201d Rep. Roybal-Allard said. \u201cEveryone in our government's custody -- citizen or immigrant, documented or undocumented -- deserves to be treated with basic human dignity and respect. I look forward to hearing directly from DHS about what steps the Department is taking in response to these serious allegations.\u201d The full list of signers \u2013 all House Democrats \u2013 is below. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva  \r\nLucille Roybal-Allard  \r\nRuben Hinojosa  \r\nCharles B. Rangel  \r\nSam Farr   \r\nYvette Clarke  \r\nMike Honda  \r\nBeto O'Rourke  \r\nJan Schakowsky   \r\nEddie Bernice Johnson   \r\nBarbara Lee   \r\nZoe Lofgren  \r\nJohn Conyers  \r\nLuis V. Gutierrez  \r\nKeith Ellison   \r\nMark Pocan   \r\nGloria Negrete McLeod  \r\nJames P. McGovern   \r\nTony Cardenas  \r\nLoretta Sanchez   \r\nSheila Jackson-Lee  \r\nJim Moran  \r\nGwen Moore   \r\nLloyd Doggett  \r\nGrace Napolitano  \r\nDina Titus   \r\nMichelle Lujan Grisham  \r\nRush Holt   \r\nKaren Bass   \r\nBobby L. Rush   \r\nDonna M. Christensen   \r\nEleanor Holmes Norton  \r\nAnna G. Eshoo  \r\nAlbio Sires  \r\nMarc Veasey  \r\nJuan Vargas  \r\nFilemon Vela   \r\nPeter Welch  \r\nJoe Garcia #   #   #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://speier.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1310:congresswoman-speier-and-speier-corps-volunteers-to-help-out-at-children-s-fund-holiday-toy-and-clothing-drive&catid=20&Itemid=14", "Congresswoman Speier and Speier Corps Volunteers to Help Out at Childrens Fund Holiday Toy and Clothing Drive", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jackie Speier", "S001175", "speier.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "About Jackie \nJackie Speier (pronounced SPEAR)  \n\trepresents Californias 14th Congressional  \n\tDistrict, which stretches from the southern  \n\tportion of San Francisco through San Mateo  \n\tCounty to East Palo Alto. She is a recognized  \n\tchampion of womens rights, privacy, and  \n\tconsumer safetyas well as an avowed  \n\topponent of government inefficiency and  \n\twaste. In 2012, she was named to  \n\tNewsweeks list of 150 \"Fearless  \n\tWomen\" in the world.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://speier.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1310:congresswoman-speier-and-speier-corps-volunteers-to-help-out-at-children-s-fund-holiday-toy-and-clothing-drive&catid=20&Itemid=7", "Congresswoman Speier and Speier Corps Volunteers to Help Out at Childrens Fund Holiday Toy and Clothing Drive", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jackie Speier", "S001175", "speier.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "About Jackie \nJackie Speier (pronounced SPEAR)  \n\trepresents California\u2019s 14th Congressional  \n\tDistrict, which stretches from the southern  \n\tportion of San Francisco through San Mateo  \n\tCounty to East Palo Alto. She is a recognized  \n\tchampion of women\u2019s rights, privacy, and  \n\tconsumer safety\u2014as well as an avowed  \n\topponent of government inefficiency and  \n\twaste. In 2012, she was named to  \n\tNewsweek\u2019s list of 150 \"Fearless  \n\tWomen\" in the world.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://vargas.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/representatives-vargas-honda-and-pocan-urge-state-department-to-remain", "Representatives Vargas, Honda and Pocan Urge State Department to Remain Neutral in Upcoming Salvadoran Election", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Juan Vargas", "V000130", "vargas.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC (December 16, 2013) \u2013Rep. Vargas (CA-51), Rep. Honda (CA-17), and Rep. Pocan (WI-2) were joined by forty eight other Members of Congress in sending a letter to the State Department urging for impartiality in the upcoming presidential elections in El Salvador.\u00a0\n\u201cI believe is it essential for the United States to support a free, fair and transparent electoral process in El Salvador,\u201d said Rep. Vargas.\u00a0 \u201cEl Salvador has made positive strides in strengthening its voting process and a position of neutrality by the State Department will be an affirmation of El Salvador\u2019s efforts to enfranchise voters and strengthen its democracy.\u201d\nIn the 2009 El Salvador presidential election, the Administration not only vocally supported a free and fair election, but also provided neutral, third party observers, and supported the Organization of American States\u2019 mission to ensure a free and fair electoral process.\n\"Having served as a Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador, I have a particular affinity with the Salvadoran people,\" said Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.).\u00a0 \"That is why I support the positive efforts the government of El Salvador has made to advance a free, fair, and inclusive democratic process. I am glad to join my colleagues in urging the State Department to support impartiality in the upcoming elections and to stand by the ultimate decision of the Salvadoran people.\"\n\u201cI look forward to the State Department cultivating a fruitful relationship with the Salvadoran people\u2019s freely elected government,\u201d said Rep. Vargas.\nVargas represents California\u2019s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California\u2019s entire US/Mexico border.\u00a0 Vargas is currently serving his first term in Congress.\u00a0 He represented the 40th California State Senate District from 2010-2012, the 79th California State Assembly District from 2000 \u2013 2006 and served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 \u2013 2000.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-lee-introduces-legislation-to-halt-federal-funding-for-abstinence-only-education", "Congresswoman Lee Introduces Legislation to Halt Federal Funding for Abstinence-Only Education", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.13\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee Introduces Legislation to Halt Federal Funding for Abstinence-Only Education  \n\t\t\tFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  \r\n\tDecember 16, 2013  \r\n\tContact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661\r\nWashington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced The Repealing Ineffective and Incomplete Abstinence-Only Program Funding Act of 2013, HR 3774, which would end to federal funding of abstinence-only-until marriage programs. This legislation has been endorsed by over a dozen advocacy groups, including Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS), The AIDS Institute, American Civil Liberties Union, the Guttmacher Institute, Human Rights Campaign, and Planned Parenthood, would instead support comprehensive sexuality education through the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP), authorized in the health care reform law.\r\nWe need to get serious about educating our young people about sex. Abstinence-only programs fail to address the challenge of unplanned pregnancies and sexually-transmitted infections among our youth, which have reached a critical level,said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. We must ensure that we provide comprehensive sex education programs that have been proven to work, instead of throwing money away on programs that don't.\r\nSince 1996, the United States has spent over $1.75 billion in federal funding for abstinence-only-until marriage programs that fail to teach teens how to prevent unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.\r\nAbstinence-only-until-marriage programs have been discredited by a wide body of evidence, including a Congressionally-mandated study in 2007. Based on scientific evidence, nearly half of all states have rejected federal funding for abstinence-only-until marriage programs. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences recommends the termination of such programs because they represent poor fiscal and public health policy.\r\nCo-Sponsors in the House include Reps. Moran, Moore, Capps, Schakowsky, Farr, Slaughter, Blumenauer, and Clarke.\r\n###\r\nFollow Barbara Lee on Facebook and Twitter at @RepBarbaraLee. To learn more, visit lee.house.gov. \r\nCongresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of both the Congressional Black Caucus and Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip's Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://speier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-speier-and-speier-corps-volunteers-help-out-children-s", "Congresswoman Speier and Speier Corps Volunteers to Help Out at Childrens Fund Holiday Toy and Clothing Drive", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jackie Speier", "S001175", "speier.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "San Mateo, CA - Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo/Redwood City) and a group of Speier Corps volunteers will assemble and package holiday gifts at the San Mateo County Human Services Agency's Children's Fund Holiday Toy and Clothing Drive at 550 Quarry Rd., San Carlos on Tuesday, December 17, 12-5 p.m., and Thursday, December19, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The Children's Fund was started in 1973 by social workers to support foster and low-income children. Last year it provided gifts for 3,822 children. These children would go without presents during the holiday season if it wasn't for the Children's Fund, Speier said. The hard work of the people from the Human Services Agency and the generosity of local companies and residents are bringing some cheer to families in need. This is the third year Speier's office is participating in the toy drive.\n\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://swalwell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/swalwell-thompson-local-lawmakers-urge-va-hire-experienced-oakland-va", "SWALWELL, THOMPSON, LOCAL LAWMAKERS URGE VA TO HIRE AN EXPERIENCED OAKLAND VA DIRECTOR TO END CLAIMS BACKLOG", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Eric Swalwell", "S001193", "swalwell.house.gov", "swalwell", "https://swalwell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", null, 0, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z"], ["https://vargas.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-vargas-honda-and-pocan-urge-state-department-to-remain-neutral-in-upcoming-salvadoran-election", "Representatives Vargas, Honda and Pocan Urge State Department to Remain Neutral in Upcoming Salvadoran Election", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Juan Vargas", "V000130", "vargas.house.gov", "vargas", "https://vargas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC (December 16, 2013) \u2013Rep. Vargas (CA-51), Rep. Honda (CA-17), and Rep. Pocan (WI-2) were joined by forty eight other Members of Congress in sending a letter to the State Department urging for impartiality in the upcoming presidential elections in El Salvador.\n\n\"I believe is it essential for the United States to support a free, fair and transparent electoral process in El Salvador,\" said Rep. Vargas. \"El Salvador has made positive strides in strengthening its voting process and a position of neutrality by the State Department will be an affirmation of El Salvador's efforts to enfranchise voters and strengthen its democracy.\"\n\nIn the 2009 El Salvador presidential election, the Administration not only vocally supported a free and fair election, but also provided neutral, third party observers, and supported the Organization of American States' mission to ensure a free and fair electoral process.\n\n\"Having served as a Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador, I have a particular affinity with the Salvadoran people,\" said Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.). \"That is why I support the positive efforts the government of El Salvador has made to advance a free, fair, and inclusive democratic process. I am glad to join my colleagues in urging the State Department to support impartiality in the upcoming elections and to stand by the ultimate decision of the Salvadoran people.\"\n\n\"I look forward to the State Department cultivating a fruitful relationship with the Salvadoran people's freely elected government,\" said Rep. Vargas.\n\nVargas represents California's 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California's entire US/Mexico border. Vargas is currently serving his first term in Congress. He represented the 40th California State Senate District from 2010-2012, the 79th California State Assembly District from 2000 \u2013 2006 and served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 \u2013 2000.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:40:02Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140207084632/http://waxman.house.gov/rep-waxman-calls-boeing-select-long-beach-ca-777x-work", "Rep. Waxman Calls On Boeing To Select Long Beach For 777x Work", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Henry Waxman", "W000215", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "December 5, 2013\n\u00a0\nMr. James McNerney\nChairman and CEO\nThe Boeing Company\n100 North Riverside Plaza\nChicago, IL 60606\nDear Mr. McNerney,\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nThe California Congressional members below wish to convey our wholehearted support for the\nmanufacture of Boeing's 777x Jetliner in Long Beach, California. We strongly urge you to\nconsider California as the premier location for this new aerospace work.\n\u00a0\nAs you are well aware, Southern California has a rich history of aerospace manufacturing and is\nexceptionally well-positioned to host the Boeing 777x work at the Long Beach facility. In\naddition, businesses throughout California are ready to support the manufacture in Long Beach\nthrough an extensive network of potential local suppliers. In Long Beach, all of the necessary\ninfrastructure already exists and is ready to be used to support the 777x production. From deep\nwater ports to robust rail and highway access, Southern California's transportation infrastructure\nfunctions exceptionally well, as demonstrated by the current production of the C-17.\n\u00a0\nIn addition, the local workforce is more than ready to carry on the tradition of building great\njetliners for the Boeing Company. Boeing has a world-class workforce of highly skilled\nemployees already working in Long Beach both at the C-17 facility and supporting Boeing\nCommercial. In addition, Southern California features superb universities and community\ncolleges, with dedicated manufacturing and engineering schools to unleash American innovation\nand provide the future workforce necessary to support the 777x for years to come.\n\u00a0\nWe have every confidence that the State of California, working with the City of Long Beach and\nall the regional partners, will respond with a very competitive application for Boeing to consider.\nWe believe you will see that hosting this work in Long Beach is the right decision for Boeing,\nand will continue the proud tradition of producing some of the world's most innovative aircraft.\n\u00a0\nSincerely,\u00a0\n\u00a0\n-----\n\u00a0\nThe letter can be found below or online here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://chu.house.gov/press-release/rep-chu-votes-against-budget-deal-fails-unemployed-americans", "Rep. Chu Votes Against Budget Deal that Fails Unemployed Americans", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Judy Chu", "C001080", "chu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27) voted against H.J. Res. 59, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, for failing to extend unemployment insurance for long-term unemployed Americans. Earlier this week, Rep. Chu joined 165 other House Democrats in a letter calling on Speaker Boehner to keep the House in session until an extension can be passed. Congresswoman Chu released the following statement:\n\u201cI cannot support a budget that leaves 1.3 million Americans in the cold this holiday season. Those who have struggled for months-on-end to find work will see their benefits run out on December 28th. The majority made exceptions for special interests, but refused to protect vulnerable Americans.\u201d\nThe full text of the letter to Speaker Boehner can be found here.\nH.J. Res 59 passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 332 to 94.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://garamendi.house.gov/press-release/armed-services-committee-member-garamendi-votes-national-defense-authorization-act", "Armed Services Committee Member Garamendi Votes for National Defense Authorization Act", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "John Garamendi", "G000559", "garamendi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 After months of debate, committee hearings, and bipartisan negotiations, the final FY 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed the House of Representatives today by a 350-69 vote. The bill authorizes $625.1 billion for defense programs and incorporates ideas from Democrats and Republicans in both chambers of Congress.\n\u201cThis legislation isn\u2019t perfect, but I want to commend the people who helped put it together. This bill represents a good faith effort, bipartisan and bicameral, to put the security of America first. It has earned my support,\u201d said Congressman Garamendi, who represents Travis and Air Force bases in Congress. \u201cThe brave men and women of our military need to know that our government takes its responsibility to support their missions seriously, and I think that\u2019s accomplished with this Defense bill.\u201d\nDefending Vital Third District Missions and Needs\nEarlier this year, the Air Force mistakenly issued plans to deactivate the 13th Reconnaissance Squadron, a Reserve Wing responsible for the operation of the Global Hawk unmanned aircraft. During questioning by Congressman Garamendi during a March 2013 hearing, the Air Force admitted that this was an oversight and that the Department of Defense is prohibited from deactivated the Reserve Wing without explicit Congressional authorization. The NDAA passed today continues to prohibit the early retirement of the Global Hawk Block 30 unmanned systems through 2014.\nThe Global Hawk mission, located at Beale Air Force Base near Marysville, California, is a critical component of Beale\u2019s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) responsibilities. The Global Hawk is an unarmed, unmanned surveillance aircraft capable of staying aloft for 30 hours and is used in North Africa, Afghanistan, the Persian Gulf, and Somalia, as well as for humanitarian purposes and emergencies, such as the Fukushima nuclear accident.\n\u201cThe Global Hawk remains one of our most powerful assets, keeping America informed about activities in remote troubled hotspots without jeopardizing U.S. personnel,\u201d Garamendi said. \u201cIt also has a humanitarian function that has saved lives and enabled emergency personnel to respond to crises with accurate science and observational data. I\u2019m glad the NDAA preserves the Global Hawk, and I will continue to be an advocate for its use for as long as it remains the best technology available for its mission.\u201d\nThe legislation also contains language \u2013 that Congressman Garamendi, Ranking Member of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, fought for \u2013 that authorizes the Coast Guard to exchange 5 C-130H long-range surveillance aircraft with the Air Force and receive 14 surplus C-27J aircraft which will enhance the Coast Guard\u2019s capabilities for long-range surveillance, drug, and migrant interdiction, and search and rescue mission activities. This transfer saves about $600 million.\n\u201cSome of these C-27Js will be based at the Coast Guard Air Station in Sacramento,\u201d Congressman Garamendi said. \u201cWe\u2019re the second most flood prone region in the nation and we have a dangerous ocean to the west, so having the best possible search and rescue capabilities is welcomed news.\u201d\nCombating Sexual Assaults in the Military\nThe legislation enhances the right of victims of sexual assault to present their case before a lawyer, removes opportunities for perpetrators to escape justice, more clearly articulates appropriate punishments for sex offenders, requires better reporting when superior officers learn about a potential sex crime, cracks down on sexual harassment, and strengthens penalties against retribution for reporting a sexual assault, in addition to dozens of other related reforms.\n\u201cAmerican military personnel face enough enemies in the course of their duty; no servicemember should be fearful of a sexual assault from one of their own,\u201d Congressman Garamendi said. \u201cThe sexual assault language in the NDAA is a good step forward. More will need to be done, but there is no doubt that servicemembers will be safer once these reforms are implemented. Believe me, there are many Members of this Congress who will be carefully watching to make sure these new guidelines are fully enforced.\u201d\nIran\nCongressman Garamendi expressed satisfaction that the NDAA does not include new sanctions on Iran, given the diplomatic progress on the nuclear weapons issue in recent months.\n\u201cI\u2019ve voted for Iranian sanctions before, and I\u2019ve considered them appropriate before, but we must adapt to changing circumstances. Let\u2019s give diplomacy a chance, and let\u2019s give the President and his team a chance to hold the Iranian government to their word,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s no reason to throw a monkey wrench into this process, which holds the real opportunity to peacefully prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. If the Iranian government reneges on its promises, there\u2019s always time to return with additional sanctions. The NDAA pursues a temperate path on this sensitive issue.\u201d\nSyria\nDuring the build up to potential U.S. military intervention in Syria, Congressman Garamendi was one of the leading voices in Congress urging restraint before rushing to war and demanding Congressional authorization before an assault. He authored language in the House version of the NDAA that made clear that nothing in the legislation provided the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (an AUMF) in Syria. The resulting delay helped make a diplomatic internationally-backed solution possible.\nThe NDAA provides authority for the U.S. to assist in destroying Syria\u2019s chemical weapons and requires the Department to develop a cooperative threat reduction strategy to combat weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East and North Africa. It also provides $150 million to help our ally Jordan secure their border with Syria. The Jordanian government has been one of our most helpful international partners during the Syrian conflict, as they\u2019ve taken in hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees, largely at their own expense.\n\u201cWe learned in Iraq that rushing into war puts brave servicemembers needlessly in harm\u2019s way. I\u2019m pleased that this didn\u2019t happen in Syria. Our actions showed that diplomacy can be effective and that international norms are strongest when backed by an international coalition,\u201d Garamendi said. \u201cLet\u2019s work together as a world community to make sure that chemical weapons are never again used in Syria or anywhere else. Let\u2019s also make sure that our allies know that when they step up to the plate to provide humanitarian relief, America has their back.\u201d \u00a0\nAfghanistan\nThe NDAA provides $80 billion for operations in Afghanistan, including $6.2 billion in funding for the Afghan National Security Forces and $250 million for the Afghan Infrastructure Fund. Congressman Garamendi has long been a critic of the war in Afghanistan and this week on C-SPAN\u2019s Washington Journal argued again for an expedited end to America\u2019s involvement in the Afghanistan War (click here for video).\n\u201cI still consider military support in Afghanistan to be largely wasteful. Fraud and theft are rampant in that country, and the government we are backing is one of the most corrupt governments on the planet. I also fear some of these resources are being siphoned off to our enemies in that country,\u201d said Congressman Garamendi. \u201cThe day the last American servicemember returns from Afghanistan will be a day well worth celebrating. For now, I have a lot of questions and will closely monitor U.S. troop commitments as we wind down our presence in Afghanistan.\u201d\nPrivacy Rights\nCongressman Garamendi is disappointed that the NDAA doesn\u2019t include any new language to strengthen the privacy rights of people living in the United States. Congressman Garamendi has been concerned that the National Security Agency\u2019s bulk data collections of U.S. residents are overbroad and running afoul of Fourth and Fifth American privacy protections.\n\u201cThere\u2019s been a steady drumbeat of news revealing that the NSA has been snooping in even more parts of the lives of average Americans \u2013 online video games being the latest. For this reason, there\u2019s strong bipartisan momentum in Congress to fully investigate and rein in the NSA\u2019s overreach during bulk data collections,\u201d said Congressman Garamendi. \u201cI\u2019m disappointed that language isn\u2019t found in the NDAA, but this is an issue I expect to return in 2014. Those of us who take the Constitution seriously aren\u2019t going away.\u201d\nOther Issues\nThe NDAA:\n Authorizes the President\u2019s end strength request for the active forces: 520,000 Army, 323,600 Navy, 190,200 Marine Corps, and 327,600 Air Force;\n\tProvides $176.5 billion in operation and maintenance funding to help mend some of the damage that has been done to overused equipment and neglected facilities. At a time when military readiness continues to be hurt by mindless cuts through sequestration, this funding is vitally important;\n\tEstablishes a pilot program on investigational treatment of members of the Armed Forces for traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder;\n\tAllows the Services to award constructive service credit for special experience, training or advanced education in certain cyberspace fields;\n\tRequires that the Department of Defense no later than January 1, 2016 complete all assessments regarding the expansion of positions open to women;\n\tRequires the Secretary of Defense to review the backlog of cases within the Integrated Disability Evaluation System;\n\tEstablishes a pilot program for family support programs for immediate family members of special operations forces;\n\tEstablishes the requirements for the electronic health records of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs;\n\tEnhances executive branch authorities to transfer and release GTMO detainees to foreign countries;\n\tCaps the total amount the Department of Defense can spend on contracted services in fiscal year 2014 at the amount requested by the Department in 2010, approximately $150 billion; and\n\tRequires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report containing an explanation of the legal and policy considerations and approval processes used in determining whether an individual or group of individuals could be the target of a lethal operation or capture operation conducted by the Armed Forces of the United States outside the United States.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/huffman-votes-for-bipartisan-budget-compromise", "Huffman Votes For Bipartisan Budget Compromise", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jared Huffman", "H001068", "huffman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00ad\u2014 Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) voted in support of a budget compromise today that provides a measure of fiscal stability through September 30, 2015 (date), and restores $31.5 billion in non-defense sequester cuts over the next two years that would otherwise continue to undermine the economic recovery and weaken the social safety net.\n\u201cThis budget agreement was far from perfect, but it is better than the alternative of allowing the full sequester to continue in 2014.\u00a0 Reducing the impact of the sequester is very important for our economic recovery and our social safety net. My preference is to replace the entire sequester, but at least this agreement restores many of the non-defense spending cuts that would otherwise remain in effect for 2014 and beyond.\u00a0\nThere is plenty to dislike in this deal, but the reality is that with Republicans holding the majority in the House of Representatives, this is the best deal we were going to get.\u00a0 I'm disappointed that it doesn't close any corporate tax loopholes, that it leaves intact billions in wasteful crop subsidies, and especially that it fails to include an extension of unemployment insurance benefits for hundreds of thousands of job seekers who need our help,\u201d Congressman Huffman said. \u201cCongress should not adjourn for its own holiday break before this lifeline is restored for the many Americans who are struggling to find work this holiday season.\"\nHouse Republicans refused to allow a vote to extend unemployment insurance, which is scheduled to expire December 28, 2013. On December 11, Huffman and 165 House Democrats urged Speaker Boehner not to adjourn the House for the year without extending federal unemployment insurance.\u00a0 If Congress doesn\u2019t act, 1.3 million Americans would immediately lose all jobless aid, including 214,800 unemployed\u00a0California workers. An additional 1.9 million Americans would lose their jobless aid in the first half of 2014, including 325,800 unemployed Californians.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lowenthal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364463", "Congressman Lowenthal Leads California Congressional Delegation  In Calling On Boeing To Select Long Beach For 777x Work", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Alan Lowenthal", "L000579", "lowenthal.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Congressman Alan Lowenthal today released the text of a recent letter he authored to Boeing CEO W. James McNerney, Jr., calling on the aerospace firm to select Long Beach, California as the manufacturing site for the next generation 777x airliner. Congressman Lowenthal, joined by 46 of his California Congressional delegation colleagues on both sides of the aisle in signing the letter, highlighted the many advantages to Boeing in selecting Long Beach as the home of the 777x.\n These highlights include an in-place and highly-trained Boeing workforce, which is currently building the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III; an existing 1-million square foot assembly facility; a world-class infrastructure including highways, rail, and one of the most modern ports in the world; an educational system that turns out some of the world's most highly trained aerospace and engineering graduates; and, a highly developed local and regional system of parts and component suppliers.\n \u201cLong Beach has been intertwined with aviation history for more than a century, including the manufacture of literally tens of thousands of commercial and military aircraft.\u00a0 There is not a location better suited for producing the 777x than Long Beach,\u201d Congressman Lowenthal said.  \u201cWe have the best, most efficient aerospace workforce in the nation. They have proved it over and over again: on environmental issues, on safety issues, and on performance issues. I am willing to do whatever I can and work with Boeing, the City of Long Beach, and Governor Brown to see our highly skilled workforce continue to do what it does best\u2014build world-class aircraft. This would be a win for Long Beach, for California, and for Boeing.\u201d\n Various versions of the 777 have been manufactured by Boeing since the mid-1990s and the 777x program will see the construction of at least two new highly-modernized versions. The program could last through the 2020s, creating thousands of Boeing manufacturing, support and supplier jobs in Southern California and throughout the state.\nBoeing announced in November that it would be seeking bids from interested states and/or cities for the 777x manufacturing work. California Governor Jerry Brown announced on Dec. 11 that California had submitted an official bid to Boeing to bring the 777x program to Long Beach. The bid package included the letter signed by the California Congressional delegation.The letter can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://scottpeters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-peters-fights-for-research-and-development-tax-credit", "Congressman Peters Fights for Research and Development Tax Credit", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Scott Peters", "P000608", "scottpeters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Peters Fights for Research and Development Tax Credit\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Late yesterday, Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) introduced H.R. 3757, legislation which would make the tax credit for research and development (R&D) permanent. The R&D tax credit is set to expire on December 31st, barring Congressional action.\n\u201cResearch and development are central to San Diego\u2019s economy and our national economic recovery,\u201d Rep. Peters said. \u201cIf passed this legislation would grow the economy and create high-quality jobs in science and innovation around the country. It is time we provided our businesses and job-creators with the stability to plan and hire for the future.\u201d\nSpecifically, the legislation would extend the research credit for 2014 while making the Alternative Simplified Credit (ASC) permanent and raising it from 14 to 20 percent. The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation has estimated that raising the ASC would create more than 150,000 jobs and increase GDP by $66 billion.\nThe bill would also lower the barriers to collaborative research and encourage energy research and biotechnology research consortia. Collaborative R&D is a path toward increased innovation and improved U.S. competitiveness. This legislation builds on San Diego\u2019s unique partnerships between academia, industry, and private research to incentivize further consortia.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://speier.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1309:congresswoman-speier-on-the-one-year-anniversary-of-the-newtown-shooting&catid=20&Itemid=14", "Congresswoman Speier on the One-Year Anniversary of the Newtown Shooting", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jackie Speier", "S001175", "speier.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "About Jackie \nJackie Speier (pronounced SPEAR)  \n\trepresents Californias 14th Congressional  \n\tDistrict, which stretches from the southern  \n\tportion of San Francisco through San Mateo  \n\tCounty to East Palo Alto. She is a recognized  \n\tchampion of womens rights, privacy, and  \n\tconsumer safetyas well as an avowed  \n\topponent of government inefficiency and  \n\twaste. In 2012, she was named to  \n\tNewsweeks list of 150 \"Fearless  \n\tWomen\" in the world.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://speier.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1309:congresswoman-speier-on-the-one-year-anniversary-of-the-newtown-shooting&catid=20&Itemid=7", "Congresswoman Speier on the One-Year Anniversary of the Newtown Shooting", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jackie Speier", "S001175", "speier.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "About Jackie \nJackie Speier (pronounced SPEAR)  \n\trepresents California\u2019s 14th Congressional  \n\tDistrict, which stretches from the southern  \n\tportion of San Francisco through San Mateo  \n\tCounty to East Palo Alto. She is a recognized  \n\tchampion of women\u2019s rights, privacy, and  \n\tconsumer safety\u2014as well as an avowed  \n\topponent of government inefficiency and  \n\twaste. In 2012, she was named to  \n\tNewsweek\u2019s list of 150 \"Fearless  \n\tWomen\" in the world.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://vargas.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-vargas-cosponsors-legislation-to-urge-charitable-contributions-to", "Rep. Vargas Cosponsors Legislation to Urge Charitable Contributions to Victims of Philippine Typhoon", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Juan Vargas", "V000130", "vargas.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC (December 13, 2013) \u2013Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) became a proud original cosponsor of H.R. 3771, the \u201cPhilippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act,\u201d introduced by Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-14).\u00a0 This legislation is aimed at encouraging charitable contributions for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.\n\u201cTyphoon Haiyan mercilessly ripped through the Philippines leaving behind staggering death and destruction.\u00a0 These people, many of whom have lost their homes and their loved ones, are in dire need of our help,\u201d stated Rep. Vargas.\u00a0 \u201cI am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act, which will facilitate and encourage charitable contributions for those suffering from the devastating effects of the typhoon.\u201d\nTyphoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms on record, struck the Philippines on November 8, 2013, causing catastrophic damage.\u00a0 The typhoon, responsible for more than 6,000 deaths in the Philippines alone, brought tremendous winds that smashed buildings, destroyed roads and caused widespread power and water outages.\nVargas represents California\u2019s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California\u2019s entire US/Mexico border.\u00a0 Vargas is currently serving his first term in Congress.\u00a0 He represented the 40th California State Senate District from 2010-2012, the 79th California State Assembly District from 2000 \u2013 2006 and served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 \u2013 2000.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/feinstein-in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=e0394239-7af3-4d20-a1eb-ce5c88932bea", "Sandy Hook's victims: Did we let them down? - Los Angeles Times", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The killing last December of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., was expected to finally change this country's apathy toward gun control. It seemed impossible, after so many 6- and 7-year-olds cowering in their classrooms were methodically shot and killed by a young man armed with a military-style semiautomatic weapon, that the nation's leaders would not begin to limit access to tools of mass murder.\r\n\r\nBut it didn't happen. A year later, on the first anniversary of the Newtown massacre, reasonable gun control legislation has been blocked in Congress and it's still far too easy to acquire a weapon that can kill a dozen people in seconds.\r\n\r\nWhat happened to the urgency? The obligation to prevent another atrocity? Apparently, the moral imperative is fleeting, while subservience to the National Rifle Assn. endures.\r\n\r\nIn the weeks after Newtown, President Obama proposed a series of changes to reduce gun violence, including banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, stricter gun trafficking laws and improving mental health services. But even though a majority of Americans said they backed a harder line on gun control, the president and Sandy Hook parents-turned-activists were stymied in Congress.\r\n\r\nFirst to go were important but more controversial bills like California Sen. Dianne Feinstein's improved version of her earlier assault weapon ban, which had expired in 2004. Democratic leaders gave up the fight for the new ban to focus on measures with more bipartisan support, such as expanding the criminal background check system and cracking down on straw purchasers who buy guns on behalf of criminals. But even those proposals were rejected under powerful pressure from the NRA.\r\n\r\nWhile Congress failed to act, several states did pass meaningful gun control legislation, including New York, Connecticut and Colorado. There's been pushback, including the recall of two Colorado state legislators who helped pass universal background checks on gun purchases and new limits on ammunition magazines. And the broader trend at the state level is to loosen gun laws, not tighten them. A recent New York Times analysis found that state legislatures passed 109 laws on guns after the Newtown massacre. Two-thirds of them eased gun restrictions.\r\n\r\nAnd what became of Obama's call to make access to mental health care \"as easy as access to a gun\"? Again, Congress punted. Some 36 states increased funding for mental health services and a dozen states passed laws enabling more people to receive court-ordered treatment for severe mental illness.\r\n\r\nThere may still be hope. Newtown gave rise to a new political consciousness among parents, moderate voters and Americans who didn't previously feel passionate about the issue of gun control. While the sense of urgency that followed the massacre may be receding, the fight for rational gun laws must go on. The safety of children must prevail over the power of the gun lobby.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=57085aaa-232c-419f-a162-83b241351ed7", "Feinstein Statement on Anniversary of Sandy Hook Shooting", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington\u2014Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn.:\r\n\r\n\u201cOne year ago, 20 beautiful children\u2014all 6 and 7 years old\u2014and six brave educators were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in a tragedy that remains impossible to comprehend.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe massacre was the product, in large part, of our nation\u2019s weak gun laws\u2014laws that allow military-style assault weapons to be sold legally to unstable civilians, criminals and domestic abusers, often at gun shows or on the Internet without a basic background check.\r\n\r\n\u201cBackground checks work and must be expanded. The 16 states that require background checks on private handgun sales see 38 percent fewer women killed by their partners and 39 percent fewer law enforcement officers killed with handguns. Congress must meet its responsibility and pass a law to significantly expand background checks.\r\n\r\n\u201cIn addition to expanding background checks, we must also not abandon efforts to limit the number of military-style assault weapons on our streets. These assault weapons, often used in mass killings like Sandy Hook, were never intended to be used by civilians. They are designed to kill the maximum number of people in the shortest amount of time, and I firmly believe they have no place in our schools, malls, theaters or businesses.\r\n\r\n\u201cPolls consistently show public support for banning the sale and manufacture of assault weapons\u2014the law of the land between 1994 and 2004\u2014and support from a cross section of police chiefs, mayors, clergy, medical professionals and educators.\r\n\r\n\u201cI am encouraged that, since Sandy Hook, five states\u2014California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland and New York\u2014have imposed or strengthened bans on assault weapons or large-capacity ammunition magazines. Now is the time for Congress to meet its responsibility and get these weapons of war off of our streets.\r\n\r\n\u201cSandy Hook was an unthinkable tragedy. It is my hope that we remember how we felt that tragic day and honor all the innocent victims of gun violence by finally putting in place responsible gun safety protections to make sure it never happens again.\u201d\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schiff.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1447", "Rep. Schiff on Anniversary of Newtown Shooting: We Must Keep Pushing for Gun Safety", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Adam Schiff", "S001150", "schiff.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "28th District \nStretching from West Hollywood to the eastern border of Pasadena, and from Echo Park to the Angeles National Forest, the 28th Congressional district features one of the most diverse constituencies and areas in the country, something that can only be found right in the heart of Los Angeles County.\nRead More", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://speier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-speier-one-year-anniversary-newtown-shooting", "Congresswoman Speier on the One-Year Anniversary of the Newtown Shooting", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jackie Speier", "S001175", "speier.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Have a question? \nWe're happy to answer  \n\tany questions. Just click  \n\tthe button below to send  \n\tus a message.\nContact Jackie", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://swalwell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-swalwell-thompson-heck-issa-introduce-bipartisan-bill-provide-tax", "REPS. SWALWELL, THOMPSON, HECK, ISSA, INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO PROVIDE TAX INCENTIVES FOR DONATIONS TO TYPHOON HAIYAN RECOVERY IN PHILIPPINES", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Eric Swalwell", "S001193", "swalwell.house.gov", "swalwell", "https://swalwell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", null, 0, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 2688, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "CA", "p2": "2013"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 2688, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=CA&year=2013", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 2688, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2013&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "CA", "label": "CA", "count": 2688, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2013", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "2013", "label": "2013", "count": 2688, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2013-12-13,https~3A~2F~2Fswalwell~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Freps-swalwell-thompson-heck-issa-introduce-bipartisan-bill-provide-tax", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2013&_next=2013-12-13%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fswalwell~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Freps-swalwell-thompson-heck-issa-introduce-bipartisan-bill-provide-tax&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 1183.4139372222126, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}