{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"CA\" and year = 2014 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://pelosi.house.gov//news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-on-indonesia-air-asia-flight-8501", "Pelosi Statement on Indonesia Air Asia Flight 8501", "2014-12-31", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616\nSan Francisco \u2014 Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on the crash of Indonesia Air Asia Flight 8501: \u201cOur thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of all those lost on Indonesia Air Asia Flight 8501. \u00a0In the midst of the holidays, as we gather together to celebrate with loved ones, we are acutely aware of the pain this tragedy represents. \"The American people stand with all those mourning the passengers and crew, and hope we can be of assistance in the investigation and recovery efforts.\u00a0 \u201cWe hope it is a comfort to the families of the victims that so many around the world share in their sadness at this terrible time.\u201d\u00a0\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://bass.house.gov/press-release/statement-ezell-ford-autopsy-and-lapd-shooting", "Statement on Ezell Ford Autopsy and LAPD Shooting", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Karen Bass", "B001270", "bass.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LOS ANGELES, CA\u2014Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA) released the following statement after the release of the autopsy of Ezell Ford, an unarmed 25-year-old who was shot and killed by LAPD officers in August:\n\"I appreciate Mayor Garcetti\u2019s actions today in requesting Ezell Ford\u2019s autopsy be released to the public. I join with Mr. Ford\u2019s family in grieving his death as well as wanting to make sure that justice is served.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cThe information in the autopsy is one piece of evidence, but it does not tell the complete story. I echo calls for all witnesses to come forward to share their reports of what they saw last August.\u00a0This information is vital to ensuring we have the full story of what happened.\u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\"Ezell Ford\u2019s family and the South Los Angeles community deserve a full and impartial investigation surrounding the tragic events from this summer. There are many facts to consider\u2014including the Mr. Ford\u2019s mental illness as well Mr. Ford being shot in the back.\u00a0 \"I will continue to closely monitor the Los Angeles Police Department\u2019s, the office of inspector general\u2019s and the district attorney's office\u2019s investigations.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://bass.house.gov/press-release/statement-possible-ambush-police-officers-south-la", "Statement on Possible Ambush of Police Officers in South LA", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Karen Bass", "B001270", "bass.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LOS ANGELES, CA\u2014Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA) released the following statement after two people fired on Los Angeles Police Officers\u00a0Sunday\u00a0night:\n\"I am deeply concerned about the shooting at two Los Angeles Police Officers\u00a0Sunday\u00a0night on 62nd and Hoover streets. This sort of gun violence has no place on our streets, and it only serves to make our communities less safe for all of our residents. At this point it is unclear whether the officers were the targets of the shooting, but I am relieved that no one was hurt in this incident.\n\"As community members we must strive to work together to rid our neighborhood of senseless violence.\n \"All lives matter.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roybal-allard.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397795", "Rep. Roybal-Allard Issues Statement on Ezell Ford Autopsy Release", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Lucille Roybal-Allard", "R000486", "roybal-allard.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) issued the following statement about the release of the autopsy of Ezell Ford, who was shot and killed in August by LAPD officers in the South Los Angeles area of her Congressional District:\"It is critical that Ezell Ford's death be investigated thoroughly and impartially. \u00a0That is why I thank Mayor Garcetti for ordering the release of Mr. Ford's autopsy results. \u00a0This is an important step in making the fullest possible accounting of the circumstances surrounding Mr. Ford's death. \u00a0I also urge any and all witnesses to his death to come forward without delay, so that we have a clear and accurate picture of this event. \u00a0I will continue to monitor the ongoing investigations into this tragedy. \"My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Ford's family, as they are with the family of Omar Abrego, who also died after an encounter with police in my District in August. \u00a0I fully support the mission of our nation's law enforcement personnel to protect and serve the American people. \u00a0At the same time, their work must always be done in a manner that respects the law and the rights of the people they protect. \u00a0I also continue to support the right of the people to peacefully and legally express their First Amendment rights \u2013 including the right to assemble \u2013 in response to these deaths.\"  \r\n \u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-lee-named-most-valuable-house-member-in-the-nations-2014-honor-roll", "Congresswoman Lee Named Most Valuable House Member in The Nation's 2014 Honor Roll", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.29.14\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee Named Most Valuable House Member in The Nation's 2014 Honor Roll \n\t\t\tOakland, CA  The Nation has named Congresswoman Barbara Lee the Most Valuable House Member calling her a full-spectrum advocate for peace, civil rights, civil liberties and economic justice.\r\n\r\nIt is with a sense of humility that I thank The Nation for the tremendous honor of being named the Most Valuable House Member' in its 2014 Honor Roll, said Congresswoman Lee. From ensuring economic justice and fairness to securing global peace and security, progressives have a lot of work to do in the 114th Congress. I look forward to continuing to work with advocates and my colleagues to promote freedom, equality and fairness.\r\n\r\nThe Nation cites the Congresswoman as keeping her office door open to advocates and championship of causes that others neglect and waging the fights that others fear as key elements to the Congresswoman's ability to advance her progressive legislative agenda.\r\n\r\nOthers honored by The Nation's 2014 Honor Roll include Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Attorney General elect Maura Healey, National Nurses United and others. A full list of honorees can be found here.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\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 the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the 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"], ["http://pelosi.house.gov//news/pelosi-updates/a-year-of-progress", "A Year of Progress", "2014-12-24", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Please feel free to\u00a0forward this information to your family and friends. To learn more about these efforts, to express your views, or to sign up for email updates,\u00a0please visit my website. I am also on\u00a0Twitter at http://twitter.com/NancyPelosi.\u00a0Sincerely,Member of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://bera.house.gov//media-center/amis-updates/email-update-end-of-year-report", "Email Update: End of year report", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ami Bera", "B001287", "bera.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I sent an email update on Tuesday with an end-of-year report on my first term serving you. Join my updates now so you don't miss any in the future!\n  \u00a0 With 2014 coming to a close soon, this is a natural time for reflection.\u00a0 For me, this new year will mark the end of my first two-year term serving you in Congress, and the start of a new term. I\u2019m so grateful for the privilege of continuing to represent you. Over the past two\u00a0years, we\u2019ve all unfortunately seen far too much partisan gridlock and finger pointing in Washington. While it's been difficult, we\u2019ve also made progress. My office has fought to create jobs, to lower our debt, to honor the promises we've made to our seniors, and to help local families fix problems they\u2019re having with the federal government. So as we come together to enjoy the holidays, here's an end-of-year report on some of the major ways I\u2019ve been fighting for you. Please scroll down below to learn more. Please also feel free to forward this report to anyone you know, so they can learn about how I\u2019m serving them too. Happy holidays! Fighting for you in Washington  \n\t\u00a0\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\nEven with the dysfunction in Washington, we've made progress in important areas like holding Congress accountable, caring for our veterans, keeping families safe from domestic violence and sexual assault, and more. Here are some examples:\n\u2022 Passing No Budget, No Pay:\u00a0If Members of Congress don\u2019t do their jobs and pass a responsible budget, then they shouldn't get paid. That\u2019s why I became a lead sponsor of the No Budget, No Pay Act shortly after becoming your representative, and helped lead the effort to make it law for 2013.\u00a0I\u2019m now fighting to pass a stronger and more permanent version. \u2022 Passing the first bipartisan budget in years:\u00a0I was also proud to vote for the first bipartisan budget to pass Congress in several years.\u00a0This budget will help reduce our deficit by $23 billion.\n\t\t\u2022 Passing the Violence Against Women Act:\u00a0One of my first acts was to vote for the bipartisan reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which is now law. This law provides medical professionals and police tools to prevent violence and keep families safe from domestic violence and sexual assault. \u2022 Passing the 21st Century Health Care for Heroes Act:\u00a0I was honored to co-author this bipartisan bill, which is now the law of the land and will help streamline electronic health records for veterans and service members. This will save money, make the transition to civilian life easier for vets, and help address the VA backlog. \u2022 Leading and growing the bipartisan Problem Solvers caucus:\u00a0The Problem Solvers is the only large-scale organized forum in Washington where both Republicans and Democrats work together to move our country forward. As a leader of the Problem Solvers,\u00a0I\u2019ve helped grow our new coalition from 40 to more than 90 Members of Congress in both parties.\n\t\t\u2022 Helped Reverse Medicare Advantage Cuts:\u00a0Earlier this year, the Administration proposed cuts to the Medicare Advantage program, and I worked in a bipartisan coalition to stop these cuts to protect seniors.\u00a0I\u2019m happy to report that our effort was successful.\n\t\t\u2022 Established the bipartisan California Public Higher Education Caucus:\u00a0Earlier this year,\u00a0Congressman Jeff Denham and I founded the bipartisan California Public Higher Education Caucus. Together, we\u2019re advocating for the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) schools and their students in Congress to ensure the quality, affordability, and accessibility of California\u2019s universities. \u2022 Introduced Women's Preventive Health Awareness Campaign Act:\u00a0One of the first bills\u00a0I introduced was the Women\u2019s Preventive Health Campaign Awareness Act. My bill would launch a national public outreach campaign to ensure women have clear information about the preventive services they need to remain healthy. This will help save lives and lower health costs by finding and treating health problems early.\n\t\t\u2022 Introduced Doctors Helping Heroes Act:\u00a0I introduced the bipartisan Doctors Helping Heroes Act\u00a0to address a serious shortage of doctors at VA hospitals across the country. This will help address one of the primary reasons why some veterans have waited far too long for their health care. \u2022 Introduced Small Business and Family Relief Act:\u00a0I introduced this bipartisan bill to make health care more affordable for working families, small businesses, and seniors.\u00a0It helps roll back a new health insurance tax that is part of the Affordable Care Act, which is expected to cost the typical family an additional $660 this year and in 2015 alone.\u00a0 Delivering for Sacramento County\u00a0\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\nDespite the dysfunction in Washington, I've managed to get some important work done for our local economy. More than 20,000 jobs have been created in Sacramento County since 2012, but our work is far from over. That\u2019s why I won\u2019t take a congressional pay raise until our County\u2019s unemployment rate is below 5 percent.\n\u2022 Secured funding to upgrade the Folsom Dam:\u00a0I voted for a bill to fund improvements at the Folsom Dam, which is now law. These upgrades, which are now underway, will help Folsom Lake store more water to help with our drought and provide better flood protection in wetter years. The first of several new large gates was installed earlier this year, and I was proud to help celebrate this critical milestone in the project\u2019s construction.\n\t\t\u2022 Advocated for a major Federal contract for Siemens: The Rail Systems Division of Siemens, which is located in Florin, recently won a major contract with the Department of Transportation to build dozens of new high-performance locomotives.\u00a0I was proud to help advocate for this project with the Transportation Department, which is a huge win for Sacramento County.\n\t\t\u2022 Helped Jobless Residents and Small Businesses:\u00a0Earlier this year,\u00a0my office hosted two job fairs\u00a0in conjunction with Assemblyman Ken Cooley that assisted several hundred local residents who were looking for work.\u00a0We\u2019ve also held several workshops for local small businesses\u00a0to connect them with resources they can use to grow and hire.\n\u2022 Secured Small Business Aid Funding:\u00a0I advocated for new federal funds that will help Sacramento County small businesses pursue federal government contracts. The federal government procures numerous contracts with private businesses every year for a wide range of goods and services \u2013 everything from food, to printer ink, to jet engines. This is a great example of how we can work together to make government work for small businesses.\n\t\t\u2022 Brought the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to Sacramento County:\u00a0Earlier this year,\u00a0I was pleased to welcome Maria Contreras-Sweet, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, to Sacramento County. It was a good opportunity to make sure that local small businesses in our area get the resources and services they need.\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\u2022 Voted to Keep Taxes low: Earlier this month,\u00a0I voted for the bipartisan Tax Increase Prevention Act\u00a0so families & businesses can rely on tax relief next year. This bill is now law, and will help grow our economy by supporting research and development, clean energy, homeowners, and more. \u2022 Strengthened the U.S. \u2013 India Trade Relationship:\u00a0The U.S. \u2013 India trade relationship is critical for growing the American economy here at home. That\u2019s why I've worked to strengthen our relationship and\u00a0helped facilitate an agreement\u00a0between the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the U.C. Davis Postharvest Technology Center to collaborate on post-harvest technology to reduce food losses due to spoilage. Making Government Work for You\u00a0\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\n  \n\tOne of my most important jobs is making government work for you, and I've worked hard to do that these past two years. My local office helps Sacramento County families cut through red tape and fix problems they\u2019re having with the federal government - including backlogged veteran\u2019s benefits, Social Security and Medicare issues, stalled passports, and more. If you think you may need help, please call my office at (916) 635 0505 or visit\u00a0bera.house.gov/gethelp. \u2022 Helped Sacramento County families:\u00a0I\u2019m proud to report that since January 2013, my office has helped local families\u00a0recover $ 1,440,163\u00a0owed to them by the federal government.\u00a0We've also helped 2,917 individuals. \u2022 Help for Veterans:\u00a0We hired a Wounded Warrior Iraq War vet to assist local veterans, and together we\u2019ve helped area vets\u00a0recover more than $1 million\u00a0in backlogged benefits and services. For instance, we helped Corey a veteran who served our country in the army for 22 years. But because of a paperwork error, he wasn't receiving the benefits he had earned.\u00a0Click to play the below video to see how we helped him.  \n\t\u00a0\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\n  \u2022 Help for Seniors:\u00a0My office helps local seniors with problems that they may be having with the federal government \u2013 including resolving issues with Social Security, Medicare, and other federal services and benefits they may be owed. Since 2013 my office has helped local residents\u00a0recover nearly $150,000\u00a0in Social Security and Medicare benefits. For instance, we helped Shelly from Elk Grove, who needed assistance getting her mom the Social Security benefits she was owed.\u00a0Play the video to see how my office was able to help.  \n\t\u00a0\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\n  \u2022 Making Government Work for Sacramento County:\u00a0Since 2013,\u00a0my staff and I have hosted or attended 1,066 events in Sacramento County. These events include dozens of workshops and dedicated office hours we've held with seniors, veterans, business owners, local officials, non-profit organizations, and others to connect our area with resources and assistance.\u00a0 \u2022 Listening to you:\u00a0Since 2013,\u00a0my office has answered 79,890 of your letters, phone calls, and emails. I regularly use social media platforms such as\u00a0Facebook\u00a0and\u00a0Twitter\u00a0to provide daily updates on my work, as well as my email updates. In addition, my staff and I have held more than a dozen town halls and hundreds of constituent meetings so I can hear from you directly.\u00a0 As always, it is an incredible honor to serve you in Congress.\u00a0Please never hesitate to call or write at any time. My door is always open. Be well,  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tAmi 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/bera-volunteers-at-christmas-in-cordova-holiday-toy-drive-for-local", "Bera volunteers at Christmas in Cordova holiday toy drive for local children, families", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ami Bera", "B001287", "bera.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. and his local staff joined hundreds of volunteers on Saturday, December 20th for the annual Christmas in Cordova event. The Folsom Cordova Community Partnership has been organizing this holiday toy drive for years to help support hundreds of local families and children in need.\n\u201cIt was heartwarming to see how many volunteers came out and donated to help make this year's Christmas in Cordova such an incredible success,\u201d said Bera. \"This event is a shining example of our community coming together and I hope it continues to grow in the years to come.\u00a0My staff and I had a great time getting to know the dedicated volunteers and helping the families who attended.\"\nThe partnership works with other local non-profits and churches throughout the year to collect food donations, monetary donations, and toys and gifts for children. The event serves families in the community who live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to make ends meet.\n\u201cThe families we serve often are faced with desperate decisions, such as buying food for their children, paying monthly rent and dealing with day-to-day challenges which often increase during the pressures of the holiday season,\u201d said Robert Sanger, Executive Director of the Folsom Cordova Community Partnership.\u00a0\u201cThis year, we were able to help bring cheer to more than 800 families, with more than 4,500 presents donated thanks to all of the support from our partners, the community, and our volunteers.\"\nThe event featured three different play-care children sections for various age groups so that kids could play while parents went to the \u2018toy shop\u2019 to pick out Christmas presents. The gymnasium of Mills Middle School was converted into a toy shop and gift wrap area filled with volunteers ready to wrap and decorate the presents. Parents could select up to three gifts for each child and had the option of getting them giftwrapped before taking them home. In addition to the play-care areas and toy shop, families were treated to a hot lunch and received a basket of food to take home from the Salvation Army.\nMore than 200 volunteers of all ages and experience helped out, many returning volunteers who help at this event every year.Volunteer duties ranged with helping to set up the toy store, greeting families as they arrived, helping parents pick out gifts for their children, wrapping presents, re-stocking and organizing toys, and watching children in play-care areas while parents shopped.\nTwin sisters and recent graduates of Cordova High School Monique and Monae Newton were among those volunteering. They participated with their friends from the Police Activities League and have taken part in Christmas in Cordova for the last four or five years.\n\"We like volunteering here because it\u2019s just a certain feeling you get of being part of the community and it\u2019s nice knowing that you\u2019re helping someone out,\u201d said Monae.\n\u201cYou can really see the joy when they grab a gift and you get to wrap it for them and really see how it makes their day. It is just that feeling that we enjoy being a part of,\u201d said Monique.\nFolsom High School junior and another Police Activities League member, Arya Sharma was also a volunteer at the event.\n\u201cI was impressed that people who can\u2019t afford presents can get them for their kids and that we are able to help them with something they otherwise couldn\u2019t do. If I help other people and make them happy it makes me happy too I said why not just try and come help today,\" said Sharma.\nIf you are interested in donating or volunteering next year, please contact the Folsom Cordova Community Partnership online at https://www.thefccp.org/ or by phone (916) 361-8684 or email at Info@theFCCP.org.\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 leader of the 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://cardenas.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/c-rdenas-statement-on-iran-negotiations", "CRDENAS STATEMENT ON IRAN NEGOTIATIONS", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Tony C\u00e1rdenas", "C001097", "cardenas.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "C\u00c1RDENAS STATEMENT ON IRAN NEGOTIATIONS\nI am disappointed that the negotiations have not produced an agreement to end Iran\u2019s nuclear program in the year since the adoption of the Joint Plan of Action in Geneva in 2013. However, I remain hopeful a diplomatic solution will ultimately be achieved with the announced extension and commitment to continue negotiating until the new deadline, June 30, 2015. Iran must recognize that negotiations cannot continue indefinitely. Congress and the American people cannot accept a deal that does not prevent an Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. There must be independent verifiable evidence that Iran is living up to its end of the bargain in any agreement that is reached.\nWe must also push for a strong agreement to ensure the security and integrity of our allies and partners in the region. An Iranian nuclear weapon threatens a delicate balance in the Middle East and could spark a dangerous arms race. I will continue to monitor the ongoing discussions and work with my colleagues in the 114th Congress on legislation to build new sanctions to encourage a timely settlement.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://juliabrownley.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/brownley-statement-for-the-holidays", "BROWNLEY STATEMENT FOR THE HOLIDAYS", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) issued the following statement for the holidays:\u00a0\n\u201cAs we gather with our families and friends to celebrate the holidays, let us thank the brave men and women in uniform for their valor and service. Our servicemembers are crucial to our community and are part of what makes Ventura County such a great place to live and work.\n\u201cAs the representative of the over 19,000 personnel who serve our country at Naval Base Ventura County \u2013 and a proud member of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee \u2013 I want to take a moment to thank everyone who is serving in the armed forces for their selfless dedication to our country. They deserve our sincere gratitude for defending our country and our freedoms. Without their brave efforts, America would not have the liberties so many of us enjoy and often take for granted. Through their example, we remember that our nation is strongest when we work together to achieve common goals. And it is our solemn obligation to make sure that each servicemember and veteran receives all of the services and care they need when they return home.\n\u201cSo, from my family to yours, Happy Holidays and have a safe and healthy New Year.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mikethompson.house.gov//newsroom/press-releases/thompson-statement-on-irrigation-restriction-ruling-by-federal-appeals-court", "THOMPSON STATEMENT ON IRRIGATION RESTRICTION RULING BY FEDERAL APPEALS COURT", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Thompson", "T000460", "mikethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) released the following statement after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court\u2019s 2011 ruling that said irrigation restrictions in California\u2019s Central Valley lacked sufficient scientific justification. In overturning the lower court\u2019s ruling, the circuit court upheld irrigation restrictions in the Central Valley that were created in 2009 after the National Marine Fisheries Service released a \u201cbiological opinion\u201d which found that Central Valley irrigation projects endangered steelhead and chinook salmon.\u00a0\n\u201cThe 9th Circuit\u2019s ruling in this case affirms that while Delta water is important for farmers in the Central Valley, it\u2019s also important for fish, wildlife and those who depend on the Delta for their drinking water and livelihoods. The Delta supports thousands of jobs in farming, fishing and tourism, and has an economic output of more than $4 billion a year. Neither the court, nor anyone else, should be in the business of picking winners and losers when it comes to our limited water supply. Instead, all decisions should be guided by the best available science \u2013 and the 9th Circuit let the best available science guide its decision making. I commend the ruling and look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress, state leaders, and all stakeholders to find fair, science-based solutions to our water challenges.\u201d \n\u00a0\nCongressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California\u2019s 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. \u00a0He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.\n\u00a0\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=bf28640c-b200-4c5f-a991-a0a5ebfded67", "Feinstein, Grassley Release Recommendations  for Combatting Afghan Drug Trade", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington\u2014U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), co-chairs of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, today released a bipartisan report, \u201cFuture U.S. Counternarcotics Efforts in Afghanistan,\u201d which provides recommendations for Congress and the administration to counter illicit activities and corruption surrounding the Afghan drug trade.\r\n\r\nThe report\u2019s recommendations have also been endorsed by Senators Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), James Risch (R-Idaho) and John Cornyn (R-Texas).\r\n\r\n\u201cThe Afghan drug trade funds the Taliban, fuels corruption and creates major public health challenges,\u201d said Senator Feinstein. \u201cAfghanistan could become a narco-state without an effective, comprehensive and coordinated counternarcotics strategy, coupled with unprecedented levels of international cooperation. If we don\u2019t act, Afghanistan\u2019s drug trade could undermine hard won gains and U.S. investments and threaten the safety of the citizens of Afghanistan and neighboring countries.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cOpium production in Afghanistan has rapidly increased as the U.S. military presence has been reduced,\u201d said Senator Grassley. \u201cOur report outlines the critical need for the Obama administration to put plans in place now to support continuing counternarcotics efforts without the current level of security provided by the United States. The administration should provide Congress with a comprehensive, multi-agency, workable strategy before any more gains made over the past 13 years are lost.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe report recommends that the United States:\r\n\r\n \r\nWork with the Afghan government to account for the inherent challenges that have previously stymied U.S. efforts to produce and implement a long-term, interagency counternarcotics strategy and develop goals and metrics to measure progress.\r\nEncourage additional countries to support counternarcotics programs in Afghanistan and provide resources to help better interdict narcotics leaving Afghanistan.\r\nStrengthen the rule of law in Afghanistan by developing an interagency anti-corruption strategy; providing training and support Afghan counternarcotics units vetted by the Drug Enforcement Agency; and expand the vetting process to include select members of the judicial sector.\r\nEnsure scarce resources are prioritized to support effective interdiction efforts over eradication and fund alternative livelihood programs that focus more intensely on non-farm income.\r\nContinue funding intelligence missions to disrupt drug-related criminal and insurgent activities, such the Afghan Threat Finance Cell.\r\nContinue implementing strategies and programs to prevent, reduce, and treat drug use in Afghanistan.\r\n \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-statement-for-the-holidays/", "Brownley Statement for the Holidays", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", "juliabrownley", "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Thousand Oaks, CA \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) issued the following statement for the holidays:\n\n\u201cAs we gather with our families and friends to celebrate the holidays, let us thank the brave men and women in uniform for their valor and service. Our servicemembers are crucial to our community and are part of what makes Ventura County such a great place to live and work.\n\n\u201cAs the representative of the over 19,000 personnel who serve our country at Naval Base Ventura County \u2013 and a proud member of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee \u2013 I want to take a moment to thank everyone who is serving in the armed forces for their selfless dedication to our country. They deserve our sincere gratitude for defending our country and our freedoms. Without their brave efforts, America would not have the liberties so many of us enjoy and often take for granted. Through their example, we remember that our nation is strongest when we work together to achieve common goals. And it is our solemn obligation to make sure that each servicemember and veteran receives all of the services and care they need when they return home.\n\n\u201cSo, from my family to yours, Happy Holidays and have a safe and healthy New Year.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:44:12Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-lee-applauds-step-in-the-right-direction-but-remains-disappointed-by-msm-blood-donation-ban", "Congresswoman Lee Applauds Step in the Right Direction but Remains Disappointed by MSM Blood Donation Ban", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.23.14\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee Applauds Step in the Right Direction but Remains Disappointed by MSM Blood Donation Ban \n\t\t\tOakland, CA  Congresswoman Lee released this statement on news that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will recommend ending the lifetime blood donor deferral for MSM in favor of a one year deferral from last sexual contact:\r\n\r\nI am pleased to see the FDA take a step in the right direction by re-examining the outdated and discriminatory policy regarding blood donations from the MSM community.\r\n\r\nYet, I remain disappointed that their recommendation continues blood donation deferrals without scientific justification.\r\n\r\nBlood and blood products are critical to the treatment of many medical conditions and blood supplies are chronically low.\r\n\r\nOur policies towards blood donation should be based on science, not fear. Deferral policy should only be based on actual risk factors.\r\n\r\nI have called and will continue to call for a blood donation policy based on science, data and technical capacity.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\nCongresswoman Lee is a Vice Chair of the Equality Caucus, a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, and is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and former co-chair of the 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"], ["http://mikethompson.house.gov//newsroom/press-releases/thompson-and-brady-s-bipartisan-small-business-efficiency-act-signed-into", "THOMPSON AND BRADYS BIPARTISAN SMALL BUSINESS EFFICIENCY ACT SIGNED INTO LAW", "2014-12-22", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Thompson", "T000460", "mikethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Kevin Brady\u2019s (R-TX) bipartisan Small Business Efficiency Act (H.R. 3581) was signed into law on Friday by President Barack Obama. The legislation helps reduce burdens faced by small businesses and ensures better compliance with complex federal employment tax responsibilities. Specifically, the Small Business Efficiency Act provides clear rules for Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) that are voluntarily certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to collect and pay federal employment taxes for their small business clients. The legislation will provide certainty for small businesses that use certified PEO services and allow employers to focus on their business operations, not government paperwork.\n\u201cSmall businesses are the backbone of our economy and they shouldn\u2019t be held back because of Washington regulations and piles of government paperwork,\u201d said Thompson. \u201cThis law will remove bureaucratic burdens so that small businesses can focus on what they do best \u2013 growing their business, producing quality products and creating good-paying jobs.\u201d \nPEOs provide human resources services to small business clients. One of the most important tasks that PEOs perform for small businesses is the collection and payment of employment taxes, reducing the amount of burdensome paperwork for small businesses.\u00a0\nBefore the bill was enacted, there was ambiguity about a certified PEO\u2019s (CPEO) ability to assume employment tax responsibility. The Small Business Efficiency Act eliminates this ambiguity by implementing safeguards for the CPEO\u2019s small business clients.\nTo become a certified PEO (CPEO) Thompson and Brady\u2019s legislation requires a PEO to meet certain basic financial conditions, satisfy reporting obligations, and maintain ongoing certification with the IRS.\u00a0 After meeting certification requirements, the CPEO would assume full and sole responsibility and liability for employment taxes due as long as they are certified.\nThe Small Business Efficiency Act creates a voluntary IRS certification process\u00a0to help PEOs become certified so they can take on small business clients and accept liability for filing payroll taxes for their clients\u2019 employees.\nNot only will small businesses benefit from the legislation, the federal government directly benefits as well. The IRS has stated that CPEOs would improve compliance with employment tax requirements, reduce the number of returns the IRS has to process, and reduce errors in calculating and paying employment taxes.\u00a0 Presidents Bush and Obama have included very similar proposals in their budget submissions.\n\u00a0\nCongressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California\u2019s 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. \u00a0He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.\n\u00a0\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pelosi.house.gov//news/pelosi-updates/a-new-beginning", "A New Beginning", "2014-12-22", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A New Beginning  After more than 50 years, it is clear that the policy of isolating Cuba is serving neither the interests of the American people nor the democratic aspirations of the Cubans. We must acknowledge our policy towards Cuba is a relic of a bygone era that weakens our leadership in the Americas and has not advanced freedom and prosperity in Cuba.\u00a0 President Obama\u2019s decision to normalize US-Cuban relations has achieved a historic diplomatic breakthrough that renews our leadership in the Western Hemisphere. I commend the President and Secretary of State John Kerry for their vision and leadership in this initiative, and in securing the release of American prisoner Alan Gross and the US intelligence agent who has languished in Cuban prison for two decades. The initiatives announced by President Obama this week, including those in the field of agriculture, build on the bipartisan work of many in the Congress over the years. We also recognize the role of the abiding moral leadership of Pope Francis in helping our nations reach this new beginning.\u00a0 However, we must also acknowledge that democratic activists and political prisoners have suffered for decades under the brutal reign of this oppressive regime, and the pain they and their families continue to face will not cease today. With clear eyes, we will continue to call on the Cuban regime to yield to the political, social, and economic dreams of the Cuban people.\u00a0\n\u00a0\nTo follow Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi on Instagram, please\u00a0click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-sherman-letter-to-sony-pictures-entertainment", "Congressman Sherman Letter to Sony Pictures Entertainment", "2014-12-22", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Brad Sherman", "S000344", "sherman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 22, 2014\nMr. Michael Lynton\nCEO  \n\tSony Pictures Entertainment  \n\t10202 West Washington Boulevard  \n\tCulver City, CA 90232\nRe: Invitation to screen The Interview at the U.S. Capitol\n  \n\tDear Mr. Lynton\nI am extending an offer to screen The Interview in the U.S. Capitol facilities.\nAs Chairman of the Entertainment Industries Caucus, I believe we should stand in solidarity with Sony Pictures and the American film industry. Threats from a dictator in North Korea should not stop Americans from seeing any movie. We have a responsibility to stand up against these attempts at intimidation.\nThis is also about educating Members of Congress. Everyone is talking about The Interview. I think it's important for Congress to know, and see, what we are talking about.\nScreening The Interview will demonstrate the U.S. Congress's support of the freedom of speech. This is about our right to live without fear, and knowing that our values will not be compromised by the idle threats of a despotic regime. Good or bad, Americans should not be deprived of the opportunity to see this movie.\nIt is now the responsibility of the U.S. government to allocate the necessary resources to ensure moviegoers' safety. We must help Sony Pictures, movie theater owners, and moviegoers regain the confidence to go see The Interview.\nIf you have any questions please contact Lauren Wolman at lauren.wolman@mail.house.gov or (202) 225-5911.\nSincerely,\nBrad Sherman  \n\tMember of Congress\nCC:\nThe Honorable Chris Dodd  \n\tChairman  \n\tMPAA  \n\tMr. Keith Weaver  \n\tWorldwide Government Affairs  \n\tSony Pictures Entertainment", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sherman-double-voice-of-america-broadcasting-into-north-korea", "Sherman: Double Voice of America Broadcasting into North Korea", "2014-12-22", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Brad Sherman", "S000344", "sherman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington DC - Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), the second Ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee issued the following statement: Kim Jong-un has used vandalism and threats of violence to suppress speech in the United States. The North Korean government has prevented millions of Americans from seeing a particular movie, at least during December. Importantly, these threats are now causing movie and television producers to delay or abandon sensitive projects. It is time to give North Korea a double dose of free speech. Currently Radio Free Asia and Voice of America reach North Koreans eleven hours each night, at a cost to American taxpayers of $8 million annually (or roughly one tenth of what it cost Sony to make and advertise The Interview). We should ramp this up to $16 million. Dictators like Kim Jong-un fear nothing as much as the truth and it is time to bring a maximum supply of truth both to the North Korean people, and to the elites which form the core of the regime's support. We also maintain websites aimed at North Korea, but we do not provide television broadcasts. Our web efforts should be aimed at undermining Kim Jong-un among these elites, who have internet access. The BBG Report on North Korea (issued December 8, 2014) shows that our current eleven hour per day stream of broadcasting to North Koreans falls a bit short of our own 12 hour per day goal. Though nighttime hours are more effective than daylight hours, we should be broadcasting 24 hours a day into North Korea. (The BBG, Broadcasting Board of Governors, is the US government agency which oversees the Voice of America and Radio Free Asia.) The Report also indicates that for medium wave (AM) we are dependent on leased transmission sites (usually leased from South Korean radio broadcasters). The Broadcasting Board of Governors is seeking to construct its own medium wave transmitter in South Korea at a location optimally suited to reach the North Korean people. This effort should be funded and expedited. We should explore using satellite television broadcasting. If television broadcasting into North Korea is practical, then later next year we should broadcast The Interview dubbed in Korean.\n_____________________________________________________  \n\t\n\n\tCongressman Sherman also chairs the Entertainment Industry Caucus in the House of Representatives. He has also called for re-listing North Korea as a State Sponsor of Terrorism and he has asked Sony to provide a copy of The Interview for screening in the Capitol to Members of Congress. See Letter Here.\n\tAttached is the Report of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (which oversees both Voice of America and Radio Free Asia) issued December 8, 2014, pursuant to the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act.\n\tFinal Fact: Freedom House ranked North Korea dead last (out of 197 countries surveyed) for 11 years in a row in its annual Freedom of the Press Report.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://bera.house.gov//media-center/amis-updates/email-update-working-for-you", "Email update: Working for you", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ami Bera", "B001287", "bera.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I sent an email update on Friday on how I've been working for you over the past few weeks. Join my email updates now so you don't miss any in the future!\n  It's been a busy few weeks, so here's a quick update on how I'm working for you. Important note: My Washington office has moved to 1535 Longworth House Office Building. We're just one floor above where we used to be. Please feel free to call us at (202) 225 5716 to share your views or even get help with tours of the Washington area. Fighting the U.C. Tuition Hike As you may know, the University of California regents recently voted to raise tuition for U.C. students. If their plan goes forward, students could see a 28 percent tuition increase over 5 years. I'm extremely disappointed by this vote. It breaks the promise of an affordable education for many students. As a co-chair of the bipartisan California Public Higher Education Caucus, I helped lead the opposition to this tuition hike. Several of my California congressional colleagues joined me to urge the U.C. regents to stop the hike so students aren't priced out of the American dream. Several state lawmakers have since proposed plans to avoid the hikes, but none have yet been adopted.\nWe need to bring down the skyrocketing cost of education so that same dream is available to this and future generations. >> Please click here to read our letter urging a rejection of tuition hikes. Fairness for Pregnant Working Women Earlier this month, the Supreme Court heard arguments on a major pregnancy discrimination case. This case may decide if women can expect reasonable accommodations at the workplace so they can keep providing for their families while they're pregnant. As a husband and a father of a daughter, I believe a woman shouldn't have to choose between her job and the health of her pregnancy.\nThat's why I joined with dozens of my congressional colleagues to send a legal brief to the Supreme Court. We're urging the Court to rule in favor of pregnant working women. I\u2019m also supporting the Pregnant Women\u2019s Fairness Act in Congress to end unfair discrimination. >> Please click here to see more about how I'm fighting for women and families in Congress. Voting for Tax Relief for Families and Businesses Earlier this month, I voted for the bipartisan Tax Increase Prevention Act so families & businesses can rely on tax relief next year. This will help grow our economy by supporting research and development, clean energy, homeowners, and more. I'm pleased to report to you that the Senate also passed this bill this week. The President will soon sign this bill and make it the law of the land.\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\tDuring a visit to one of our local small businesses, Brothers Boats in Folsom. I discussed how my bipartisan bill, the Small Business and Family Relief Act, would help roll back a new health insurance tax that makes it harder for small businesses to grow.\n\t\t\t\n  \n\tWhile this is an important step, the hard work of reforming our tax code and providing certainty to our economy isn't over. I will keep working with Republicans and Democrats so we can pass a more permanent solution that works for our economy and middle class families. >> Please click here to read more about this legislation. Reuniting with one of our local heroes As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I had the honor of making an official congressional visit to Afghanistan in 2013. This trip was an important opportunity to meet with U.S. & Afghan officials, to review our mission, and to check on the wellbeing of our brave troops. During my visit, I had the honor of meeting Morgan Alcalay from Carmichael. It was great to see him again safe and sound on U.S. soil at my Washington office earlier this month.\nIt was a privilege to welcome Morgan home and to thank him for his service to our country. Our service members and veterans deserve nothing less than our unwavering support. That's why my office is here to help local service members and veterans who are having trouble with the federal government. We've now helped area vets recover more than $1 million in backlogged benefits and services, and we'd be honored to serve you too. Please call us at (916) 635 0505 or visit bera.house.gov/helpforvets for more information. As always, I'm humbled to serve you in Congress. Please feel free to call or write at any time. Be well,\n  \n\tAmi Bera, M.D.  \n\tMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://garamendi.house.gov/press-release/interior-secretary-jewell-congressmen-garamendi-thompson-host-public-meeting-berryessa", "Interior Secretary Jewell, Congressmen Garamendi & Thompson Host Public Meeting on Berryessa Snow Mountain Region", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "John Garamendi", "G000559", "garamendi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Following Tour of Region, Heard from Community on Proposals to Conserve\n\tPublic Lands in Lake, Yolo, Solano, Napa, & Mendocino Counties NAPA, CA \u2013 U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today visited the Berryessa-Snow Mountain Region of California where she joined Congressmen John Garamendi (D-CA-03) and Mike Thompson (D-CA-02) for a public meeting to hear from the community about its vision for the management of public lands in Lake, Yolo, Solano, Napa, and Mendocino counties. \"The Berryessa Snow Mountain Region is a natural treasure at the heart of the 3rd District. This region\u2019s rugged beauty helps sustain outdoor recreation businesses, serves as a valuable source of water, and provides critical habitats for our wildlife,\" Congressman Garamendi said. \"It was vitally important to hear from our friends and neighbors in the community on how we can best preserve Berryessa Snow Mountain now and into the future. I look forward to translating these ideas into sound public policy.\" \"This is an incredibly beautiful area with great opportunities for outdoor recreation, so it\u2019s no surprise that the community wants to make sure that it is protected and passed on to the next generation,\" said Secretary Jewell. \"I\u2019m grateful for today\u2019s opportunity to get out and see the public lands and to hear directly from the local community about their vision for conservation and land management.\u00a0 I want to underscore our support of Congressman Thompson\u2019s efforts to recognize this region as a National Conservation Area, which could also lead to additional economic benefits to the region.\" \"Protecting the Berryessa Snow Mountain region will help boost tourism, grow the local economy, improve recreation opportunities and protect important species found nowhere else on earth,\" said Congressman Thompson. \"That is why I\u2019ve proposed legislation that would permanently safeguard this important region. However, Congress has refused to consider this bill. If Congress won\u2019t act, then I look forward to continuing to work with Secretary Jewell, Undersecretary Bonnie and the Obama Administration on plans to permanently protect the Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a national monument.\" Congressmen Garamendi is the leading cosponsor of Congressman Thompson\u2019s\u00a0 H.R. 1025, the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area Act, legislation that would establish the Berryessa-Snow Mountain National Conservation Area. They were also joined by USDA Undersecretary for Environment and Natural Resources Robert Bonnie and Chief of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Tom Tidewell. H.R. 1025 would conserve and enhance scenic, recreational and culturally significant lands and waters that are managed by Interior\u2019s Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation, as well as lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service, under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The legislation includes protections for 350,000 acres of land including three federally-recognized wilderness areas, Lake Berryessa, Berryessa Peak and other key areas. As part of their visit, Congressmen Thompson took Jewell, USDA officials, and other state and local community members to portions of the proposed national conservation area within BLM\u2019s Cache Creek Wilderness. The 27,245-acre wilderness contains spectacular scenery, including steep canyons, scenic rivers, rolling oak woodlands and elaborate springtime wildflower displays. The Berryessa Snow Mountain region provides significant recreation opportunities for people in the 3rd District and nearby San Francisco and Sacramento metropolitan areas, as well as visitors from around the world. The area contains opportunities for hiking, camping, boating, fishing, mountain biking, off-highway vehicle use and other types of recreation. The area is known as a botanical \u2018hotspot\u2019 for its rich diversity of plant species like the Sargent's cypress and serpentine willow and provides habitat for dozens of iconic California birds and animals including bald and golden eagles, black bears, mountain lions and herds of wild tule elk. The landscape rises from near sea level in the south to over 7,000 feet in the north, supporting such diverse ecosystems as the blue oak woodlands near Putah Creek in the south and the sub-alpine habitat within the Snow Mountain Wilderness.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://garamendi.house.gov/press-release/president-signs-coast-guard-maritime-transportation-bill-law-ranking-member-garamendi", "President Signs Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation Bill Into Law that Ranking Member Garamendi Helped Author", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "John Garamendi", "G000559", "garamendi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bipartisan Law Strengthens Economy and National Security and Includes Garamendi\u2019s Growing American Shipping Act FAIRFIELD, CA \u2013 Today, President Barack Obama signed into law S. 2444, the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014. Earlier this month, this bipartisan legislation passed both Chambers of Congress by unanimous consent. \"Now that the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act is the law of the land, we are reminded that even in this deeply divided Congress, good and important legislation can sometimes make it to the finish line,\" Ranking Member Garamendi said. \"I thank President Obama for signing this legislation. I also thank my colleague on the subcommittee, Chairman Duncan Hunter, as well as Chairman Bill Shuster, Ranking Member Nick Rahall, Senator Jay Rockefeller, and Senator John Thune, for working closely with me in an inclusive and bipartisan way. We didn\u2019t craft a perfect law, but it\u2019s a strong compromise that will strengthen our economy and improve our national security.\"\nThe law reauthorizes funding for the United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Federal Maritime Commission. It also provides policy direction and certainty for these entities and the entire maritime sector. As Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee\u2019s Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-03) worked closely with Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-CA-5) to write the bill; negotiated a bipartisan, bicameral compromise; and built support for passage through both chambers of Congress and with the Administration.\n\"With this law, we are modernizing the Coast Guard and strengthening businesses that depend on maritime transport \u2013 which is almost every business. We\u2019re also strengthening American shipbuilding, the backbone of our maritime sector,\" Congressman Garamendi added.\nThe law also incorporates legislation that Congressman Garamendi introduced, H.R. 5270, the Growing American Shipping Act, which requires that the Department of Transportation develop policies that enhance the national security and port safety of the United States by encouraging to the maximum extent practicable the transport of liquefied natural gas on U.S.-built and -flag vessels when it is decided to export. This law aims to maintain the technological ability of the United States shipbuilding industry to build and repair vessels for the Navy and the Coast Guard by maintaining the critical industrial infrastructure and skilled human workforce necessary to build such vessels. Further, this law promotes American job creation by encouraging domestic shipbuilding and the use of U.S. mariners when the transport of American LNG occurs.\n\"When we export LNG, it should be on ships built in America with American crews,\" Garamendi continued. \"So long as we choose to export LNG, it should be creating good American jobs in the process, and the revitalization of America\u2019s shipbuilding industry has spiraling impacts that go far beyond this commodity. I\u2019m proud of the work we put into creating this law, and I thank everyone in Congress and the Administration who was supportive through this process.\" The Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 (S. 2444) includes provisions that:\n Authorize the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve for fiscal year 2015;\n\tSupport Coast Guard servicemembers and their families by providing new child care and family support programs;\n\tRequire development of a comprehensive National Maritime Strategy;\n\tReauthorize the small shipyard competitive grant program, which in 2011 awarded a $1.4 million grant to a facility in Alameda County;\n\tProvide new guidance to the Coast Guard as it continues to rebuild its offshore fleet of cutters, including the granting of multi-year procurement authority for the new Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) which will help expedite the construction of this new class of cutter once a final design is selected next year;\n\tClarify existing authorities to promote the use of U.S. flag vessels in the export of LNG;\n\tStrengthen cooperation between the Coast Guard and State Maritime Academies, including California Maritime Academy in Vallejo, by codifying the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee;\n\tHelp replace and modernize aging Coast Guard assets in a cost-effective manner;\n\tProvide new directives that the Coast Guard needs to prepare for full-time operations and for the safety of maritime transportation in the Arctic, including authority to reactivate the heavy icebreaker Polar Sea;\n\tProvide explicit cooperative agreement authority to enhance the Coast Guard\u2019s ability to develop beneficial partnerships with other maritime stakeholders, including private businesses, nonprofits, and foreign governments;\n\tImprove Coast Guard acquisition activities;\n\tEnhance Congressional oversight; and\n\tCreate opportunities for veterans to transition to careers in the Merchant Marine.\n The legislation is named in honor of retiring Congressman and long-serving House Transportation Committee Member Howard Coble, the only current Member of Congress to have served in the Coast Guard and a strong supporter of the Service.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huffman.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/huffman-calls-for-swift-renewal-of-the-secure-rural-schools-program", "Huffman Calls for Swift Renewal of the Secure Rural Schools Program, Essential to Rural North Coast Communities", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jared Huffman", "H001068", "huffman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00ad\u2014Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today called on Congressional leaders to reauthorize a program that provides key support to rural communities. Representatives Huffman, Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Chris Stewart (R-UT), and Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) led a bipartisan letter urging the swift renewal of Secure Rural Schools Act (SRS) funding to help counties with large amounts of federally-owned National Forest land.\nSince National Forest land cannot be taxed by counties or states, for more than 100 years the U.S. Forest Service has shared revenues from timber harvests on federal lands with the nearby communities. In the letter to House Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi the members pointed out that SRS program provides vital funding to communities facing declining revenue from timber sales on federal lands. The program helps rural counties pay for infrastructure projects and supports local school districts.\n\u201cFailing to renew the SRS program will cause significant harm to the ability of rural and timber communities to provide basic services to their residents,\u201d the members wrote in the letter sent today. \u201cWe urge you to work quickly, in a bipartisan fashion, to reauthorize, fund and make payments under SRS as early as possible in the next Congress ensuring that local governments across the country can access these essential funds.\u201d\nAcross the nation SRS sends funds to more than 700 counties and 4,000 school districts. California is one of the top recipients of SRS funds, totaling more than $32.7 million in FY 2013, second only to Oregon. FY 2013 payments to counties in Huffman\u2019s 2nd Congressional District totaled more than $5.7 million in SRS funds:\n Del Norte: $1,217,621\n\tTrinity: $3,286,334\n\tHumboldt $935,964\n\tMendocino: $307,490\n Huffman\u2019s letter was signed by 34 other members and is supported by the National Association of Counties, National Forest Counties and Schools Coalition, The School Superintendents Association, Association of Educational Service Agencies, National Rural Education Association, and the National Rural Education Advocacy Coalition.\nThe full text of the letter follows and a PDF may be found HERE.\nDear Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi,\nAs the 113th Congress comes to an end, we write to express our concern that the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) was not reauthorized for fiscal year 2014. More than 700 counties and school districts across the country receive funding through the SRS program.\nAs you know, for more than 100 years, the Forest Service has shared 25 percent of timber revenues with rural counties to compensate them for federal ownership of lands, which cannot be taxed at the local level. Counties and school districts rely on these funds to help support critical services, including education and infrastructure projects. While timber harvest levels have dropped over the last two decades, Congress has recognized the need to live up to its obligations and continue to support these districts.\nUnfortunately, the authorization for SRS lapsed in September 2013 and the last payments were distributed in April 2014. Failing to renew the SRS program will cause significant harm to the ability of rural and timber communities to provide basic services to their residents.\nWe urge you to work quickly, in a bipartisan fashion, to reauthorize, fund and make payments under SRS as early as possible in the next Congress ensuring that local governments across the country can access these essential funds.\nSincerely,\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://juliabrownley.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/brownley-welcomes-uclass-fleet-integration-team-to-point-mugu", "BROWNLEY WELCOMES UCLASS FLEET INTEGRATION TEAM TO POINT MUGU", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "OXNARD, CALIF. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) announced that the U.S. Navy will be establishing an Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) Fleet Integration Team (FIT) at Point Mugu.\u00a0\n\u201cI am proud to report that the UCLASS FIT will be based at Point Mugu, which is yet another example of Naval Base Ventura County\u2019s increasing strategic importance for our nation\u2019s 21st century defense posture,\u201d said Congresswoman Brownley. \u201cI look forward to welcoming the UCLASS FIT personnel and their families to our community.\u201d\nAccording to the Department of the Navy, the UCLASS FIT will support the Navy\u2019s persistent, aircraft carrier-based intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting, and strike requirements. The new command will be in place effective October 1, 2015, and will include 8 officers and 12 enlisted personnel. Its mission will be to plan, integrate, and execute the lines of effort required to establish the Initial Operational Capability of the UCLASS system and transition the program to Full Operational Capability. It will determine squadron requirements for manpower, training, maintenance, logistics, carrier integration, optimized fleet response plan, information technology, interoperability, security, and budget. The UCLASS FIT will also coordinate with facilities personnel to determine infrastructure and base operating support requirements, as well as determine associated fleet integration and support requirements for inclusion into the proper programs of record.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mikethompson.house.gov//newsroom/press-releases/thompson-hosts-interior-secretary-jewell-usda-under-secretary-bonnie-on", "THOMPSON HOSTS INTERIOR SECRETARY JEWELL, USDA UNDER SECRETARY BONNIE ON VISIT TO BERRYESSA SNOW MOUNTAIN REGION", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Thompson", "T000460", "mikethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "NAPA, CA \u2013 U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5), joined by Congressman John Garamendi (CA-3), today hosted Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie on a visit to the Berryessa Snow Mountain Region. After a hiking tour of the region, Thompson held a public meeting to hear from constituents about Thompson\u2019s conservation proposals for the Berryessa Snow Mountain region and what it means to the local communities. At the public meeting, a panel consisting of ranching, recreation, conservation, academic and elected leaders spoke in support of protecting the region.\n\u201cProtecting the Berryessa Snow Mountain region will help boost tourism, grow the local economy, improve recreation opportunities and protect important species found nowhere else on earth,\u201d said Thompson. \u201cThat is why I\u2019ve proposed legislation that would permanently safeguard this important region. However, Congress has refused to consider this bill. If Congress won\u2019t act, then I look forward to continuing to work with Secretary Jewell, Undersecretary Bonnie and the Obama Administration on plans to permanently protect the Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a national monument.\u201d\nAs part of their visit, Thompson took Jewell, USDA officials and other state and local community members to portions of the proposed national conservation area within BLM\u2019s Cache Creek Wilderness. The 27,245-acre wilderness contains spectacular scenery, including steep canyons, scenic rivers, rolling oak woodlands and elaborate springtime wildflower displays.\n\"This is a beautiful area with cultural history and\u00a0great opportunities for outdoor recreation and\u00a0wildlife viewing so it's no surprise that the community wants to make sure that it is protected and passed on to the next generation,\" said Jewell. \"Today's opportunity to get out and see the public lands and to hear directly from the local and tribal communities about their vision for conservation and land management is important. I want to underscore our support of Congressman Thompson's efforts to recognize this region as a National Conservation Area, which could also lead to additional economic benefits to the region.\"\n\u201cWe are supportive of Congressman Thompson\u2019s effort to solicit public comment on his proposal,\u201d said Bonnie. \u201cThe Forest Service also met with tribal leaders to discuss the proposal earlier this month. There appears to be significant public support for this proposal and we look forward to working with all interested parties as this process continues.\u201d\n\u201cThe Berryessa Snow Mountain Region is a natural treasure at the heart of the 3rd District. This region\u2019s rugged beauty helps sustain outdoor recreation businesses, serves as a valuable source of water, and provides critical habitats for our wildlife,\u201d Garamendi said. \u201cIt was vitally important to hear from our friends and neighbors in the community on how we can best preserve Berryessa Snow Mountain now and into the future. I look forward to translating these ideas into sound public policy.\u201d\nJewell, Bonnie and U.S. Forest Service Chief (USFS) Tom Tidewell visited California at the invitation of Thompson who, since 2012, has introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would designate the 350,000 acre Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a National Conservation Area (NCA).\nUnder an NCA designation, the region would be permanently protected, ensuring continued recreational opportunities while safeguarding the region's wildlife, rare plants, and waters \u2013 which include important sources of drinking water and irrigation for nearby communities. U.S. Senator Boxer (D-CA) has introduced a companion bill in the Senate.\nThe Berryessa Snow Mountain region stretches nearly one hundred miles from the shores of Lake Berryessa to the peak of Snow Mountain. It encompasses more than 350,000 acres across Napa, Mendocino, Lake, Solano and Yolo Counties. The area is rich in biodiversity, including bald and golden eagles, black bears, mountain lions, tule elk, and rare plants found nowhere else on Earth. The area provides habitat to so many kinds of plants and animals that it has been named a biodiversity hotspot.\nThe Berryessa Snow Mountain region also includes numerous trails, open spaces, lakes and rivers. These resources provide recreation opportunities for hikers, bikers, hunters, campers, off-highway vehicle users, and both motorized and non-motorized boaters.\nSafeguarding the Berryessa Snow Mountain region would also provide the surrounding communities with economic benefits. Recent studies have shown that local economies surrounding national monuments expanded following the creation of a new national monument. Employment, personal income, and per capita income either continued or improved in each of the regions surrounding the national monuments studied. In California alone, more than half of all residents participate in outdoor recreation each year, supporting more than 700,000 jobs and generating more than $6 billion for our state\u2019s economy.\nMore than 100 businesses in areas surrounding the Berryessa Snow Mountain Region support a national monument designation, as do many nationally recognized recreation and sportsmen groups such as the International Mountain Bicycling Association, Back Country Horsemen, the Equine Land Conservation Resource and the Blue Ribbon Coalition.\nAdditionally, all five counties within the Berryessa Snow Mountain Region have endorsed permanent protection for the area.\n\u00a0\nCongressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California\u2019s 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. \u00a0He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.\n\u00a0\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-announces-funding-help-homeless-veterans-fresno-and-merced", "Costa Announces Funding to Help Homeless Veterans in Fresno and Merced Counties", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jim Costa", "C001059", "costa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FRESNO, CA- Rep. Jim Costa (CA-16) announced that the Fresno Housing Authority has been awarded $121,319 and the County of Merced Housing Authority has been awarded $79,981 to provide case management and rental assistance to homeless veterans. The Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program is jointly operated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Since 2008, the HUD-VASH program has served nearly 75,000 veterans nationwide.\n\n\tOur veterans have honored our nation through their service to our country's armed forces, putting the needs of our nation above their own. We must ensure that they have a place to call their own and the tools necessary to lead productive lives, said Costa. The funds awarded to the Housing Authorities of Fresno and Merced Counties will allow them to continue their efforts to end homelessness among Valley veterans.\n\n\tThe funding provided through the HUD-VASH Program to the agency will help homeless veterans find permanent supportive housing, said County of Merced Housing Authority Executive Director Rennise Ferrario. Since 2012, we have been able to serve more than 25 homeless veterans through the HUD-VASH program locally. The current award will allow us to provide an additional 15 homeless veterans with housing assistance. The funding provides a critical resource in addressing homelessness among veterans in our community. We all have a responsibility to ensure that after serving our county and returning home, that all of our veterans have housing and a place they can call home. We owe it to them.\n\n\tFresno Housing Authority Executive Director and CEO Preston Prince added, These important federal funds enable Fresno Housing to collaborate in community-wide efforts which focus on providing permanent supportive housing for veterans who have honorably served our country and are now experiencing homelessness. Fresno Housing, with the Department of Veterans Affairs, follows the Housing First strategy, in which homeless individuals are housed and then provided services to meet the conditions in their lives that led to their homelessness.\n\n\tThrough the HUD-VASH program, homeless veterans receiving services through the VA can be referred to local housing authorities to obtain VASH vouchers for rental assistance. By combining case management from the VA and housing assistance, the program aims to give longtime homeless veterans the support needed to obtain and maintain permanent housing. Locally, Fresno Housing Authority partners with the Fresno Veterans Affairs Medical Center to provide support to eligible veterans with the help of HUD-VASH funding.\n\n\t\n\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-welcomes-uclass-fleet-integration-team-to-point-mugu/", "Brownley Welcomes UClass Fleet Integration Team to Point Mugu", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", "juliabrownley", "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Oxnard, CA \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) announced that the U.S. Navy will be establishing an Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) Fleet Integration Team (FIT) at Point Mugu.\n\n\u201cI am proud to report that the UCLASS FIT will be based at Point Mugu, which is yet another example of Naval Base Ventura County\u2019s increasing strategic importance for our nation\u2019s 21st century defense posture,\u201d said Congresswoman Brownley. \u201cI look forward to welcoming the UCLASS FIT personnel and their families to our community.\u201d\n\nAccording to the Department of the Navy, the UCLASS FIT will support the Navy\u2019s persistent, aircraft carrier-based intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting, and strike requirements. The new command will be in place effective October 1, 2015, and will include 8 officers and 12 enlisted personnel. Its mission will be to plan, integrate, and execute the lines of effort required to establish the Initial Operational Capability of the UCLASS system and transition the program to Full Operational Capability. It will determine squadron requirements for manpower, training, maintenance, logistics, carrier integration, optimized fleet response plan, information technology, interoperability, security, and budget. The UCLASS FIT will also coordinate with facilities personnel to determine infrastructure and base operating support requirements, as well as determine associated fleet integration and support requirements for inclusion into the proper programs of record.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:44:12Z"], ["https://matsui.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=284", "Important Cruise Passenger Safety Provision Signed Into Law", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Doris Matsui", "M001163", "matsui.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  \r\nFriday, December 19, 2014 \r\nCONTACT: JONELLE TRIMMER  \r\n(202) 225-7163\r\nImportant Cruise Passenger Safety Provision Signed Into Law\r\nBill includes language from Rep. Matsui's Cruise Passenger Protection Act requiring improvements to crime statistics website\r\n The President signed into law this week a Coast Guard reauthorization bill that includes a key provision ensuring the public has access to important safety information they need prior to booking a cruise. This provision was one of several cruise passenger safety provisions included in legislation Congresswoman Matsui introduced last year, the Cruise Passenger Protection Act (CPPA).\r\nThe bill language transfers the responsibility for maintaining the cruise vessel crime data website from the Coast Guard to the Department of Transportation and requires a number of changes to ensure the website is user-friendly and includes all important data. Specifically, it requires the website to be updated quarterly and sorted by cruise line. The website will be required to identify each cruise line by name, identify each crime committed or allegedly committed by a passenger or crewmember regardless of the status of the investigation, and identify the number of individuals alleged overboard.\r\nThis is an important victory for cruise safety advocates and for the millions of Americans who have taken a cruise or are considering one in the future. While cruise ships are billed as safe, family-friendly vacations, the reality is that crime happens onboard these ships just as it does anyplace else, said Congresswoman Matsui. This key provision from the Cruise Passenger Protection Act will ensure that anyone considering a cruise can easily view a more accurate number of crimes that occurred on each cruise line, and the nature of the crime. This is a huge step forward toward transparency and ensuring the safety of cruise passengers.\r\nThe members of ICV are deeply indebted to the many members of the House and Senate who have been dedicated to the protection of cruise ship passengers. The Coast Guard Reauthorization Act will help to bolster and strengthen the existing CVSSA which Congresswoman Matsui authored in 2010 by increasing the public's awareness through the quarterly publication of additional safety information and crime data. All of the victims of cruise ship crime and negligence who for years, have taken their impassioned stories to Congress can breathe a bit easier thanks to the unwavering support of Congress Members such as Congresswoman Matsui and Congressman Poe who like us believed in the irrefutable rightness of this cause. We are indeed grateful on this historic day, said Kendall Carver, chairman of the International Cruise Victims Association (ICV).\r\nCongresswoman Matsui is a long-time advocate for improving safety and security aboard cruise vessels. She authored the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA), bipartisan legislation that was signed into law in 2010, requiring the cruise industry to comply with a number of security and crime reporting provisions. Last year, she introduced the CPPA, legislation which would build on the passenger safety measures put in place by the CVSSA by clarifying and strengthening the crime reporting and video surveillance requirements. In addition to requiring the website improvements passed today, this legislation bolsters FBI notification requirements when an alleged incident occurs, and strengthens video surveillance requirements to ensure maximum protection for passengers and victims, while taking steps to avoid privacy concerns.\r\nThe signing of this law is an important step for ensuring the safety of cruise passengers, but it is just a step. I will be reintroducing the Cruise Passenger Protection Act next Congress to ensure we continue to build upon the security and safety measures aboard our cruise ships, that consumers have access to accurate information, and that victims are given the support and resources they need and deserve, added Matsui.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schiff.house.gov/news/press-releases/rep-schiff-statement-on-sony-hacking", "Rep. Schiff Statement on Sony Hacking", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Adam Schiff", "S001150", "schiff.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.19.14\n\t\t\t Rep. Schiff Statement on Sony Hacking \n\t\t\tWashington, DC - Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), a senior Member of the House Intelligence Committee, released the following statement:\r\n\"The North Korean government's outrageous act of cyberterrorism against Sony demands a forceful response and I hope that President Obama will ensure that Kim Jong Un and his regime are held to account for an act of economic and political aggression against the United States. I applaud the work of the Intelligence Community and the FBI for their work in tracing the attack to its source.\u00a0The DPRK, as does any country, has the right to express its displeasure over The Interview \u00a0through proper diplomatic channels, but never by \u00a0engaging in a sustained cyberattack combined with threats to physically harm American citizens who choose to watch a movie.\u00a0 Pyongyang\u2019s \u00a0power to stifle free speech and artistic freedom must be universally condemned and the Kim regime must be made to understand that acts such as these will only deepen its diplomatic and economic isolation.\"The Sony hack is also a \u00a0wake-up call to America and the west, who have been far too complacent in the face of the demonstrated and growing cyber threat posed by Russia, China, and Iran, as well as North Korea.\u00a0 Our national security is not only dependent on physically safeguarding the American people, but also developing the means to prevent a rogue nation or a terrorist group from launching a cyberattack that results in hundreds of millions of dollars in damage or the loss of life.\u00a0 As a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I have been working with my colleagues to address the cyber threats posed by state and non-state actors.\u00a0 When the 114th Congress convenes in January I expect that our committee will intensify its efforts to safeguard our critical infrastructure and economy.\u00a0 This must be a top priority.\"I am proud to count much of the entertainment industry as my constituents and I know how much this attack has hurt them and I pledge to do everything possible to ensure that we close vulnerabilities and work to ensure that this never happens again. I am deeply concerned by the precedent of this cyber attack preventing the distribution of a film and hope that it can be widely disseminated in the near future -- this would be the most powerful repudiation of North Korea's belligerent cyber attack. I would also hope that the media would exercise restraint in publishing the private details of personal emails stolen by North Korea -- doing otherwise merely intensifies the harm done by this illegal act.\" \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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://scottpeters.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/rep-peters-bipartisan-bill-to-rename-downtown-courthouse-signed-into-law", "Rep. Peters Bipartisan Bill to Rename Downtown Courthouse Signed Into Law", "2014-12-18", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Scott Peters", "P000608", "scottpeters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Peters\u2019 Bipartisan Bill to Rename Downtown Courthouse Signed Into Law\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, President Obama signed Congressman Scott Peters\u2019 (CA-52) legislation to rename the Federal Courthouse and Judicial Center in Downtown San Diego into law. H.R. 1378 designates the Courthouse at 333 W. Broadway as the \u201cJames M. Carter and Judith N. Keep United States Courthouse\u201d and the surrounding center as the \u201cJohn Rhoades Federal Judicial Center.\u201d\n\u201cThese judges served the public with distinction,\u201d Rep. Peters said. \u201cThis designation will honor their career-long commitments to justice. I want to thank the local legal community for their multi-year work to move this effort forward. It also would not have been possible without the bipartisan support from Congresswoman Susan Davis and Congressman Darrell Issa over the past few months.\u201d\nThe legislation passed the House of Representatives on December 9 and the Senate earlier this week.\nFor more information on H.R. 1378 and background on Judges Carter, Keep, and Rhoades click HERE.\nTo see Congressman Peters\u2019 speech in the U.S. House supporting his legislation click HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-applauds-decision-increase-support-crime-victims-fund", "Costa Applauds Decision to Increase Support for Crime Victims Fund", "2014-12-18", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jim Costa", "C001059", "costa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC Congressmen Jim Costa (D-CA) and Ted Poe (R-TX), along with U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) issued the following statement regarding enactment of a provision to increase disbursals from the Crime Victims Fund:\n\n\tWe are pleased that Tuesday night the president signed into law a requirement that a larger share of already-available dollars go to crime victims. The Crime Victims Fund receives no taxpayer dollars; it is funded by criminal fines and penalties assessed in federal court. For over a decade, Congress has unfortunately capped the total amount of dollars that can be allocated to assist victims of child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes.\n\n\tThis bipartisan measure represents a step in the right direction. Next Congress, we will continue to fight for crime victims by introducing a bipartisan, permanent fix that will increase the amount of money allocated to serve crime victims each year.\n\n\t\n\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sherman-statement-on-passing-of-rabbi-harold-schulweis-renowned-jewish", "Sherman Statement on Passing of Rabbi Harold Schulweis, Renowned Jewish Leader", "2014-12-18", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Brad Sherman", "S000344", "sherman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington DC - Congressman Brad Sherman issued the following statement after news of the passing of Rabbi Harold Schulweis.\nI am deeply saddened by the loss of Rabbi Schulweis. He was my Rabbi and I've been a member of his congregation at Valley Beth Shalom since the mid-1990s. As a leader in the community for over 45 years, he was an innovator that transformed the synagogue beyond a place of worship into a true community that fostered activism, counseling, and charity.\nMy wife and I had the honor of listening to his sermons on many occasions; he was a moving speaker and constant inspiration. My mother, wife and I also had the privilege of joining him and his wife for dinner from time to time where he shared his insight and wisdom.\nRabbi Schulweis was one of the preeminent Jewish thinkers, scholars and intellectuals of our time and the author of many books including For Those Who Can't Believe: Overcoming the Obstacles to Faith and Evil and the Morality of God.\nHis leadership taught us the importance of reaching beyond our borders. Jewish World Watch, an organization he founded, brought schools, churches, and synagogues together to combat hunger and genocide across the globe. Do not stand idly by' was his frequent refrain  referring to the work we all must do together to overcome injustice.\nHe was also a reformer, who was among the first Conservative rabbis to welcome openly gay and lesbian Jews into his synagogue. His legacy and his writings leave a lasting impact here in Los Angeles and in communities everywhere. My wife Lisa and I send our sincerest condolences to his wife Malkah and his children Seth, Ethan, and Alyssa and the entire Schulweis family.\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://bass.house.gov/press-release/bass-applauds-moves-normalize-diplomatic-relations-cuba-release-alan-gross", "Rep. Bass Applauds Moves to Normalize Diplomatic Relations with Cuba, Release of Alan Gross", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Karen Bass", "B001270", "bass.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LOS ANGELES\u2014Today, following the announcement of American Alan Gross\u2019 release from a Cuban prison after five years of incarceration, President Barack Obama announced significant changes in U.S. policy as it relates to Cuba to promote more effective change in Cuba that is consistent with U.S. support for the Cuban people and in line with U.S. national security interests. In addition to changing diplomatic relations, changes to remittance, trade and travel rules are also being proposed. These changes are the most dramatic since relations were severed in 1961.\n\u201cI am first and foremost absolutely thrilled to learn about the release of Alan Gross from prison in Cuba today,\u201d said Rep. Karen Bass, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. \u201cI look forward to today\u2019s announcement by President Obama, which signals a substantial first step in normalizing relations with Cuba. This is the most significant foreign policy action with our neighbor to the south in decades and I applaud the Obama Administration and all those who worked to make these changes a reality allowing for a free flow of ideas and trade, including a new avenue for agricultural businesses in California. We will also have the opportunity to test and share medical breakthroughs, particularly in the area of drugs that treat diabetes and long-term health concerns.\u201d\n\u00a0  \n\tKey Components of the Updated Policy Approach from the White House:  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tEstablishing diplomatic relations with Cuba\n The President has instructed the Secretary of State to immediately initiate discussions with Cuba on the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba, which were severed in January 1961.\n\tIn the coming months, we will re-establish an embassy in Havana and carry out high-level exchanges and visits between our two governments as part of the normalization process.\u00a0 As an initial step, the Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs will lead the U.S. Delegation to the next round of U.S.-Cuba Migration Talks in January 2015, in Havana.\n\tU.S. engagement will be critical when appropriate and will include continued strong support for improved human rights conditions and democratic reforms in Cuba and other measures aimed at fostering improved conditions for the Cuban people.\n\tThe United States will work with Cuba on matters of mutual concern and that advance U.S. national interests, such as migration, counternarcotics, environmental protection, and trafficking in persons, among other issues.\u00a0 \u00a0\n Adjusting regulations to more effectively empower the Cuban people\n The changes announced today will soon be implemented via amendments to regulations of the Departments of the Treasury and Commerce.\u00a0\u00a0 Our new policy changes will further enhance our goal of empowering the Cuban population.\n\tOur travel and remittance policies are helping Cubans by providing alternative sources of information and opportunities for self-employment and private property ownership, and by strengthening independent civil society.\u00a0\n\tThese measures will further increase people-to-people contact; further support civil society in Cuba; and further enhance the free flow of information to, from, and among the Cuban people.\u00a0 Persons must comply with all provisions of the revised regulations; violations of the terms and conditions are enforceable under U.S. law.\n \u00a0  \n\tFacilitating an expansion of travel under general licenses for the 12 existing categories of travel to Cuba authorized by law-\n General licenses will be made available for all authorized travelers in the following existing categories: (1) family visits; (2) official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations; (3) journalistic activity; (4) professional research and professional meetings; (5) educational activities; (6) religious activities; (7) public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions; (8) support for the Cuban people; (9) humanitarian projects; (10) activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes; (11) exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information materials; and (12) certain export transactions that may be considered for authorization under existing regulations and guidelines.\u00a0\n\tTravelers in the 12 categories of travel to Cuba authorized by law will be able to make arrangements through any service provider that complies with the U.S. Treasury\u2019s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations governing travel services to Cuba, and general licenses will authorize provision of such services.\u00a0\n\tThe policy changes make it easier for Americans to provide business training for private Cuban businesses and small farmers and provide other support for the growth of Cuba\u2019s nascent private sector.\u00a0 Additional options for promoting the growth of entrepreneurship and the private sector in Cuba will be explored.\n \u00a0  \n\tFacilitating remittances to Cuba by U.S. persons-\n Remittance levels will be raised from $500 to $2,000 per quarter for general donative remittances to Cuban nationals (except to certain officials of the government or the Communist party); and donative remittances for humanitarian projects, support for the Cuban people, and support for the development of private businesses in Cuba will no longer require a specific license.\n\tRemittance forwarders will no longer require a specific license.\n \u00a0  \n\tAuthorizing expanded commercial sales/exports from the United States of certain goods and services-\n The expansion will seek to empower the nascent Cuban private sector.\u00a0 Items that will be authorized for export include certain building materials for private residential construction, goods for use by private sector Cuban entrepreneurs, and agricultural equipment for small farmers.\u00a0 This change will make it easier for Cuban citizens to have access to certain lower-priced goods to improve their living standards and gain greater economic independence from the state.\n \u00a0  \n\tAuthorizing American citizens to import additional goods from Cuba-\n Licensed U.S. travelers to Cuba will be authorized to import $400 worth of goods from Cuba, of which no more than $100 can consist of tobacco products and alcohol combined.\n \u00a0  \n\tFacilitating authorized transactions between the United States and Cuba-\n U.S. institutions will be permitted to open correspondent accounts at Cuban financial institutions to facilitate the processing of authorized transactions.\n\tThe regulatory definition of the statutory term \u201ccash in advance\u201d will be revised to specify that it means \u201ccash before transfer of title\u201d; this will provide more efficient financing of authorized trade with Cuba.\n\tU.S. credit and debit cards will be permitted for use by travelers to Cuba.\n\tThese measures will improve the speed, efficiency, and oversight of authorized payments between the United States and Cuba.\n \u00a0  \n\tInitiating new efforts to increase Cubans\u2019 access to communications and their ability to communicate freely-\n Cuba has an internet penetration of about five percent\u2014one of the lowest rates in the world.\u00a0 The cost of telecommunications in Cuba is exorbitantly high, while the services offered are extremely limited.\n\tThe commercial export of certain items that will contribute to the ability of the Cuban people to communicate with people in the United States and the rest of the world will be authorized.\u00a0 This will include the commercial sale of certain consumer communications devices, related software, applications, hardware, and services, and items for the establishment and update of communications-related systems.\n\tTelecommunications providers will be allowed to establish the necessary mechanisms, including infrastructure, in Cuba to provide commercial telecommunications and internet services, which will improve telecommunications between the United States and Cuba.\n \u00a0  \n\tUpdating the application of Cuba sanctions in third countries-\n U.S.-owned or -controlled entities in third countries will be generally licensed to provide services to, and engage in financial transactions with, Cuban individuals in third countries.\u00a0 In addition, general licenses will unblock the accounts at U.S. banks of Cuban nationals who have relocated outside of Cuba; permit U.S. persons to participate in third-country professional meetings and conferences related to Cuba; and, allow foreign vessels to enter the United States after engaging in certain humanitarian trade with Cuba, among other measures.\n \u00a0  \n\tPursuing discussions with the Cuban and Mexican governments to discuss our unresolved maritime boundary in the Gulf of Mexico-\n Previous agreements between the United States and Cuba delimit the maritime space between the two countries within 200 nautical miles from shore.\u00a0 The United States, Cuba, and Mexico have extended continental shelf in an area within the Gulf of Mexico where the three countries have not yet delimited any boundaries.\n\tThe United States is prepared to invite the governments of Cuba and Mexico to discuss shared maritime boundaries in the Gulf of Mexico.\n \u00a0  \n\tInitiating a review of Cuba\u2019s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism-\n The President has instructed the Secretary of State to immediately launch such a review, and provide a report to the President within six months regarding Cuba\u2019s support for international terrorism.\u00a0 Cuba was placed on the list in 1982.\n \u00a0  \n\tAddressing Cuba\u2019s participation in the 2015 Summit of the Americas in Panama-\n President Obama will participate in the Summit of the Americas in Panama.\u00a0 Human rights and democracy will be key Summit themes.\u00a0 Cuban civil society must be allowed to participate along with civil society from other countries participating in the Summit, consistent with the region\u2019s commitments under the Inter-American Democratic Charter.\u00a0 The United States welcomes a constructive dialogue among Summit governments on the Summit\u2019s principles.\u00a0\n \u00a0###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://chu.house.gov/press-release/rep-judy-chu-praises-economic-contributions-core-copyright-industries", "Rep. Judy Chu Praises Economic Contributions of Core Copyright Industries", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Judy Chu", "C001080", "chu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 The core copyright industries \u2013 which includes books, music, motion pictures, radio and TV broadcasting, computer software, newspapers, periodicals, and journals \u2013 added more than $1.1 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2013 according to a report from the International Intellectual Property Alliance. Co-chairs of the Creative Rights Caucus Reps. Judy Chu (CA-27) and Doug Collins (GA-9) release the following statements:\n\u201cEmploying more than 5.5 million people, our creative industries contributed more than a trillion dollars to our economy last year. This is a significant portion of our GDP, none of which would be possible without strong copyright protections. As co-chair of the Congressional Creative Rights Caucus, I am so proud of the talented minds and innovative workers that produce arts and entertainment admired around the world. We need to continue working to guarantee the protection necessary to help this industry continue to thrive,\u201d said Rep. Chu.\n\u201cCopyright is the foundation of innovation, and innovation is the force that drives our economy. This study confirms what creators know best, and what I\u2019m committed to making sure Congress understands in the coming months,\u201d said Rep. Collins.\nThe report, \u201cCopyright Industries in the U.S. Economy,\u201d can be found online here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pelosi.house.gov//news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-on-the-failure-to-reauthorize-the-terrorism-risk-insurance-act", "Pelosi Statement on the Failure to Reauthorize  the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616\nSan Francisco \u2013 Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today released the following statement on the Senate\u2019s failure to reauthorize The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), bipartisan legislation to protect American businesses from financial ruin following a terrorist attack.\n\u201cThe Senate had an opportunity to remove uncertainty for businesses, for our economy, and for the American people by renewing bipartisan legislation that provides insurance coverage for businesses following a terrorist attack on American soil.\u00a0\n\u201cTRIA has helped businesses and communities rebuild and thrive in the years since September 11, 2001.\u00a0 But partisanship blocked progress yesterday when a single Senator bogged down the legislation.\u00a0 The American people want our government to work as hard as they do, and the failure to renew this critical legislation jeopardizes the economic security of our nation.\n\u201cWithout insurance, American entrepreneurs eager to set up shop in San Francisco and across the country may not build, may not expand, and may not create the jobs that spur economic growth.\u00a0 For families, businesses, and our economy, we must make reauthorization a priority in the next Congress.\u201d\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pelosi.house.gov//news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-on-us-normalization-of-relations-with-cuba", "Pelosi Statement on U.S. Normalization of Relations with Cuba", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616\nSan Francisco \u2013 Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement after President Obama announced his administration will take steps to normalize diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba:\n\u201cAfter more than 50 years, it is clear that policy of isolating Cuba is serving neither the interests of the American people nor the democratic aspirations of the Cubans. \u00a0We must acknowledge our policy towards Cuba is a relic of a bygone era that weakens our leadership in the Americas and has not advanced freedom and prosperity in Cuba. \u00a0\n\u201cPresident Obama has achieved a historic diplomatic breakthrough that renews our leadership in the Western Hemisphere.\u00a0 I commend the President and Secretary Kerry for their vision and leadership in this initiative, and in securing the release of American prisoner Alan Gross and the U.S intelligence agent who has languished in Cuban prison for two decades. \u00a0The initiatives announced by President Obama today, including those in the field of agriculture, build on the bipartisan work of many in the Congress over the years.\u00a0 We also recognize the role of the abiding moral leadership of Pope Francis in helping our nations reach this day. \u00a0\n\u201cHowever, we must also acknowledge that democratic activists and political prisoners have suffered for decades under the brutal reign of this oppressive regime, and the pain they and their families continue to face will not cease today.\u00a0 With clear eyes, we will continue to call on the Cuban regime to yield to the political, social, and economic dreams of the Cuban people.\u201d\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=99ed6287-77bd-46cc-b48b-9a232d25536e", "Senates report on CIA torture was comprehensive-Washington Post", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By: Dianne Feinstein  Originally appeared in the Washington Post\r\nThe Senate Intelligence Committee last week released its report on the CIA detention and interrogation program, which in some cases amounted to torture. Since then, defenders of the program have been vocal.\r\n\r\nBut instead of disputing facts \u2014 supported by 6.3 million pages of the CIA\u2019s own records \u2014 they are complaining about process.\r\n\r\nThe latest assault by Marc Thiessen, a Post columnist and former George W. Bush speechwriter, suggested the study is not comprehensive [\u201cSen. Feinstein lives up to Rolling Stone\u2019s standards\u201d]. That is absurd.\r\n\r\nThis is the most comprehensive oversight study ever conducted by the U.S. Senate.\r\n\r\nIn addition to millions of CIA cables, e-mails, memos, inspector general reports and other documents, committee investigators drew extensively on more than 100 interview transcripts of key CIA personnel, including Director George Tenet, Deputy Director John McLaughlin, Acting General Counsel John Rizzo and Counterterrorism Center Director Jose Rodriguez.\r\n\r\nThese interviews were conducted at the time the program was active \u2014 not years later and not subject to rationalization, revision or memory lapses. The committee would have liked to conduct additional interviews for further context, but because of a Justice Department criminal investigation, the CIA refused to compel personnel to participate.\r\n\r\nThe CIA also had ample opportunity to weigh in on the study. Key personnel testified before the committee, and the lengthy agency response was integrated into the final committee report.\r\n\r\nI understand those involved may want to distance themselves from the terrible acts that were committed, but facts are facts. This study will stand the test of time and hopefully ensure that such mistakes are never made again.\r\n\r\nDianne Feinstein, Washington\r\n\r\nThe writer, a Democrat from California, is chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=77f83895-9d1d-48fc-b100-50124fa0f421", "Feinstein Statement on Cuba", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "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 Cuba:\r\n\r\n\u201cThe release of Alan Gross from a Cuban prison is wonderful news for his family and our country. Alan was held for five years and is in poor health, and I\u2019m pleased he will spend the holidays at home.\r\n\r\n\u201cThis is also good news for our two nations. For too long our relationship has been soured by mistrust and clouded by memories of the Cold War. Reports that our countries will move to normalize relations are very welcome. Reconciling our differences, opening embassies, increasing trade and building people-to-people relationships are all long overdue.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt is my hope that normalizing relations will spur positive changes for the people of Cuba. Today is a historic day, and I am looking forward to a brighter future with our Caribbean neighbor.\u201d\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/bipartisan-coalition-of-congressional-leaders-call-for-greater-diplomatic-action-to-end-violence-in-south-sudan", "Bipartisan Coalition of Congressional Leaders Call for Greater Diplomatic Action to End Violence in South Sudan", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.14\n\t\t\t Bipartisan Coalition of Congressional Leaders Call for Greater Diplomatic Action to End Violence in South Sudan \n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  More than two dozen Congressional leaders, led by members of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Sudan and South Sudan, wrote to President Obama asking his Administration to increase diplomatic efforts to end this brutal conflict before more civilian suffer and the region is further destabilized.\r\n\r\nSince the conflict began in December 2013, millions of South Sudanese have been displaced and thousands have killed. Nearly two million South Sudanese have been pushed to the brink of famine.\r\n\r\nLikewise, the State's civil society has been suppressed.\r\n\r\nCurrent legislation in South Sudan would have a significant impact on nation NGOs and South Sudanese civil society, who should become the backbone of a free and vibrant South Sudan, write the authors.\r\n\r\nThe full text of the letter can be found here.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\nCongresswoman Lee is co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Sudan and South Sudan and a member of the Appropriations Committee subcommittee of State and Foreign Operations. She is also a member of the Budget Committee, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the 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://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-lee-announces-600-000-grant-for-school-based-health-centers", "Congresswoman Lee Announces $600,000 Grant for School-Based Health Centers", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.14\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee Announces $600,000 Grant for School-Based Health Centers \n\t\t\tOakland, CA  Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator, Jared Blumenfeld, presented a $600,000 grant to the Public Health Institute's Regional Asthma Management & Prevention, in Oakland. This grant will help school-based health centers nationwide prevent and manage environmental asthma triggers for children at school and at home.\r\n\r\nI am pleased these important federal resources are coming into the district to prevent, address and treat the disproportionately high rates of asthma amongst young people of color in our community. TheEast Bay community continues to fight for environmental justice and children's health. It is an honor to represent that legacy in Congress, said Congresswoman Lee. Today's announcement is an important step towards addressing health inequalities in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. As a member of the Appropriations subcommittee and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Health Task Force chair, I will continue to work to ensure strong federal investments in community health and environmental justice.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\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 the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the 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://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-lee-applauds-the-release-of-alan-gross", "Congresswoman Lee Applauds the Release of Alan Gross", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.14\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee Applauds the Release of Alan Gross \n\t\t\tCongresswoman Lee released the following statement applauding the humanitarian release of Alan Gross:\r\n\r\nThe release of Alan Gross is both a diplomatic and a moral victory. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.\r\n\r\nOver the last five years, I have met with Alan many times in Cuba and worked with all parties to secure his release. I applaud the President for his tremendous leadership and all those involved in securing his release. \r\n\r\nThe release of Alan Gross is an important step to ending the U.S.'s failed and unpopular policy towards Cuba. I look forward to additional steps to fully normalize relations with Cuba  it is far past time.\r\n\r\nI will continue my work with President Obama, the Administration and all my colleagues to support and advance normal relations with Cuba and an end to the failed embargo.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\nCongresswoman Lee recently returned from Cuba. She is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the 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://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-lee-celebrates-historic-step-to-normalize-relations-with-cuba", "Congresswoman Lee Celebrates Historic Step to Normalize Relations with Cuba", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.14\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee Celebrates Historic Step to Normalize Relations with Cuba \n\t\t\tWashington, DC  Congresswoman Lee released the following statement regarding the President's historic announcement on Cuba. Congresswoman Lee recently returned from leading a congressional delegation to the island: \r\n\r\nI applaud the President for his historic step towards normalizing relations with our neighbor. In the more than fifty years since the embargo began, U.S. policy towards Cuba has been an unpopular failure and it is past time for change.\r\n\r\nI have traveled to Cuba more than 20 times since 1977 and returned last night from leading a Congressional delegation to examine diabetes care and treatment.\r\n\r\nBy moving towards normalized relations with Cuba, the U.S. has the opportunity to work towards a more productive relationship that benefits both the American and Cuban people.\r\n\r\nAmericans should have the freedom to travel to Cuba and I am glad to see the President making it easier for Americans to travel to Cuba. I will continue to work with President Obama, the Administration and my colleagues to end U.S. travel restrictions to Cuba.\r\n\r\nNow it is time for Congress to act to fully normalize relations by ending the embargo.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\nCongresswoman Lee has traveled to Cuba more than 20 times since 1977. Earlier this week, Congresswoman Lee led her most recent Congressional delegation to examine diabetes care and treatment in Cuba. She has met with Alan Gross more than four times in the effort to support his release. Congresswoman Lee has helped lead Congressional efforts to end the U.S.'s failed policies toward Cuba, including offering numerous amendments, and legislation. Congresswoman Lee most recently sent a letter to the President just last week calling for U.S. participation in the 7th Summit of the Americas and normalizing relations.\r\n\r\n\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://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-lees-statement-on-the-passing-of-rudy-lombard", "Congresswoman Lee's Statement on the Passing of Rudy Lombard", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.14\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee's Statement on the Passing of Rudy Lombard \n\t\t\tOakland, CA - Congresswoman Lee issued the following statement remembering the life and legacy of Rudy Lombard:\r\n\r\nI was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my dear friend, Rudy Lombard. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and community.\r\n\r\nRudy's passion, activism and leadership for justice have improved countless lives, including mine.\r\n\r\nRudy was larger than life  he was a Freedom Rider, a civil rights legend, a mayoral candidate, an author-chef and a public health advocate.\r\n\r\nI met Rudy during the 1970s and had the good fortune to witness more than four decades of his work to make the world a fairer and healthier place. \r\n\r\nHis restaurant is Oakland, Lombards, became popular because of his delicious food and generous hospitality.\r\n\r\nOver the years, his wisdom and joy were a constant source of inspiration for me and many others.\r\n\r\nRudy will be sorely missed by the huge community of family, friends and activists who learned from him over the years.\r\n\r\nThe Bay Area joins with those around the country, especially in his beloved hometown of New Orleans, in saying well done thy good and faithful servant.'\r\n\r\nWe will miss Rudy but his spirit and legacy will live forever.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\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 the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the 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://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-waters-welcomes-president-s-new-course-cuba", "Congresswoman Waters Welcomes the Presidents New Course on Cuba", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Maxine Waters", "W000187", "waters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Waters Welcomes the President's New Course on Cuba\n\nWashington, D.C. -- Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) issued a statement congratulating the President for his announcement of historic steps to chart a new course in U.S. relations with Cuba. Her statement follows: \n\n\"As a long-time advocate of improved relations with Cuba who has traveled to the island several times, I commend the President for initiating discussions with Cuba on the re-establishment of diplomatic relations and for authorizing increased trade, facilitating remittances, and expanding opportunities for Americans to travel to this island nation, just 90 miles off our shore.\n\nThe United States has for years been supporting an unreasonable policy with regard to Cuba. The embargo is counterproductive and has done more harm than good to the cause of freedom in Cuba, and I fully support President Obama's efforts to move us towards a more rational policy in this area.\n\nAllowing expanded commercial activity with Cuba will enhance U.S. national security, create opportunities for American businesses and workers, and provide goods and services that will improve the living standards of the Cuban people. Facilitating trade in consumer communications equipment and telecommunications services will increase Cubans' access to information and their ability to communicate freely. Facilitating remittances will be especially helpful for Cuban Americans desiring to assist their families in Cuba. \n\nExpanding opportunities for Americans to travel to Cuba is good foreign policy, and it is consistent with American values. Throughout the Cold War, individual Americans traveled to the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. They met with individual citizens, and they talked about life in America. Some attended universities and educational programs, and some of them met with dissidents. Enabling American students, professionals, businesspeople, religious leaders, and human rights activists to travel freely to Cuba will serve American interests, empower civil society in Cuba, and educate the Cuban people about the American way of life.\n\nI congratulate the President, and I look forward to working with him to chart a new course in our nation's relations with Cuba.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cardenas.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/cardenas-passes-first-piece-of-legislation", "CARDENAS PASSES FIRST PIECE OF LEGISLATION", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Tony C\u00e1rdenas", "C001097", "cardenas.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "CARDENAS PASSES FIRST PIECE OF LEGISLATION  \n\tLaw provides the beginnings of effective cyberprotection for defense contractors in the San Fernando Valley and throughout America.\n\u00a0\n(Washington, D.C.) -- U.S. Rep. Tony C\u00e1rdenas (D-San Fernando Valley) successfully passed his first piece of legislation in the 113th session of Congress this week, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). C\u00e1rdenas\u2019 law will help protect Valley businesses from foreign hacking and other cyber threats.\nWhile hacking and cyber crimes have come into sharp scrutiny in Los Angeles with the hacking of Sony emails, more than 200,000 cyber incidents involving federal agencies, companies that run critical infrastructure like nuclear power plants, dams and transit systems and contract partners occurred in 2013.\nC\u00e1rdenas\u2019 legislation was contained within the NDAA, which passed the Senate late last week, after passing the House last month. Now, the bill will go to the President\u2019s desk for an expected signature.\n\u201cDefending our nation is not limited to military bases and warzones,\u201d said C\u00e1rdenas. \u201cEvery year thousands of attempts are made to break into critical systems in our government, through small businesses who may not have robust computer security. We must work with small businesses in our country to make certain that none of these attempts succeed.\u201d\nC\u00e1rdenas originally filed an amendment to the NDAA in May, mandating cybertraining and education by the Defense Department for small businesses that contract with the Pentagon. Included in these would be hundreds of San Fernando Valley contractors who manufacture parts and technologies for the United States government.\n\u201cLos Angeles and the Valley are driven by manufacturing,\u201d said C\u00e1rdenas. \u201cMany of these manufacturers support the brave men and women who defend our country. We have to protect the intellectual property of these companies from hacking, and we absolutely must safeguard the technologies that protect our warfighters.\u201d\n87 million\u00a0sensitive or private records have been exposed through breaches of federal networks since 2006. Currently, more than 35 percent of cyber intrusions are not detected by civilian agencies, and nearly half of all federal cybersecurity incidents were caused by federal employees or contractors.\nThe Defense Department has already committed more than $20 million to combat electronic and Internet threats.\nThe conference committee, that made the changes that became the final, approved version of the NDAA, began the process of creating Cardenas\u2019 proposed education schemes by directing the Government Accounting Office (GAO) to prepare a report on gaps and weaknesses in these areas of cybersecurity.\nFollowing that report, due in November of 2015, changes called for by the C\u00e1rdenas amendment will be undertaken by the Defense Department and the Small Business Administration.\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mikethompson.house.gov//newsroom/press-releases/thompson-introduces-small-business-healthcare-relief-act", "THOMPSON INTRODUCES SMALL BUSINESS HEALTHCARE RELIEF ACT", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Thompson", "T000460", "mikethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) has introduced H.R. 5860, the bipartisan Small Business Healthcare Relief Act with Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., M.D., (R-South Louisiana). This legislation fixes an existing Treasury Department guidance under the Affordable Care Act that limits the use of health reimbursement arrangements (HRA\u2019s) for small businesses, limiting choice and affordability for healthcare consumers.\n\u201cSince the landmark health care reform legislation was passed, we\u2019ve focused too much time trying to undermine the law, and far too little time working to build on its important reforms so that all Americans can afford health insurance,\u201d said Thompson. \u201cThis bipartisan legislation moves past party politics, fixes an important part of the health care law, and improves choice and affordability. By building on the reforms made in the Affordable Care Act, like this legislation does, we can make sure every American can afford to go to the doctor \u2013 and that\u2019s what matters.\u201d\nOn September 13, 2013, Treasury issued guidance disallowing businesses from using HRA\u2019s as a tax-free means to reimburse employees, stating these arrangements were disqualified under Affordable Care Act\u2019s annual dollar cap.\nThe Small Business Healthcare Relief Act restores flexibility and choice into the marketplace by:\n Ensuring that small businesses are allowed to use pre-tax dollars to give employees a defined contribution.\n\tAllowing employees to use these funds as an HRA to purchase health coverage on the individual market, as well as for qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses.\n\tProtecting small business employers from being unnecessarily financially penalized for providing this option to employees.\n The legislation is supported by the United States Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB), the National Association for the Self-Employed, and the Coalition for Affordable Healthcare (CAHC). Support letters from these organizations are attached.\nThe legislation has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means, on which Thompson and Boustany serve.\n\u00a0\nCongressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California\u2019s 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. \u00a0He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.\n\u00a0\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pelosi.house.gov//news/press-releases/pelosi-13-million-americans-health-security-at-risk-in-baseless-lawsuit-over-the", "Pelosi: 13 Million Americans Health Security at Risk in Baseless Lawsuit Over the Affordable Care Act", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "San Francisco \u2013 Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today released the following statement on a new report from Energy and Commerce Committee Democrats revealing that 13 million could lose tax credits to help pay for insurance coverage should the Supreme Court rule against the Obama Administration in the politically-motivated lawsuit of King v Burwell.\u00a0\n\u201cToday\u2019s report verifies what American families already know: the Affordable Care Act is working and helping families afford the coverage they need and deserve.\u00a0 Yet, Republicans and other opponents of the law want to strip some 13 million Americans of the premium tax credits that keep their health coverage affordable.\u00a0\n\u201cIt is very disappointing that some ACA opponents refuse to support Americans who simply want access to affordable health coverage.\u00a0 This lawsuit is part of increasingly desperate efforts to destroy the health security of millions of American families who owe their health coverage to the Affordable Care Act. \u00a0\n\u201cThe continuing obsession with dismantling the Affordable Care Act threatens the health care of millions of students, workers, women and families. \u00a0It is long past time for opponents of the law to cease their assault on the health security of the American people, withdraw their radical suits, and recover their common sense.\n\u201cI am very confident that the Supreme Court will issue a ruling upholding the ACA and rejecting the baseless arguments of the challengers in this lawsuit.\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=0e9a7396-8e52-43ca-8eef-b71ff37ca41c", "Feinstein Welcomes Tax Extenders", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington\u2014Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today voted in favor of the tax extenders legislation, which extends expired business and individual tax provisions through the end of this year.\r\n\r\nFeinstein released the following statement:\r\n\r\n\u201cWith passage of this legislation comes much-needed certainty for taxpayers as they prepare to file their 2014 returns, and I believe American businesses and individuals are better off as a result. Whether it is supporting small businesses as they create jobs, farmers as they invest in essential equipment or homeowners and working families struggling to make ends meet, this legislation is positive for many areas of our economy.\r\n\r\n\u201cIn particular, I am pleased to see the extension of the research tax credit, from which many innovative California firms benefit, as well as provisions that support investments already made in wind, biodiesel and other renewable energy sources, a critical aspect of combatting climate change.\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=6e7bbe25-80fa-4fb5-b127-5635cd41d8c9", "Feinstein Announces Confirmation of Haywood Gilliam as District Judge", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington\u2014Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today announced the confirmation of Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr., to be a U.S. district judge for the Northern District of California.\r\n\r\nGilliam was nominated on August 18, 2014, by President Obama on the recommendation of Senator Feinstein. He received the highest rating of \u201cwell qualified\u201d from a substantial majority of the American Bar Association\u2019s review committee.\r\n\r\n\u201cHaywood Gilliam has an outstanding record as a federal prosecutor in the Northern District and a private practitioner,\u201d said Senator Feinstein. \u201cHe began his career as a law clerk to Judge Thelton Henderson on this same court, and I am confident he will serve the Northern District with great distinction for many years to come.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe Northern District, which frequently hears major technology cases, has a substantial caseload. According to the Judicial Conference of the United States, the court has averaged 632 weighted filings per judgeship over the past four years, which is 20 percent above the average caseload and well above the threshold for a \u201cjudicial emergency.\u201d Criminal felony cases take 47 percent longer to complete than the national average, and civil cases take 19 percent longer than the national average to go to trial.\r\n\r\nBackground on Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr.\r\n\r\nHaywood S. Gilliam, Jr., graduated magna cum laude from Yale in 1991 and earned his law degree from Stanford Law School in 1994. He was an article editor for the Stanford Law Review.\r\n\r\nHe clerked for U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson in the Northern District of California from 1994 to 1995.\r\n\r\nFrom 1996 to 1999, he was an associate at the law firm of McCutchen, Doyle, Brown, & Enersen.\r\n\r\nFrom 1999 through 2006, he served as an assistant United States attorney in the Northern District of California, including as chief of the securities fraud section from 2005 to 2006.\r\n\r\nIn 2006, he rejoined his prior law firm, then called Bingham McCutchen, as a partner. In 2009, he became a partner at Covington & Burling, where he is vice-chair of the firm\u2019s white collar defense & investigations practice group.\r\n\r\nHe has been active in the Bay Area legal community, serving on the district court\u2019s merit selection panel for magistrate judges, the Stanford Law School Board of Visitors, and the board of the Bar Association of San Francisco. He has also been a lawyer representative to the Ninth Circuit\u2019s Judicial Conference.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-lee-and-more-than-35-other-members-of-congress-call-for-us-participation-in-summit-of-the-americas-and-engagement-with-cuba", "Congresswoman Lee and More Than 35 Other Members of Congress Call for U.S. Participation in Summit of the Americas and Engagement with Cuba", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.14\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee and More Than 35 Other Members of Congress Call for U.S. Participation in Summit of the Americas and Engagement with Cuba \n\t\t\tWashington, DC  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and more than 35 other Members of Congress wrote to President Obama to encourage U.S. participation in the 7th Summit of the Americas and to change current U.S. policy toward Cuba.\r\n\r\nOn the value of the summit, the letter reads: the U.S. will have the rare opportunity to engage diplomatically with all of Latin America on our shared regional challenges.\r\n\r\nRegional diplomatic summits, like the Summit of the Americas, are critical to advancing our regional economic, national security and democracy promotion goals, said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Summit participation sends a strong message that democracy, human rights and a strong civil society are key shared values of our hemisphere.\r\n\r\nCuba is expected to participate in the summit and the signers believe that the summit provides an opportunity to take action towards fundamental changes in U.S. policy towards Cuba.\r\n\r\nFor more than five decades, U.S. policy towards Cuba has been an unpopular failure, said Congresswoman Lee. Yet, this policy has continued at great cost to our economy, the personal freedoms of Americans and our democracy promotion goals.\r\n\r\nThe Summit of the Americas has the opportunity to be a turning point in Western Hemisphere geopolitics; I hope the Administration seizes this opportunity to start ending fifty plus years of failed policy, added Congresswoman Lee.\r\n\r\nRead the letter here.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\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 the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the 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"], ["http://bera.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/bera-commends-confirmation-of-murthy-as-us-surgeon-general", "Bera commends confirmation of Murthy as U.S. Surgeon General", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ami Bera", "B001287", "bera.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "After weeks of delay, the U.S. Senate today confirmed Dr. Vivek Murthy to be the next U.S. Surgeon General. Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. offered the following comment:\n\u201cI\u2019m\u00a0thrilled the Senate has confirmed Dr. Vivek Murthy as our next surgeon general. As a practicing physician and instructor at Brigham and Women's Hospital, a champion of innovation in medicine, and a leader in the medical community, Dr. Murthy is an excellent choice for this role and his appointment is historic for the Indian American community.\u00a0As a doctor myself, I also know that the American people will benefit from having a trusted physician leader to help them navigate the complex medical issues we face today.\u201d\nRep. Bera and several of his congressional colleagues sent a letter to the Senate leadership in both parties urging Dr. Murthy's confirmation. You may read that letter here.\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 leader of the 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\u00a0@RepBera\u00a0on Twitter, like\u00a0Congressman Bera\u00a0on Facebook, or visit\u00a0https://www.bera.house.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://chu.house.gov/immigration-accountability-executive-action-what-you-need-know", "Immigration Accountability Executive Action: What you need to know", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Judy Chu", "C001080", "chu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced his plan to allow undocumented individuals to come forward and apply for protection from deportation and work authorization. The program has not officially started and applications are not available yet, but you can begin preparing now. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) expects to accept applications within six months.\nHere's what we know about the new programs:\n Executive action expanded the existing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program for immigrants who came to the U.S. as children in the following ways:\n\t\tThose who entred the U.S. before January 1, 2010 and meet all other DACA requirements are now eligible, regardless of how old they are today\n\t\t\tGoing forward, DACA relief will be granted for three years\n\t\t\n\tAs of November 20, 2014, you are eligible for DACA if you: \n\t\tCame to the U.S. before reaching your 16th birthday and have no lawful status;\n\t\t\tHave continuously residded in the U.S. before January 1, 2010, through the present time;\n\t\t\tEntered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or your lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012\n\t\t\tAre currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed\u00a0 Forces; and\n\t\t\tHave not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or personal safety.\n\t\t\n\tExecutive action created a new program, Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA), which will benefit parents of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents. The DAPA program requires:\n\t\tParents to have continuous residence in the U.S. since January 1, 2010;\n\t\t\tAre the parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent resident born on or before November 20, 2014;\n\t\t\tAre not an enforcement priority for removal from the U.S. pursuant to the Department of Homeland Security\u2019s enforcement priorities published on November 20, 2014.\n\t\t\n Can I apply now?\nNo. Even if you may be eligible for these programs, you cannot apply for them yet! The government expects that it will start accepting applications for the expanded DACA program approximately 90 days following the President\u2019s November 20, 2014 announcement.\u00a0 And the government expects to be accepting\u00a0 DAPA applications approximately 180 days following the President\u2019s announcement.\nHow can I get ready?\n If you know someone who is in immigration detention and is eligible for one of these programs, advise them to identify themselves to their case officer, or the ICE Information Line at 888-351-4024, and explain that they are eligible for one of these new programs.\n\tBeware of notarios and immigration fraud.\u00a0 Contact only a qualified immigration lawyer or accredited representative for your case. Click here for helpful information on reporting notario fraud (https://www.stopnotariofraud.org/)\n\tIf you believe you may be eligble, begin preparing now by gathering documents that prove:\n\t\tThat you were in the U.S. on Novemeber 20, 2014\n\t\t\tThat you have been in the U.S. since January 1, 2010\n\t\t\tThat you have a U.S. citizen or lawful permament resident son or daughter\n\t\t\tGet proof of who you are, such as a passport from your home country and birth certificate with a photo ID\n\t\t\n\tSee the top 10 ways you can prepare for Executive Action", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lowenthal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398553", "Congressman Lowenthal Secures $56M For California STEM and Youth Education Programs", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Alan Lowenthal", "L000579", "lowenthal.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alan Lowenthal has helped secure a collective $56 million in funding for the STARBASE and Sunburst Youth Challenge education programs, both of which operate programs at the Joint Forces Training Base (JFTB) in Los Alamitos.\r\nThe funding was included in Congress\u2019s $1.1 trillion fiscal year 2015 funding package as part of a request by the Congressman. The House on Thursday and the Senate on Saturday passed the funding package, which now awaits an expected signature from President Obama.\r\nOf the total $56 million, $25 million was included for the STARBASE program, which engages local fifth-grade elementary students by exposing them to STEM subjects through an inquiry based curriculum. In the 47th District, the STARBASE Youth Program Facility at the JFTB serves nearly 4,000 students a year.\r\nThe goal of the program is to motivate fifth grade students to explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) as they continue their education. The academies serve students that are historically under-represented in STEM: students who live in inner cities or rural locations, are socio-economically disadvantaged, low in academic performance, or have a disability.\r\n\u201cOur 21st century economy requires 21st century skill sets. Investing in our children\u2019s education in the\u00a0 STEM fields will make them better prepared for the job market and equipped for success,\u201d Congressman Lowenthal said.\r\nAlso as part of the $56 million, Congressman Lowenthal helped secure a $31 million increase in 2015 funding for the Sunburst program, which is one of California\u2019s National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Programs (NGYCP) and is located on the JFTB in Los Alamitos. The mission of the NGYCP is to help redirect the lives of 16-18 year old high school dropouts and at-risk youth, producing graduates with the values, life skills, education, and self-discipline necessary to succeed as productive citizens.\u00a0 The academy offers a 22 week residential program with military-style training that emphasizes the development of academic, cooperation, and leadership skills together with improvements in confidence, pride, and self-esteem. Students who take part in the program obtain 55 high school curriculum credits.\r\n\u201cI have been an educator for much of my adult life, so I appreciate programs such as STARBASE and Sunburst. These programs at the JFTB are doing great work for our community, and we must continue to prepare our youth for our changing economy and help them prepare for their future,\u201d Congressman Lowenthal said.\r\nUltimately, Congressman Lowenthal decided to vote \u2018no\u2019 on the House funding bill despite significant work and support on many items contained within it, including the STARBASE and Sunburst funds. \r\n\u201cLast minute additions to the bill such as attacks on the Dodd-Frank consumer financial protections and a dangerous expansion of campaign contribution limits to unheard of levels made it impossible for me to vote \u2018yes\u2019 with a clear conscience. I believe these additions to the bill will hurt people in the 47th District more than the rest of the bill will help them.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pelosi.house.gov//news/pelosi-updates/cromnibus", "CRomnibus", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "#CRomnibus  With the clock ticking for Congress to avert another government shutdown,\u00a0House Republicans\u00a0buried a provision in the spending bill that would weaken Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and\u00a0allow big banks to gamble\u00a0with the American people\u2019s money. The package also includes a provision that would multiply the amount of money wealthy individuals can give to a political party by ten times.\u00a0 This legislation offers\u00a0brazen giveaways\u00a0to the wealthy and well connected, all at the expense of the American people. It is\u00a0destructive to middle class families\u00a0and to the practice of our democracy. That is why\u00a0I refused\u00a0to place my name - and the name of every hard working San Franciscan - next to this bill and voted against this legislation. Know that I will\u00a0continue the fight\u00a0to ensure that we build an economy that works for everyone, not just the privileged few.\u00a0\nCalling San Francisco Home  The announcement yesterday by\u00a0Federal Housing Finance Agency\u00a0(FHFA) Director Mel Watt to fund the\u00a0Affordable Housing Trust Fund, a permanent fund that was enacted\u00a0during my time as Speaker of the House\u00a0to provide state support for the construction, preservation, and rehabilitation of affordable housing for low and moderate income families, will improve the lives and security of millions across our nation. With the eighth highest shortage of affordable housing in California, San Francisco will benefit from new and rehabilitated affordable rental homes that the Trust Fund will help finance over the next decade. American families should not be forced to choose between having a place to sleep or providing food, health care, and other basic needs for their children.\u00a0Thanks to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, hardworking families across the nation will no longer struggle to find a safe, warm and clean place to call home. #3DaysLeft  San Franciscans have just three days left to enroll, renew or change plans through\u00a0Covered California, California\u2019s health insurance marketplace, in time for coverage to take effect on January 1st, 2015.\u00a0 Currently enrolled in a Covered California plan? Visit Covered California by December 15th to\u00a0review all plans and prices\u00a0offered to this year. Interested in keeping your current plan? Update your information by December 15th to ensure you are receiving the maximum financial assistance available. New to Covered California? Open enrollment runs until\u00a0February 15th. Covered California makes it easy for uninsured individuals and small businesses to shop for, compare, and purchase health insurance. It\u2019s your health care, made simple.\nTo follow Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi on Twitter, please\u00a0click here.\nEmergency Preparedness  As San Franciscans recover from the damage left by yesterday\u2019s storm, we are reminded that after a natural disaster, it may be several days before vital services, like electricity and running water, are restored and it is important to have an emergency plan in place. With the help of\u00a0SF72, San Francisco\u2019s hub for emergency preparedness, you can\u00a0sign up\u00a0to receive updates and information should an emergency occur. You can also find out how to\u00a0prepare for an emergency\u00a0and\u00a0make an emergency plan. These helpful resources will help ensure that you and your loved ones remain safe should an emergency occur.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=63ec370d-5efc-4c24-b3fe-75d76c4c57a7", "Feinstein Applauds Confirmation  of Dr. Vivek Murthy", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington\u2014Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement after the Senate confirmed Dr. Vivek Murthy to be the U.S. surgeon general:\r\n\r\n\u201cToday the Senate put public health over special interests by voting to confirm Dr. Vivek Murthy, a highly-qualified physician and public-health expert, to be the next surgeon general. The United States faces serious public health challenges and we need a top doctor on the job to help address them.\r\n\r\n\u201cDr. Murthy has committed to reducing obesity and tobacco-related diseases, expanding access to treatment for mental illness, increasing vaccination rates and focusing on prevention and wellness in our communities. He has also rightly acknowledged the effects of gun violence on public health, which are seen daily by the thousands of health care professionals who treat victims of gun violence in emergency rooms across the country.\r\n\r\n\u201cI\u2019m confident that Dr. Murthy will serve our country well and help Americans lead healthier lives.\u201d\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=77cd7b92-f224-445e-af8d-d75d7ce34e46", "Feinstein Statement on Passage of Omnibus Funding Bill", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington\u2014 Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today expressed support for the omnibus spending bill that funds the federal government through fiscal year 2015. The bill, which has now been passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, will go to the president\u2019s desk for signature.\r\n\r\nSenator Feinstein released the following statement:\r\n\r\n\u201cLegislating is about the art of the possible and compromise. So while I did not support everything in this spending bill, I recognized it is the result of long, difficult and bipartisan negotiations. It is not the bill I would have written, and I am disappointed that important priorities I care about were not included and other provisions I strongly oppose were. However, on the whole I believe it is important that this got done to provide budgetary certainty for the federal government.\r\n\r\n\u201cThis bill included smart investments in California\u2019s future, such as modernizing our transportation infrastructure, supporting California\u2019s veterans and pursuing projects to address the state\u2019s historic drought. I\u2019m glad California\u2019s priorities were included.\r\n\r\n\u201cI also want to commend Chairwoman Mikulski for her fortitude and perseverance in negotiating this final bill in the face of many obstacles. Thanks to the efforts of her and her staff, we are able to avoid the detrimental cycle of continuing resolutions and begin to get the budgeting process in Congress back to normal.\u201d\r\n\r\nDodd-Frank:\r\n\r\n\u201cWhile I supported the bill as a whole, I strongly opposed the provisions that roll back critical Dodd-Frank taxpayer protections and dramatically expand limits to campaign contribution to political party committees. The historic Dodd-Frank legislation created a much-needed national regulatory regime for the derivatives market for the first time. Four years ago, I was proud to fight hard and pass that legislation, allowing us to protect taxpayers from further bank bailouts But now I am appalled that we are again opening the door to the trading of risky derivatives backed by a taxpayer guarantee.\r\n\r\n\u201cFurthermore, it is disturbing that such a major revision was included in a must-pass funding bill. Any changes to our strong regulatory regime deserve a robust congressional debate. If we had one, I am confident it would have been made clear to my colleagues and to the American public that this pulls us in the wrong direction and that it is simply way too dangerous to pursue.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe cannot subject our country to the same lax financial regulation that almost brought down our financial system in 2008, and our constituents do not deserve to again shoulder the burden of unnecessary risk.\u201d\r\n\r\nEnergy and Water:\r\n\r\n\u201cAs Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water, I am proud that the bill funds essential federal activities at the Department of Energy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation. However, I was deeply disappointed that a pilot nuclear waste program I authored with Senator Alexander was not included. The dangers posed by unsecured nuclear waste are simply too high to ignore any longer.\u201d\r\n\r\nKey projects and provisions for California:\r\n\r\n \r\n$50 million for the Bureau of Reclamation to address the drought in California and other western states, through direct, immediate actions to extend limited water supplies, within existing authorization.\r\n \r\n \r\n$500 million for four major public transit projects:\r\n\r\n$100 million for Los Angeles\u2019 Purple Line Subway, for the first of a three phase expansion to connect Union Station to Westwood and the West Los Angeles VA campus.\r\n$100 million for Los Angeles\u2019 Regional Connector, a two-mile underground project connecting the Gold and Blue subway lines.\r\n$150 million for San Francisco\u2019s Third Street Light Rail/Central Subway, a project to connect Bayshore in the south to Chinatown in the north.\r\n$150 million for the BART extension to Silicon Valley, a 10.15-mile project to extend BART from Fremont to Berryessa Road in San Jose.\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n$324 million for Veterans Affairs construction projects in California. This includes funds to retrofit seismically-unsafe Veterans Affairs facilities in Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Diego as well as adding additional homeless veteran housing at the West Los Angeles campus.\r\n \r\n \r\n$315 million for the expansion and modernization of the San Ysidro and Calexico Land Ports of Entry along California\u2019s border with Mexico. This funding will finish construction at San Ysidro and pay for the first of two phases at Calexico. These projects will allow more efficient and secure processing of travelers, thereby increasing tourism and facilitating economic growth.\r\n \r\n \r\n$5 million to develop a West Coast earthquake early warning system. This initiative will help save lives, reduce property damage and protect critical infrastructure.\r\n \r\n \r\n$30.5 million increase for Food and Drug Administration to ensure that Californians have access to safe food, including a $27.5 million increase to implement new food safety standards for produce, imported foods, and animal feed as well as a $3 million increase for the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System to track drug-resistant foodborne pathogens.\r\n \r\n \r\nA one-year extension of a temporary judgeship in Los Angeles to ensure that Californians have timely access to the judicial system in California\u2019s Central District, the tenth-busiest in the nation.\r\n \r\n\r\nKey provisions Feinstein successfully opposed:\r\n\r\n \r\nHouse-backed policy riders that would have crippled California\u2019s High Speed Rail project.\r\n \r\n \r\nHouse-backed policy riders that would have further weakened enforcement of federal gun laws, particularly along the Mexican border.\r\n \r\n \r\nHouse-backed policy riders that would have significantly impeded federal regulation of carbon emissions from power plants.\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTruck Safety:\r\nFeinstein expressed disappointment that the omnibus contained provisions to weaken truck safety regulations, providing waivers for larger trucks in three states and suspending an essential component of the anti-driver-fatigue rules. Feinstein opposed this change to the truck driver fatigue rules, known as hours-of-service, when it was first offered in the Appropriations Committee by Senator Collins. She was also prepared to offer a floor amendment with Senator Booker to reverse this change and keep the current hours of service rules in effect if the transportation section of the omnibus had been considered independently.\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=ce3c4a73-2d95-4204-95e5-27072d0a6f56", "Feinstein, Grassley Bill to Combat  Transnational Drug Trafficking Passes Senate", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington\u2014The Senate today passed a bill introduced by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to help combat transnational drug trafficking.\r\n\r\nThe Transnational Drug Trafficking Act (S. 706) is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).\r\n\r\nThe bill would provide the Department of Justice with new tools to prosecute drug traffickers from foreign countries. Specifically, it will help the department build extradition cases on drug kingpins from the Andean region, which includes Colombia and Peru. Kingpins from these countries often use Mexican drug trafficking organizations as intermediaries to ship illegal narcotics to the United States.\r\n\r\n\u201cThis bill gives law enforcement necessary tools to reduce the supply of drugs crossing our borders,\u201d said Senator Feinstein, chair of the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. \u201cThe federal government needs the authority to aggressively pursue transnational criminal organizations and drug kingpins to reduce the flow of illegal drugs into the United States from foreign countries.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cSince drug cartels are continually evolving, this legislation ensures that our criminal laws keep pace,\u201d said Senator Grassley, co-chair of the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. \u201cThis legislation closes a loophole abused by drug traffickers who intend for drugs to end up in the United States but supply them through an intermediary.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe Transnational Drug Trafficking Act, S. 706:\r\n\r\n \r\nEstablishes penalties for extraterritorial drug trafficking activity when individuals have reasonable cause to believe that illegal drugs will be trafficked into the United States.\r\nEnsures current penalties apply to chemical producers from other countries (including producers of pseudoephedrine used for methamphetamine) that illegally ship precursor chemicals into the U.S. knowing these chemicals will be used to make illegal drugs.\r\nThis bill supports the Obama administration\u2019s \u201cStrategy to Combat Transnational Organized Crime\u201d.\r\n \r\n\r\nRepresentatives Tom Marino (R-Pa.) and Pedro Pierluisi (D-Puerto Rico) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives, but it was not approved before the House adjourned. Senators Feinstein and Grassley plan to reintroduce the bill in the next congress.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/legislators-call-on-hhs-to-end-discriminatory-blood-donation-policy-implement-risk-based-policies", "Legislators Call on HHS to End Discriminatory Blood Donation Policy, Implement Risk-Based Policies", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.15.14\n\t\t\t Legislators Call on HHS to End Discriminatory Blood Donation Policy, Implement Risk-Based Policies \n\t\t\tWashington D.C. -Today, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), and Representatives Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), led a letter with 75 of their congressional colleagues calling on Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell to replace the outdated and discriminatory lifetime ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men (MSM) with a policy based on individual risk factors. The legislators expressed deep concerns with the recent recommendations made by the HHS Advisory Committee on Blood & Tissue Safety & Availability (ACBTSA). The full text of the letter is availablehere.\r\n\r\nUnder current regulations, MSM are banned from donating blood for life. AABB, the American Red Cross, America's Blood Centers, and the American Medical Association all agree that the ban is no longer scientifically justified. Last month, the ACBTSA voted to replace the lifetime deferral policy with a one-year deferral policy, contingent on the implementation of a blood safety surveillance system, while dismissing a risk-based policy. The legislators raised concerns about this proposal, writing, \"A one-year deferral policy, like a lifetime ban, is a categorical exclusion based solely on the sex of an individual's sexual partner - not his actual risk of carrying a transfusion-transmittable infection.\"\r\n\r\nThe legislators continued, \"The ACBTSA's proposed policy change would, in practice, leave that lifetime ban in place for the vast majority of MSM, even those who are healthy and low-risk. Both policies are discriminatory, and both approaches are unacceptable. Low-risk individuals who wish to donate blood and help to save lives should not be categorically excluded because of outdated stereotypes.\"\r\n\r\nThe legislators also urged HHS to consider the work of implementing an infection monitoring system separately from the MSM deferral policy. The legislators wrote, \"The ACBTSA's recommendation to hinge any change in the MSM blood donation policy to the establishment of a blood safety surveillance system is an arbitrary condition that will inevitably result in further unnecessary delays. To be clear, a comprehensive surveillance system for our blood supply is a critically important initiative to protect the blood supply from Hepatitis, HIV, and emerging diseases, and is long overdue...Years of HHS inaction on this issue is problematic, but so is the fact that ACBTSA has now suddenly chosen to make such a system a precondition of revising the donation policies specific to MSM.\"\r\n\r\nThe bicameral letter requests additional information from HHS regarding the timeline for reversing the lifetime deferral policy, actions being taken to work towards a risk-based deferral policy, and plans for implementing the long-overdue blood safety surveillance system.\r\n\r\nRead the full letterhere.\r\n\r\n###\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://schiff.house.gov/news/press-releases/senator-feinstein-and-congressman-schiff-announce-major-federal-funding-for-west-coast-early-warning-system", "Senator Feinstein and Congressman Schiff Announce Major Federal Funding for West Coast Early Warning System", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Adam Schiff", "S001150", "schiff.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.15.14\n\t\t\t Senator Feinstein and Congressman Schiff Announce Major Federal Funding for West Coast Early Warning System \n\t\t\tPasadena, CA \u2013\u00a0Today, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) announced that Congress has included $5 million in FY 2015 funding bill, also known as the CROmnibus, for a West Coast Earthquake Early Warning System, the first time Congress has ever provided funding specifically for the system.\u00a0 A limited system developed\u00a0by Caltech, UC-Berkeley and University of Washington, in conjunction with the United State Geological Survey (USGS), has already been deployed and has proven that the early warning technology is sound.\u00a0This $5 million in funding will allow those developing the statewide system\u00a0to begin purchasing\u00a0and installing additional sensors,\u00a0build new stations, speed up the ShakeAlert system,\u00a0and come closer to deploying comprehensive early earthquake warning coverage throughout earthquake prone regions of the West Coast. \u00a0\r\n\u201cAn earthquake early-warning system is essential to save lives, reduce property damage and protect critical infrastructure. This five million dollar federal investment is a down payment on building an integrated, state-wide system,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Feinstein.\u00a0\u201cThese federal dollars are sorely needed, but more funding is still necessary to complete the system. While the state and private sector must contribute their fair share, I will continue to work with West Coast senators and representatives to prioritize federal funds for this life-saving project. We must get it done before the next major earthquake strikes.\u201d\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s absolutely critical that the West Coast implement and build out an earthquake early warning system to give us a heads up before the \u2018big one\u2019 hits, so we can save lives and protect infrastructure,\u201d\u00a0said Congressman Schiff.\u00a0\u201cThis funding will help build out additional stations, speed up the ShakeAlert system, and make it more reliable in our highest priority areas \u2013 including Los Angeles and the Bay Area \u2013 and those critical few seconds or a minute of warning will allow people to seek cover, automatically slow or stop trains, and pause surgeries. This first phase of funding will allow the work to begin expanding\u00a0the system, and we will continue to work to secure future funding along with our other federal, state and local partners.\u201d\r\n\"We at Caltech applaud Congress for approving the impactful initial funding for an earthquake early warning system,\"\u00a0said Thomas F. Rosenbaum, president of the California Institute of Technology.\u00a0\"This vital step toward implementation wouldn't be possible without the leadership of the California congressional delegation.\"\u00a0\r\nEarlier this year,\u00a0Schiff led a group of\u00a025 Members from California, Washington and Oregon\u00a0in organizing a request that\u00a0the committee fund an early earthquake warning system. Schiff\u2019s letter requested\u00a0additional funding for the Earthquake Hazards Program in USGS to kickstart the process of building out the early warning system so we can be ready for the next big quake.\u00a0 The letter can be found\u00a0here. Senator Feinstein was critical in securing the language in the Senate Appropriations bill.\u00a0\r\nThe text in the bill reads:\r\nFunding for Natural Hazards programs includes $59,503,000 for earthquake hazards, of which $5,000,000 is provided to transition the earthquake early warning demonstration project into an operational capability on the West Coast. A critical component of the earthquake early warning system is maintaining the existing real-time broadband and strong motion seismic networks along with geodetic monitoring networks. As the earthquake early warning system is developed, USGS is directed to collaborate with universities, companies and other Federal agencies with expertise and existing digital seismic observing networks to continue precise observation of critical fault locations. \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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 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=1665b10c-af8c-4290-9044-6782d5d3c709", "Torture report senators triumph - Sacramento Bee", "2014-12-14", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Originally appeared in the Sacramento Bee\r\nDespite dire warnings about consequences and withering attacks she would endure, Dianne Feinstein had no choice.\r\nShe felt compelled to release the Senate Intelligence Committee Study of the Central Intelligence Agency\u2019s Detention and Interrogation Program, otherwise known as the torture report.\r\nAfter 22 years in Washington, Feinstein is the consummate insider, a middle-of-the-road Democrat known for her establishment bona fides. In this instance, she stood up to the elites, rare among politicians. It was the crowning achievement of her 50 years in public life.\r\nFeinstein was busy Thursday attending a private reception where she toasted aides who produced the report, watching CIA Director John Brennan defend his agency at a press conference while her staffers tweeted fact-checking responses, and talking by phone with Brennan. At the end of it all, she gave me a call.\r\n\u201cThe important thing is that America recognizes its mistakes and takes the steps necessary to correct them,\u201d she said. \u201cIn so many countries, that doesn\u2019t happen.\u201d\r\nIt would not have happened here, either, if she had waited. As a consequence of Republican victories in November, Feinstein no longer will be Senate Intelligence Committee chair.\r\nHer replacement, Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina, warned that the report \u201cendangers our officers and allies in a blatant attempt to smear the Bush administration.\u201d\r\nRep. Devin Nunes, R-Visalia, the incoming chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, issued a statement saying \u201cthis report will damage U.S. national security and jeopardize American lives.\u201d\r\nTorture is part of the partisan divide, alas, although not that long ago, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the Convention Against Torture and Inhuman Treatment or Punishment. Apologists call what happened from 2002 to 2007 \u201cenhanced interrogation techniques,\u201d or even more Orwellian, \u201cEIT.\u201d Feinstein made clear her view by releasing the 500-page summary of the sealed 6,700-page investigation.\r\nThere\u2019s this on Page 41: \u201c\u2018So it begins,\u2019 a medical officer wrote, \u2018The sessions accelerated rapidly progressing quickly to the water board after large box, walling, and small box periods. (Abu Zubaydali) seems very resistant to the water board. Longest time with the cloth over his face so far has been 17 seconds. This is sure to increase shortly.\r\n\u201cNO useful information so far. \u2026 He did vomit a couple of times during the water board with some beans and rice. It\u2019s been 10 hours since he ate so this is surprising and disturbing.\u201d\r\nAnd on Page 114: \u201calNashiri launched a short-lived hunger strike, and the CIA responded by force feeding him rectally.\u201d\r\nAnd on Page 115: \u201cMajid Khan was then subjected to involuntary rectal feeding and rectal hydration, which included two bottles of Ensure. Later that same day, Majid Khan\u2019s \u2018lunch tray,\u2019 consisting of hummus, pasta with sauce, nuts, and raisins, was \u2018pureed\u2019 and rectally infused.\u201d\r\nWhat kind of pervert would imagine such treatment?\r\nDuring the five years in which the report was in the making, Feinstein and her staff faced leak investigations, dissembling, redaction, stonewalling. A few days before the report\u2019s release, Secretary of State John Kerry, the epitome of the establishment, called to impress upon Feinstein the risks entailed in releasing the report.\r\nIt\u2019s not as if ISIS terrorists were unaware of the torture, she told me. Books had been written. She was on a mission; principles were at stake. Congressional committees have oversight responsibility. She takes that seriously.\r\n\u201cWe were stiffed for so long,\u201d Feinstein said.\r\nFeinstein, at 81, is tougher than when I met her 30 years ago, though the San Francisco mayor had become hardened by the craziness of the times. She began that first interview by sternly saying she hoped I was prepared. She was getting ready for the Democratic National Convention, hosted that year in her city. No time for small talk.\r\nIn a 1994 biography, \u201cDianne Feinstein: Never Let Them See You Cry,\u201d former San Francisco Chronicle editorial page editor Jerry Roberts recounts that Feinstein had been a target of the New World Liberation Front in the middle 1970s, and that her daughter found a bomb at the family home. Feinstein began packing a .38 after the windows were shot out of her vacation house.\r\nAnd there was the awful day in November 1978, when Supervisor Feinstein tried to find a pulse in Supervisor Harvey Milk after Dan White shot him five times and assassinated Mayor George Moscone.\r\nRoberts wrote that Gov. Pat Brown in 1962 appointed her to her first government job, on a board that reviewed prison sentences. In 1966, she became part of a commission that investigated San Francisco jail conditions.\r\nThe wretched conditions she documented as she started her public life were minor compared to what she discovered as her career nears its end, though, as Roberts wrote recently, it makes an interesting narrative.\r\nOn Thursday, Brennan acknowledged that \u201cthe cause-and-effect relationship between the use of EITs and useful information subsequently provided by the detainee is, in my view, unknowable.\u201d Feinstein believes it is known. The pragmatist said torture fails to produce useful information.\r\n\u201cIn this country, violence is glorified,\u201d she said, a reference to the facile Hollywood notion that torture works. \u201cThe problem is that violence in this area doesn\u2019t solve anything.\u201d\r\nUpon taking office, President Barack Obama banned enhanced interrogation techniques. But that\u2019s not enough. Any future president could repeal the order. Feinstein will push legislation that would enshrine the prohibition next year. Good luck in the new Congress.\r\nBurr, the incoming intelligence committee chairman, said Feinstein\u2019s torture report will be \u201ca footnote in history.\u201d Willfully forgetful leaders repeat mistakes. That\u2019s unfortunate. But it would not be for lack of effort on the part of the gutsy senator from San Francisco, whose choice was to provide a historic lesson on the good that a public servant can do.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://matsui.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=285", "Congresswoman Matsui Applauds Senate Passage of Important Cruise Passenger Safety Provision", "2014-12-14", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Doris Matsui", "M001163", "matsui.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Thursday, December 11, 2014  CONTACT: JONELLE TRIMMER  (202) 225-7163 Congresswoman Matsui Applauds Senate Passage of Important Cruise Passenger Safety Provision Bill includes language from Rep. Matsui's Cruise Passenger Protection Act requiring improvements to crime statistics website  The Senate voted in a bipartisan fashion Wednesday to pass a Coast Guard reauthorization bill that includes a key provision ensuring the public has access to important safety information they need prior to booking a cruise. This provision was one of several cruise passenger safety provisions included in legislation Congresswoman Matsui introduced last year, the Cruise Passenger Protection Act (CPPA). The bill language transfers the responsibility for maintaining the cruise vessel crime data website from the Coast Guard to the Department of Transportation and requires a number of changes to ensure the website is user-friendly and includes all important data. Specifically, it requires the website to be updated quarterly and sorted by cruise line. The website will be required to identify each cruise line by name, identify each crime committed or allegedly committed by a passenger or crewmember regardless of the status of the investigation, and identify the number of individuals alleged overboard. This is an important victory for cruise safety advocates and for the millions of Americans who have taken a cruise or are considering one in the future. While cruise ships are billed as safe, family-friendly vacations, the reality is that crime happens onboard these ships just as it does anyplace else, said Congresswoman Matsui. Passage of this key provision from the Cruise Passenger Protection Act will ensure that anyone considering a cruise can easily view a more accurate number of crimes that occurred on each cruise line, and the nature of the crime. This is a huge step forward toward transparency and ensuring the safety of cruise passengers. The legislation passed the House last week. It now heads to the President's desk for his signature. The members of ICV are deeply indebted to the many members of the House and Senate who have been dedicated to the protection of cruise ship passengers. The passing of the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act will help to bolster and strengthen the existing CVSSA which Congresswoman Matsui authored in 2010 by increasing the public's awareness through the quarterly publication of additional safety information and crime data. All of the victims of cruise ship crime and negligence who for years, have taken their impassioned stories to Congress can breathe a bit easier thanks to the unwavering support of Congress Members such as Congresswoman Matsui and Congressman Poe who like us believed in the irrefutable rightness of this cause. We are indeed grateful on this historic day, said Kendall Carver, chairman of the International Cruise Victims Association (ICV). Congresswoman Matsui is a long-time advocate for improving safety and security aboard cruise vessels. She authored the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA), bipartisan legislation that was signed into law in 2010, requiring the cruise industry to comply with a number of security and crime reporting provisions. Last year, she introduced the CPPA, legislation which would build on the passenger safety measures put in place by the CVSSA by clarifying and strengthening the crime reporting and video surveillance requirements. In addition to requiring the website improvements passed today, this legislation bolsters FBI notification requirements when an alleged incident occurs, and strengthens video surveillance requirements to ensure maximum protection for passengers and victims, while taking steps to avoid privacy concerns. This action by the Senate is an important step for ensuring the safety of cruise passengers, but it is just a step. I will be reintroducing the Cruise Passenger Protection Act next Congress to ensure we continue to build upon the security and safety measures aboard our cruise ships, that consumers have access to accurate information, and that victims are given the support and resources they need and deserve, added Matsui. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://bass.house.gov/press-release/statement-opposing-gop-budget-bill", "Statement opposing GOP Budget Bill", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Karen Bass", "B001270", "bass.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington. DC--Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-Calif.) released the following statement after voting to oppose the 2015 CROmnibus legislation:\n\"I simply could not in good conscience vote to support legislation that undoes so many of the protections designed to protect Americans. Following the banking failures six years ago, Congress rightfully passed much-needed Wall Street reforms. House Republicans are using the threat of a shutdown to move America backward and\u00a0 use a funding bill to help Wall Street lobbyists by slipping in a provision that would let derivatives traders on Wall Street gamble with taxpayer money. I am also opposed to provisions that would allow millionaires and billionaires even more say in our elections.\n\"Although there are many provisions in this bill that I supported, including a substantial funding increase for victims of human trafficking and language that is a first step to achieving our goal of making it easier for transit agencies like LA Metro to hire local workers on their light rail project, in the end I cannot support the final legislation because of the poorly written policy that it contains. The American public deserves a real debate on the rules that govern Wall Street--not last-minute insertions in the closing days of Congress with the threat of a government shutdown.\n\"Speaker Boehner and Congressional Republican leadership know they can do better. They knew how divisive these provisions would be, and I hope that when the next Congress is sworn in next January we will have a more transparent budget process.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://chu.house.gov/press-release/rep-chu-statement-omnibus-spending-bill", "Rep. Chu Statement on Omnibus Spending Bill", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Judy Chu", "C001080", "chu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) voted against the $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill. The bill, which would fund much of the government through 2015, also included a number of unrelated \u201criders.\u201d \u00a0One of these would repeal a crucial provision of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act which requires Wall Street banks insured by the government to independently fund their riskiest derivative trading so tax payers are not left accountable. And another would increase the cap from $32,400 to $324,000\u00a0on individual campaign contributions. Rep. Chu released the following statement:\n\u201cI was hoping to vote for an imperfect but necessary funding bill today. Instead, Republicans gave us a bill that went beyond funding the government to hurt taxpayers and weaken the integrity of our elections. Both of these provisions are unacceptable and have been presented to us at the point of a fiscal gun without any Congressional hearings or debate.\n\u201cThe Dodd-Frank law was passed to prevent the kind of risky trades that led to the historic economic collapse in 2008. This\u00a0provision, written by Wall Street lobbyists, would roll back crucial protections and allow banks to use risky bets at taxpayer expense. We cannot subsidize Wall Street profits.\n\u201cI am also very opposed to the incredible ten-fold increase in the amount an individual can contribute to a campaign. Our elections are predicated on the democratic value that all Americans have an equal say. This bill further weakens our campaign finance laws and allows the wealthiest to have an even greater voice in our elections, at the expense of every-day citizens. These dramatic changes to our laws have no place in a temporary funding bill. I urge my Republican colleagues to present a clean spending bill to keep the government open and allow the legislative process to work as it should for more serious bills that will have a substantial impact on our country.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huffman.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/huffman-applauds-fcc-vote-to-increase-funding-to-expand-internet-access", "Huffman Applauds FCC Vote to Increase Funding to Expand Internet Access for Low-Income and Rural Schools", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jared Huffman", "H001068", "huffman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00ad\u2014Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) applauded the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for their vote yesterday to increase funding for the E-Rate Program by $1.5 billion, expanding internet access to low-income and rural schools and libraries. Huffman had earlier urged the FCC to modernize the program and increase its funding.\n\u201cDigital connectivity will only become more important to education, and every school in America should have access to high-speed internet. Unfortunately, broadband technology has lagged behind in rural and low-income schools, leaving teachers without cutting-edge educational tools and learning material that students need to prepare for their future and to compete in the global economy,\u201d Huffman said. \u201cI applaud the FCC for their investment of $1.5 billion to help schools on the North Coast and across the country close the digital divide and ensure our students get the best education possible.\u201d\nE-rate was established by Congress in 1996 to connect every school and library to the Internet, and it has provided financial assistance to schools and libraries for the cost of telecommunications and Internet services for nearly two decades. E-rate provides discounts of up to 90 percent to help schools and libraries throughout the United States obtain affordable telecommunications and internet access. Today, it remains the federal government\u2019s largest source of funding for technology in education.\nHowever, the program\u2019s funding level is no longer sufficient to ensure schools and libraries can access the Internet speeds and wireless connections needed to support 21st century learning. Earlier in the congressional session, Huffman wrote a bipartisan letter to the FCC urging them to modernize the E-Rate program. You can find the full text of the letter here.\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.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huffman.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/huffman-statement-opposing-omnibus-spending-bill", "Huffman Statement Opposing Omnibus Spending Bill", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jared Huffman", "H001068", "huffman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00ad\u2014Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) released the following statement after voting against the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, H.R. 83:\n\u201cI could not in good conscience vote for this special interest Christmas tree masquerading as a government funding bill.\u00a0And I\u2019m deeply disappointed that 57 Democrats joined the House Republican majority in passing it.\n\u201cWhat we learned through this disgraceful \u2018CRomnibus\u2019 episode is that House Republicans will seize every opportunity to legislate special favors for Wall Street, mega-rich campaign contributors, and big polluters. American taxpayers are once again exposed to potential bailouts of Wall Street banks who can now resume risky derivative trading with other peoples\u2019 money, backed by FDIC insurance when the next financial bubble bursts.\u00a0Mega-donors can now write obscenely large checks to political parties, further expanding their outsized political influence.\u00a0And Big Coal can continue its devastating mountaintop removal mining with less onerous stream protection rules \u2013 and with a special provision to support the coal export boom by continuing taxpayer investments in dirty energy projects abroad. \u00a0\n\u201cWe see the GOP\u2019s true priorities by the many special interest giveaways in this bill \u2013 and also by what was deliberately left out of the bill.\u00a0The Secure Rural Schools program is set to expire, leaving education systems in much of my North Coast district and many rural areas around the country in financial limbo.\u00a0Instead of heeding the bipartisan calls to extend the program, House Republicans left it out of the Omnibus so that they could use it as a partisan political football next year.\u00a0They essentially admitted as much in floor debates. House Republicans have been relentlessly attacking our environmental laws and we know that will continue next year.\u00a0But using struggling rural schools as hostages to advance their anti-environment partisan agenda is a cynical political move even by the low standards of this Congress. \u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cDemocrats could and should have leveraged our votes for a better government funding bill.\u00a0I'm also disappointed that instead of drawing a firm line on policy priorities, the Obama administration capitulated and actually whipped the bill.\n\u201cWe have now given a bully our lunch money. He will be back in January, bigger, stronger, and asking for more.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://juliabrownley.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/brownley-delivers-46-million-in-retroactive-and-estimated-monthly", "BROWNLEY DELIVERS $4.6 MILLION IN RETROACTIVE AND ESTIMATED MONTHLY FEDERAL BENEFITS TO CONSTITUENTS SINCE TAKING OFFICE", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF. \u2013 In nearly two years since Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) took office, Brownley and her staff have successfully delivered more than $4.6 million in retroactive and estimated monthly federal benefits to constituents throughout Ventura County. Additionally, she helped secure more than $10 million in federal grants for local projects.\n\u201cWhen I was elected to Congress, I was determined to provide the best constituent services possible,\u201d said Congresswoman Brownley. \u201cAs I prepare to begin my second term in office, I will continue to strive to be Ventura County\u2019s voice in Washington.\u201d\nBelow are highlights of Congresswoman Brownley\u2019s constituent-centered approach to strengthening Ventura County\u2019s economy and fighting for middle-class families.\n Received and responded to over 119,000 inquiries from constituents.\n\tOf those 119,000-plus inquiries, over 2,100 required Brownley to open cases and cut through bureaucratic red tape while advocating for constituents.\n\tRecovered nearly $2 million in retroactive VA benefits, plus more than $1.8 in estimated monthly VA benefits.\n\tRecovered over $300,000 in overdue Social Security benefits to Ventura County residents.\n\tHelped secure more than $10 million in federal grants, including $4.3 million for expanding local transit service; $1.8 million for security and infrastructure for the Port of Hueneme; $600,000 for maintenance and improvements for the Camarillo and Oxnard airports; $500,000 for carrier service incentives for Oxnard airport; $120,000 for Reins of HOPE in Ojai to expand access to complementary and alternative therapy for veterans; and $2.4 million to keep a local fire station open and staffed.\n \u201cIf you live in California\u2019s 26th Congressional District and need my help with a federal agency, please don\u2019t hesitate to contact my district offices,\u201d Brownley said. \u201cIt is my honor to serve you as your advocate in Congress.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lowenthal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398552", "Congressman Lowenthal Helps Secure $7.74 in Funding to Keep Queensway Bay Channel Open", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Alan Lowenthal", "L000579", "lowenthal.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alan Lowenthal has helped secure an additional $7.74 million for much-needed dredging of the Queensway Bay channel, which sits at the mouth of the Los Angeles River in Long Beach. The funding is in addition to more than $5 million already secured by the Congressman and the City of Long Beach for initial dredging work, which is set to begin soon. \u00a0All told, the combined funding will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to completely clear a full navigable channel by removing years of sediment build-up from the frequent silting that occurs as debris and sediment flows down and out of the L.A. River. \u201cThe Queensway Bay channel is a key waterway in our area and keeping it open is critical to the thousands of recreational boaters who rely on it each year,\u201d Congressman Lowenthal said.  Silting in the Queensway Bay channel can negatively impact navigation for vessels launching from Long Beach\u2019s South Shore Launch Ramp, located in the channel. Nearly 10,000 vessels launch from this ramp per year and require a clear channel to safely maneuver, and 600,000 people rely on the channel for transportation and tourism each year.\r\nDredging must be completed every three to five years to keep the channel clear, but due to the fact that that maintenance dredging was not kept up, the channel has been in danger of silting to the point of becoming impassible by marine craft.\r\n\"The City of\u00a0Long Beach is thrilled to see that through the leadership provided by Congressman Lowenthal, Congress has passed a budget bill that includes $7.7 million for dredging the federal channel in the Los Angeles River Estuary in 2015,\" says Mayor Robert Garcia. \u00a0\"The City and Congressman Lowenthal have been working closely together over the past two years to ensure\u00a0that sufficient federal funds are\u00a0invested in maintaining navigability in\u00a0the federal channel.\u00a0 This\u00a0is a safety matter, and also\u00a0a matter of\u00a0economic importance, as the federal\u00a0channel is the\u00a0only\u00a0path of travel between Catalina Island and Long Beach.\"\r\nThe funding was included in Congress\u2019s fiscal year 2015 funding package as part of a request by the Congressman and the City of Long Beach. The House today passed and sent the \u201cCRomnibus\u201d funding package to the Senate, which is expected to soon pass and send to the President\u2019s desk for his signature. The funds will then become available to the Army Corps.  \u201cI am proud to have worked diligently with appropriators, The U.S. Army Corps, the City of Long Beach, and the City of Avalon to secure funding for the Army Corps to complete dredging of the channel, and I want to thank each of them for helping to make this happen,\u201d Congressman Lowenthal said.\r\n  \r\nThe Queensway Bay channel serves as an important link between Long Beach and Catalina Island. Over 600,000 total passengers travel through this passage every year, making ferry service between Catalina Island and Long Beach, the second most used ferry system in California.\r\nThe commuter ferries to Catalina Island alone provide a significant economic benefit to both the Southern California region and Catalina Island. Any service interruption between Long Beach and Avalon has an immediate negative economic impact on both communities, as well as creating an undue hardship for commuters and Catalina residents.\r\nThe House passed the funding bill, H.R. 83, by a vote of 219 to 206. Congressman Lowenthal voted 'no' on the bill in its final form.\r\n\u201cUltimately, I decided to vote \u2018no\u2019 on the bill despite my hard work and support on many items contained within it, including the dredging funds. Last minute additions to the bill such as attacks on the Dodd-Frank consumer financial protections and a dangerous expansion of campaign contribution limits to unheard of levels made it impossible for me to vote \u2018yes\u2019 with a clear conscience. I believe these additions to the bill will hurt people in the 47th District more than the rest of the bill will help them,\u201d Congressman Lowenthal said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=d0ce247f-523b-44e3-b9c4-e82f05c2c638", "Torture report is about us, not enemies, and we must enact reform - San Francisco Chronicle", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Originally appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle\r\nOn Tuesday, a five-year review of the CIA\u2019s detention and interrogation program was finally made public, drawing back the curtains on a very dark period of American history. The purpose of making this report public is simple: to ensure something like this can never happen again.\r\n\r\nThe 500-page executive summary that was made public is part of a larger 6,700-page review of a CIA program that included clear examples of torture, far outside the bounds of American values.\r\n\r\nIt\u2019s important to remember the study is based on CIA\u2019s own records: 6.3 million pages of the CIA cables, memos, reports, e-mails and other documents. These records from the very time the actions took place \u2014 appear extensively in the report\u2019s 38,000 footnotes.\r\n\r\nMany of these records were disturbing, at times deplorable.\r\n\r\nBut there was also some wisdom in those records, like a 2005 e-mail from then-CIA Inspector General John Helgerson. It read, in part:\r\n\r\n\u201cWe have found that the Agency over the decades has continued to get itself in messes related to interrogation programs for one overriding reason: we do not document and learn from our experience \u2014 each generation of officers is left to improvise anew, with problematic results for our officers as individuals and for our Agency.\u201d\r\n\r\nThis report provides that documentation, and now we need to learn from it and apply the lessons.\r\n\r\nWe must never again allow our country to veer so far off course. To do that, we have to study where we went wrong.\r\nSen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said last week on the Senate floor, \u201cThe truth is sometimes a hard pill to swallow.\u201d Indeed, the executive summary includes some particularly vile treatment, and it\u2019s difficult to comprehend what happened. We included these details to drive home how wrong and un-American this program was.\r\n\r\nOne detainee was kept awake for 180 hours \u2014 that\u2019s more than seven days without sleep. One otherwise healthy detainee died while in custody, likely from hypothermia.\r\nBeatings were common, painful stress positions were often used and threats were made against detainees\u2019 lives and against their families. There were even mock executions.\r\nAll of this happened outside the normal system of checks and balances. Congress was blocked from oversigt, and policymakers reviewing the program were often misinformed. What guidelines existed to prevent abuse were repeatedly ignored.\r\n\r\nThe result of these actions? A program of interrogation and torture that yielded no information necessary to stop terrorist plots or capture terrorists.\r\n\r\nThis was an ugly program, but let me be clear: Our country is strong enough to own up to what we did and make the necessary changes to make sure it never happens again.\r\nIt\u2019s what the most powerful country in the world should and must do.\r\n\r\nLindsey Graham, a Republican colleague from South Carolina who also spoke on the Senate floor on Tuesday, made this point: The evils our enemies visit upon us are far worse than how we treated these prisoners, but we must hold ourselves to a much higher standard than ISIL or al Qaeda.\r\nThis isn\u2019t about our enemies. This is about us.\r\n\r\nSo now we need to move forward. It\u2019s time to finally enact federal laws that ban interrogation techniques like these from ever being used again.\r\n\r\nIn the coming days, I plan on joining several other senators in offering a series of recommendations that stem from this report. We shouldn\u2019t have to rely on a presidential executive order, which could be reversed and is the only thing prohibiting the CIA from resuming this program.\r\n\r\nCritics of this report have said that releasing it will make us less safe, that the world is too unstable to handle what this report found. In considering these concerns, I determined that there is never a good time to admit we tortured people, but it must be done.\r\n\r\nBut it\u2019s not the report that\u2019s at fault, it\u2019s the fact that we allowed torture to happen in the first place.\r\nWhen we released the report, I talked on the Senate floor about how the study was conducted, what was in it and what it meant.\r\n\r\nBut the speaker who followed me really put it in the proper context, and that was Sen. McCain.\r\n\r\nNo one knows better that torture doesn\u2019t work than John. He spent five years as a prisoner of war. He lived this debate, and I\u2019m proud to have him on my side.\r\n\r\nJohn spoke eloquently, offering argument after argument against the use of torture.\r\n\r\nOne passage in particular stuck me:\r\n\r\n\u201cIt is essential to our success in this war that we ask those who fight it for us to remember at all times that they are defending a sacred ideal of how nations should be governed and conduct their relations with others \u2014 even our enemies.\u201d\r\n\r\nLet\u2019s not forget that lesson. Let\u2019s not repeat the same mistakes. I encourage everyone to read the report, come to your own conclusion and if you agree, join in the fight to end torture.\r\n\r\nDianne Feinstein represents California in the U.S. Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=338ad3a5-8ae1-4736-9e27-6970e8f87759", "Feinstein Hails Passage of  Defense Authorization Bill", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington\u2014Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today welcomed Senate passage of the FY15 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which contains a number of Feinstein\u2019s legislative proposals benefitting California on both public lands and military issues.\r\n\r\nPublic lands\r\n\r\n\u201cI am pleased by the passage of several public lands provisions affecting California,\u201d Feinstein said. \u201cOverall, this bill means California can preserve potential wilderness areas, pursue commonsense land exchanges and commemorate the history of our national parks.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe following legislation was sponsored or cosponsored by Feinstein and was included in the NDAA:\r\n\r\n \r\nInyo National Forest Land Exchange Act: This bill facilitates a land exchange between the operators of the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and the Inyo National Forest. The land exchange will enable the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area to acquire the 21 acres it currently leases from the Forest Service so that it can make much needed long-term improvements to its facilities. In exchange, the Forest Service would receive approximately 1,500 acres of environmentally valuable private lands and cash payments equivalent to the value of the ski resort lands. This win-win solution benefits the local tourism economy and protects important natural resources.\r\n \r\n \r\nBuffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act: This legislation authorizes a study that will determine the best way to commemorate the Buffalo Soldiers, the Army\u2019s first all-African American units. In particular, it seeks to honor the critical role they played in the early years of the national park system, including Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks, where they essentially served as our nation\u2019s first park rangers.\r\n \r\n \r\nChina Lake Naval Weapons Station Boundary Adjustment: This amendment authorizes the withdrawal of approximately 12,000 acres of public lands sought by the Department of Defense for use by the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station, while also preserving a roughly equal amount of adjacent public lands that have long been proposed to be designated as wilderness area additions.\r\n \r\n \r\nCabin Fee Act: This legislation, introduced with other western senators, restructures the system for assessing annual leasing fees paid by cabin owners residing on Forest Service land. The new system will eliminate radical increases in lease payments so that cabin owners unable to afford such dramatic increases are not forced to forfeit their properties.\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFeinstein also supported other California public lands provisions in the NDAA including the Trinity County, Calif. Land Exchange and the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge Land Exchange.\r\n\r\nMilitary issues\r\n\r\n\u201cThis bipartisan piece of legislation is good for our national security and our men and women in uniform,\u201d Feinstein said. \u201cI\u2019m glad a few outstanding military land-use issues in California have been resolved through this legislation.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe following legislation, sponsored or supported by Feinstein, was included in the NDAA:\r\n\r\n \r\nMt. Soledad Veterans Memorial: Legislative language negotiated by Feinstein directs the Secretary of Defense to sell the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial in San Diego, Calif. to the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association. It is hoped that this provision and subsequent sale will end the ongoing controversy regarding the memorial while preserving the land as a privately-owned veteran\u2019s memorial in perpetuity.\r\n \r\n \r\nAir Force Land Conveyance in Norwalk, Calif.: This amendment allows a conveyance from the former Air Force Norwalk Defense Fuel Supply site to the City of Norwalk. The town intends to transform the former Air Force land into a community park.\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nAs part of the ongoing efforts to confront and defeat ISIL, Senator Feinstein strongly supports the Overseas Contingency Operations funding authorization, as well as the authorities granted to train and equip moderate Syrian opposition forces, Iraqi security forces and the Kurdish Peshmerga.\r\n\r\nSenator Feinstein also supported two space-related provisions included in the NDAA. They are provisions increasing the number of competitive space launches within the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program, and a bill authorizing $220 million to begin developing a U.S.-made replacement for the Russian-made RD-180 engine that is currently used by the United Launch Alliance.\r\n\r\nFeinstein expressed disappointment that provisions regarding the transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees essentially preserved the status quo. Legislation supported by Feinstein\u2014and approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee\u2014that would have allowed the transfer of detainees to the United States for trial or critical medical treatment did not make it into the final bill.\r\n\r\nFinally, Feinstein welcomed funding to purchase additional F-18 aircraft, body armor for our service members and additional Iron Dome batteries for Israel.\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=56d0dda9-b528-489f-843a-58cb246bcc5d", "Fact Check: Coercive Interrogation Techniques Did Not Lead to bin Laden", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington\u2014The raid of a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on May 1, 2011, that killed Osama bin Laden was the product of a decade-long intelligence manhunt. The compound was located after Abu Ahmed al-Kuwaiti, bin Laden\u2019s facilitator, was identified by the intelligence community.\r\n\r\nContrary to CIA representations, this intelligence operation did not rely on information from CIA detainees after they were subjected to the CIA\u2019s coercive interrogation techniques.\r\n\r\nThe following timeline lays out when and how intelligence on bin Laden was collected.\r\n \r\nNovember 2001: A phone number associated with Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti is under surveillance by the U.S. government. (page 380, footnote 2143)\r\nMarch 2002: The same phone number is found in Abu Zubaydah\u2019s phone book under \u201cAbu Ahmad K.\u201d (page 387, footnote 2190)\r\nApril-July 2002: CIA obtains signals intelligence linking Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti with bin Laden\u2019s family and collects Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti\u2019s emails. (pages 380-381)\r\nJune-October-2002: Four detainees in foreign custody provide information on Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti\u2019s age, physical appearance and family, as well as information on the unique importance of Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti, including Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti\u2019s close relationship with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in coordinating terrorist attacks against the United States. (pages 381-382)\r\nJune 25, 2002: Riyadh the Facilitator, while in the custody of a foreign government, suggests Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti may be bin Laden\u2019s courier. (page 382)\r\nAugust 2002: Abu Zubair, while in the custody of a foreign government, states that Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti \u201cwas one of a few close associates\u201d of bin Laden. (page 383)\r\nMarch-Sept 2003: During and after coercive interrogation techniques, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed provides conflicting, incomplete and inaccurate information about a facilitator who he calls \u201cAbu Ahmad al-Baluchi.\u201d Months later, when confronted with reporting from a detainee in foreign government custody, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed acknowledges knowing Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti but states Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti worked with low-level al Qaeda members. (pages 387-388, footnote 2190)\r\nApril 2003: Ammar al-Baluchi discusses Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti in foreign government custody with foreign government interrogators using rapport building techniques. (page 388, footnote 2190)\r\nMay 2003: Ammar al-Baluchi is rendered to CIA custody and is nearly immediately subjected to the CIA\u2019s coercive interrogation techniques. While undergoing EITs, Ammar admits to fabricating information and states that there were rumors that Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti was a courier for bin Laden. Later, Ammar retracts this statement and states Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti was never a courier. (page 388, footnote 2190).\r\nJuly 7, 2003: Abu Zubaydah, 10 months after coercive interrogation techniques, states that he does not know Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti. (page 387, footnote 2190)\r\nJanuary 2004: Before being subjected to the CIA\u2019s coercive interrogation techniques, Hassan Ghul is questioned and sings \u201clike a tweetie bird.\u201d He reveals that Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti was bin Laden\u2019s closest assistant, that bin Laden probably lives in a house with a family in Pakistan, that bin Laden would have minimal security and that Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti would handle all of bin Laden\u2019s needs. The day after this reporting is provided to CIA Headquarters, the CIA transfers Ghul to another CIA detention site and immediately subjects Ghul to the CIA\u2019s coercive interrogation techniques. (page 384)\r\nAugust 2005: Khalid Sheikh Mohammed states that Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti was not a courier and that he has never heard of Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti transporting letters to bin Laden. (page 388, footnote 2190)\r\nFebruary and September 2009: Voice samples from 2001-2002 signals intelligence collection are compared to other voice samples which led the intelligence community to assess that Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti was located in a specific area in Pakistan. Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti was then geolocated and tracked to the bin Laden compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. (page 381, footnote 2147)\r\n \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=e8f730c3-43c8-4931-94f6-c478f25d8bbb", "Fact Check: CIAs Use of Rectal Rehydration, Feeding Not Medical Procedures", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington\u2014As documented in the Senate Intelligence Committee study of the CIA\u2019s detention and interrogation program, coercive interrogation techniques included the use of rectal rehydration and rectal feeding of CIA detainees.\r\n\r\nContrary to some claims, this is not a medical procedure, nor was it ever approved by the Justice Department\u2019s Office of Legal Counsel as an authorized interrogation technique. On December 10, 2014, the New York-based Physicians for Human Rights stated that \u201cContrary to the CIA\u2019s assertions, there is no clinical indication to use rectal rehydration and feeding over oral or intravenous administration of fluids and nutrients.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe report includes ample information about the uses of these procedures, including:\r\n\r\n \r\nPage 73: One detainee, al-Nashiri, launched a short lived hunger strike that resulted in the CIA force feeding him rectally. (Source: CIA cable, May 23, 2004.)\r\nPage 82: CIA\u2019s chief of interrogations ordered the rectal rehydration of Khalid Shaykh Mohammed without a determination of medical need, a procedure that the chief of interrogations would later characterize as illustrative of the interrogator\u2019s \u201ctotal control over the detainee.\u201d (Source: CIA cable, March 5, 2003; interview by the CIA inspector general, March 27, 2003.)\r\nPage 83: In March 2003, Khalid Shaykh Mohammed was also subjected to additional rectal rehydration (Source: CIA cable, date redacted), which a CIA officer from the Office of Medical Services \u201cdescribed as helping to \u2018clear a person\u2019s head\u2019 and effective in getting KSM to talk.\u201d (Source: CIA email, March 6, 2003, names of sender and recipients redacted.)\r\nPage 100, footnote 584: According to CIA records, listed in this footnote, the CIA rectally rehydrated and/or rectally fed al-Nashiri, Khalid Shaykh Mohammed, Abu Zubaydah and Marwan al-Jabbur. Ramzi bin al-Shibh, Khallad bin Attash and Adnan al-Libi were threatened with rectal rehydration. CIA medical officers discussed rectal rehydration as a means of behavior control. As one officer wrote, \u201c[w]hile IV infusion is safe and effective, we were impressed with the ancillary effectiveness of rectal infusion on ending the water refusal in a similar case.\u201d (Source: multiple CIA cables, dates redacted; CIA email, February 2004, names of sender and recipients redacted.)\r\nPage 100, footnote 584: The CIA\u2019s June 2013 response to the study does not address the use of rectal feeding with CIA detainees, but defends the use of rectal rehydration as a \u201cwell acknowledged medical technique.\u201d CIA leadership, including General Counsel Scott Muller and DDO James Pavitt, was also alerted to allegations that rectal exams were conducted with \u201cexcessive force\u201d on two detainees at DETENTION SITE COBALT. A CIA attorney was asked to follow up, although CIA records do not indicate any resolution of the inquiry. (Source: multiple CIA emails, dates and names of sender and recipients redacted.)\r\nPages 114-115: Although Majid Khan cooperated with the nasogastric tube and the provision of intravenous fluids, he was subjected to rectal feeding and rectal rehydration without any evidence he was resisting other feeding methods. The rectal feeding included the rectal infusion of the \u201cpureed\u201d contents of Majid Khan\u2019s \u201clunch tray,\u201d including hummus, pasta with sauce, nuts and raisins. (Source: two CIA cables on September 23, 2004.)\r\n \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-delivers-46-million-in-retroactive-and-estimated-monthly/", "Brownley Delivers $4.6 Million in Retroactive and Estimated Monthly Federal Benefits to Constituents Since Taking Office", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", "juliabrownley", "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Thousand Oaks, CA \u2013 In nearly two years since Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) took office, Brownley and her staff have successfully delivered more than $4.6 million in retroactive and estimated monthly federal benefits to constituents throughout Ventura County. Additionally, she helped secure more than $10 million in federal grants for local projects.\n\n\u201cWhen I was elected to Congress, I was determined to provide the best constituent services possible,\u201d said Congresswoman Brownley. \u201cAs I prepare to begin my second term in office, I will continue to strive to be Ventura County\u2019s voice in Washington.\u201d\n\nBelow are highlights of Congresswoman Brownley\u2019s constituent-centered approach to strengthening Ventura County\u2019s economy and fighting for middle-class families.\n\nReceived and responded to over 119,000 inquiries from constituents.\n\nOf those 119,000-plus inquiries, over 2,100 required Brownley to open cases and cut through bureaucratic red tape while advocating for constituents.\n\nRecovered nearly $2 million in retroactive VA benefits, plus more than $1.8 in estimated monthly VA benefits.\n\nRecovered over $300,000 in overdue Social Security benefits to Ventura County residents.\n\nHelped secure more than $10 million in federal grants, including $4.3 million for expanding local transit service; $1.8 million for security and infrastructure for the Port of Hueneme; $600,000 for maintenance and improvements for the Camarillo and Oxnard airports; $500,000 for carrier service incentives for Oxnard airport; $120,000 for Reins of HOPE in Ojai to expand access to complementary and alternative therapy for veterans; and $2.4 million to keep a local fire station open and staffed.\n\n\u201cIf you live in California\u2019s 26th Congressional District and need my help with a federal agency, please don\u2019t hesitate to contact my district offices,\u201d Brownley said. \u201cIt is my honor to serve you as your advocate in Congress.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:44:12Z"], ["https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-statement-on-fy2015-cromnibus/", "Brownley Statement on FY2015 CROMNIBUS", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "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) issued the following statement regarding her vote on the Fiscal Year 2015 Continuing Resolution and Omnibus Appropriations Act:\n\n\u201cI voted for the FY2015 funding bill because it would be irresponsible to shut down the federal government, which could send our economy back into recession. The last shutdown cost the economy $24 billion and furloughed 818,000 workers. While this bill is certainly flawed, I could not in good conscience support putting our fragile economic recovery, and the jobs in Ventura County that might be impacted by a shutdown, in jeopardy.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:44:12Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-lee-praises-medical-marijuana-protection-provision", "Congresswoman Lee Praises Medical Marijuana Protection Provision", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.12.14\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee Praises Medical Marijuana Protection Provision   \n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  Last night, the House passed the $1.1 trillion spending bill that was unfortunately littered with gifts for Wall Street and other harmful policy riders.\r\n\r\nHowever, the bill did contain a key provision that Congresswoman Lee strongly supported. The provision prevents federal overreach that would keep Californians from their medicine. The provision prohibitsthe use of funds by the U.S. Department of Justice to prevent states from implementing their own state laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession or cultivation of medical marijuana.\r\n\r\nThe federal government should never get in between patients and their medicine, said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. This provision brings us one step closer to providing relief for those suffering from multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, cancer, HIV/AIDS and other medical conditions.\r\n\r\nCongresswoman Lee was a leading co-sponsor of this provision when it passed the House as the Farr-Rohrabacher amendment to the FY 2015 CJS Appropriations Bill, which passed the House in May. She actively advocated for inclusion of that amendment in the final spending bill.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\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 the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the 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"], ["http://bera.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/crowley-roskam-announce-new-india-caucus-co-chairs-bera-holding", "Crowley, Roskam announce new India Caucus co-chairs Bera, Holding", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ami Bera", "B001287", "bera.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC\u2013Today, Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY), and Congressman Peter Roskam (R-IL), the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans for the 113th Congress, announced that Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA) Congressman George Holding (R-NC) will serve as the new co-chairs for the 114th Congress: \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\n\u201cAmi is an accomplished physician, a staunch advocate for his constituents, and is a go-to member when it comes to working constructively in Congress,\u201d said Crowley. \u201cHis passion for the issues is impressive, and there is no question the Caucus will be in excellent hands. The Indian-American community has a wonderful partner in Ami Bera, and I look forward to working with him, and the entire India Caucus, as we continue our efforts to strengthen relations between the U.S. and India.\u201d\n\u201cGeorge is the perfect person for this role and I know that the caucus will be in good hands,\u201d said Roskam. \u201cAs Republican Chair of the India Caucus, George will focus in on growing the relationship between our two democracies, emphasizing our nations\u2019 shared interests from global security to trade and international prosperity. At over 180 members, our caucus is the largest in the House dedicated to a single country. Among so many of his colleagues, and with an unmatched work ethic and understanding of the issues, George will absolutely thrive.\u201d\n\u201cAs the only Indian American serving in Congress, I\u2019m honored to have been voted co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans,\u201d said Bera. \u201cI'd like to express my gratitude to Congressmen Crowley and Roskam for their years guiding the Caucus. Under their leadership the India Caucus has grown to one of the largest caucuses in the House. I\u2019m excited to take on this new role at a critical time for the partnership between the U.S. and India. Building on Prime Minister Modi\u2019s visit to the U.S. in September and President Obama\u2019s upcoming trip to India, I look forward to working with Congressman Holding and our colleagues in the Caucus to continue to grow the economic and strategic relationship between our countries and to advocate for the Indian American community.\u201d\n\u201cAs I have said before, the United States-India bilateral relationship can be one of the defining partnerships of this century,\u201d said Holding. \u201cI\u2019m honored to follow Congressmen Roskam and Crowley and thank them for their commitment to this important relationship. I look forward to advancing the efforts of the Caucus as co-chair with Rep. Ami Bera. With a shifting geopolitical situation in Asia, unwavering cooperation between the U.S. and India is essential to promoting peace and stability.\u201d\nBera represents Sacramento County in Congress. Born and raised in California, Bera is a physician and only the third Indian American ever to serve in Congress.\u00a0A\u00a0member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Bera is a proponent of strengthening United States' strategic and economic ties with India and Asia and is working to open Asian markets to California products to create new\u00a0 jobs. He is also fighting for equal rights for the Indian American community.\nCrowley has served as co-chair of the India Caucus in the 112th\u00a0and 113th\u00a0Congresses. Formed in 1993, the India Caucus is a bipartisan group of members that is dedicated to championing strong ties between the U.S. and India and supporting the Indian-American community. During his term, Crowley has helped grow the India Caucus to become one of the largest caucuses in the House and initiated several key events, including the first-ever\u00a0Congressional Diwali\u00a0celebration in 2013. Crowley led the Democratic whip effort as part of the Congressional push to secure the enactment of the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement, a landmark agreement that brought U.S.-India relations into the century after decades of distance during the Cold War. A recognized leader in Congress on issues related to the Sikh-American community, Crowley spearheaded a multi-year, successful\u00a0effort\u00a0to convince the federal government to begin collecting data on hate crimes committed against Sikh-Americans and Hindu-Americans, an important issue brought to the national spotlight by the massacre of Sikhs worshipping at a temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.\u00a0He is also\u00a0the leading voice calling for an\u00a0end\u00a0to the presumptive ban on Sikhs serving in the U.S. military.\u00a0\nGeorge Holding (NC-13) is a former U.S. Attorney and currently serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. As a testament to Congressman\u2019s Holding\u2019s unique understanding of a strong U.S.-India relationship, he was chosen to lead a Congressional Delegation to India last year. In the 114th\u00a0Congress, Representative Holding looks forward to strengthening U.S.-India relations as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cardenas.house.gov//media-center/spanish-releases/c-rdenas-nombrado-a-comit-m-s-poderoso-de-la-c-mara", "CRDENAS NOMBRADO A COMIT MS PODEROSO DE LA CMARA", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Tony C\u00e1rdenas", "C001097", "cardenas.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "C\u00c1RDENAS NOMBRADO A COMIT\u00c9 M\u00c1S PODEROSO DE LA C\u00c1MARA\n\u00a0\n(Washington, DC) \u2013\u00a0El Representante de EE.UU. Tony C\u00e1rdenas ser\u00e1 ahora la voz de Los Angeles en el comit\u00e9 m\u00e1s poderoso de la C\u00e1mara de Representantes de EE.UU. El martes, C\u00e1rdenas fue nombrado al prestigioso Comit\u00e9 de Energ\u00eda y Comercio de la C\u00e1mara, el m\u00e1s antiguo de los \u201ccomit\u00e9s de autorizaci\u00f3n,\u201d donde han sido creados y debatidos muchos proyectos de ley hist\u00f3ricos.\n\u201cEste comit\u00e9 es el m\u00e1s importante de nuestra C\u00e1mara,\u201d dijo C\u00e1rdenas. \u201cMe llena de orgullo servir y espero que podamos orientar nuestros debates hacia temas que importan en Los Angeles y en nuestra naci\u00f3n. Tengo la intenci\u00f3n de usar la amplitud de mi experiencia para estar listo el primer d\u00eda para discurrir soluciones a los retos a los que se enfrenta nuestra naci\u00f3n.\u201d\nC\u00e1rdenas trae m\u00e1s de 18 a\u00f1os de experiencia legislativa al comit\u00e9, al que es \u201cconferido la mayor amplitud de jurisdicci\u00f3n de cualquier comit\u00e9 de autorizaci\u00f3n congresional.\u201d En los \u00faltimos a\u00f1os, ha llevado la responsabilidad de la Ley de Cuidado de Salud; cambio clim\u00e1tico y pol\u00edtica de energ\u00eda; pol\u00edtica de telecomunicaciones; protecciones al consumidor, incluyendo asuntos de alimentos y medicamentos; y comercio general, incluyendo asuntos que afectan a las industrias del entretenimiento y la tecnolog\u00eda.\n\u201cComo antiguo propietario de peque\u00f1a empresa, ingeniero, jefe del Comit\u00e9 de Presupuesto de California y l\u00edder en progreso medioambiental en la ciudad de Los Angeles, tengo un conjunto \u00fanico de habilidades y experiencias,\u201d dijo C\u00e1rdenas. \u201cEsta es una \u00e9poca importante para Am\u00e9rica, seg\u00fan construimos una econom\u00eda americana nueva. El Comit\u00e9 de Energ\u00eda y Comercio ser\u00e1 una parte importante del proceso de construcci\u00f3n.\u201d\nC\u00e1rdenas ser\u00e1 uno de s\u00f3lo dos miembros Hispanos del comit\u00e9, ayudando a representar el 20 por ciento de consumidores americanos que son Hispanos. Ser\u00e1 s\u00f3lo el quinto miembro Hispano de la C\u00e1mara de EE.UU. en servir en el Comit\u00e9 de Energ\u00eda y Comercio.\nC\u00e1rdenas ser\u00e1 el \u00fanico miembro del comit\u00e9 de Los Angeles, una de las regiones econ\u00f3micas m\u00e1s diversas de la naci\u00f3n e impulsora clave del comercio internacional. La regi\u00f3n fue previamente representada en el comit\u00e9 por Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Santa Monica), quien fue jefe y segundo miembro de liderazgo en los \u00faltimos a\u00f1os.\n\u201cComo miembro del equipo de coordinaci\u00f3n entre Representantes del Sur de California y nuestro liderazgo, me complace que mi colega Tony C\u00e1rdenas haya sido elegido para servir en el poderoso Comit\u00e9 de Energ\u00eda & Comercio, que supervisa una gran variedad de asuntos incluyendo comercio internacional e interestatal, protecci\u00f3n de consumidores, el medioambiente, pol\u00edtica de energ\u00eda, telecomunicaciones y m\u00e1s,\u201d dijo la Rep. Janice Hahn (D-Los Angeles). \u201cHabiendo previamente servido con el Congresista C\u00e1rdenas cuando est\u00e1bamos en Concejo Municipal de L.A. juntos, estoy segura de que representar\u00e1 bien nuestra regi\u00f3n.\u201d\nC\u00e1rdenas recibi\u00f3 el apoyo de sus colegas regionales para el puesto en una votaci\u00f3n el martes por la ma\u00f1ana.\n\u201cEl Comit\u00e9 de Energ\u00eda y Comercio es uno de los comit\u00e9s m\u00e1s poderosos en el Congreso,\u201d dijo Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), quien representa el distrito del Valle de San Fernando que est\u00e1 al lado del distrito de C\u00e1rdenas. \u201cTony estar\u00e1 en buen lugar para ayudar a las empresas del Valle en las industrias de alta tecnolog\u00eda e instrumentos m\u00e9dicos. Y s\u00e9 que Tony luchar\u00e1 por los consumidores y el medioambiente.\u201d\nHist\u00f3ricamente, el Comit\u00e9 de Energ\u00eda y Comercio ha liderado en temas empresariales y comerciales, a la vez centr\u00e1ndose en protecciones al consumidor. En 1906, aprob\u00f3 el Pure Food and Drug Act, una de las primeras ocasiones en las que el gobierno federal instituy\u00f3 est\u00e1ndares de salud en casi cada producto usado por americanos, para asegurarse de que grandes compa\u00f1\u00edas de alimentos y medicamentos no usaran su tama\u00f1o para ocultar productos que contuvieran ingredientes potencialmente letales.\nM\u00e1s recientemente, la emblem\u00e1tica Ley de Cuidado de Salud vino de legislaci\u00f3n debatida durante m\u00e1s de 100 horas en sesiones llevadas a cabo por comit\u00e9s incluyendo Energ\u00eda y Comercio. Se espera que el comit\u00e9 est\u00e9 en el epicentro de inminentes debates sobre \u201cnet neutrality\u201d, cambios a la Ley de Cuidado de Salud, pol\u00edtica de energ\u00eda y consolidaci\u00f3n medi\u00e1tica, incluyendo la fusi\u00f3n Comcast-Time Warner.\n\u201cEn esencia, nuestro gobierno debe luchar para fomentar la salud y el bienestar de nuestros ciudadanos,\u201d dijo C\u00e1rdenas. \u201cContinuar\u00e9 mi lucha para proteger a los desfavorecidos en nuestra naci\u00f3n, incluyendo proteger a la Ley de Cuidado de Salud, y a la vez trabajando para crear empleos buenos de clase media para las familias Americanas.\u201d\nEn el comit\u00e9, C\u00e1rdenas se ha comprometido a ser una voz para las industrias del entretenimiento que tienen hogar en Los Angeles, as\u00ed como los sectores emergentes en la regi\u00f3n de tecnolog\u00eda y energ\u00eda.\n\u00a0\nC\u00c1RDENAS TAMBI\u00c9N NOMBRADO COORDINADOR REGIONAL (\u201cWHIP\u201d)\nEl nombramiento al prestigioso comit\u00e9 viene justo despu\u00e9s de que C\u00e1rdenas fuera reelegido Coordinador Regional (\u201cRegional Whip\u201d), junto a Rep. Janice Hahn. Hahn y C\u00e1rdenas servir\u00e1n al Coordinador de la Minor\u00eda de la C\u00e1mara Steny Hoyer como representantes del Sur de California (Distritos Congresionales 21 a 53).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://garamendi.house.gov/press-release/ranking-member-garamendi-helps-lead-coast-guard-and-maritime-transportation-bill-which", "Ranking Member Garamendi Helps Lead Coast Guard and  Maritime Transportation Bill which Passes Senate, House and  will be Signed into Law", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "John Garamendi", "G000559", "garamendi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bipartisan Bill will Strengthen our Economy and National Security and\n\tIncludes Garamendi\u2019s Growing American Shipping Act\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, the Senate and House of Representatives both passed S. 2444, the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 by unanimous consent. The bill now heads to the President\u2019s desk, where it will be signed into law. This bipartisan legislation reauthorizes funding for the United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Federal Maritime Commission. It also provides policy direction and certainty for these entities and the entire maritime sector. As Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee\u2019s Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-03) worked closely with Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-CA-5) to write the bill; negotiated a bipartisan, bicameral compromise; and built support for passage through both chambers of Congress and with the Administration.\n\u201cI am pleased that even in a partisan environment, the House, Senate, and the White House are coming together on legislation that will strengthen our Coast Guard and maritime businesses. I am also pleased that this legislation includes my bipartisan Growing American Shipping Act, which says that when it is deemed appropriate to export LNG, it should be on American-flagged vessels,\u201d said Congressman Garamendi. \u201cThis bill will modernize our Coast Guard, make our maritime businesses more competitive, and strengthen American shipbuilding \u2013 the backbone of our maritime sector. While the bill has some minor flaws, on balance, it is a very good compromise that will strengthen our economy and national security.\u201d\nGaramendi added, \u201cI commend Coast Guard Subcommittee Chairman Duncan Hunter, and also Chairman Bill Shuster and Ranking Member Nick Rahall of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for their bipartisan leadership on this legislation. I also want to thank Senator Rockefeller and Senator Thune for their invaluable cooperation throughout our negotiations, and for their yeoman efforts to expedite clearance of the bill today.\u201d\nThe Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 (S. 2444) includes provisions that:\n Authorize the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve for fiscal year 2015;\n\tSupport Coast Guard servicemembers and their families by providing new child care and family support programs;\n\tRequire development of a comprehensive National Maritime Strategy;\n\tReauthorize the small shipyard competitive grant program, which in 2011 awarded a $1.4 million grant to a facility in Alameda County;\n\tProvide new guidance to the Coast Guard as it continues to rebuild its offshore fleet of cutters, including the granting of multi-year procurement authority for the new Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) which will help expedite the construction of this new class of cutter once a final design is selected next year;\n\tClarify existing authorities to promote the use of U.S. flag vessels in the export of LNG;\n\tStrengthen cooperation between the Coast Guard and State Maritime Academies, including California Maritime Academy in Vallejo, by codifying the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee;\n\tHelp replace and modernize aging Coast Guard assets in a cost-effective manner;\n\tProvide new directives that the Coast Guard needs to prepare for full-time operations and for the safety of maritime transportation in the Arctic, including authority to reactivate the heavy icebreaker Polar Sea;\n\tProvide explicit cooperative agreement authority to enhance the Coast Guard\u2019s ability to develop beneficial partnerships with other maritime stakeholders, including private businesses, nonprofits, and foreign governments;\n\tImprove Coast Guard acquisition activities;\n\tEnhance Congressional oversight; and\n\tCreate opportunities for veterans to transition to careers in the Merchant Marine.\n The legislation is named in honor of retiring Congressman and long-serving House Transportation Committee Member Howard Coble, the only current Member of Congress to have served in the Coast Guard and a strong supporter of the Service.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huffman.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/rep-huffman-applauds-passage-of-new-measure-to-prevent-veteran-suicides", "Rep. Huffman Applauds Passage of New Measure to Prevent Veteran Suicides", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jared Huffman", "H001068", "huffman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00ad\u2014Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) applauded the unanimous House passage of bipartisan legislation to address the epidemic of suicide among our nation\u2019s veterans.\u00a0\n\u201cMany of our veterans return from war facing traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, or mental health challenges. Too many don\u2019t receive the care they need and, tragically, take their own lives,\u201d Huffman said. \u201cThe passage of this bipartisan legislation brings us one step closer to ensuring our veterans receive the care they need and deserve. I know that our work is not done and we need to keep working to guarantee the United States meets the solemn commitments it made to its veterans.\u201d\nTwenty-two veterans commit suicide every day \u2013 more than 8,000 every year.\u00a0 Of the more than 2 million Americans who have served in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, it is estimated that one-third, roughly 600,000 women and men, have traumatic brain injury, PTSD or depression.\u00a0 Named in honor of an Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran and noted suicide prevention advocate who took his own life on March 31, 2011, The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act (H.R. 5059) is another step toward ensuring our nation\u2019s veterans have the support they need by expanding access to and improving the effectiveness of mental health care for our veterans.\nThe Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act will establish a peer support and community outreach pilot program to assist transitioning servicemembers with accessing VA mental health care services.\u00a0 To ease access to services, the bill will require the VA to create a one-stop, interactive website to serve as a centralized source of information regarding all mental health services for veterans.\u00a0 A student loan repayment pilot program aimed at recruiting and retaining psychiatrists included in the legislation will help address the shortage of mental health care professionals.\u00a0 To improve care, the legislation will require an annual, third-party evaluation of all mental health care and suicide prevention practices and programs at the VA to find out what\u2019s working and what\u2019s not.\u00a0\nThe bill was introduced by Representative Tim Walz (D-MN), the highest ranking enlisted soldier ever to serve in Congress and co-authored by Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee Jeff Miller (R-FL) and Representative Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a Purple Heart recipient, Iraq War veteran, and member of the Army National Guard.\nLast June, Huffman voted for the Veterans Access, Choice & Accountability Act of 2014 (H.R. 3230), which would provide accountability and access to care for veterans at the Department of Veterans Affairs. H.R. 3230, which was signed into law by President Obama, provided $15 billion in emergency funding to the VA. The $15 billion in emergency funding includes $10 billion for expanded health care options for veterans and $5 billion to bolster care within the VA. It also gives the VA Secretary the power to quickly remove incompetent senior executives based on poor job performance and ends a number of policies that allowed for this disgraceful state of affairs to occur.\nHuffman also recently met with the new Secretary to discuss solutions to the claims backlog and improved healthcare for veterans in rural communities.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://juliabrownley.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/brownley-focuses-on-link-between-veterans-homelessness-and-military", "BROWNLEY FOCUSES ON LINK BETWEEN VETERANS HOMELESSNESS AND MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) participated in a House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee hearing: \u201cEvaluating Federal and Community Efforts to Eliminate Veteran Homelessness.\u201d During the hearing, Brownley focused on the links between female veterans\u2019 homelessness and military sexual trauma (MST).\nDuring testimony before the committee, John Downing, CEO of Soldier On, noted that in his experience 100 percent of the female veterans who are homeless have experienced MST. He also noted that of all homeless veterans, approximately 25 percent are considered chronically homeless, and may never become self-sufficient, requiring a lifetime of intensive care. Brownley used her time during the hearing to hone in on these statistics. A video of the exchange is available here.\nAs Ranking Member of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Subcommittee on Health, Brownley has been particularly focused on issues facing female veterans, including MST. Earlier this year, Brownley offered a Motion to Instruct conferees on the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, which led to the inclusion several provisions on MST in the final bill. Brownley has also urged Chairman Miller to hold a full committee hearing to focus more on issues facing female veterans.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://juliabrownley.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/brownley-statement-on-fy2015-cromnibus", "BROWNLEY STATEMENT ON FY2015 CROMNIBUS", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) issued the following statement regarding her vote on the Fiscal Year 2015 Continuing Resolution and Omnibus Appropriations Act.\n\u201cI voted for the FY2015 funding bill because it would be irresponsible to shut down the federal government, which could send our economy back into recession. The last shutdown cost the economy $24 billion and furloughed 818,000 workers. While this bill is certainly flawed, I could not in good conscience support putting our fragile economic recovery, and the jobs in Ventura County that might be impacted by a shutdown, in jeopardy.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mikethompson.house.gov//newsroom/press-releases/thompson-votes-against-2015-omnibus-bill", "THOMPSON VOTES AGAINST 2015 OMNIBUS BILL", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Thompson", "T000460", "mikethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C. \u2013 U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today voted against the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 omnibus appropriations bill (H.R. 83) that includes numerous provisions that would put our economy at risk, hurt the middle class, provide funding for Syrian rebels to fight ISIL, and undermine the president\u2019s attempts to address problems with our broken immigration system.  \u201cOnce again, House Republicans are threatening to shutdown the government by including provisions in a last-minute funding bill that\u2019s needed to keep the government open past midnight. Buried deep in this bill is a provision that would put American taxpayers back on the hook for bailing out Wall Street when their riskiest bets go wrong. These kinds of risky bets brought our financial system to the brink of collapse in 2008, and cost our nation millions of jobs. While this provision is a windfall for Wall Street and will allow them to once again gamble with taxpayer\u2019s money, it\u2019s a blow to the middle class.\n\u201cIf that wasn\u2019t enough, the funding bill would dramatically increase the amount of money wealthy donors can funnel into our elections, preventing the voices of American middle class families and small businesses from being heard.\n\u201cThis funding bill also provides $500 million to train and arm Syrian rebel groups to fight ISIL. While ISIL is a dangerous terrorist organization that must be stopped, we do not have enough information on the people we are arming and training, nor can we ensure that these weapons will not fall into the hands of ISIL, or be used against innocent civilians.\n\u201cFinally, the legislation attempts to undercut the President\u2019s executive actions to address problems with our broken immigration system by only providing short-term funding to the government agency tasked with carrying out these fixes. \n\u201cWe need a clean, straight-forward spending bill that doesn\u2019t hurt our middle class, undermine our democratic process,\u00a0 arm foreign rebels we know little about, or undercut efforts to fix our immigration system.\u201d \nH.R. 83 repeals a portion of the Dodd-Frank financial reform legislation that required banks to separate and independently fund their derivative trades, which were one of the central causes of the financial crisis in 2008. Repealing this provision of Dodd-Frank will allow banks, backed by taxpayer-insured funds, to trade derivatives and get bailed out if the trades lead to another near financial collapse.\nA second provision in H.R. 83 would increase the sums a single contributor could give to a party committee by nearly tenfold per year. Under the current limits, a donor can give $129,600 to the Democratic or Republican National Committee and another $64,800 to the parties' House and Senate committees in each two-year election cycle. The new rules proposed in the omnibus bill would increase those limits to $648,000 for the parties\u2019 national committees and $453,600 for their House and Senate committees.\nAdditionally, the omnibus bill provides $500 million to extend a Pentagon program to arm and train up to 5,000 Syrian rebels to fight ISIL. In September, Thompson voted against arming these rebels.\nH.R. 83 funds all government agencies though the end of September, except for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS, the agency responsible for carrying out the President\u2019s recently announced executive orders on immigration, is only funded until February 27th. Such short-term funding could undermine the Obama Administration\u2019s ability to carry out the President\u2019s executive orders.\u00a0\u00a0\nH.R. 83 passed the House by a vote of 219-206 and now goes to the Senate for a vote.\n\u00a0\nCongressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California\u2019s 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. \u00a0He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.\n\u00a0\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://scottpeters.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/rep-peters-votes-to-fund-san-ysidro-border-crossing-and-reduce-va", "Rep. Peters Votes to Fund San Ysidro Border Crossing and Reduce VA Backlog", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Scott Peters", "P000608", "scottpeters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Peters Votes to Fund San Ysidro Border Crossing and Reduce VA Backlog\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 This evening, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) voted in favor of bipartisan legislation that prevents a federal government shutdown and funds San Diego\u2019s border infrastructure, gives our troops a pay raise, brings in personnel to cut down on the backlog of claims at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), provides money to fight wildfires, and supports NIH and algae research being done in our region.\n\u201cOur constituents sent us to Congress to forge bipartisan solutions that improve their lives and provide opportunities for economic growth, not to threaten government shutdowns with manufactured crises,\u201d Rep. Peters said. \u201cI supported today\u2019s bipartisan legislation because it contains many provisions that will benefit San Diego and help grow our nation\u2019s economy.\u201d\nAlthough Congressman Peters voted to support the overall package, there were elements within it that he opposes. \u201cI oppose the provision that increases the influence of money in politics and will continue to work for meaningful campaign finance reform,\u201d Peters continued.\nThe $1.1 trillion bill funds most of the federal government through the end of September 2015, and is the result of lengthy negotiations between the Senate, House, and the President to reach a compromise. The President supports the final bill, as did a mix of House leaders in both parties. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.\nBenefits for San Diego in the Funding Package\n $216 million to fund the last phase of construction at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the world\u2019s busiest land crossing, where recent bipartisan efforts to secure construction funding have dramatically reduced wait times\n\t12 MQ-9 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) that are a priority of the Air Force; UAVs are an economic driver in San Diego County and extend our national defense range\n\t1% pay raise for our country\u2019s troops\n\tFunding to refuel the USS George Washington, which maintains our nation\u2019s 11-aircraft carrier fleet; San Diego is home to two carriers that provide $500 million each in economic benefit\n\t$30.1 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an increase of $150 million from 2014; in 2013, California received $3.3 B in NIH funding, and the San Diego region received $785 million\n\t$3.5 billion for wildfire fighting efforts, which covers the 10-year average\n\tAn additional $40 million to hire personnel to continue reducing VA claims backlog\n\tInvestments in alternative energy, including $25 million in algae research and $45 million to support collaboration between the Navy and the Department of Energy to develop new fuels\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=ad9ada3d-1dd3-4455-b58f-4ab52d6676e9", "Feinstein Response to CIA Director on Detention, Interrogation Program", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "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 after CIA Director John Brennan spoke about the CIA\u2019s detention and interrogation program:\r\n\r\n\u201cCIA Director Brennan\u2019s comments were not what I expected. They showed that CIA leadership is prepared to prevent this from ever happening again\u2014which is all-important.\r\n\r\n\u201cI watched today\u2019s press conference closely and agree with many of the things Director Brennan said. He discussed the context of the detention and interrogation program that started shortly after the horrific attacks on 9/11, as well as the vital work being done by the CIA workforce. He is right on both counts.\r\n\r\n\u201cDirector Brennan also acknowledged that the CIA was not prepared to effectively manage this program when it started and that many mistakes were made as it was implemented. I believe that the Intelligence Committee\u2019s report demonstrates these facts beyond dispute, and I am pleased the director announced some of the reforms that have been and will be implemented at the CIA.\r\n\r\n\u201cPerhaps most importantly, Director Brennan stated that the CIA has \u2018not concluded that it was the use of EITs within that program that allowed us to obtain useful information from detainees subjected to them.\u2019 This is a welcome change from the CIA\u2019s position in the past that information was obtained as a direct result of EITs.\r\n\r\n\u201cI disagree that it is \u2018unknowable\u2019 whether information needed to stop terrorist attacks could be obtained from other sources. The report shows that such information in fact was obtained through other means, both traditional CIA human intelligence and from other agencies. Nonetheless, it is an important development that Director Brennan does not attribute counterterrorism successes to coercive interrogations.\r\n\r\n\u201cFinally, I agree with Director Brennan that the CIA must \u2018speak truth to power.\u2019 The president, Congress and other policymakers must get the facts and intelligence assessments without them being colored by policy views or an effort to hide embarrassing facts.\r\n\r\n\u201cAs one who received CIA briefings in 2006 and 2007 about the CIA\u2019s enhanced interrogation techniques, I know that the CIA did not \u2018speak truth to power,\u2019 and that the descriptions of interrogations that were finally provided to the committee did not accurately reflect reality (see pages 446-450 of the executive summary). The report describes numerous examples of inaccurate information being presented within the CIA and to the White House, the Department of Justice, Congress and the public.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe vast majority of CIA\u2019s employees are dedicated and skilled professionals who had nothing to do with detention and interrogation. For them, I am pleased that Director Brennan is attempting to acknowledge past mistakes by the agency in order to focus on current and future missions and make sure that a program like this is never considered again.\u201d\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=b62bd3e2-13fb-4c7c-a5ca-dd0eb5d792c9", "Fact Check: Intelligence Committee Insufficiently Briefed on Coercive Interrogation Techniques", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington\u2014Contrary to repeated misstatements, no senators were briefed on the CIA\u2019s coercive interrogation techniques before they were approved and put to use in August 2002. And the full Intelligence Committee was not briefed until September 6, 2006, hours before President Bush acknowledged the program before the American public.\r\n\r\nWhen senators were finally briefed on the issue, they were provided extensive inaccurate information and were repeatedly stonewalled by the CIA, which refused to provide documents or answers to questions.\r\n\r\nThe following is a timeline of the administration\u2019s briefings to senators and the lack of transparency, which also identifies concerns raised by Senators once they were briefed:\r\n\r\n \r\nAugust 2002: CIA begins using its \u201cenhanced interrogation techniques.\u201d\r\nSeptember 2002: Chairman and vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee are first briefed on the program. Senator Bob Graham requested more information in order to conduct oversight; CIA refused. (see pp. 48-49)\r\n2003-2006: Then-Chairman Rockefeller asks several times for additional information in order to investigate; CIA refused. (see, e.g., pp. 441-442)\r\n2005: Senator Levin proposes a commission to look into detainee matters; videotapes showing coercive interrogation techniques were destroyed days later. (see pp. 443-444)\r\nSeptember 6, 2006: Full Intelligence Committee is briefed on the program for the first time, hours before President Bush publicly reveals the program. (see p. 446)\r\n2006-2007: Senators McCain, Feinstein, Feingold, Wyden, and Hagel express concerns and opposition with the CIA program. (see p. 447)\r\n2007: Senator Whitehouse introduces an amendment to the Intelligence Authorization Bill to ban \u201cenhanced interrogation techniques.\u201d Senator Feinstein introduces a similar amendment, which was adopted in the conference committee, then by the full House and Senate. The bill was vetoed by President Bush. (see Senate Report 110-75, House Report 110-478, and pp. 451-453)\r\n \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-focuses-on-link-between-veterans-homelessness-and-military/", "Brownley Focuses on Link Between Veterans\u2019 Homelessness and Military Sexual Trauma", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "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) participated in a House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee hearing: \u201cEvaluating Federal and Community Efforts to Eliminate Veteran Homelessness.\u201d During the hearing, Brownley focused on the links between female veterans\u2019 homelessness and military sexual trauma (MST).\n\nDuring testimony before the committee, John Downing, CEO of Soldier On, noted that in his experience 100 percent of the female veterans who are homeless have experienced MST. He also noted that of all homeless veterans, approximately 25 percent are considered chronically homeless, and may never become self-sufficient, requiring a lifetime of intensive care. Brownley used her time during the hearing to hone in on these statistics. A video of the exchange is available here.\n\nAs Ranking Member of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Subcommittee on Health, Brownley has been particularly focused on issues facing female veterans, including MST. Earlier this year, Brownley offered a Motion to Instruct conferees on the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, which led to the inclusion several provisions on MST in the final bill. Brownley has also urged Chairman Miller to hold a full committee hearing to focus more on issues facing female veterans.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:44:12Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-strongly-opposes-putting-taxpayers-on-the-hook-for-wall-street-gambling-in-so-called-cromnibus", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Strongly Opposes Putting Taxpayers on the Hook for Wall Street Gambling in So-Called CROmnibus", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.14\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Strongly Opposes Putting Taxpayers on the Hook for Wall Street Gambling in So-Called CROmnibus \n\t\t\tWashington, DC  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee spoke in opposition to the rule that would govern the so-called CROmnibus:\r\n\r\nThis bill [H.R. 83] funds many things that I support including Ebola funding and a critical $5.67 billion for the President's plan for AIDS relief, PEPFAR.\r\n\r\nHowever, it includes provisions that I cannot support.\r\n\r\nI cannot support provisions that would roll back the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform bill and put taxpayers back on the hook for Wall Street gambling.\r\n\r\nProvisions within this bill would also eviscerate campaign finance laws and allow ultra-wealthy donors to increase national party donations ten-fold.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, it includes $73.7 billion for the Overseas Contingency Operations [OCO] fund, which is quite frankly a slush fund and appropriates an additional $3.4 billion to fund an unauthorized war against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. More than three months after this war began, Congress has yet to have the Constitutionally-mandated debate and vote on an authorization for the use of military force [AUMF].\r\n\r\nI urge a no vote on the rule and a no vote on the bill.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n###\r\n\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 the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the 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://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-lee-speaks-out-against-the-violence-in-south-sudan", "Congresswoman Lee Speaks Out Against the Violence in South Sudan", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.14\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee Speaks Out Against the Violence in South Sudan \n\t\t\tWashington, DC  This morning, Congresswoman Lee spoke on the House floor about the humanitarian crisis devastating South Sudan and the need for increased diplomatic efforts to end the bloodshed.\r\n\r\nSince fighting broke out last December, a humanitarian crisis has plagued this young nation. Almost 2 million people have been displaced and an estimated 50,000 civilian deaths have occurred, said Congresswoman Lee. And the situation is only likely to get worse in the coming months. The U.S. played a vital role in supporting an independent South Sudan, and we have a vital role moving forward to ensure that the conflict does not deteriorate.\r\n\r\nAs a co-chair of the bipartisan Caucus on Sudan and South Sudan, I urge the Administration to increase its political and diplomatic efforts to bring this conflict to an end and to prevent further bloodshed. With 1.5 million people experiencing food insecurity in South Sudan, now is the time to ensure that we use diplomacy to bring this crisis to an end.\r\n\r\nCongresswoman Lee's full speech can be viewed below.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\nCongresswoman Lee is co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Sudan and South Sudan and a member of the Appropriations Committee subcommittee of State and Foreign Operations. She is also a member of the Budget Committee, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip's Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.\r\n\r\n\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://lofgren.house.gov/media/press-releases/honda-lofgren-lead-california-lawmakers-urging-ca-attorney-general-reject", "Honda, Lofgren lead California Lawmakers in urging CA Attorney General to reject hospital sale to Prime Healthcare Services", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Zoe Lofgren", "L000397", "lofgren.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Eighteen California Lawmakers urged California Attorney General Kamala Harris today to reject the sale of six hospitals in the Daughters of Charity Health System to Prime Healthcare Services, a controversial for-profit system that has a history of unfair business practices. The letter, led by U.S. Reps. Mike Honda (D- San Jose) and Zoe Lofgren (D- San Jose), and signed by eighteen California Members of Congress, cites serious concerns that \"under Prime, patient care and healthcare worker rights will suffer at these hospitals.\" The letter goes on to note that Prime's history of unfair business practices \"have resulted in civil and criminal investigations by government agencies for allegedly overbilling Medicare as well as violations of patient confidentiality.\" Furthermore, California's need for additional safety net hospitals as a result of the expanded Medi-Cal services provided under the Affordable Care Act \"is incompatible with Prime's business model of minimizing the amount of care it delivers to low-income patients.\" Prime Healthcare Services has a long and troubling history of cutting services, raising prices, and laying off workers. The questionable history of Prime Healthcare combined with the mission of these hospitals to serve the most-needy residents raises substantial doubts as to the sensibility of this sale. California Attorney General Kamala Harris may reject the sale based on any factors found relevant, including: whether the sale is in the public interest; whether it would create significant effects on the availability of health care services in the community; or whether the proposed use of the proceeds from the transaction is consistent with the charitable trust under which the hospitals have operated. Reps. Honda and Lofgren were joined by Representatives Sam Farr (D- Carmel), Mark Takano (D- Riverside), Janice Hahn (D- San Pedro), Anna G. Eshoo (D- Palo Alto), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D- Los Angeles), Xavier Becerra (Los Angeles), Doris O. Matsui (D- Sacramento), Tony Cardenas (D- San Fernando Valley), Jackie Speier (D- San Francisco/San Mateo Counties), Barbara Lee (D- Oakland), Loretta Sanchez (D- Garden Grove), Juan Vargas (D- San Diego) Mike Thompson (D- St. Helena), George Miller (D- Martinez), Alan Lowenthal (D- Long Beach), and Maxine Waters (D- Los Angeles). Full text of the letter is below: December 11, 2014 The Honorable Kamala D. Harris  \n\tAttorney General, California Department of Justice  \n\tOffice of the Attorney General  \n\t1300 I Street  \n\tSacramento, CA 95814 Dear Attorney General Harris: We the undersigned members of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation respectfully urge the Office of the Attorney General to reject the sale of six hospitals in the Daughters of Charity Health System to Prime Healthcare Services. With six hospitals throughout California, all of our constituents have a public health and cost-shift stake in what happens with this proposed acquisition. It is our belief that under Prime, patient care and healthcare worker rights will suffer at these hospitals. Our biggest concern is Prime's history of unfair business practices that have resulted in civil and criminal investigations by government agencies for allegedly overbilling Medicare as well as violations of patient confidentiality. The National Labor Relations Board has issued charges against Prime for such illegal practices as unilaterally cutting employee health insurance plans, interrogating and intimidating employees who are supportive of their union, bad faith bargaining and bribing employees to vote to decertify the union. Class action and wage and hour violation lawsuits have been filed against Prime at 11 of their 15 California hospitals. We would also note that California today needs more safety net hospitals than ever, given that over 2 million Californians have signed up for expanded Medi-Cal under the Affordable Care Act. This growing Medi-Cal need is incompatible with Prime's business model of minimizing the amount of care it delivers to low-income patients. In closing, we do not believe an acquisition of Daughters of Charity hospitals by Prime is in the best interests of patients or healthcare workers in California. Given Prime's troubled past and regulatory problems, and its incompatibility with the historic safety net mission of Daughters, we urge you to protect the rights of patients and healthcare workers by rejecting this proposed sale. Sincerely, U.S. Representatives Mike Honda, Zoe Lofgren, Sam Farr, Mark Takano, Janice Hahn, Anna G. Eshoo, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Xavier Becerra, Doris O. Matsui, Tony Cardenas, Jackie Speier, Barbara Lee, Loretta Sanchez, Juan Vargas, Mike Thompson, George Miller, Alan Lowenthal, and Maxine Waters. # # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lofgren.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397842", "Honda, Lofgren lead California Lawmakers in urging CA Attorney General to reject hospital sale to Prime Healthcare Services", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Zoe Lofgren", "L000397", "lofgren.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Eighteen California Lawmakers urged California Attorney General Kamala Harris today to reject the sale of six hospitals in the Daughters of Charity Health System to Prime Healthcare Services, a controversial for-profit system that has a history of unfair business practices.The letter, led by U.S. Reps. Mike Honda (D- San Jose) and Zoe Lofgren (D- San Jose), and signed by eighteen California Members of Congress, cites serious concerns that \u201cunder Prime, patient care and healthcare worker rights will suffer at these hospitals.\u201d The letter goes on to note that Prime\u2019s history of unfair business practices \u201chave resulted in civil and criminal investigations by government agencies for allegedly overbilling Medicare as well as violations of patient confidentiality.\u201d Furthermore, California\u2019s need for additional safety net hospitals as a result of the expanded Medi-Cal services provided under the Affordable Care Act \u201cis incompatible with Prime\u2019s business model of minimizing the amount of care it delivers to low-income patients.\u201d Prime Healthcare Services has a long and troubling history of cutting services, raising prices, and laying off workers. The questionable history of Prime Healthcare combined with the mission of these hospitals to serve the most-needy residents raises substantial doubts as to the sensibility of this sale. California Attorney General Kamala Harris may reject the sale based on any factors found relevant, including: whether the sale is in the public interest; whether it would create significant effects on the availability of health care services in the community; or whether the proposed use of the proceeds from the transaction is consistent with the charitable trust under which the hospitals have operated. Reps. Honda and Lofgren were joined by Representatives Sam Farr (D- Carmel), Mark Takano (D- Riverside), Janice Hahn (D- San Pedro), Anna G. Eshoo (D- Palo Alto), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D- Los Angeles), Xavier Becerra (Los Angeles), Doris O. Matsui (D- Sacramento), Tony Cardenas (D- San Fernando Valley), Jackie Speier (D- San Francisco/San Mateo Counties), Barbara Lee (D- Oakland), Loretta Sanchez (D- Garden Grove), Juan Vargas (D- San Diego) Mike Thompson (D- St. Helena), George Miller (D- Martinez), Alan Lowenthal (D- Long Beach), and Maxine Waters (D- Los Angeles). Full text of the letter is below: December 11, 2014 The Honorable Kamala D. Harris  \nAttorney General, California Department of Justice  \nOffice of the Attorney General  \n1300 I Street  \nSacramento, CA 95814 Dear Attorney General Harris: We the undersigned members of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation respectfully urge the Office of the Attorney General to reject the sale of six hospitals in the Daughters of Charity Health System to Prime Healthcare Services.  With six hospitals throughout California, all of our constituents have a public health and cost-shift stake in what happens with this proposed acquisition. It is our belief that under Prime, patient care and healthcare worker rights will suffer at these hospitals. Our biggest concern is Prime's history of unfair business practices that have resulted in civil and criminal investigations by government agencies for allegedly overbilling Medicare as well as violations of patient confidentiality. The National Labor Relations Board has issued charges against Prime for such illegal practices as unilaterally cutting employee health insurance plans, interrogating and intimidating employees who are supportive of their union, bad faith bargaining and bribing employees to vote to decertify the union. Class action and wage and hour violation lawsuits have been filed against Prime at 11 of their 15 California hospitals. We would also note that California today needs more safety net hospitals than ever, given that over 2 million Californians have signed up for expanded Medi-Cal under the Affordable Care Act. This growing Medi-Cal need is incompatible with Prime\u2019s business model of minimizing the amount of care it delivers to low-income patients.  In closing, we do not believe an acquisition of Daughters of Charity hospitals by Prime is in the best interests of patients or healthcare workers in California. Given Prime's troubled past and regulatory problems, and its incompatibility with the historic safety net mission of Daughters, we urge you to protect the rights of patients and healthcare workers by rejecting this proposed sale. Sincerely,  U.S. Representatives Mike Honda, Zoe Lofgren, Sam Farr, Mark Takano, Janice Hahn, Anna G. Eshoo, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Xavier Becerra, Doris O. Matsui, Tony Cardenas, Jackie Speier, Barbara Lee, Loretta Sanchez, Juan Vargas, Mike Thompson, George Miller, Alan Lowenthal, and Maxine Waters. # # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sherman-leads-28-members-of-congress-against-so-called-right-to-work", "Sherman Leads 28 Members of Congress Against So- Called Right-to-Work Laws", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Brad Sherman", "S000344", "sherman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Today, Congressman Brad Sherman announced the introduction of legislation that would eliminate so-called right-to-work laws, which was applauded by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. Sherman has a strong record of supporting working men and women, having introduced this same legislation in the 110th, 111th, and 112th Congress, and consistently earning a 100% rating from the AFL-CIO. We now have 24 states with Right-to-Work' provisions, said Sherman. Their stated goal: take jobs from other states by offering a more business friendly climate. In other words: weaker unions and lower wages. Only by ending so-called Right-to-Work' nationwide can we stop the race to the bottom. Right-to-work laws require unions to represent non-dues-paying employees, thereby undermining the basic premise and promise of union membership and creating free riders  people who are exempt from paying their fair share. Right-to-work laws create different standards for union membership in different states. This results not only in confusion over the regulation of union membership, but also places a higher cost on worker representation in labor rights states. Right-to-work laws have come to be known as right-to-work-for-less laws, because employees in states with these laws average about $5,680 a year less than workers in labor rights states. I do not believe that there should be a right to be treated unfairly or to endure unnecessary restrictions. Right-to-work laws strip unions of their legitimate ability to collect dues, even when the worker is covered by a union-negotiated collective bargaining agreement. This forces unions to use their time and members' dues to provide benefits to free riders who are exempt from paying their fair share, Congressman Sherman continued. These laws are harmful to states like California, which allows labor unions to organize, because now we have to compete with the race to the bottom, as our companies have to compete with those where the workers would like better wages, working conditions and benefits but are unable to organize to get them. With the introduction of legislationbanning so-calledright-to-work, Congressman Sherman has once again demonstratedhis strongcommitment to working families, said Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO. Right-to-work laws undermine the economy andweaken workers' ability to bargain for better working conditions, which translates into lower pay and fewer benefits for everyone. In 1947, Section 14(b) of the Taft Hartley Act stripped the federal government of its role in protecting the American workers' right to freedom of association by allowing states to pass legislation that eliminates the ability of unions to collect dues from their members. The result is a confusing web of labor laws that encourages a race to the bottom. The list of original cosponsors includes:\nKaren Bass (D-CA)  \n\tEddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)  \n\tRobert A. Brady (D-PA)  \n\tTony Crdenas (D-CA)  \n\tJudy Chu (D-CA)  \n\tEmanuel Cleaver (D-MO)  \n\tJohn Conyers, Jr. (D-MI)  \n\tJohn D. Dingell (D-MI)  \n\tElliot Engel (D-NY)  \n\tSam Farr (D-CA)  \n\tChaka Fattah (D-PA)  \n\tRal Grijalva (D- AZ)  \n\tLuis V. Gutirrez (D-IL)  \n\tJanice Hahn (D-CA)  \n\tMarcy Kaptur (D-OH)  \n\tSheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)  \n\tHenry C. Hank Jr. Johnson (D-GA)  \n\tAlan S. Lowenthal (D-CA)  \n\tStephen F. Lynch (D-MA)  \n\tGwen Moore (D-WI)  \n\tJerrold Nadler (D-NY)  \n\tMark Pocan (D-WI)  \n\tCharles B. Rangel (D-NY)  \n\tLucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA)  \n\tLoretta Sanchez (D-CA)  \n\tJanice D. Schakowsky (D-IL)  \n\tEric Swalwell (D-CA)  \n\tJohn Tierney (D-MA)\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sherman-speaks-in-support-of-soledad-canyon-settlement-act", "Sherman Speaks in Support of Soledad Canyon Settlement Act", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Brad Sherman", "S000344", "sherman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I yield myself so much time as I may consume.\nMr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Soledad Canyon Settlement Act. This act is a testament to bipartisanship, fiscal responsibility, environmental stewardship, local consensus building and tireless tenacity for the public good.\nBipartisanship:\nHere in this House the bill is introduced, carried and written by our colleague Buck McKeon. In the Senate the same language has been introduced by Senator Barbara Boxer and is supported by Senator Feinstein. You can't get anymore bipartisan than that.\nFiscal responsibility: CBO says this bill cost the government zero dollars and zero cents. You can't get a lower cost estimate on a bill than that.\nEnvironmental stewardship: this bill is supported by the Sierra Club and this land will become the gateway to the new San Gabriel Mountains National Monument\nLocal consensus building: this bill has the support of local leaders and legislators, governor Jerry Brown, Semex the local lease owner and virtually everyone involved in public life in Santa Clarita which is Los Angeles County's third largest city.\nTireless Tenacity:\nMr. Speaker, tireless tenacity for the public good is exemplified by our friend Buck McKeon. 22 years in congress and I believe 22 years focused on this problem and now on what may very well be his last legislative day, we have a chance to solve this problem in a way that I think exemplifies what we should be trying to do here in Congress.\nIn addition to Bucks' tireless tenacity I want to commend the city leaders of Santa Clarita, many time mayor Loraine West who I believe is now a City council member and has been mayor of that city so often. Bob Keller now the mayor pro-tem, Ken Striplen the city manager and the hundreds and thousands of people in Santa Clarita and the immediate area.\nMr. Speaker, this is a bill that's needed because it will stop the mining of 56 million tons of sand and gravel which is now incompatible with a city that has grown to more than double its size when the project was originally planned and now constitutes an area of well more than a quarter million people. This sand and gravel mining operation is incompatible with the new population of the area and it is also incompatible with the roads and traffic which is busy not only at rush hour but throughout the day.\nSo I want to commend the gentleman from Santa Clarita for his decades of work for his district, his town and all the people of California. I want to urge an aye' vote on the Soledad Canyon Settlement Act and I reserve the balance of my time.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-maxine-waters-chris-smith-urge-president-increase-funding-alzheimer", "Reps. Maxine Waters, Chris Smith Urge President to Increase Funding for Alzheimers Research in FY 2016 Budget", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Maxine Waters", "W000187", "waters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Reps. Maxine Waters, Chris Smith Urge President to Increase Funding for Alzheimer's Research in FY 2016 Budget\n\nDecember 11, 2014\n\nWashington, D.C.  Yesterday, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Congressman Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), the Co-Chairs of the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease, sent a letter to the President urging him to include an additional $200 million for Alzheimer's research in his Budget Request for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016. \n\nThe text of the letter follows:\n\n\"We write to you today as members of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease to request that you include adequate funding to help change the trajectory of Alzheimer's disease in the President's Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2016. Specifically, we urge you to call for an additional $200 million to be allocated to the National Institute of Aging to boost our investment in Alzheimer's research. \n\nAs you are aware, Alzheimer's is a devastating disease that exacts a tremendous personal and economic toll on the individual, the family and our society. In addition to the human suffering it causes, Alzheimer's cost the United States $214 billion in 2014, including $150 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid. That price tag will increase exponentially as the baby boom generation ages, placing our country not only in a public health crisis, but an economic one as well. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that, without new treatments or a cure, Alzheimer's will cost the United States an astonishing $1 trillion by 2050.\n\nWhile Alzheimer's is costing the United States more than $200 billion, we are spending less than three tenths of one percent of that amountan estimated $566 million in FY 2014on research to prevent and cure this disease.It is undeniable that Alzheimer's receives funding that is disproportionate to its human and economic toll. Indeed, several similarly deadly diseases receive annual funding of between $2 and $5 billion for research, with some receiving even more.Surely, we can do more for Alzheimer's given the tremendous price of this devastating disease.\n\nThe Omnibus Appropriations bill for FY 2014 took an important step forward by providing for a $100 million increase at the National Institute of Aging to help boost the commitment to Alzheimer's research. However, the Chairman of the Advisory Council established by the bipartisan 2010 National Alzheimer's Project Act says that we will need to devote $2 billion a year to Alzheimer's research to reach the goal of preventing and effectively treating Alzheimer's disease by 2025.\n\nAccordingly, we believe that an increase in resources for Alzheimer's research is both necessary and a smart investment that will lower future government spending. Similar investments in research for other diseases have yielded tremendous results: patients have access to new treatments, and death rates are decreasing. At the same time, mortality due to Alzheimer's is escalating dramatically, and it is unique among the top ten causes of death in that it cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.\n\nThat said, there is promising research in the pipeline that holds great hope for Alzheimer's patients and their families. The research community is poised to make important contributions toward the treatment of this disease through clinical trials and by investigating new therapeutic targets if adequate resources are available.\n\nFor these reasons, we urge you to call for an additional $200 million in Alzheimer's research in the coming fiscal year and work with us to develop a plan to meet our ultimate goal of a $2 billion annual investment within the next five years. \n\nWe know that you share our commitment to effectively preventing and treating Alzheimer's by 2025 and we look forward to working with you to meet that goal.\n\nThank you for your time and consideration of this request.\" \n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cardenas.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/c-rdenas-named-to-important-house-committee", "CRDENAS NAMED TO IMPORTANT HOUSE COMMITTEE", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Tony C\u00e1rdenas", "C001097", "cardenas.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "C\u00c1RDENAS NAMED TO IMPORTANT HOUSE COMMITTEE\n\u00a0\n(Washington, DC) --\u00a0U.S. Rep. Tony C\u00e1rdenas will now be Los Angeles\u2019 voice on the most important committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. Tuesday, C\u00e1rdenas was named to the prestigious House Energy and Commerce Committee, the oldest of the \u201cauthorizing committees,\u201d where many pieces of historic legislation have been created and first debated.\n\u201cThis committee is the most important in our House,\u201d said C\u00e1rdenas. \u201cI am honored to serve and I hope I can focus debates on issues important to the Los Angeles region and our nation. I intend to use the breadth of my experience to be ready on day one to discuss solutions to the challenges faced by our nation.\nC\u00e1rdenas brings more than 18 years of legislative experience to the committee, which is \u201cvested with the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional authorizing committee.\u201d In recent years, it has had responsibility for the Affordable Care Act; climate change and energy policy; telecommunications policy; consumer protection, including food and drug issues; and overall commerce, including issues affecting the entertainment and tech industries.\u00a0\n\u201cAs a former small business owner, an engineer, head of the California Budget Committee and a leader in environmental progress in the city of Los Angeles, I have a unique set of skills and experiences,\u201d said C\u00e1rdenas. \u201cThis is an important time for America, as we build a new American economy. The Energy and Commerce Committee will be an important part of that building process.\u201d\nC\u00e1rdenas will serve as one of only two Hispanic members on the committee, helping represent the 20 percent of American consumers who are Hispanic. He will be only the fifth Hispanic member of the U.S . House to serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee.\nC\u00e1rdenas will be the only member on the committee from Los Angeles, one of the most diverse economic regions in the nation and a key driver of international business. The region was previously represented on the committee by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Santa Monica), who served as chair and ranking member in recent years.\n\u201cAs a member of the whip team communicating between Southern California Representatives and our leadership, I am pleased that my colleague Tony C\u00e1rdenas has been selected to serve on the powerful Energy & Commerce Committee, which oversees a broad range of issues including interstate and international commerce, consumer protection, the environment, energy policy, telecommunications and more,\u201d said U.S. Rep. Janice Hahn (D-Los Angeles). \u201cHaving previously served with Congressman C\u00e1rdenas when we were on the L.A. City Council together, I am confident he will represent our region well.\u201d\nC\u00e1rdenas received the endorsement of his regional colleagues for the position in a vote Tuesday morning.\n\u201cThe Energy and Commerce Committee is one of the most powerful committees in Congress,\u201d said U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), who represents the San Fernando Valley district alongside C\u00e1rdenas\u2019 district. \u201cTony will be in a great position to help Valley businesses in the high tech and medical device industries. And I know Tony will fight for consumers and the environment.\u201d\nHistorically, the Energy and Commerce Committee has led on trade and commerce, while also focusing on consumer protection. In 1906, it passed the Pure Food and Drug Act, one of the first instances of the federal government instituting health standards on nearly every product used by Americans, to make certain that large food and drug companies were not using their size to obscure products containing potentially fatal ingredients.\u00a0\nMore recently, the landmark Affordable Care Act came from legislation debated for more than 100 hours in hearings conducted by committees including Energy and Commerce.\u00a0 The committee is expected to be at the epicenter of upcoming debates on net neutrality, changes to the Affordable Care Act, energy policy and media consolidation, including the Comcast-Time Warner merger.\n\u201cAt its core, our government must fight to promote the health and welfare of our citizens,\u201d said C\u00e1rdenas. \u201cI will continue my fight to protect the underserved in our nation, including protecting the Affordable Care Act, while also working to create good, middle-class jobs for American families.\u201d\nOn the committee, C\u00e1rdenas has committed to be a voice for the entertainment industries that call the Los Angeles region home, as well as the region\u2019s emerging tech and energy sectors.\n\u00a0\nC\u00c1RDENAS ALSO NAMED REGIONAL WHIP\nThe assignment to this prestigious committee comes just after C\u00e1rdenas was re-elected as a Regional Whip, joining Rep. Janice Hahn. Hahn and C\u00e1rdenas will serve House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer as representatives of Southern California (Congressional Districts 21 through 53.)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://garamendi.house.gov/press-release/congressman-garamendi-votes-prevent-veteran-suicides", "Congressman Garamendi Votes to Prevent Veteran Suicides", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "John Garamendi", "G000559", "garamendi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, yesterday voted for the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act, H.R. 5059, important legislation to stem the epidemic of veteran suicide. The bill passed the House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate for consideration.\nAn estimated 22 veterans commit suicide each day \u2013 more than 8,000 each year. Of the more than 2 million Americans who have served in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, it is estimated that one-third, roughly 600,000 men and women, have traumatic brain injury, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and/or depression.\n\u201cThe 3rd District has one of the largest veteran communities in the nation, and I\u2019ve talked with hundreds of veterans and military family members whose lives have been impacted by the unseen scars of combat,\u201d Garamendi said. \u201cMany of our brave troops have experienced brain trauma and developed mental health illnesses while serving our nation on the battlefield. This has become a major public health crisis leading to homelessness, domestic problems, substance abuse, and suicide. We need to do everything we can to make our veterans whole again when they come home. Central to this effort must be a sustained focus on suicide prevention. I\u2019m proud to support the SAV Act, which constitutes a significant step toward addressing this problem.\u201d\nNamed in honor of Marine Corporal Clay Hunt, an Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart and dedicated suicide prevention advocate who tragically took his own life \u2013 this bill expands access to mental health services for our nation\u2019s veterans and increases the capacity and efficiency of VA care to deal with the more than one million veterans returning from war.\nThe bill:\n Establishes a peer support and community outreach pilot program to assist transitioning servicemembers with accessing VA mental health care services.\n\tRequires the VA to create a one-stop, interactive website to serve as a centralized information source regarding all mental health services for veterans.\n\tTakes steps to address the shortage of mental health care professionals by authorizing the VA to conduct a student loan repayment pilot program aimed at recruiting and retaining psychiatrists.\n\tRequires a yearly evaluation, conducted by a third party, of all mental health care and suicide prevention practices and programs at the DOD and VA to find out what is working and what\u2019s not working and to make recommendations to improve care.\n\tAuthorizes a GAO report on the transition of care for PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI) between the DOD and VA.\n The SAV Act has the support of Veterans Service Organizations including the Military Officers Association of America and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.\nCongressman Garamendi represents California\u2019s 3rd Congressional District, including the Beale and Travis Air Force Bases communities and thousands of veterans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huffman.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/following-torture-report-huffman-votes-against-intelligence", "Following Torture Report, Huffman Votes Against Intelligence Authorization Bill", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jared Huffman", "H001068", "huffman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00ad\u2014Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today released the following statement after voting against the Intelligence Authorization Act for 2015 (H.R. 4681):\n\u201cToday, I voted against the Intelligence Authorization Act for 2015. This was a missed opportunity to exercise needed oversight and implement significant and crucial reforms to our intelligence infrastructure \u2014particularly in light of the recent report on the shameful practice of torture during the Bush administration.\n\"In addition to being silent on these horrifying revelations, H.R. 4681 contains no requirements regarding the disclosure, oversight, or restriction of overseas drone strikes, and is silent on domestic surveillance and many of the leading concerns about intelligence programs here at home.\n\"Ensuring America\u2019s national security and providing accountability and transparency are not mutually exclusive goals. It is vital that Congress take a critical eye to the rampant growth of our intelligence budget, disregard for the rule of law by some in our intelligence agencies, and continued domestic surveillance programs.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mikethompson.house.gov//newsroom/press-releases/thompson-legislation-to-enhance-rail-and-refinery-security-to-be-signed-into", "THOMPSON LEGISLATION TO ENHANCE RAIL AND REFINERY SECURITY TO BE SIGNED INTO LAW", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Thompson", "T000460", "mikethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C. \u2013 Legislation authored by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) to enhance rail and refinery security passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of H.R. 4681, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015. Thompson\u2019s legislation requires the Department of Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis (DHS I&A) to conduct an intelligence assessment of the security of domestic oil refineries and related rail infrastructure.\nAfter the assessment is conducted, DHS I&A must submit the results of its assessment to the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, along with any recommendations to improve the security of domestic oil refineries and related rail infrastructure. The recommendations will help officials better protect the communities surrounding refineries and railways from potential harm.\n\u201cPublic safety is my number one priority and through enhanced reporting we can better know if threats exist and how we can fix them,\u201d said Thompson. \u201cThis law will help make sure we\u2019re transporting and holding crude oil and other cargo through and in our communities in a safe manner.\u201d\nThe improved reporting required by Thompson\u2019s legislation will help officials better assess the types of threats our nation's oil refineries and railways face so that such threats can be mitigated. This could include improvements to security at refineries, or upgrades to rail infrastructure that could decrease the likelihood of derailments.\nMany trains transporting crude oil from the Bakken Shale formation of North Dakota run through Thompson\u2019s congressional district. The crude oil from this region is regarded as highly flammable and this legislation will help make sure it is transported safely.\nH.R. 4681 passed the House by a vote of 325-100. It now goes to the President to be signed into law.\n\u00a0\nCongressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California\u2019s 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. \u00a0He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.\n\u00a0\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mikethompson.house.gov//newsroom/press-releases/thompson-legislation-to-improve-embassy-security-to-be-signed-into-law", "THOMPSON LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE EMBASSY SECURITY TO BE SIGNED INTO LAW", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Thompson", "T000460", "mikethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C. \u2013 Legislation authored by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) to improve the security at American embassies passed the U.S. House of Representatives today as part of H.R. 4681, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 and will now be signed into law.\nSince the Benghazi attack in 2012, studies have identified the need for security personnel at U.S. diplomatic posts to receive threat information from the Intelligence Community in a timelier manner so they can request and receive security enhancements as needed. Thompson\u2019s legislation will address this need by enhancing information sharing.\n\u201cSince the Benghazi attack in 2012, we\u2019ve spent far too much time debating fabricated scandals, and far too little time discussing what needs to be done to help make sure Americans serving in our foreign embassies are safe,\u201d said Thompson. \u201cStudies since the Benghazi attack have shown that we need to improve communication between our Intelligence Community and our diplomatic outposts, and this will make sure that happens.\u201d \nEnsuring security personnel at U.S. diplomatic posts receive threat information from the Intelligence Community in a timely manner requires excellent information sharing and communication between the Intelligence and Diplomatic Security communities.\nThompson\u2019s legislation directs the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to provide an assessment of the status of threat information sharing between the Intelligence Community and diplomatic security personnel, and to propose remedial action to help make sure security personnel at U.S. embassies can request and receive security enhancements in a timely manner. The classified report from the DNI will be submitted to the House and Senate Intelligence Committees.\nH.R. 4681 passed the House by a vote of 325-100. It now goes to the President to be signed into law.\n\u00a0\nCongressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California\u2019s 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. \u00a0He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.\n\u00a0\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pelosi.house.gov//news/press-releases/pelosi-house-democrats-deeply-troubled-by-inclusion-of-special-interest", "Pelosi: House Democrats Deeply Troubled by Inclusion of Special Interest  Provisions in 2015 Omnibus Bill", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on the inclusion of two deeply troubling special interest provisions in the 2015 omnibus spending bill:\n\u201cOnce more, Republicans are working to stack the deck for the special interests against everyone else. \u00a0Buried in the more than 1,600 pages of the omnibus package Republicans posted in the dead of night are provisions to put hard-working taxpayers back on the hook for Wall Street\u2019s riskiest behavior.\u00a0 This provision, allowing big banks to gamble with money insured by the FDIC, opens the door to another taxpayer-funded bailout of big banks \u2013 forcing middle class families to bear the burden of Wall Street\u2019s mistakes.\n\u201cTo make matters worse, the package includes a provision that would work to drown out the voices of the American people and massively expand the role of big money in our elections.\u00a0 With this provision, Republicans would multiply ten times the amount of money wealthy individuals can give to a political party.\n\u201cThese provisions are destructive to middle class families and to the practice of our democracy. \u00a0We must get them out of the omnibus package.\u201d\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pelosi.house.gov//news/press-releases/pelosi-remarks-at-congressional-gold-medal-ceremony-honoring-world-war-ii-civil", "Pelosi Remarks at Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony Honoring  World War II Civil Air Patrol", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks at a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honoring the World War II Civil Air Patrol.\u00a0 Below are the Leader\u2019s Remarks: \n\u201cGood afternoon. \u00a0Thank you for that beautiful rendition of America the beautiful.\u00a0 My favorite verse is the one that begins, \u2018O beautiful for patriot dream/That sees beyond the years.\u2019\u00a0 That\u2019s what our Civil Air Patrolmen did.\u00a0 Major [General Joseph R.] Vasquez, Former Congressman Lester Wolff \u2013 I\u2019m so honored to be here with you, as I am to be with our Speaker, who made this all possible, Leader Reid, Leader McConnell, Congressman McCaul, and thanks to you and Henry Cuellar for introducing this legislation.\n\u201cTime and again across our history, at the darkest and most desperate hours of national need, everyday citizens have stepped forward to confront the enemy and defend our country.\u00a0 Our nation faced harrowing months after our surprise entry into World War II. \u00a0As has been mentioned, this week marks the anniversary of the observance of Pearl Harbor. \u00a0Even after President Roosevelt\u2019s efforts to ready the nation, our military was not as prepared or equipped, and was unable to match the Axis war machine.\n\u201cGerman U-boats prowled the Gulf and the East coast with near impunity \u2013 taking a grim and terrible toll on ships and tankers even within view of American beaches and cities.\u00a0 Yet once more, at this time of national emergency, thousands of Americans from across the country took it upon themselves to buy time for the cavalry.\u00a0 As the minutemen had rushed to arms in the Revolutionary War to protect their towns and win our liberty, so too did the civilians of the Civil Air Patrol rush into the skies to guard our shores and drive back the forces of tyranny.\n\u201cSome too young, some too old, some too infirm for the military, these men and women would not be denied the opportunity to use their aviation skills in the service of our country.\u00a0 Many of you and others who were with you then left jobs and shuttered businesses; they traveled to ramshackle airbases and slept in converted chicken coops \u2013 they tell me; they worked without pay or for a bare-bones per diem each day \u2013 just to risk your lives and climb into small civilian aircraft to scan the waves for ships, survivors and submarines.\n\u201cCivil Air Patrol planes were the guardian angels of our shipping \u2013 flying even when weather grounded the military.\u00a0 Your constant presence in the skies spotting, harassing and attacking submarines gave the nation time to mobilize and played a critical role in restoring security to our coasts and pushing the U-boat menace back out to sea.\u00a0 Reflecting on this part of the Civil Air Patrol\u2019s contributions to the war effort, the then-Commanding General of the Air Forces said: \u2018If it had done nothing beyond that, the Civil Air Patrol would have earned an honorable place in the history of American air power.\u2019\n\u201cBut you did do much more, as Representative McCaul said: training cadets, patrolling the border, watching for forest fires, leading search and rescue missions, delivering essential parts and medicine, testing civil air defenses and towing targets in dangerous live-fire anti-aircraft exercises.\n\u201cBy the end of the war, the civilian men and women of the Civil Air Patrol had flown 750,000 hours of missions. \u00a065 volunteers had given their lives on active duty. \u00a0\u2018Semper Vigilans\u2019 cries the motto of the Civil Air Patrol.\u00a0 Then as now, \u2018always vigilant,\u2019 ever ready to rush to the rescue for our country.\n\u201cYour service honored the finest traditions of our military. \u00a0Your legacy inspires the Civil Air Patrol\u2019s continuing commitment to our country.\u00a0 Your sacrifice embodies the indomitable spirit of Americans that defines our history.\n\u201cToday, it is our honor \u2013 in the heart of our democracy, in this Capitol of the United States \u2013 it is our honor and privilege, joining with House and Senate leadership and so many people \u2013 to present the Congressional Gold Medal to the World War II veterans of the Civil Air Patrol \u2013 and to recognize the flying minutemen and women of the 20th Century. Thank you.\u201d\u00a0\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pelosi.house.gov//news/press-releases/pelosi-remarks-at-press-event-honoring-two-year-anniversary-of-newtown-tragedy", "Pelosi Remarks at Press Event Honoring  Two-Year Anniversary of Newtown Tragedy", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi joined Congressional leaders and gun violence prevention advocates today for a press event honoring the second anniversary of the tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, and to call for expanded background checks to curb the epidemic of gun violence in America. Below are the Leader\u2019s remarks:\n\u201cThank you very much, Sue, for your introduction and your leadership to prevent gun violence.\u00a0\n\u201cMany of us are gathered here today to listen, to hear the stories again, so sadly, and be inspired to take action.\u00a0 We heard the beautiful children talk about the names.\u00a0 The numbers are clear: 20 children and six teachers at Sandy Hook.\u00a0 Since then, there have been nearly 95 school shootings \u2013 nearly 100 school shootings in our country \u2013 95 school shootings in our country, tens of thousands of people in other circumstances killed.\u00a0 The background check bill has blocked the purchase of 2.4 million sales to dangerous people since the inception of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act.\u00a0\n\u201cGeorge Bernard Shaw once said: \u2018The sign of a truly intelligent person is that he or she is swayed by statistics.\u2019\u00a0 These are statistics with lives attached, with loss attached.\u00a0 They demand that our message be the same: Congress must act to pass the bipartisan legislation \u2013 bipartisan, sponsored by Congressman Mike Thompson, who is here, and Congressman King of New York. \u00a0They have gathered more than 180 co-sponsors to expand and strengthen our background checks system.\u00a0 We have to do it.\u00a0 We\u2019ve come together before; we\u2019ve said: We will not stop until this is over.\u00a0 I have no answer to people \u2013 some just in my office, and that\u2019s why I was a little big delayed \u2013 who said: \u2018What is the answer to the question: Why has Congress not acted?\u2019\u00a0 With all of the gun violence in our country, 20 little children and their teachers, what could be more clear?\u00a0 Every person back here, a story of life and loss.\u00a0 What could be more clear?\n\u201cSo it is imperative that we act.\u00a0 And you know what, we must stick with this.\u00a0 Right, Mike?\u00a0 Isn\u2019t that our California way?\u00a0 We stick with this until it gets done.\u00a0\u00a0 We want to shorten the distance between what is inevitable to us that this will happen and inconceivable to some \u2013 to shorten that distance.\u00a0\n\u201cAnd now it is my pleasure \u2013 I wouldn\u2019t say pleasure \u2013 it\u2019s my honor \u2013 pleasure under other circumstances \u2013 to introduce to you Sandy and Lonnie Phillips who lost their beloved 24 year-old daughter, Jessi, in the Aurora movie theatre tragedy in 2012.\u201d\u00a0\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roybal-allard.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397769", "Rep. Roybal-Allards Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act Passes Congress", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Lucille Roybal-Allard", "R000486", "roybal-allard.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) celebrated the passage of her Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act (H.R. 1281) by Congress. \u00a0The bill, which renews funding for her Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2007, seeks to eliminate preventable newborn deaths and severe disabilities through the increased use of comprehensive and standardized newborn screening tests. \u00a0The House of Representatives, which had previously passed the bill on June 24 of this year, agreed today to an amended version of the bill that passed the Senate on Monday. \u00a0The bill will now go to President Obama for his signature.\u201cI introduced the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act because all babies deserve the same opportunity to be screened and treated for life-threatening illnesses, no matter where they are born or how much money their families have,\u201d said Congresswoman Roybal-Allard following the bill\u2019s passage by the House. \u201cNewborn screening tests are able to detect genetic and metabolic diseases in about 12,000 babies each year. \u00a0By identifying and treating these conditions as early as possible, we give children the best chance to lead long, healthy, and active lives. \u00a0The programs in this bill will promote newborn screening policies that are high-quality and available to all. \u00a0I am very glad that Congress has reauthorized this critical bill, and I look forward to the President signing it into law.\u201d \u201cI extend my sincere thanks to my lead co-sponsor, Congressman Michael Simpson, for his decade-long history of championing newborn screening services and his original co-sponsorship of the first version of this legislation,\u201d Congresswoman Roybal-Allard added. \u00a0\u201cI also commend Senators Kay Hagan and Orrin Hatch, the sponsors of the Senate companion bill, for working across the aisle to develop the strong and effective compromise bill that Congress has just passed. \u00a0And I thank the March of Dimes, the Association of Public Health Laboratories, and our other public health partners for their tireless efforts to promote and sustain support for our newborn screening legislation over many years.\u201d \u201cI am so pleased to see the House pass the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act and send it to the President for his signature,\u201d said Congressman Michael K. Simpson (ID-02). \u201cI have repeatedly said that this bill is as important as any we will pass this year. These crucial screening tests detect conditions that are too often undetectable at birth and if left untreated can cause disability, developmental delay, illness, or even death.\u201d \u201cBesides the obvious benefit to families who suffer an enormous emotional and economic burden when a one of these conditions goes undiagnosed for too long, this legislation is a powerful tool for savings in our already overburdened health care system,\u201d Congressman Simpson added. \u201cAs a former dentist, I have seen the value of diagnosing and treating a condition early in a child\u2019s life, and this bill will help strengthen newborn screening across the country.\u201d \u201cNewborn screening represents a major public health success story that has preserved the lives and health of tens of thousands of newborns,\u201d stated March of Dimes President Dr. Jennifer L. Howse. \u00a0\u201cThe March of Dimes is deeply grateful to Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard for being a tireless champion of the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act. \u00a0With this legislation, we have ensured that the over 500,000 babies born in California each year will continue to receive potentially life-saving newborn screening tests.\u201d Summary of H.R. 1281, The Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act\r\n  \r\nCongresswoman Roybal-Allard\u2019s bill will continue providing babies with a simple blood test to identify many life-threatening genetic and metabolic illnesses before symptoms begin. \u00a0 The screenings covered under this act are of critical importance to the approximately 12,000 babies who test positive for one of these illnesses each year. \u00a0Fifty years ago, before the development of newborn screening tests, these illnesses would have gone undetected until symptoms appeared, and the afflicted children would have died or suffered lifelong disability as a result. \u00a0Today, thanks to newborn screening, they have the chance to live relatively normal lives. Before the original Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act was enacted in 2008, only ten states and the District of Columbia required infants to be screened for a complete panel of recommended disorders, and there was no federal repository of information on the diseases. \u00a0But today, 29 of the 31 core treatable conditions are screened in 44 states, and parents and professionals have access to a central database of newborn screening information when a baby is diagnosed with one of these disorders. Unfortunately, critical gaps and challenges still remain. \u00a0There are discrepancies in the number of screening tests given from state to state, and approximately 1,000 infants still face death or permanent disability each year as a result of what would have been treatable disorders. \u00a0The Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act will help to avoid these preventable tragedies by providing states with the resources they need to improve their newborn screening programs and to uniformly test for all recommended disorders. \u00a0It will also provide states with assistance in developing follow-up and tracking programs. \u00a0These provisions will help our financially burdened health care system by saving billions of dollars throughout the lives of these children. In addition, the bill renews the Secretary\u2019s Advisory Committee for Heritable Disorders, and requires the CDC to ensure the quality of laboratories involved in newborn screening. \u00a0The bill also continues the Hunter Kelly Newborn Screening Program, which helps researchers at the National Institutes of Health to develop better detection, prevention, and treatment strategies. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 3802, "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": "2014"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 3802, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=CA&year=2014", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 3802, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2014&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "CA", "label": "CA", "count": 3802, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2014", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "2014", "label": "2014", "count": 3802, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2014-12-10,http~3A~2F~2Froybal-allard~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fdocumentsingle~2Easpx~3FDocumentID~3D397769", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2014&_next=2014-12-10%2Chttp~3A~2F~2Froybal-allard~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fdocumentsingle~2Easpx~3FDocumentID~3D397769&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 784.182044910267, "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"}