{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"CA\" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-says-hate-crime-against-fresno-sikh-man-inexcusable-and", "Costa Strongly Condemns Hate Crime Against Fresno Sikh Man", "2015-12-30", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jim Costa", "C001059", "costa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Fresno, CA  Rep. Jim Costa released the following statement strongly condemning the hate crime against Amrik Singh Bal, a Sikh man from Fresno, California.\nThe hate crime that took place in Fresno on Saturday is both inexcusable and intolerable. Sadly, since September 11, 2001, the Sikh community has endured discrimination because of the lack of understanding about Sikhism, which is based on equality and love.\nAs a nation of immigrants, we have the opportunity to learn and benefit from thousands of different cultures, and that is part of what makes the United States special. We must never forget that. Every American citizen regardless of race, creed, or gender has the right to live free of discrimination and fear. \nMy thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Singh and his family. I commend all of the agencies that are working diligently to find the two individuals who are responsible for the attack. \nIn 2013, the U.S. Department of Justice added Sikh to the categories they track for hate crime offenses in the United States, and Rep. Costa applauded that decision.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://chu.house.gov/press-release/rep-chu-statement-japans-apology-comfort-women", "Rep. Chu Statement on Japan's Apology to \"Comfort Women\"", "2015-12-28", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Judy Chu", "C001080", "chu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PASADENA, CA - On Monday, Japan and South Korea announced an historic agreement regarding the issue of \"comfort women\" - women who were captured and used as sex slaves by the Japanese Army during World War II. Under the agreement, Japan will apologize to the Korean women for the physical and emotional pain and contribute approximately $8.3 million to a fund for the survivors. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) has repeatedly called on Japan to acknowledge this wrong, most recently during Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to Washington in April. Rep. Chu welcomed the agreement and released the following statement:\n\"This is an historic apology for an historic wrong by Japan. For the women who were forced into sex slavery by the Japanese Army during World War II, the wounds have stayed open for decades. Unfortunately for these women, Japan has often denied responsibility and blamed their suffering on war. This has made it difficult for the survivors to recover and offers a shield to those who would repeat these horrors in the future. We have a responsibility to close this painful chapter and help the survivors move forward. By acknowledging both Japan's role and remorse, and by contributing to a fund for the survivors, Japan is setting an example for the world that such crimes cannot be forgotten, ignored, or repeated. I hope that this will help the survivors and the people of Korea and Japan to move forward in peace.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-on-historic-comfort-women-agreement-between-south-korea-and", "Pelosi Statement on Historic Comfort Women Agreement Between  South Korea and Japan", "2015-12-28", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George,202-226-7616\nSan Francisco  Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released this statement today following the agreement between South Korea and Japan that accepts the latter government's formal acknowledgment and apology for the Imperial Armed Forces' coercion of young women, known as 'comfort women', into sexual slavery during Japan's occupation of Asia and the Pacific Islands during the World War II era:\nToday, so-called comfort women who lived in terror during the Second World War have finally received the apology they have demanded for decades. This historic agreement between South Korea and Japan represents a victory for the survivors and a victory for global human rights. By formally acknowledging and apologizing for this World War II-era atrocity, Japan atones for its past and asserts that human dignity and liberty are universal human rights.\nMay the hundreds of thousands of women forced by the Japanese Imperial Army into sexual slavery know that the world will forever remember their courage and determination to win justice. For the women who survive, may this agreement bring peace. For the South Korean and Japanese people, may this agreement signal the start of a new era of brotherhood. Following years of international efforts, including the Comfort Women Resolution passed by the House in 2007, the global community applauds this agreement.\nAs we work together with our allies to transform a painful past into a brighter future, we commend the determined, bold leadership of South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. This agreement brings honor to both the South Korean and Japanese people  and hope for a better, more harmonious future.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://desaulnier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/attorney-general-kamala-d-harris-launches-new-prescription-drug", "Attorney General Kamala D. Harris Launches New Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, CURES 2.0", "2015-12-22", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mark DeSaulnier", "D000623", "desaulnier.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SACRAMENTO  Attorney General Kamala D. Harris and the California Department of Consumer Affairs today announced the universal launch of the new Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES 2.0), a state-of-the-art overhaul of Californias prescription drug monitoring program that will allow health providers and pharmacists to more effectively flag at-risk patients and curb prescription drug abuse.\nThis innovative prescription drug database ensures that California continues to lead the fight against our countrys prescription drug abuse epidemic, said Attorney General Harris. Through the use of new technology, CURES 2.0 will save lives and improve public health while also providing a vastly improved user experience for healthcare professionals, regulatory boards, and law enforcement.\nStarting January 8, 2016, current CURES users logging in with up-to-date and secure web browsers will be automatically redirected to the new 2.0 system. In anticipation of the launch, Attorney General Harris also sent a letter to members of the medical community urging them to only use secure software to access confidential and sensitive patient information.\nCURES 2.0 will give Californias healthcare professionals who prescribe and dispense potent prescription drugs a powerful tool to better access and utilize patient information to help them identify individuals who are abusing these drugs, said Awet Kidane, Director of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. It is a direct result of the hard work and collaboration between the Department of Justice, the Department of Consumer Affairs, and the regulatory boards funding this project.\nThe online CURES database enables healthcare providers to review a patients medication history before prescribing new drugs, storing prescription records for all controlled substances classified as Schedule II, III, and IV. Over 5.5 million such requests have been processed so far in 2015 alone.\nIn addition to providing users with faster and more reliable access to patient activity reports, the upgraded 2.0 system features cutting-edge analytics for flagging at-risk patients, allowing medical professionals to prescribe wisely and helping to prevent abuse or diversion of controlled medications such as opioids.\nCURES 2.0 is without a doubt the most effective tool for doctors and pharmacists to help curb prescription drug abuse. Many lives will be saved in California, said Bob Pack, a patient safety advocate.\nBy law, all health practitioners licensed to prescribe or dispense scheduled medications are required to sign up for CURES by July 1, 2016. The launch of the new 2.0 system will also include the release of a new streamlined registration process, which will allow users to apply for access and verify their credentials entirely online using secure web browsers.\nCURES 2.0 was implemented through Senate Bill 809, legislation authored by former California State Senator Mark DeSaulnier and sponsored by Attorney General Harris in 2013.\nThe U.S. claims less than 5% of the worlds population, but consumes roughly 80% of the worlds opioid supply. Each day, 44 people in the U.S. die from an overdose of prescription painkillers. By launching CURES 2.0 and requiring all prescribers and pharmacists to enroll, California will be on the cutting edge of addressing this crisis. I am proud to have authored this law in the memory of the countless sons and daughters who were lost to this epidemic. I thank Attorney General Harris and Governor Brown for their years of work to ensure the modernization of CURES is a success, said Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11).\nTo learn more about CURES 2.0, visit https://oag.ca.gov/cures-pdmp.\n#", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/rep-lee-responds-to-fda-policy-change-to-blood-donor-deferral-policy-for-msm", "Rep. Lee Responds to FDA Policy Change to Blood Donor Deferral Policy for MSM", "2015-12-22", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.22.15\n\t\t\t Rep. Lee Responds to FDA Policy Change to Blood Donor Deferral Policy for MSM \n\t\t\tOakland, CA  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement regarding the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) policy change of the blood donor deferral policy for men who have sex with men (MSM) from lifetime ban to one-year deferral:\r\nI applaud today's decision from the Food and Drug Administration to lift the discriminatory lifetime blood donation ban for members of the MSM community. However, the policy of one year deferral still maintains the long outdated policies concerning blood donations from the MSM community without scientific justification, said Congresswoman Lee. Blood and blood products are critical to the treatment of many medical conditions and blood supplies are chronically low, especially around the holidays. Our blood donation policies should be based on science, not fear. I have called and will continue to call for blood donation policies that are based on the best possible science, data and technical capacity to ensure public health.\r\nThe previous lifetime ban on MSM donating blood was put in place during the rise of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980's, but is no longer scientifically justified with current blood screening technology. In 2010, the HHS Advisory Committee on Blood & Tissue Safety & Availability (ACBTSA) found the ban to be suboptimal and asked for re-evaluation of this policy. In response to a letter from legislators in 2013, HHS indicated that the Department will finish deliberations on a policy change to the blood ban by the end of 2014.\r\nIn 2013, the American Medical Association (AMA) passed a resolution opposing the current lifetime ban as discriminatory and not based on sound science. Instead, the AMA supports new donation deferral policies that are based on an individual's level of risk. The blood banking community, including the American Red Cross and America's Blood Centers, has also long-supported a change in policy.\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. \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"], ["https://schiff.house.gov/news/press-releases/rep-schiff-announces-extension-of-lautenberg-amendment-for-iranian-religious-minorities-fleeing-persecution-included-in-omnibus", "Rep. Schiff Announces Extension of Lautenberg Amendment for Iranian Religious Minorities Fleeing Persecution Included in Omnibus", "2015-12-22", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Adam Schiff", "S001150", "schiff.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.22.15\n\t\t\t Rep. Schiff Announces Extension of Lautenberg Amendment for Iranian Religious Minorities Fleeing Persecution Included in Omnibus \n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  Congress included a one-year extension of a program to assist Iranian religious minorities fleeing persecution in the FY 2016 omnibus spending bill as the result of a bipartisan effort led by Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Trent Franks (R-AZ). The bill was signed into law by President Obama this week.      Commonly referred to as the Lautenberg Amendment, the provision extends a program established by the State Department and the government of Austria to provide a safe pathway to asylum for Iranian refugees at a critical time when the Iranian regime perpetuates campaigns that vilify Christians, deny the Holocaust and persecute Jews, and incarcerates Baha'i leaders who are put on trial for their beliefs. The provision today predominantly facilitates the resettlement of Iranian Jews, Christians, Bahais, as well as other historically persecuted religious minorities from the Former Soviet Union, Eastern Ukraine, and Crimea. The provision previously expired on September 30, 2015, and will now be extended through September 2016.      The Lautenberg Amendment has served as a lifeline for over two decades to tens of thousands of Jewish, Christian, Bahai, and other religious minorities fleeing Iran and the FSU, Schiff said. Without it, there would be no recourse or refuge for many of these individuals. I am pleased that Congress supported my request for its extension, which will continue to provide a beacon of hope for those seeking safety from discrimination and abuse solely for their religious beliefs.      Background:      The Lautenberg Amendment was first enacted in 1990 at the request of former Senator Frank R. Lautenberg to provide expedited refugee processing and a presumption of eligibility for historically persecuted religious minority groups from the former Soviet Union and Southeast Asia. It was then expanded in 2004 to include minority groups from Iran and has since been reauthorized every year. The program does not provide access to the U.S. refugee resettlement program, but rather eases the burden of proof for the applicant only after the State Department has invited a particular group to apply for refugee status for reasons of humanitarian concern.      In FY15, 4,180 cases were admitted to the U.S. using the Lautenberg mechanism  this includes 2,362 from the former Soviet Union and 1,818 from Iran that were processed through Vienna.      Renewal of the Lautenberg Amendment is needed because there is no U.S. embassy in Tehran where religious minorities can apply for refugee status. The provision, therefore, makes it possible for religious minorities to obtain transit visas to Austria where they can safely undergo processing for protection. Without enactment of this provision, the Austrian government can limit or refuse to grant transit visas for Iranians seeking refugee status, thus eliminating a safe way for these refugees to escape perilous conditions.\r\nToday, the programs beneficiaries are predominantly Iranian Jews, Christians  including many Armenians, and Baha'is, as well as other religious minorities from the FSU, eastern Ukraine, and Crimea. All individuals who are admitted under the program enter the U.S. as refugees and are, therefore, subject to the annual numerical cap on refugee admissions. Entrants must also undergo the same criminal and security background checks and rigorous vetting prior to entering the United States.\r\n### \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://bera.house.gov/media-center/amis-updates/email-update-grateful-to-serve-you", "Email update: Grateful to serve you", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ami Bera", "B001287", "bera.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I sent an email update on Monday about some of the new bipartisan successes of 2015. Join my email updates now so you don't miss any in the future!\n  Happy Holidays! As we approach the end of 2015, I continue to be grateful for the privilege of serving you in Congress. And despite the name calling in Washington, I'm glad both parties came together and made crucial progress these past few weeks. For instance,last week both parties came together to pass a bipartisan government funding bill.This will keep our government open and makes critical investments in America's future. It includes permanent tax credits to help working families and small businesses, full funding for upgrades to Folsom Dam, and more support to fight prescription drug abuse. I was also pleased this bill includes my proposal to rollback a health insurance tax. This will save the average personmore than $200in insurance costs and seniors on Medicare Advantage plans willsave $350. In addition, earlier this monthI was proud to vote for a major bipartisan infrastructure bill.This is a long-term, five year bill that was widely supported by both parties. It will help ensure that we continue to rebuild our roads, bridges, and public transportation. Reinvesting in our infrastructure is critical to the economic growth of our area and creating good jobs. And as a former educator,Im pleased both parties passed a major education bill, the Every Student Succeeds Act.This new law eliminates the unworkable standards created by No Child Left Behind. It means more fairness and flexibility for both teachers and students while maintaining accountability. Instead of a one-size fits all approach, states and local school districts will be able to implement what they know works best. It also ensures funding goes to schools that need it and is targeted for at-risk students so all may realize the American dream.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mcnerney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mcnerney-announces-funding-and-next-steps-for-french-camp-va-clinic", "Rep. McNerney Announces Funding and Next Steps for French Camp VA Clinic", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jerry McNerney", "M001166", "mcnerney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "French Camp, CA  Building upon his long-standing commitment to our nations veterans, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09), today, joined with local veterans and community leaders to announce the planned construction of the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in French Camp, CA. Funding for the CBOC was included in the FY16 omnibus spending bill passed by Congress and signed by President Obama last week. Securing funding for the project is a critical step to move the clinic forward to the construction phase.\nWith this funding, our veterans are virtually assured of having a facility in their community that will make it easier for them to access the health benefits they have earned. Construction on this clinic is long-overdue. Over the years, Rep. Jeff Denham and I fought tirelessly and took every measure possible to secure funding for the project in the budget. Im glad to see that Congress is finally making this important investment in the health and well-being of our veterans who will benefit once the project is completed, said Rep. McNerney. We cannot waiver on our commitment to the men and women whove served our country, and I will continue working with the VA and all of our partners and stakeholders to ensure that this facility provides them with the best health care services possible.\nThe FY16 omnibus spending bill provides $1.24 billion for major VA construction projects. These funds are sufficient to start construction on the long-overdue $139 million CBOC in French Camp, CA, one of the projects included in the Administrations FY16 budget request for the Department of Veterans Affairs.\nOur veterans cannot and should not have to wait any longer to see the French Camp CBOC completed. I will not rest until I see this facility, which will serve thousands of Valley vets, built, said Rep. Jeff Denham (CA-10).\nThe French Camp CBOC will serve 87,000 veterans across a wide geographic area that includes San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Amador Counties, among others.\nThe French Camp site is a 52-acre, undeveloped parcel of farmland, located adjacent to I-5, the San Joaquin General Hospital and the existing Stockton CBOC.\nIn 2005, the San Joaquin County community came together to advocate for this clinic to better serve our veterans. Ensuring that veterans are able to easily access the health care benefits theyve earned will improve their future, and it is an important way to honor all veterans and to remember those who have gone before us. While there is still much work to be done to make the clinic a reality, I want to thank all of the leaders who have helped push this project forward, said Tino Adame State Chairman of Veterans affairs and Rehabilitation for the American Legion.\nThe 150,000 sq. ft. French Camp CBOC will include mental health, primary care, PT/OT, radiology, laboratory, pharmacy, audiology and speech pathology, dental, eye, prosthetics, and other specialty services on a telehealth basis such as podiatry, orthopedics, cardiology and rheumatology.\nThe next steps for the French Camp CBOC is for the House and Senate Veterans Affairs committees to allocate the funds listed in the House-and Senate-passed spending bills in their project authorizations. The Army Corps of Engineers will be the project manager for this major construction project.\nThe VA estimates that the French Camp clinic will break ground in 2017 and take two and a half to three years to complete. If the project stays on schedule, the French Camp CBOC should open late in the year in 2019 or early in 2020.\nRep. McNerney has been a strong advocate for securing the authorization and funding for the French Camp clinic, repeatedly calling for the financial resources to complete the project.\n###\nRep. Jerry McNerney proudly serves the constituents of Californias 9th Congressional District that includes portions of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Sacramento Counties. For more information on Rep. McNerneys work, follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @RepMcNerney.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roybal-allard.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397949", "Reps. Roybal-Allard, Boyle, Farr and Titus Lead Letter to National Institutes of Health Calling for Retirement of Monkeys from Government Laboratory", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Lucille Roybal-Allard", "R000486", "roybal-allard.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-13), Congressman Sam Farr (CA-20), Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-1), and 24 additional members of Congress sent a letter to National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Francis Collins requesting that the agency make plans to transfer 300 monkeys from a shuttering federal laboratory in Maryland to reputable sanctuaries. The letter can be read here.The request follows NIHs announcement in early December that, after more than 30 years, it is ending controversial psychological experiments on baby monkeys and closing down the facility by September 30, 2018. Since 2014, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard  a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (Labor-HHS)  has been leading efforts in Congress to end these experiments, including by sending letters to NIH and by successfully including report language in the FY 2016 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill calling for a critical review of the project. Having closely worked on this issue for more than a year, I applaud the NIH for making history by ending decades of traumatizing experiments on baby monkeys, said Congresswoman Roybal-Allard. I am pleased to join my congressional colleagues in urging Dr. Collins to now make arrangements to send these monkeys to sanctuaries, rather than sending them to other laboratories to be subjected to further experiments. NIH has done the right thing by ending its controversial and expensive psychological experiments on monkeys, said Congressman Boyle. The responsible next step is transferring these primates to reputable sanctuaries, as the agency has committed to doing with government-owned chimpanzees.\n\nThis cruel monkey laboratory has been operating for more than 30 yearssince before I was elected to Congressand I am proud to be a part of efforts that have ensured it begins closing down before I leave office. Now I want to make sure that these monkeys get to retire by the time I do in 2017, said Congressman Farr. I am glad NIH will end testing on baby monkeys, and I am hopeful that the NIH will take the important next steps so these animals can live in peace, said Congresswoman Titus.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://scottpeters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-peters-awards-san-diego-veteran-overdue-bronze-star", "Rep. Peters Awards San Diego Veteran Overdue Bronze Star", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Scott Peters", "P000608", "scottpeters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SAN DIEGO  Today at his San Diego office, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) awarded La Jolla resident and former Private First Class Donald Breitenberg a long overdue Bronze Star for his service in the U.S. Army during World War II. Breitenberg reached out to Peters San Diego office in October after learning that he was eligible to receive the Bronze Star because of his combat service as an infantryman in Europe. Breitenberg joined the U.S. Army on March 1st, 1942 at the age of seventeen and went on to earn a Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge.\nIt was my honor to give Donald Breitenberg this long overdue recognition for his brave service, Peters said. Getting our San Diego World War Two veterans the recognition they have earned is the very least we can do to honor our greatest generation and the sacrifices they made for our nation. I am glad that my office and I were able to make this possible, and encourage other veterans and their families to reach out if they need help getting the benefits or recognition they earned through their service.\nAfter the ceremony, Breitenberg reflected on his service including jumping into France seven hours before the D-Day landings, fighting at the Battle of the Bulge, and liberating a German concentration camp. It just opens up a lot of doors and memories, Breitenberg said of receiving the Bronze Star.\nRep. Peters pins the Bronze Star Medal on former Private First Class Donald Breitenberg.\nSoon after becoming the Chief of Staff of the Army in 1948, General Omar Bradley chose to recognize all World War II combat veterans by making them eligible to receive the Bronze Star Medal.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-waters-supports-omnibus-appropriations-bill-s-increased-0", "Congresswoman Waters Supports Omnibus Appropriations Bill\u2019s Increased Funding for Minority AIDS Initiative", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Maxine Waters", "W000187", "waters.house.gov", "waters", "https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services, announced her support of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill's inclusion of robust funding the Minority AIDS Initiative. This bill funds this initiative for Fiscal Year 2016.\n\nDespite the fact that Congresswoman Waters did not agree with all of the allocations in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill, she is appreciative of the increased funding for the Minority AIDS Initiative that she led the efforts to establish.\n\n\"I have fought for funding for the Minority AIDS Initiative throughout the year. I am pleased that my colleagues in Congress have voted to ensure that the Minority AIDS Initiative is a top priority,\" said Congresswoman Waters.\n\nThe Omnibus Appropriations Bill allocates $53.9 million for the Minority AIDS Initiative Secretary's Fund, one of the four Minority AIDS Initiative accounts. This is an increase of $1.9 million above the 2015 enacted level.\n\nCongresswoman Waters sent a letter to appropriators in March requesting $610 million for the Minority AIDS Initiative, and it was signed by 66 Members of Congress. The Congresswoman also sent a second letter to appropriators on December 9th requesting robust funding for the Minority AIDS Initiative, and it was signed by 48 Members of Congress.\n\nThe Minority AIDS Initiative is needed to help minority communities combat disproportionate HIV/AIDS infection rates. African Americans account for 44% of new HIV infections, Latinos account for 21%, and Asian Americans account for about 2% of new HIV infections.\n\nCongresswoman Waters said, \"Racial and ethnic minorities continue to be severely and disproportionately impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States. Minorities represent the majority of new HIV infections, people living with HIV/AIDS, and deaths from AIDS. The Minority AIDS Initiative is a critical tool in the effort to combat these unacceptable disparities, and this funding will help continue the progress that has already been made.\"\n\nOther Minority AIDS Initiative accounts were not specified in the bill but are expected to receive as much as or slightly more than last year, for a total of more than $425.2 million across all four accounts of the Minority AIDS Initiative in fiscal year 2016.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-waters-supports-omnibus-appropriations-bill-s-increased-2", "Congresswoman Waters Supports Omnibus Appropriations Bill\u2019s Increased Funding for Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Research and Programs to Assist Caregivers", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Maxine Waters", "W000187", "waters.house.gov", "waters", "https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services, announced her support of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill's inclusion of robust funding for Alzheimer's disease research, programs for Alzheimer's caregivers and the Minority AIDS Initiative. This bill funds these initiatives for Fiscal Year 2016.\n\nDespite the fact that Congresswoman Waters did not agree with all of the allocations in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill, she is appreciative of the additional funding for Alzheimer's disease initiatives due to the work she has done to obtain additional resources to help Alzheimer's patients and caregivers.\n\n\"I have fought for additional resources for the Alzheimer's disease research and caregivers throughout the year. I am pleased that my colleagues in Congress have voted to ensure that Alzheimer's disease initiatives are top priorities,\" said Congresswoman Waters.\n\nThe omnibus bill allocates $936 million for Alzheimer's disease research at the National Institutes of Health in Fiscal Year 2016, an increase of $350 million over the Fiscal Year 2015 level.\n\nThe Congresswoman has fiercely advocated for additional funding and resources for Alzheimer's disease research. Congresswoman Waters, Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4) and Congressman John Garamendi (CA-3) sent a letter to appropriators requesting a substantial increase in funding for Alzheimer's research, and it was signed by a total of 63 Members of Congress.\n\nThe omnibus bill also includes funding for the Alzheimer's Disease Supportive Services Program (ADSPP), which aids families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer's disease. ADSSP funds competitive grants to states to expand evidence-based interventions and long-term services to help patients with dementia and their caregivers.\n\nLast March, Congresswoman Waters and Congressman Christopher Smith circulated a letter in support of this program, which was signed by 21 Members of Congress.\n\n\"I was pleased to learn that funding for this program was increased by more than 25 percent, from $3.8 million in fiscal year 2015 to $4.8 million in fiscal year 2016,\" said Congresswoman Waters.\n\nIn addition, the omnibus bill appropriates $14.7 million for the Alzheimer's Disease Initiative - Specialized Supportive Services program. This initiative provides specialized, person-centered services that help caregivers and Alzheimer's patients to remain independent and safe in their communities. This initiative was launched in 2011 with a new website \u2013 alzheimers.gov \u2013 and a variety of outreach materials were developed. The initiative will continue to promote the new website to caregivers and associated organizations using materials already developed.\n\nCongresswoman Waters added, \"I am focused on ensuring that caregivers have the support they need. Caring for a person living with Alzheimer's is exhausting and draining, and this initiative will give families support as they deal with this debilitating disease.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["http://pelosi.house.gov/news/pelosi-updates/a-win-for-working-families", "A Win for Working Families", "2015-12-19", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A Win for Working Families  Ending the specter of another Government Shutdown, Congress today passeda bill to keep the government open, create jobs, invest in the future and grow the paychecks of hardworking families. While imperfect, the Omnibus bill is a bipartisan compromise that stands as a major victory for working families over the Republican Congresss special interest priorities. As always, House Republicans fought to put the special interests first  insisting on giftwrapping a giveaway for Big Oil by lifting the 40-year old ban on crude oil exports. Yet thier desperate thirst to help Big Oil empoweredDemocrats to win sweeping victoriesfor working families throughout the bill:\n We won major new investments in clean and renewable energy, adding wind and solar tax credits that will eliminate close to ten times more carbon pollution than the exports of oil will add.\n\t\t\n\tWe secured substantial increases in investments for research and development, education & early learning, medical research, infrastructure and law enforcement.\n\t\t\n\tWe forced them to remove numerous toxic policy provisions  known as riders  that would have attacked womens health, weakened our oversight of big Wall Street banks, undermined the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, assaulted our climate, dismantled campaign finance reform, and hurt workers and children.\n\t\t\n\tWe reauthorized the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, affirming our deep commitment to the heroes of September 11th, 2001 struggling from illnesses after their time at Ground Zero.\n With this bill, Congress has averted another disastrous Government Shutdown  and we have taken bipartisan action to create jobs, strengthen the middle class and enhance our national security. Today, we secured an enormous win for working families, and for Americas future.  \n\t\n\t\t\t\t          \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tCongresswoman Nancy Pelosi delivers remarks on the floor of the House opposing the tax extenders bills.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t  A Trojan Horse  On Thursday,House Republicans passed legislationto lock into place hundreds of billions of dollars in permanent, unpaid-for special interest tax breaks. These massive giveaways to the special interests and big corporations are deeply destructive to our future, and they come at the expense of hard-working families. This Republican tax extender billis like a Trojan Horse: while it includes some positive measures to support working families pushed by Democrats  such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, and the American Opportunity tax credit for higher education  the bill is heavily weighted towards the special interests and big corporations. For example, it includes $86 billion in tax giveaways that will encourage big corporations and financial institutions to keep their income offshore and avoid paying their fair share of U.S. taxes. These permanent, unpaid-for tax measures explode the deficit by more than $600 billion in the next ten years alone. It is almost an immorality. We have a responsibility to pass legislation that grows the paychecks of hard-working families and invests in the future of our children. Their tax extender bill fails to meet that test. That is why I refused to place my name  and the name of every hard-working San Franciscan  next to this bill. In the New Year, House Democrats will continue to fight to ensure that we build an economy that works for everyone, not just the privileged few. \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t                                          My constituent recently had to reduce her work hours in order to care for her mother who suffered a stroke. As a result, my constituent, who receives a housing voucher to pay for rent, submitted a request for rent reduction to the San Francisco Housing Authority (SFHA) based on loss of income. However, SFHA did not take into account all of the documentation my constituent had provided, and after submitting multiple requests for the record to be corrected, my constituent contacted my office. My staff promptly contacted SFHA with the documentation provided by my constituent and highlighted the oversight. Shortly thereafter, SFHA re-reviewed the reduction and made the appropriate adjustments to her rent.Caseworkers in my San Francisco office work to address any problems or concerns you may have with a federal government agency. To submit a Casework Authorization Form, pleasevisitmy website.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-waters-delivers-good-news-alzheimer-s-disease-caregivers-0", "Congresswoman Waters Delivers Good News to Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Caregivers Support Group in Los Angeles", "2015-12-19", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Maxine Waters", "W000187", "waters.house.gov", "waters", "https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services, delivered good news to attendees at the Actively Caring Through Sharing Support Group for Women and Men Caregivers Meeting (ACTS) on Saturday, December 19, 2015 in Los Angeles.\n\nAs a longtime advocate for Alzheimer's disease caregivers, the Congresswoman educated the caregivers on the robust funding for Alzheimer's disease research and Alzheimer's caregivers programs included in the Fiscal Year 2016 budget that Congress passed last week.\n\n\"I am very pleased that this robust funding will help caregivers offer emotional, physical and financial support to their loved ones who are battling Alzheimer's disease. This additional funding will help provide caregivers with the resources that they need to provide the best care for their loved ones,\" stated Congresswoman Waters.\n\nThe omnibus bill includes funding for the Alzheimer's Disease Supportive Services Program (ADSPP), which aids families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer's disease. ADSSP funds competitive grants to states to expand evidence-based interventions and long-term services to help patients with dementia and their caregivers. The funding for this program was increased by more than 25 percent, from $3.8 million in fiscal year 2015 to $4.8 million in fiscal year 2016.\n\nLast March, Congresswoman Waters and Congressman Christopher Smith (NJ-4) circulated a letter in support of this program, which was signed by 21 Members of Congress.\n\nIn addition, the budget appropriates $14.7 million for the Alzheimer's disease Initiative - Specialized Supportive Services program. This initiative provides specialized, person-centered services that help caregivers and Alzheimer's patients to remain independent and safe in their communities. This initiative was launched in 2011 with a new website \u2013 alzheimers.gov \u2013 and a variety of outreach materials were developed. The initiative will continue to promote the new website to caregivers and associated organizations using materials already developed.\n\n\"This funding will make a tremendous difference in the lives of many caregivers, and I was pleased to provide the caregivers in ACTS information about what my fight to ensure programs that offer resources to them have the necessary funding to continue supporting their efforts,\" stated Congresswoman Waters.\n\nCongresswoman Waters has introduced legislation to help caregivers, such as Alzheimer's Action Now, a set of bills that together will help Alzheimer's patients and their families, promote public awareness, and encourage contributions to research efforts. Also included in Alzheimer's Action Now is the Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Act, which authorizes grants to public and non-profit organizations to expand training and support services for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["http://bera.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bera-praises-omnibus-provision-to-lower-health-insurance-premiums", "Bera Praises Omnibus Provision to Lower Health Insurance Premiums", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ami Bera", "B001287", "bera.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. praised the passage of a one year pause of the Health Insurance Tax, highlighting how it will lower the cost of health care for seniors, families and small businesses. By delaying the tax, the average individual will save more than $200 on health insurance costs and seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans will save $350.\nI introduced the Small Business and Family Relief Act in 2013 to help make insurance more affordable for middle class Americans and am pleased to see a version was finally included in the spending package. We should not be imposing this financial burden on small businesses for doing the right thing and providing their workers with quality health care. The tax makes it more expensive to provide health insurance to employees, hinders job growth, and could force layoffs. We must continue to work to increase health care enrollment to help drive down health care prices, but in the meantime this delay will protect small businesses, seniors, and families from potentially harmful costs. River City Printers, a Rancho Cordova-based business that employs 31 people emphasized the benefit that this delay will have for the small business.\nCongressman Bera has been fighting toprovide relief for California small businesses from the Health Insurance Tax, saidKasey Cotulla, owner of River City Printersin Rancho Cordova, CA. We appreciate his leadership in securing a 1-year delay of the tax, which will allow small businesses like ours to re-invest those costs in our company and employees. We hope Congress will continue to fight for a long-term solution to this harmful tax on small businesses.\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. Hes fighting to rebuild an economy that works for middle class families and to reduce our countrys debt in a responsible way. One of Beras first acts in Congress was to help lead the effort to pass the No Budget No Pay Act, which says if members of Congress dont pass a budget, they dont get paid. As a leader of the No Labels' Problem Solvers, hes working with people from both parties to find bipartisan solutions to our nations challenges. He and his wife Janine live in Elk Grove with their daughter Sydra. For more updates on Rep. Bera follow@RepBeraon Twitter,like Congressman Bera on Facebook, or visithttps://www.bera.house.gov.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://bera.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bera-statement-on-government-funding-bill", "Bera Statement on Government Funding Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ami Bera", "B001287", "bera.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. made the following statement after voting for the tax credit and government funding bills.\nThis package represents a true compromise that will not only keep the government open, but for the first time in two years it will lift harmful spending caps and increase investment in programs that families and businesses rely on to get ahead. The package includes permanent tax credits that support working families, make college more affordable, and help small businesses grow. It also fully funds upgrades to Folsom Dam to increase safety and storage.\nThe package encourages innovation by increasing funding for critical research into cures for some of our most pressing diseases at the National Institutes of Health. Im also happy my proposal to reduce health insurance premiums was included in the package. And, in the midst of a prescription drug epidemic, Im glad to see an increase in funding to address prescription drug abuse. Several important issues were left out of this package, including measures to address Californias drought. Im also disappointed that lawmakers did not take the opportunity to lift the ban on research into gun violence at the Centers for Disease Control. We must do more to keep our communities safe.\nAt a time when too many families and businesses in my district are still struggling, this spending package includes multiple measures to help keeps millions out of poverty and grow our economy. Im glad members from both parties were able to come together and pass this bill to provide stability and support to hardworking Americans.\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. Hes fighting to rebuild an economy that works for middle class families and to reduce our countrys debt in a responsible way. One of Beras first acts in Congress was to help lead the effort to pass the No Budget No Pay Act, which says if members of Congress dont pass a budget, they dont get paid. As a leader of the No Labels' Problem Solvers, hes working with people from both parties to find bipartisan solutions to our nations challenges. He and his wife Janine live in Elk Grove with their daughter Sydra. For more updates on Rep. Bera follow@RepBeraon Twitter,like Congressman Bera on Facebook, or visithttps://www.bera.house.gov.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://chu.house.gov/press-release/rep-chu-statement-omnibus-spending-bill-0", "Rep. Chu Statement on Omnibus Spending Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Judy Chu", "C001080", "chu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Today, the House voted 316-113 to pass a $1.1 trillion bill to fund the government through 2016. The omnibus spending bill provides appropriations for all government agencies at the higher levels agreed to in the Bipartisan Budget Agreement that replaced much of the Sequester and includes health coverage for 9/11 first responders, a two-year delay of the ACA Cadillac Tax, funding for environmental programs, and more. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), who voted for the omnibus, released the following statement:\nAfter long bipartisan negotiations, I am glad that we were able to do the right thing for our constituents and country and vote to keep the government open without the destructive and partisan policy riders that some wanted. The Production Tax Credit and the Solar Investment Tax Credit will help us move towards the clean energy commitments necessary to slow global warming. And the three year extension of Land and Water Conservation Fund will help ensure our stewardship of our environment. For California, this bill will mean an additional $1.2 billion in funding for Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund projects and $100 million for western drought response  double the amount in last years bill. And I am particularly excited that the final omnibus included language from my bill, the CREED Act, that will extend the Small Business Administrations successful 504 loan refinancing program, allowing thousands of small business owners to free up more capital for growth and hiring. \nI am deeply disappointed that this package includes a provision to lift the crude oil export ban, a policy I strongly oppose and voted against this year. But while this bill was not perfect, it offers much needed assurance that we can keep our government functioning while also supporting a number of priorities that will help families, economy, and our environment. I applaud our leadership for their work and hope to continue this bipartisan cooperation in the year ahead. \nThe FY 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill passed both the House and Senate chambers on December 18, 2015, and now awaits the Presidents signature.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://eshoo.house.gov/issues/economy/eshoo-votes-for-omnibus-legislation-against-unpaid-for-tax-breaks/", "Eshoo Votes for Omnibus Legislation & Against Unpaid-For Tax Breaks", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Anna Eshoo", "E000215", "eshoo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Eshoo Votes for Omnibus Legislation & Against Unpaid-For Tax Breaks \r\n                    December 18th, 2015\r\n                        \r\n                        WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.) released the following statement regarding votes she cast this week on two bills: 1) an Omnibus bill to fund the entire federal government through October 2016, and 2) a bill to renew several tax extensions, some permanently. Eshoo voted in favor of the Omnibus funding bill and against the tax bill. Both bills passed the House with bipartisan approval. Unlike most bills passed by the House, an Omnibus covers funding for the entire federal government in one big bill. Without its passage the government would be unfunded and a shutdown could have occurred.\nEshoo said of the Omnibus:\nThis bill is far from perfect. With any legislation of this magnitude come many pluses and minuses. The bill makes significant progress in key national policy areas, including environmental protection, renewable energy, medical research, critical resources for veteran health care, disaster preparedness, and nuclear non-proliferation. Importantly, Democrats secured the exclusion of a number of harmful Republican policy riders that would have defunded Planned Parenthood; blocked Syrian refugees from entering the U.S.; dismantled net neutrality rules; and stopped implementation of the Presidents Clean Power Plan. The bill also averts a costly and disruptive government shutdown.\nI vigorously opposed the giveaway in the bill to Big Oil by eliminating the 40-year ban on crude oil exports, a measure I voted against in the Energy and Commerce Committee. I also opposed provisions that rollback protections for Americans from government surveillance online, as well as a measure that permits continued consolidation in media ownership, a setback to diversity of ideas and viewpoints over the public airwaves.\nAfter careful examination of the legislation, I concluded that attempting to block a giveaway to Big Oil should not come at the expense of the numerous benefits for my constituents and millions of Americans.\nKey benefits of the omnibus:\n \nFunds the federal government through October 2016 with $1.1 trillion.\nExtends for five years tax credits for solar and wind energy production, estimated to double renewable energy deployment and create 100,000 American jobs by 2023.\nReauthorizes and increases funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund by $150 million. Over its 50 year history, a total of $18 billion has been diverted from the Fund and Republicans allowed its authorization to expire on September 30th.\nIncludes $119 million in additional funding for the National Science Foundation.\nA $279 million increase in funding for the Department of Energys Office of Science.\nIncreases funding for medical research at the National Institutes of Health by $2 billion.\nIncreases funding for the Food and Drug Administration by $132 million.\nIncreases funding for VA medical services by $4.7 billion and includes an additional $170 million to help reduce the disability claims backlog.\nFunds a critical health bill to ensure 9/11 cleanup workers are adequately compensated and their medical expenses covered.\nKeeps the Affordable Care Act intact and free of partisan policy riders, including a two-year delay of the so-called Cadillac tax and a one-year suspension of the Health Insurance Tax.\nProvides $351 million more in funding for BARDA, the nations leading agency for accelerating the development of medical countermeasures against biological threats.\nProvides $299 million more funding for nuclear non-proliferation.\nRequires the Federal Aviation Administration to update its community involvement manual and implement a plan to proactively address concerns with NextGen air traffic control.\n \nEshoo said of the tax extenders bill:\nI have supported and helped create many of the tax extenders during my tenure in Congress, including making permanent those for middle class Americans, small businesses, and the research and development tax credit. However, my opposition rests on the cost of the bill$680 billion over a ten year period, and $2 trillion over 20 yearsall unpaid for and charged to the national debt. I view this as irresponsible and unfair, shortchanging our children and our collective future.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://garamendi.house.gov/press-release/congressman-garamendi-votes-bipartisan-omnibus-bill-fund-government-2016", "Congressman Garamendi Votes for Bipartisan Omnibus Bill to Fund Government in 2016", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "John Garamendi", "G000559", "garamendi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, Davis, Yuba City) voted for the year-end omnibus bill to fund the government through the 2016 fiscal year. The $1.1 trillion spending bill provides critical money for education, environmental policy, medical research and transportation safety while avoiding destructive riders on California water policy and womens health.\n\nCompromises like this bill are never perfect, but this one is definitely good enough to vote for, said Congressman Garamendi. This bill accomplishes many of the priorities I have been fighting for throughout my career: it will increase funding for Alzheimers research, renew much-needed environmental programs, and increase spending for education and veterans programs. I am also pleased that many of the more controversial provisions did not make their way through the negotiating process.\n\nHighlights of the omnibus bill include:\n\n Reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and a five-year extension of tax credits for solar and wind\n Increases funding for the Maritime Security Program to $210 million, a big victory for the domestic maritime industry\n $1.3 billion for water resources projects within the Department of Interior, with no controversial riders on the California drought\n Prohibitions on retirement or divestment of the RQ-4 Global Hawk and KC-10 extender\n Requirement that the Secretary of Transportation finalize a rule on response plans to oil train spills within one year\n $2.65 billion for Wildland Fire Management\n $936 million in NIH funding for Alzheimers Researchan increase of $350 million\n Over $71.4 billion in funding for veterans services, an increase of $6.5 billion of 2015 levels.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://garamendi.house.gov/video/krcr-news-garamendis-cosponsorship-football-concussion-legislation", "KRCR News on Garamendi's cosponsorship of football concussion legislation", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "John Garamendi", "G000559", "garamendi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC Office  \n      2438 Rayburn HOB        Washington, DC 20515        Phone: (202) 225-1880        Fax: (202) 225-5914        Hours: M-F 9AM-5PM ET", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/huffman-casts-final-congressional-votes-of-2015-opposing-permanent", "Huffman Casts Final Congressional Votes Of 2015, Opposing Permanent Unfunded Tax Giveaways and Supporting Omnibus Funding Bill That Avoids Government Shutdown", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jared Huffman", "H001068", "huffman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today issued a statement strongly opposing the package of permanent, unfunded tax expenditures that passed the House yesterday, and reluctantly supporting a government funding bill today that contains both good and bad policy riders:\nYesterday, the House voted to pass a huge unfunded tax extender bill that will increase the deficit by $622 billion, undermine comprehensive tax reform, reward special interests and the wealthiest taxpayers, and put serious pressure on our domestic priorities. While Democratic negotiators won some victories in the bill  such as permanent extension of the child tax credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and the American Opportunity Tax Credit  the overall effect of this tax package leaves future Congresses with two choices to prevent our national debt from becoming unmanageable: we could try to overcome Republicans categorical opposition to tax increases; or we could continue slashing discretionary budget priorities that are under constant assault including nutrition, housing, education, infrastructure, research, and the environment. In every budget, Republicans target these vital programs for massive cuts in the name of deficit reduction, but now the double standard is revealed:when it comes to tax breaks for the mega-rich, congressional Republicans will happily spend like drunken sailors without concern for the deficit. Thats because they know future Congresses will probably have to pay for these tax giveaways by cutting social and environmental programs. I vehemently opposed this part of the budget deal because it is so shortsighted:it plays into the GOPs long game of lavishing tax favors on the wealthiest Americans and using deficits as justification to starve programs for families and the environment.\nThe other final vote of the year, the Omnibus appropriations bill that funds the government through the fall of 2016, was a much closer call. When the bill was released Tuesday night and I saw that it included the controversial lifting of a 40-year ban on crude oil exports and no funding line item for the Green Climate Fund, my initial reaction was one of intense opposition.A policy concession to Big Oil that undermines efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption and address climate change should never have been part of the Omnibus.And coupling it with a zero allocation to the climate fund that is critical to the success of the Paris climate accord would be unfathomable. Ive spent the past three days fighting to try and rid the deal of the crude oil export provision, while also engaging in briefings and meetings regarding the environmental implications and technical details of the bill, and exploring additional assurances, safeguards, and strategies to address my concerns. These efforts have convinced me that on balance, I can support the Omnibus for the following reasons:\nFirst, because of agreements made by Senate and administration negotiators and the political reality in the House, securing a deal that excludes the oil export language was not possible. To be clear, I hate the oil export provision and am dismayed and disappointed that the Senate and administration allowed it to be part of the deal, but even if I voted no and persuaded House colleagues to join me, we could not secure a better outcome. The alternative would be a government shutdown or an Omnibus with even worse provisions.\nSecond, my meetings with administration officials and others regarding technical details of the bill and strategies to mitigate the oil export provision have been productive. Despite the appearance of zero funding for the Green Climate Fund, the bill allows President Obama to shift $500 million from other accounts that have been strategically increased in order to fully meet the United States funding commitment in Paris, and that is what he will do. Full funding of the Green Climate Fund is a litmus test for my support and a major victory over climate deniers in Congress. So is the Presidents Clean Power Plan, which will move forward under the Omnibus, despite unsuccessful Republican efforts to stop it. In addition, increase funding for energy efficiency and clean energy research plus a 5-year extension and expansion of expiring clean energy tax credits for solar and wind will be a huge boost to the continued rapid growth of those industries, and Ive been assured of a bipartisan commitment to take action in early 2016 to broaden the renewable tax credits to include geothermal and other clean technologies. On balance, these provisions keep us on a path of progress and leadership on climate change and clean energy. \nThird, despite the unfortunate lifting of the crude oil export ban, Ive determined there are things we can do to address the negative impacts of that provision. In the days ahead, I will lead a congressional letter to President Obama outlining a 5-point plan that uses existing legal authorities to reduce pressure for more domestic oil drilling, require strict standards for the refinement and transporting of American crude oil, and help prevent increased greenhouse gas emissions from the exporting of crude oil.\nThe final consideration in my support for the Omnibus bill is the many positive outcomes for my district and for issues I care deeply about, including important funding and policy provisions I fought to include in the bill.\nWe were able to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund for three years at an increased funding level, allowing major conservation projects to move forward across the country  and across California  over the objection of the Republican committee leadership who sought to undermine the program. This puts me and others in a position of strength to continue fighting for a long-term reauthorization with mandatory funding.\nThere is good news on infrastructure and dredging funding. The bill provides more than $1.2 billion from the harbor maintenance trust fund, in line with last years WRRDA legislation, which gives us a better chance of securing much-needed dredging money for critical needs in my district. And the $2.2 billion in transportation infrastructure funding for the New Starts and Small Starts programs is sufficient to support the $20 million in funding promised to the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) to extend rail service from San Rafael to Larkspur, connecting SMART to the Golden Gate Ferry system.\nOn special education, I was very pleased that we secured a significant increase in funding for IDEA special education programs. I have helped lead a bipartisan coalition to increase IDEA funding since I was elected to Congress, and this bill shows that our efforts are paying off: there is $415 million in new funding for 2016 to help ensure that schools have the resources they need to provide a first-class education for every child.\nWe won important provisions on GMO labeling and the FDAs approval of a genetically engineered salmon. Specifically, we kept the Dark Act rider off the bill which means states can move forward with GMO labeling laws, and the FDA is now required to publish labeling guidelines that disclose to consumers whether salmon is genetically engineered. This is a win for consumers and a win for wild salmon populations, and strengthens our hand as we continue the fight on these issues.\nAnd you may recall from this summer that I worked across the aisle to remove a decades-old zombie earmark from the defense spending bill which requires several U.S. military bases in Germany to buy anthracite coal from Pennsylvania. Well, at long last and thanks to our efforts, that earmark is finally gone and our German military bases can procure cleaner, cheaper energy sources, to the chagrin of the coal industry that fought us tooth and nail over this boondoggle.\nIn addition to these and other positive outcomes, its important to note what is not in the Omnibus. Except for the oil export provision, none of the GOPs toxic policy riders survived in this bill. Republicans tried and thankfully failed to include riders to de-fund Planned Parenthood, to gut Dodd-Frank provisions that hold big Wall Street banks accountable, to undermine the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act, to block progress on climate change, and to undermine the rights of workers to form unions, among many others.\nThe Omnibus bill is far from perfect, but it includes some very important victories and on balance was worthy of my support.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-huffman-announces-more-than-44-million-in-federal-grants-for-local", "Rep. Huffman Announces More than $4.4 Million in Federal Grants for Local Health Centers", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jared Huffman", "H001068", "huffman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded more than $4.4 million in federal funds to four health centers in Huffmans 2nd Congressional District for 2016. With these federal grants, health centers in Humboldt, Marin, Mendocino, and Sonoma counties will be able to continue providing primary care to populations in need, including low-income and homeless populations, children and families, and medically-vulnerable individuals. Health centers provide critical services for their patients, many of whom have no other access to preventative and primary care. \nThese funds will allow health centers across Californias North Coast to continue providing the excellent and essential services that my constituents depend on. said Huffman. Making sure these organizations have reliable federal support is vital not only to their operations, but to the well-being of thousands living in their communities.\nAlexander Valley Healthcare, which received $345,748 in discretionary funds, is the only safety net provider in its 561 square-mile rural section of Northern Sonoma County, and is the only area dental provider that accepts uninsured patients or patients with Medicare. Mendocino Community Health Clinic, which received more than $1.7 million, operates across three sites and serves approximately 60,000 people, primarily rural, low-income, and elderly individuals, and those diagnosed with chronic illnesses or dual diagnoses. Open Door Community Health Centers, which received over $2 million, serves populations in largely-rural Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. The target population at the Ritter Center, which received $342,175, includes the more than five thousand homeless or at-risk of homelessness individuals living in Marin County.\nThe Health Center Program supports over 1,300 patient-directed organizations across the nation that provide primary and preventative care to medically underserved populations. Supplemental funds ensure continued access to comprehensive and quality health care for vulnerable individuals in areas served by health centers. Additional details about 2016 awards in Californias 2nd congressional district follow:\nRecipient: Mendocino Community Health Clinic, Inc.\nLocation: Ukiah, CA\nType of Grant Project: Health Center Cluster\nType of Financial Assistance: Discretionary\nAward Amount: $1,743,227\nGrant Budget Period: 01/01/2016 to 12/31/2016\nGrant Project Period: 07/01/2002 to 12/31/2018\n\nRecipient: Open Door Community Health Centers\nLocation: Arcata, CA\nType of Grant Project: Health Center Cluster\nType of Financial Assistance: Discretionary\nAward Amount: $2,038,175\nGrant Budget Period: 01/01/2016 to 12/31/2016\nGrant Project Period: 01/01/2002 to 12/31/2016\n\nRecipient: Alexander Valley Healthcare (Coppertower Family Medical Center Inc.)\nLocation: Cloverdale, CA\nType of Grant Project: Health Center Cluster\nType of Financial Assistance: Discretionary\nAward Amount: $345,748\nGrant Budget Period: 01/01/2016 to 12/31/2016\nGrant Project Period: 11/01/2013 to 12/31/2018\n\nRecipient: Ritter Center\nLocation: San Rafael, CA\nType of Grant Project: Health Center Cluster\nType of Financial Assistance: Discretionary\nAward Amount: $342,175\nGrant Budget Period: 01/01/2016 to 12/31/2016\nGrant Project Period: 11/01/2013 to 12/31/2018\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-huffman-reports-progress-toward-consensus-on-last-chance-grade", "Rep. Huffman reports progress toward consensus on Last Chance Grade issues", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jared Huffman", "H001068", "huffman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Jared Huffman today announced the release of a white paper by the Last Chance Grade stakeholder group which outlines a number of points of consensus reached on the proposed project to date. \nConvened by Huffman this spring, the stakeholder group is made up of twenty representatives of diverse interests, including members of environmental groups, businesses, government and elected representatives, tribes and landowners. The group has been meeting to gather information about potential routes around Last Chance Grade and the implications of such a project on cultural and natural resources, as well as commerce and travel. \nThe stakeholder groups efforts pave the way for a permanent solution to the troubled stretch of U.S. Highway 101 south of Crescent City, Rep. Huffman said. While there is still significant technical information that is needed for the group to reach agreement on specific routes, this paper represents a big step forward.\nLast Chance Grade is a landslide-prone stretch of highway between Crescent City and Klamath. CalTrans has spent millions of dollars to keep the roadway open over the past decade. A complete failure at Last Chance Grade is a serious threat to the travelling public and could cost the regional economy $130 million a year. At the same time, building a route around the slide area involves passing through or near old growth redwoods within Redwood National and State Parks. \nHuffman convened the stakeholders group to try to reach consensus on the major issues such a large project would raise. The mediator for the group, Joy Keller-Weidman, was recently hired by the federal Udall Foundation as senior program manager for its U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution. Keller-Weidman will continue her work with the stakeholders group over the coming months. \n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://juliabrownley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/brownley-supports-bipartisan-omnibus-appropriations-bill", "BROWNLEY SUPPORTS BIPARTISAN OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The bipartisan bill was approved in a vote of 316 to 113. Today, I voted for the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act. Not only does the Omnibus prevent another government shutdown, but it also makes critical investments in key Ventura County priorities, like our veterans, Naval Base Ventura County, our local schools, local law enforcement, and agriculture programs, said Congresswoman Brownley. While the bill is not perfect, it is overall a big win for Ventura Countys families and for our country.\nI am especially pleased with the increased funding for VA healthcare, including additional funds that will allow facilities like the VA-run Oxnard community clinic to move forward. As Ranking Member of the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health, I have been working with the VA to improve healthcare for veterans in Ventura County and increase the availability of specialty care in our local community.\nThe bills investments in priorities include the following:\n National Defense: Provides an increase for defense programs that will improve military readiness, increase health research for TBI, invest in military housing and schools, and provides a 1.3% pay increase for our troops.\n\tVeterans: Provides a robust increase in funds for veterans programs to improve VA health care and medical services. Increases funds for the Caregiver Program, for mobile Vet Centers, and medical and prosthetics research.\n\tHomeland Security: Increases funds for Customs and Border Protection, the Coast Guard, and other critical homeland security priorities, and provides $50 million in new funds to help state and local law enforcement counter violent extremism and prepare for and respond to terrorist attacks.\n\tRenewable Energy: Provides a major boost to renewable energy by extending the wind Production Tax Credit for five years (through 2019), and extending the solar Investment Tax Credit for five years (through 2021), while phasing both credits down somewhat over time. Extending the solar tax credit is estimated to create 61,000 jobs in 2017 alone. It is also estimated that the wind industry will grow to over 100,000 jobs over four years with the renewed wind tax credit.\n\tEnergy Efficiency and Clean Energy R&D: Provides an 8 percent increase over 2015 for R&D activities in the pursuit of new clean energy and energy efficiency technologies.\n\tEducation: The bill restores the $2.5 billion cut in education that the GOP had proposed and also makes critical additional investments of $1.4 billion above 2015, in such areas as Title I that serves 24 million at-risk students.\n\tEarly Learning: Investing in Head Start produces results  and this bill invests nearly $400 million more than the House GOP bill and nearly $600 million more than 2015 in this vital initiative. The bill also provides $250 million for Preschool Development Grants, assisting 18 states across the country.\n\tMedical Research: Medical research at NIH has been underfunded for the last several years. This bill provides $900 million more than the House GOP bill and $2 billion more than 2015 for this life-saving research.\n\tInfrastructure: The popular TIGER grants are being used across the country to repair infrastructure and contribute to economic growth. The House GOP bill had slashed TIGER grants by 80 percent, killing jobs, but this bill restores the funding to the 2015 level of $500 million.\n\tLaw Enforcement: The bill provides $187 million for COPS hiring grants, $7 million above the 2015 level and $187 million above the House GOP bill, which had eliminated the hiring grants. The bill also provides $80 million for the Community Policing Initiative, including $22.5 million for body-worn cameras and $15 million for Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation grants, an increase over the House bill.\n\tAgriculture: Provides increased funding for pest and disease research programs, as well as for food and nutrition programs.\n The measure also does not include many divisive riders that would have had damaging impacts on Americas women, consumers, workers, and children. The damaging poison pill riders that were removed from the final bill include:\n Riders that would have limited womens access to the full range of comprehensive health care services, including by defunding Planned Parenthood.\n\tRiders that would have gutted the Dodd-Frank provisions that hold big Wall Street banks accountable.\n\tRiders that would have undermined the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act, jeopardizing the health of our children and working families.\n\tRiders that would have blocked moving forward on addressing climate change and reducing damaging carbon emissions.\n\tRiders that would have blocked protections that allow workers to form unions and help them save for retirement.\n Finally, the Omnibus includes several other important provisions:\n Reauthorizes the key James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, making the Health Program permanent and reauthorizing the Victims Compensation Fund for five years;\n\tDelays the so-called Cadillac tax, a tax on employer-provided health plans worth over a certain threshold, for two years  from 2018 to 2020; and\n\tReauthorizes the Land and Conservation Fund, which is one of our countrys most successful outdoor recreation and conservation programs and which expired on September 30th.\n ###\nJulia Brownley represents Californias 26th Congressional District, which includes most of Ventura County, and Westlake Village in Los Angeles County. She serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and as the Ranking Member on the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/thompson-announces-launch-of-second-annual-student-app-challenge", "THOMPSON ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF SECOND ANNUAL STUDENT APP CHALLENGE", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Thompson", "T000460", "mikethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) announced today the launch of the second annual Congressional App Challenge for the 5th Congressional District.\nEstablished by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013, this nationwide competition invites high school students from all participating congressional districts to compete by creating and exhibiting their software application, or app, for mobile, tablet, or computer devices. It is designed to promote innovation and engagement in the STEM education fields.\nThe Congressional App Challenge is a great opportunity for students to get involved in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, said Thompson. Over the next ten years, nearly 9 million STEM jobs are expected to be created. However, we also face a shortage of STEM graduates. The Congressional App Challenge will help build interest and encourage our students to pursue an education in STEM fields.\nThe Congressional App Challenge is open to all high school students who live in or are eligible to attend public high schools located in the 5th Congressional District. In order to participate in the competition, students must submit their apps source code online by midnight on January 15, 2016 EST, as well as provide a video demo explaining their app and what they learned through this competition process.\nMore details on submitting a contest entry, the rules of the competition, and helpful programming resources can be found at www.congressionalappchallenge.us \n\nCongressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent Californias 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He 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\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/thompson-votes-for-federal-spending-bill", "THOMPSON VOTES FOR FEDERAL SPENDING BILL", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Thompson", "T000460", "mikethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) voted today to pass H.R. 2029, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill. This measure funds the government for FY 2016.\nThis bill is far from perfect but it averts a disastrous government shutdown, makes investments that help working people, and will benefit communities in our district, said Thompson. Next year we need to build on this compromise and avoid governing from crisis-to-crisis and cliff-to-cliff.\nThe legislation includes these important measures:\n Infrastructure: Maintains the funding for the popular TIGER Grants at the 2015 level of $500 million, and provides $353 million for proposed small starts projects. The Small Starts program provides grants for capital costs associated with new fixed guideway systems, extensions, and bus corridor improvements such as Sonoma Countys SMART Train.\n\tFire Management: Invests $4.2 billion for wildland fire management.\n\tSolar energy: Extends the solar investment tax credit through 2021 much as Thompsons New Energy for America Act (H.R.2412) would do.\n\tNational Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS): Provides $73 million to strengthen our background check system to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, domestic abusers and the dangerously mentally ill.\n\tHousing Assistance: Provides $17.7 billion for Section 8 housing assistance, which is a $195 million increase from 2015.\n\tConservation: Includes a three year reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation fund which has contributed nearly $10 million dollars to Californias 5th District since the program started. Additionally, the bill reauthorizes the Pittman-Robertson funding for North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants.\n\tSalmon: Provides $91.5 million for salmon management, including funding for threatened and endangered Pacific salmon species.\n\tCrude by Rail: Provides Crude oil training program for first responders. This was part of Rep. Mike Thompsons Crude-By-Rail Safety Act (HR 1804).\n\tNational Guard: Provides $125 million increase in funding for the National Guard Counter-Drug Program.\n\tLaw Enforcement: Provides $212 million for the federal COPS program, of which $187 million is for hiring. Additional it provides $347.1 million for Byrne-JAG program, which is a $14.4 million increase from 2015.\n\tCounty of Origin Labeling (COOL): Repeals COOL, which will avoid tariff retaliation on California wine, after The World Trade Organization determined earlier this year that such labeling violates our trade commitments by treating imported livestock less favorably than domestic livestock.\n\tPostal service: Provides for the continuation of six-day and rural mail delivery and states that none of the funds provided by this bill may be used to close or consolidate small or rural post offices.\n\tEducation: The bill restores $2.5 billion in education funding and also makes additional investments of $1.4 billion above 2015, in such areas as Title I that serves 24 million at-risk students.\n\tEarly Learning:Invests $600 million more than 2015 in Head Start.\n\tMedical Research: Provides $2 billion more than 2015 for this life-saving research.\n The legislation also does not include a number of ideological riders such as measures to defund Planned Parenthood or family planning services, prohibit Department of Justice (DOJ) funds from being used to defend immigration reform policies in court, or blocked efforts to combat climate change.\nH.R. 2029 passed by a vote of 316-113.\nCongressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent Californias 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-introduces-puerto-rico-emergency-financial-stability-act", "Pelosi Introduces Puerto Rico Emergency Financial Stability Act", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George,202-226-7616\nWashington, D.C.  Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement after introducing H.R. 4290, the Puerto Rico Emergency Financial Stability Act, legislation to provide Puerto Rico a short-term stay of legal actions by certain creditors while Congress considers debt restructuring legislation for the territory over the coming months:\nIt is profoundly disappointing that debt restructuring authority for Puerto Rico was not included in the Omnibus. Puerto Rico faces a dire economic crisis, and we have a moral responsibility to help our fellow Americans.\nThe Puerto Rico Emergency Financial Stability Act would protect the 3.5 million Americans who call Puerto Rico home from economic catastrophe while Congress advances a more comprehensive solution to the Commonwealths financial emergency. The bill would give Puerto Rico temporary but essential breathing room from creditor lawsuits until Congress can act. It is a common sense proposal based on existing legal standards and short-term legal protections that were enacted during the Great Depression to protect hard-pressed homeowners from arbitrary and sudden foreclosures.\nThe moratorium on legal action it provides would expire on March 31  the same date by which Speaker Ryan has promised Congress will complete meaningful debt restructuring legislation. With the outstanding leadership of Congresswoman Nydia Velzquez, Resident Commissioner PedroPierluisi, Congressmen Jos Serrano and Luis Gutirrez, and Puerto Rico's many friends in the Congress, we will continue to demand action for our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico as soon as possible.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roybal-allard.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397947", "Rep. Roybal-Allard Issues Statement on Omnibus Appropriations Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Lucille Roybal-Allard", "R000486", "roybal-allard.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) voted for the omnibus appropriations bill to fund the government through September 2016. She issued the following statement about the bill:As the ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I can attest that Division F of the bill before us today, which provides funds for the Department of Homeland Security, is the result of careful consideration, intense scrutiny, and bipartisan collaboration. I want to thank Chairman Carter for his leadership and his partnership in crafting our portion of the bill.  The bill provides significant resources for critical priorities, including funding to recapitalize the Coast Guard air and marine fleets; to fully fund FEMAs disaster relief activities, including wildfire management assistance grants, and to significantly enhance support for flood mapping and pre-disaster mitigation; to maintain funding for FEMA terrorism preparedness grants, including $50 million in new funding to help communities counter violent extremism and prepare for complex, coordinated terrorist attacks; to allow the Secret Service to continue implementing the recommendations of the Protective Mission Panel; and to enhance cybersecurity across the federal government, along with significant additional funds to help protect DHSs own cyber systems. I am pleased that the bill does not include the harmful immigration policy riders that were adopted during committee consideration of the House bill. I am also pleased that the omnibus incorporates a number of amendments and priorities I fought for during the Appropriations Committee markups. These include my amendment with Congresswoman Lee which creates and funds a comprehensive, non-partisan child poverty study, and my amendment to defund the licensing or relicensing of Class B animal dealers who sell random source dogs and cats for use in research. It is also important to note that my colleagues and I were successful in preserving funding for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Corporation for National and Community Service. This funding bill is not entirely what I had hoped for. Many of my colleagues feel the same way, and I share many of their concerns. I was extremely disappointed that provisions to help our U.S. citizen Puerto Rican brothers and sisters manage the fiscal crisis in Puerto Rico were not included in the bill. The residents of Puerto Rico are suffering, and we have a responsibility to provide them with the tools they need to rebuild their economy. I was also disappointed that on the heels of a historic climate change agreement, the bill includes a giveaway to Big Oil by ending the 40-year prohibition on the exportation of crude oil. This prohibition was set in place to help our country achieve energy independence and to protect national security and economic interests. Lifting this ban will only hinder our goals and harm American refinery jobs, all for the sake of a handout to Big Oil. However, without this omnibus bill, my home state of California and communities across the country would be faced with the uncertain funding level of a continuing resolution, or, in the worst case, the effects of a government shutdown. We cannot risk another government shutdown or another year of flat funding for the critical programs our communities need. On balance, I believe this bill should move forward. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://scottpeters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-peters-help-pass-bipartisan-spending-bill-to-boost-investments", "Rep. Peters Helps Pass Bipartisan Spending Bill to Boost Investments Critical to San Diego & National Security", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Scott Peters", "P000608", "scottpeters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) helped pass a federal spending plan that boosts investment in areas critical to the San Diego priorities Peters has fought for since being elected to Congress. It increases investment in science, provides tax credits and incentives for private sector investment in clean energy, and responsibly funds wildfire prevention.\nThis spending plan supports several critical San Diego priorities Ive been fighting for since coming to Congress, Peters said. Ive argued that if Congress cant do its job and pass a budget, then Congress shouldnt get a paycheck. Today, Congress did its job and passed a bipartisan spending bill that delivers for San Diego.\nWe also added $21 billion to our defense budget which is essential to defeating terrorism and keeping Americans safe both home and abroad, Peters continued. In San Diego, where the military represents about a quarter of our economy, its also important to our prosperity, and to the livelihoods of the thousands of active duty military that live here.\nThe Omnibus Appropriations Act, which appropriates Federal spending for the 2016 fiscal year, passed by a broad bipartisan vote of 316 to 113.\nThe package includes $32.1 billion in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), $2 billion more than last year. Peters was recognized as the local biotech industrys legislator of the year in 2014 and 2015, in part, for his effective advocacy for increased NIH investment. Earlier this year, Peters helped pass the 21st Century Cures Act which would increase NIH funds by an additional $8 billion if it passes in the Senate next year. San Diegos universities and research institutions, which rely heavily on NIH funds, generate $4.6 billion to the regions economy, and support more than 37,000 jobs. San Diego is the top metro area in the country for NIH research funding, receiving more than $768 million in funding in 2015, which benefits a number of institutions including the University of California San Diego, the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, and Scripps Health. The spending plan also goes a long way toward fulfilling Peters commitment to fix the federal governments lack of attention to preventing wildfires, the natural disasters of the west that have devastated San Diego over the past decade. It directly funds 100% of the ten-year average the nation spends on fighting wildfires, and provides more than $600 million to help communities better prepare for, prevent and recover from wildfires. Earlier this year, Peters took Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewel on a tour of the district to make the case that better investment in prevention would save lives, homes, and money spent on suppression. This bill does not eliminate the underlying problem of borrowing from prevention funding to fund suppression, but it does make significant strides towards giving communities the resources they need to prevent and fight wildfires. Last year, Peters led the effort in Congress to raise attention to and force a vote on wildfire prevention investment.\nPeters praised, too, a $17 million increase in Impact Aid, for a total of $1.8 billion. Impact Aid supports public schools that serve large numbers of military children. This is of particular importance to San Diego where nearly 11 percent of students are children of active duty parents. Coronado Unified School District is one of the largest beneficiaries of Impact Aid; it received $1.5 million last year. Other Highlights\nIncreases National Security:\n Appropriates $514.1 billion in defense spending, a $21.2 billion increase over last year, giving our military leaders the resources and certainty to increase our readiness and keep our nation safe.\n\tMilitary personnel will receive a 1.3% pay raise, and the Department of Defense will continue to be able to pursue alternative energy sources, a priority for both San Diegos military and clean technology sector.\n Invests in Renewable Energy and the Environment:\nPromotes Education:\n Increases funding for Head Start by $570 million over last year to a total of $9.2 billion.\n\tProvides $22.5 billion for Pell Grants to help students pay for college and increases the maximum possible award to $5,915, a $140 increase over last year.\n Invests in Infrastructure:\n Provides funding to the General Services Administration to be used at the San Diego Courthouse to make security upgrades and consolidate the child care center onto Federal land.\n Reforms the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):\n Requires the FAA to update its community involvement manual and implementation plan to take a more proactive role in engaging communities impacted by new departure and arrival procedures. Congressman Peters and his staff have led the fight against the FAAs proposed flight path changes from San Diego Airport, and Peters has criticized the FAAs outreach to the communities that would be affected by increased noise and traffic.\n Blocked bad policy provisions:\n Equally important, the bill excluded harmful riders that would have rolled back campaign finance laws; diverted San Diego water to the Central Valley; undermined the United States leadership in reducing emissions and keeping our air and water clean; and cut funding to Planned Parenthood.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://vargas.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-vargas-highlights-funding-for-programs-in-the-district-included-in", "Rep. Vargas Highlights Funding for Programs in the District Included in the FY2016 Omnibus", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Juan Vargas", "V000130", "vargas.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC (December 18, 2015) - Representative Juan Vargas (CA-51) voted in favor of the $1.15 trillion government spending bill voted on and approved by the House of Representatives today. Over 100 programs supported by Rep. Vargas were included in the bill. Rep. Vargas issued the following statement after voting on the Fiscal Year 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act:\nThis bill is the result of long hours of hard work and compromise through a bipartisan effort. Although not everything I wanted to see funded was included in this spending bill, I was pleased to see that it tackles issues that go beyond party lines, said Rep. Vargas. The omnibus spending bill includes significant funding for programs that benefit our District.\nThe following is a list of some of the programs Rep. Vargas worked on with his colleagues in Congress to secure funding for the FY16 budget:\n Department of Defenses Operations and Maintenance, Navy: Funded at $39.6 million\n\tU.S. Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program: Funded at $10 million\n\tVeterans Treatment Courts: Funded at $6 million\n\tBureau of Reclamations Salton Sea Research Project: Funded at $300,000\n\tAlfalfa and Forage Research: Funded at $2 million ($1 million less than the original request)\n\tLand and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF): Funded at $450 million\n\tHead Start: Funded at $9,168 billion\n\tNational Institutes of Health: Funded at $32 billion\n\tRefugee and Entrant Assistant Program: Funded at $1,674 billion\n The bill provides $32 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an incredible $2 billion above the enacted 2015 level. The funding will provide a general increase to all NIH Institutes and Centers, for the continuation of critical biomedical research that leads to the discovery of new cures. \nVargas represents Californias 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and Californias entire US/Mexico border. Vargas was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and is currently serving his second term in Congress. He represented the 40th California State Senate District from 2010-2012, the 79th California State Assembly District from 2000  2006 and served on the San Diego City Council from 1993  2000.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4F44B6DB-FCCD-4E87-87B5-BA2A328809CF", "Feinstein Bill Would Ensure California VA Construction Projects Proceed", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today introduced a bill to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to advance critical seismic safety and construction projects at VA facilities in San Francisco, Long Beach, Alameda Point, Fremont, French Camp and Los Angeles.\r\nThe omnibus bill passed by the House and Senate includes $563 million for California projects: $161 million for Long Beach, $158 million for Fort Miley in San Francisco, $70 million for Alameda Point; $139 million for Fremont and French Camp, and $35 million for West Los Angeles.\r\nThe bill also includes $75 million for Louisville, KY; $11 million for American Lake, WA; $90.1 million for medical facility improvements and expansions in St. Louis, MO; and $83.7 million for new community living center in Perry Point, MD.\r\nHowever, VA will not be able to spend the money appropriated by Congress due to a technical requirement that the projects also be approved by the Veterans Affairs Committees.\r\nThe U.S. Geological Survey estimates that California suffers a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake every 6.3 years, on average. It also reports that Californias risk of being struck by a magnitude 8.0 or greater earthquake has increased by nearly 50 percent since the agency completed its last estimate in 2008.\r\n\"The next California earthquake is a question of when, not if. The seismic safety upgrades planned at some of our largest VA facilities are critical to ensure the safety of veterans, health care providers and staff, said Senator Feinstein. These projects are also critical to meeting health care and housing needs for veterans throughout California.\r\nFeinsteins bill would provide for the authorization of the seismic upgrades and construction projects, allowing them to quickly move forward.\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=6DB9487C-9AE2-42FE-9DAE-F848F0D02C0B", "Feinstein Statement on Omnibus Spending Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Legislation includes Feinstein priorities, vital California projects\r\nWashingtonSenator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, today announced her support for the omnibus spending bill that funds the federal government through fiscal year 2016.\r\nI voted for the omnibus and tax extenders because I think our nation is best served by fiscal certainty, Feinstein said. Stability and predictability in our tax code will help promote economic growth.\r\nAdditional legislation\r\nSenator Feinstein also supports the omnibus because it includes several key pieces of legislation she has worked on. These include:\r\n \r\nThe intelligence authorization bill;\r\nThe cybersecurity information sharing bill;\r\nTightening the visa waiver program; and\r\nStrengthening school accreditation standards for the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program.\r\n \r\nI am pleased these bills have been added to the omnibus, Feinstein said. This will be the seventh consecutive intelligence authorization bill after a period of five years without any bill. Its critical to authorize funding and enact oversight provisions for the intelligence community.\r\nAfter working on legislation that addresses the cyber threat for more than five years, this cyber bill will be the first legislative effort to promote information sharing between companies and between companies and the government. The bill provides strong liability protections and strict privacy safeguards.\r\nI support including provisions to strengthen the Visa Waiver Program, as this is a national security priority for me. Importantly, the House version of the bill includes a requirement to obtain a traditional visa if you have been to Iraq or Syria recently. Im disappointed that provisions I proposed on biometrics were not included and I intend to remedy that by continuing to push to require biometric submissions for first time visa waiver travelers before they enter the United States.\r\nWe also need additional information sharing for program countries, such as agreements to exchange foreign fighter databases and on the use of our federal air marshals.\r\nIm thrilled to see there will be new accreditation requirements for schools participating in the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. This will ensure that only high-performing schools are eligible to participate.\r\nEnergy and Water\r\nAs ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee for Energy and Water Development, Im proud that Senator Alexander and I worked together on a strong bipartisan bill. Our subcommittee has a history of bipartisanship, which is critical for funding the Department of Energy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation.\r\nThis bill significantly increases funding to the Army Corps for flood protection, enhances research and development at the Department of Energy and boosts our ability to maintain our nuclear arsenal and nuclear nonproliferation efforts abroad. It also provides much-needed funds to address the historic drought facing California and other western states.\r\nHowever, Im once again deeply disappointed that a pilot nuclear waste storage program was not included. We continue to face risks by having nuclear waste wait indefinitely at power plants throughout the country.\r\nFunding for California:\r\n California is benefitted by the omnibus spending bill, as seen by the numerous projects and priorities listed below.\r\nKey projects:\r\n \r\n$100 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$761 million for nine major public transit projects: \r\n\r\n$100 million for Los Angeles 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 Regional Connector, a two-mile underground project connecting the Gold and Blue subway lines.\r\n$150 million for San Franciscos 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-mile project to extend BART from Fremont to Berryessa Road in San Jose.\r\n$200 million for the second phase of Los Angeles Purple Line Subway and San Diegos Mid-Coast Corridor Light Rail project that would connect downtown San Diego to University City.\r\n$20 million for the Sonoma-Marin Area Rapid Transits San Rafael to Larkspur light rail project.\r\n$30 million for San Franciscos Bus Rapid Transit along Van Ness Avenue.\r\n$11 million for the Fresno Blackstone/Kings Canyon Bus Rapid Transit project.\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n$563 million for Veterans Affairs construction projects in California:\r\n\r\nWest Los Angeles: $35 million for the seismic retrofit and renovation of Building 208 to support homeless housing.\r\nSan Francisco: $158 million for seismic retrofits of three buildings, replacement of Building 12 and demolition of three buildings.\r\nLong Beach: $161 million to demolish two seismically deficient buildings and construct a new Mental Health Facility, parking structure and utility plant.\r\nLivermore: $139 million to purchase land and construct a new outpatient clinic in Fremont, as well as a new outpatient clinic in Stockton/French Camp.\r\nAlameda: $70 million to construct a new outpatient clinic and administrative offices.\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n$8.2 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\nA one-year extension of a temporary judgeship in Los Angeles to ensure that Californians have timely access to the judicial system in Californias Central District, the tenth-busiest in the nation.\r\n \r\nAdditional priorities for California\r\n \r\nRepeal of mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements for beef and pork. This language should prevent retaliatory tariffs from Canada and Mexico on U.S. and California products that could have devastated the California agriculture industry.\r\n \r\n \r\n$210 million for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP), which reimburses states for the cost of housing undocumented immigrants in state and county jails and prisons. Last year, California received more than one-third of total SCAAP funding.\r\n \r\n \r\n$452 million for Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), a program that compensates counties for non-taxable public lands, such as national parks or other protected lands. California is the largest recipient of funds from this program; it received more than $45 million from the program last year.\r\n \r\n \r\n$40 million to begin to address youth homelessness through pilot programs. These funds will also provide support and guidance to service providers so they can better help homeless youth. Legislative provisions are also included that would make it easier for homeless youth to access the services for which they are eligible.\r\n \r\n \r\nLanguage directing the Federal Bureau of Investigation to provide increased support to local field offices to enhance efforts to combat human and sex trafficking, particularly around large sporting events. Next years NFL Super Bowl will be held in the San Francisco Bay area.\r\n \r\n \r\n$109.5 million in new funding for the Food and Drug Administration to implement the Food Safety Modernization Act, which was the most sweeping reform of the federal food safety system in decades.\r\n \r\n \r\n$160 million in new funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.\r\n \r\nKey provisions Feinstein successfully opposed:\r\n \r\nA House-backed policy rider that would have prevented the Fish and Wildlife Service from issuing new regulations to crack down on the illegal ivory trade.\r\n \r\n \r\nHouse-backed policy riders that would have prevented resettlement of Syrian refugees in the United States.\r\n \r\n \r\nA proposed mandate forcing states to allow twin 33-foot trailer trucks on their roads without a comprehensive safety study.\r\n \r\n \r\nHouse-backed policy riders that would have crippled Californias 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###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-supports-bipartisan-spending-bill", "Costa Supports Bipartisan Spending Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jim Costa", "C001059", "costa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC Today, Representative Jim Costa (CA-16) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed a spending bill that will keep government funded for the current fiscal year.\nFrom repealing the Country-of-Origin-Labeling requirement for pork and beef to making over $3 billion in non-tax payer money available to crime victims, the spending bill passed today by the House has several wins for Californias San Joaquin Valley, said Rep. Costa. Responsible governance requires compromise, and this legislation is the result of Democrats and Republicans working together for the greater good of our country.\nCosta continued saying, I am pleased that provisions in the Dams Accountability, Maintenance, and Safety (DAMS) Act, legislation introduced by Congressman Valadao and me, are part of the spending bill passed today. The measure will authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to update and modernize our nations federal dams when critical safety work is being performed, and increase storage capacity of San Luis Reservoir. While long-term solutions like the DAMS Act are necessary to fixing Californias broken water system, we desperately need to pass legislation that will help in the short-term. My hope was to get language in the spending bill that would provide short-term solutions, and unfortunately, that did not happen. I am optimistic that the House and Senate will come together and pass California water legislation at the beginning of the new year. Failing to do so would be a disservice to all Californians, and is both unacceptable and avoidable.\nThe spending legislation includes the following provisions:\n $100 million for drought relief.\n\tFunding for early learning, primary, and secondary education.\n\tFunding for medical research at National Institute of Health.\n\t$500 million for TIGER grants which are used across the country to repair infrastructure and contribute to economic growth.\n\tFunding for law enforcement, including $187 million COPS hiring grants, $80 million for the Community Policing Initiative, including $22.5 million for body-worn cameras and $15 million for Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation grants.\n\tFunding for specialty crop pest detections.\n\tFunding for critical nutrition programs, including SNAP and WIC.\n\tRepeal of Country-of-Origin-Labeling (COOL) for pork and beef. If Congress did not pass a measure to repeal COOL, the U.S would have faced over $1 billion in harsh trade retaliations by Canada and Mexico. Preventing the implementation of these retaliatory tariffs was imperative to ensure that irreparable damage was not done to the agriculture and manufacturing industries and to the overall economy.\n\tLanguage from the Dams Accountability, Maintenance, and Safety (DAMS) Act.\n\tOver $3 billion for services and compensation for crime victims.\n\tRepeal of the ban on crude oil exports. New technologies have provided the United States with an abundance of domestic crude oil production and expanding our export opportunities to include crude oil, in addition to gasoline and natural gas products, will further stimulate our economy and create jobs.\n\tThree year reauthorization of Land and Water Conservation Fund.\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-supports-bipartisan-omnibus-appropriations-bill/", "Brownley Supports Bipartisan Omnibus Appropriations Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "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) voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The bipartisan bill was approved in a vote of 316 to 113.\n\n\u201cToday, I voted for the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act. Not only does the Omnibus prevent another government shutdown, but it also makes critical investments in key Ventura County priorities, like our veterans, Naval Base Ventura County, our local schools, local law enforcement, and agriculture programs,\u201d said Congresswoman Brownley. \u201cWhile the bill is not perfect, it is overall a big win for Ventura County\u2019s families and for our country.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am especially pleased with the increased funding for VA healthcare, including additional funds that will allow facilities like the VA-run Oxnard community clinic to move forward. As Ranking Member of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Subcommittee on Health, I have been working with the VA to improve healthcare for veterans in Ventura County and increase the availability of specialty care in our local community.\u201d\n\nThe bill\u2019s investments in priorities include the following:\n\nNational Defense: Provides an increase for defense programs that will improve military readiness, increase health research for TBI, invest in military housing and schools, and provides a 1.3% pay increase for our troops.\n\nVeterans: Provides a robust increase in funds for veterans programs to improve VA health care and medical services. Increases funds for the Caregiver Program, for mobile Vet Centers, and medical and prosthetics research.\n\nHomeland Security: Increases funds for Customs and Border Protection, the Coast Guard, and other critical homeland security priorities, and provides $50 million in new funds to help state and local law enforcement counter violent extremism and prepare for and respond to terrorist attacks.\n\nRenewable Energy: Provides a major boost to renewable energy by extending the wind Production Tax Credit for five years (through 2019), and extending the solar Investment Tax Credit for five years (through 2021), while phasing both credits down somewhat over time. Extending the solar tax credit is estimated to create 61,000 jobs in 2017 alone. It is also estimated that the wind industry will grow to over 100,000 jobs over four years with the renewed wind tax credit.\n\nEnergy Efficiency and Clean Energy R&D: Provides an 8 percent increase over 2015 for R&D activities in the pursuit of new clean energy and energy efficiency technologies.\n\nEducation: The bill restores the $2.5 billion cut in education that the GOP had proposed and also makes critical additional investments of $1.4 billion above 2015, in such areas as Title I that serves 24 million at-risk students.\n\nEarly Learning: Investing in Head Start produces results \u2013 and this bill invests nearly $400 million more than the House GOP bill and nearly $600 million more than 2015 in this vital initiative. The bill also provides $250 million for Preschool Development Grants, assisting 18 states across the country.\n\nMedical Research: Medical research at NIH has been underfunded for the last several years. This bill provides $900 million more than the House GOP bill and $2 billion more than 2015 for this life-saving research.\n\nInfrastructure: The popular TIGER grants are being used across the country to repair infrastructure and contribute to economic growth. The House GOP bill had slashed TIGER grants by 80 percent, killing jobs, but this bill restores the funding to the 2015 level of $500 million.\n\nLaw Enforcement: The bill provides $187 million for COPS hiring grants, $7 million above the 2015 level and $187 million above the House GOP bill, which had eliminated the hiring grants. The bill also provides $80 million for the Community Policing Initiative, including $22.5 million for body-worn cameras and $15 million for Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation grants, an increase over the House bill.\n\nAgriculture: Provides increased funding for pest and disease research programs, as well as for food and nutrition programs.\n\nThe measure also does not include many divisive riders that would have had damaging impacts on America\u2019s women, consumers, workers, and children. The damaging \u201cpoison pill\u201d riders that were removed from the final bill include:\n\nRiders that would have limited women\u2019s access to the full range of comprehensive health care services, including by defunding Planned Parenthood.\n\nRiders that would have gutted the Dodd-Frank provisions that hold big Wall Street banks accountable.\n\nRiders that would have undermined the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act, jeopardizing the health of our children and working families.\n\nRiders that would have blocked moving forward on addressing climate change and reducing damaging carbon emissions.\n\nRiders that would have blocked protections that allow workers to form unions and help them save for retirement.\n\nFinally, the Omnibus includes several other important provisions:\n\nReauthorizes the key James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, making the Health Program permanent and reauthorizing the Victims Compensation Fund for five years;\n\nDelays the so-called \u201cCadillac\u201d tax, a tax on employer-provided health plans worth over a certain threshold, for two years \u2013 from 2018 to 2020; and\n\nReauthorizes the Land and Conservation Fund, which is one of our country\u2019s most successful outdoor recreation and conservation programs and which expired on September 30th.\n\nIssues: 114th Congress, Budget, Veterans' Affairs", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-lieu-ecstatic-over-fda-s-proposed-ban-tanning-beds-minors", "CONGRESSMAN LIEU ECSTATIC OVER FDAS PROPOSED BAN ON TANNING BEDS FOR MINORS", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ted Lieu", "L000582", "lieu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\nWASHINGTON - Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) has issued the following statement in light of the Food and Drug Administrations proposed rules regulating tanning beds.\nI am thrilled the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released their proposed rule to ban tanning-bed use for those under the age of 18. This past June, I led a letter, signed by 18 members of Congress, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) asking that they release FDAs proposed tanning bed regulations, General and Plastic Surgery Devices: Restriction of Sunlamp Products (RIN 0910-AH14), for public comment as soon as possible. \nFor many years, I have led the fight to regulate and restrict ultraviolet tanning bed use, such as authoring the first state law in the nation to ban tanning bed use by minors. Skin cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in the United States and costs $8.1 billion to treat annually. UV tanning beds cause skin cancer. The new rules released by FDA today are critical in the fight to eradicate skin cancer, and I look forward to the rules becoming final.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lofgren.house.gov/media/press-releases/lofgren-statement-omnibus-appropriations-bill", "Lofgren Statement on Omnibus Appropriations Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Zoe Lofgren", "L000397", "lofgren.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) issued the following statement today after voting against the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act:\n\"I was unable to vote for the Omnibus spending bill today because it included an extraneous provision purported to facilitate cybersecurity information sharing that  in effect  will function as a surveillance tool.\n\"Congress has debated cybersecurity for the past year. I voted for a bill passed by the House that addressed cybersecurity while also protecting the private digital information of Americans. This bill received substantially more support than any other cybersecurity bill considered by either chamber.\n\"Information sharing requires measures to protect Americans' privacy. It should also be debated in regular order. But this so-called \"cybersecurity legislation\" was inserted into a must-pass Omnibus at the 11th hour, without debate. The protective measures that such a bill should have  including those I believe the Constitution requires  were removed. While the Omnibus had both pros and cons, my obligation to protect constitutional rights isn't negotiable. I made clear to House Leadership and the White House that I could not support the Omnibus with this cyber surveillance measure included. I have enclosed several letters crafted in the last two days outlining my concerns related to the bill.\"\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lofgren.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398042", "Lofgren Statement on Omnibus Appropriations Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Zoe Lofgren", "L000397", "lofgren.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) issued the following statement today after voting against the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act:\r\nI was unable to vote for the Omnibus spending bill today because it included an extraneous provision purported to facilitate cybersecurity information sharing that  in effect  will function as a surveillance tool.\r\nCongress has debated cybersecurity for the past year. I voted for a bill passed by the House that addressed cybersecurity while also protecting the private digital information of Americans. This bill received substantially more support than any other cybersecurity bill considered by either chamber.\r\nInformation sharing requires measures to protect Americans privacy. It should also be debated in regular order. But this so-called cybersecurity legislation was inserted into a must-pass Omnibus at the 11th hour, without debate. The protective measures that such a bill should have  including those I believe the Constitution requires  were removed. While the Omnibus had both pros and cons, my obligation to protect constitutional rights isnt negotiable. I made clear to House Leadership and the White House that I could not support the Omnibus with this cyber surveillance measure included. I have enclosed several letters crafted in the last two days outlining my concerns related to the bill.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcnerney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/media-advisory-rep-mcnerney-to-host-press-conference-to-announce-funding", "MEDIA ADVISORY: Rep. McNerney to Host Press Conference to Announce Funding, Next Steps for French Camp VA Clinic", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jerry McNerney", "M001166", "mcnerney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "French Camp, CA  Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) will host a press conference with veterans and community leaders to announce funding and next steps for the construction of the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in French Camp, CA. Funding for the CBOC was included in the FY16 omnibus spending bill passed by Congress today.\nWhat:  Press Conference\nRep. McNerney will host a press conference to announce funding and next steps for the construction of the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic in French, Camp, CA.\nWhen: Monday, December 21, 2015\n 12:30 p.m. PST\nWhere: Health Plan of San Joaquin\n First Floor Conference Room\n 7751 S. Manthey Road\n French Camp, CA       \nThe French Camp CBOC will serve 87,000 veterans across a wide geographic area that includes San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Amador Counties, among others.\nRep. McNerney has been a strong advocate for securing the authorization and funding for the French Camp clinic, repeatedly calling for the financial resources to complete the project.\n###\nRep. Jerry McNerney proudly serves the constituents of California's 9th Congressional District that includes portions of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Sacramento Counties. For more information on Rep. McNerney's work, follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @RepMcNerney.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcnerney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mcnerney-applauds-funding-for-french-camp-va-clinic-in-omnibus-bill", "Rep. McNerney Applauds Funding for French Camp VA Clinic in Omnibus Bill Passed by the House", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jerry McNerney", "M001166", "mcnerney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington  Today, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) issued the following statement applauding the House passage of the FY16 omnibus spending bill that includes the funding needed to construct the French Camp Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC):\nThe omnibus spending bill my colleagues and I passed in the House is a necessary compromise that will fund the government for the next year. While the bill reflects some tough choices, it also provides funding for critical programs that support job creation, health care for families and children, investments in renewable energy production, environmental protection, small business loans, and VA construction.\nThe omnibus is a tremendous victory for thousands of our veterans who will have better access to health care because it includes funding to build the long-overdue Community Based Outpatient Clinic in French Camp, California. Veterans across my district and throughout the San Joaquin and Central Valleys have waited more than a decade for this clinic so they can gain access to state-of-the-art medical care and services that they deserve.\nMany veterans have difficultly accessing the health care benefits they've earned serving our country due to a lack in quality clinics and services in their region. This places an unnecessary and unfair burden on veterans who have to travel significant distances for simple medical appointments and check-ups. I have worked in a bipartisan manner for years to get funding for the French Camp clinic, a project that has been construction ready' for some time. This facility will serve nearly 87,000 veterans, and I am glad to finally see Congress commit the proper resources so this project can break ground in the near future.\nThe FY16 omnibus appropriations package provides $1.24 billion for major VA construction projects. These funds are sufficient to fund the VA's top FY16 major construction projects, including the long-overdue project at French Camp.\nThe French Camp CBOC will serve 87,000 veterans across a wide geographic area that includes San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Amador Counties, among others.\nRep. McNerney has been a strong advocate for securing the authorization and funding for the French Camp clinic, repeatedly calling for the financial resources to complete the project.\n###\nRep. Jerry McNerney proudly serves the constituents of California's 9th Congressional District that includes portions of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Sacramento Counties. For more information on Rep. McNerney's work, follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @RepMcNerney.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/posey-sherman-policyholder-protection-act-passes-house-senate", "Posey-Sherman Policyholder Protection Act Passes House & Senate", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Brad Sherman", "S000344", "sherman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington DC The Policyholder Protection Act introduced by Congressman Bill Posey (R-FL) and Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) passed the House and Senate today and is expected to be signed into law as part of the Omnibus spending bill.\nThe bipartisan passage of this legislation proves that there is still room for common sense legislation that protects consumers, said Congressman Sherman. It is unfair to policy holders at risk, because of the actions of some Wall Street firm. That is why the assets of an insurance company should be walled off from the risky practices of their affiliated financial institutions. The assets of an insurance company are needed to pay claims of their policyholders, and those dollars should not be jeopardized by complex bets, risk taking, or poor management elsewhere within a large financial firm. I want to thank Congressman Posey for his great work and leadership on this bill.\nThe Policyholder Protection Act affirms that resources from an insurance company may not be used to bail out an affiliated financial institution from liquidation under Title II of Dodd-Frank  unless the state insurance commissioner consents. This bill clarifies Dodd-Frank to ensure that resources set aside to satisfy insurance policyholder claims cannot be used to satisfy non-insurance liabilities within a holding company system.\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sherman-royce-bill-successfully-pushes-183-billion-arms-sale-to-taiwan", "Sherman-Royce Bill Successfully Pushes $1.83 Billion Arms Sale to Taiwan", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Brad Sherman", "S000344", "sherman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington DC  Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), the Ranking Member of the Asia Subcommittee, praised the Administration's decision to sell $1.83 billion in arms to Taiwan, including two Navy Perry-class frigates. Last week, Congressman Sherman and House Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) introduced The Taiwan Naval Support Act, legislation designed to cause this action.\nThe bill, which unanimously passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee, would have required the President to submit a timeframe for the sale of arms to Taiwan, including two surplus U.S. naval vessels. The transfer was initially authorized by the Naval Vessel Transfer Act, but no action had been taken for over a year.\nThe purpose of the bill was to prod the Administration to transfer these important warships. I'm pleased the Administration has done just that. As I said in Committee, after all these delays, it was time to transfer the friggin frigates.\nThe fact that China is responding with bluster and threats shows how important this transfer is. The more bellicose China's rhetoric, the more clear it is we need to provide Taiwan with the tools it needs for its defense.\nIf China takes any action against any American company involved in the arms transfer, we must impose tariffs on Chinese goods equal to at least ten times the effect of Chinese sanctions, said Congressman Sherman.\nChairman Royce has been a forceful and tireless advocate for transferring the frigates and other defense items to Taiwan, Sherman added. \nThe Sherman-Royce legislation was introduced with the support of Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY), the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and Congressman Matt Salmon (R-AZ), the Chairman of the Asia Subcommittee. \nWatch Congressman Sherman speech in the House Foreign Affairs Committee from last week here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUU0wT5ZYsY\n  \n\t-30", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://susandavis.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-susan-davis-supports-investment-priorities-for-san-diego-s-middle", "Rep. Susan Davis Supports Investment Priorities for San Diegos Middle Class Families", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Susan Davis", "D000598", "susandavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) cast a vote in favor of the bipartisan Omnibus Appropriations bill that included a number of investment priorities for San Diego, and avoids a government shutdown. Throughout the appropriations process Davis pushed to ensure local priorities were included in the bill.\nMany San Diego priorities focusing on the middle class are included in this bipartisan omnibus spending bill, said Rep. Davis. While not perfect by any means, this bill has critical investments for medical research, innovation, education, infrastructure, and supports many jobs in our region. Just as importantly it avoids an economically damaging government shutdown. As we head into the new year, Congress should resolve pass funding measures on time and avoid past practices of stopgap spending bills that only cause economic uncertainty.\nThe Omnibus Appropriations bill includes:\n Health Care: Davis led an effort to set funding for the NIH at $32 billion. The Omnibus contains funding of $32 billion for medical research funded by the NIH. The San Diego region gets a significant portion of NIH funding, around $800 million yearly.\n\tEducation: Increases funding for Impact Aid for schools in close proximity of federally owned land (military installations) by $17 million. Davis joined a letter advocating for an increase. $250 million for Preschool Development Grants, which is the same as the FY2015 enacted level. Davis pushed to keep the funding from being eliminated. \n\tDefense: Omnibus bill contains up to $25 million to recruit, integrate, retain, and train women in the Afghan National Security Forces, as well encourage participation in elections. Davis included a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act that authorized this funding to ensure Afghan women play an increasing role in the rebuilding of their country.\n\tShipbuilding: Contains funding to accelerate NASSCO's next Navy ship, the third Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB) ship, supporting 4000 plus jobs in the San Diego region.\n\tRenewable Energy: Provides a major boost to renewable energy by extending the Wind Production Tax Credit for five years (through 2019), and extending the Solar Investment Tax Credit for five years (through 2021). Extending the solar tax credit is estimated to create 61,000 jobs nationwide in 2017 alone. San Diego is a leader in the growth of solar energy industry.\n\tEnergy Efficiency and Clean Energy R&D: Provides an 8 percent increase over 2015 for R&D activities in the pursuit of new clean energy and energy efficiency technologies.\n\tTransportation: The popular TIGER grants are being used across the country to repair infrastructure and contribute to economic growth, including improvements at the San Diego port. This bill avoids cuts attempted by the Majority and restores the funding to the 2015 level of $500 million.\n\tWorking Families: Increases Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding by $86 million. Davis led a letter with the California delegation for this funding increase.\n\tLaw Enforcement: The bill provides $187 million for COPS hiring grants, which is $7 million above the 2015 level.\n The Omnibus also reauthorizes financial and health care assistance for the 9/11 first responders under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, making the Health Program permanent and reauthorizing the Victims Compensation Fund for five years. Davis is a cosponsor of the bill.\nThe House passed the Omnibus bill by a vote of 316-133.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://susandavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=392494", "Rep. Susan Davis Supports Investment Priorities for San Diegos Middle Class Families", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Susan Davis", "D000598", "susandavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) cast a vote in favor of the bipartisan Omnibus Appropriations bill that included a number of investment priorities for San Diego, and avoids a government shutdown. Throughout the appropriations process Davis pushed to ensure local priorities were included in the bill.\r\rMany San Diego priorities focusing on the middle class are included in this bipartisan omnibus spending bill, said Rep. Davis. While not perfect by any means, this bill has critical investments for medical research, innovation, education, infrastructure, and supports many jobs in our region. Just as importantly it avoids an economically damaging government shutdown. As we head into the new year, Congress should resolve pass funding measures on time and avoid past practices of stopgap spending bills that only cause economic uncertainty.\r\rThe Omnibus Appropriations bill includes:\r\r \r\tHealth Care: Davis led an effort to set funding for the NIH at $32 billion. The Omnibus contains funding of $32 billion for medical research funded by the NIH. The San Diego region gets a significant portion of NIH funding, around $800 million yearly.\r\tEducation: Increases funding for Impact Aid for schools in close proximity of federally owned land (military installations) by $17 million. Davis joined a letter advocating for an increase. $250 million for Preschool Development Grants, which is the same as the FY2015 enacted level. Davis pushed to keep the funding from being eliminated. \r\tDefense: Omnibus bill contains up to $25 million to recruit, integrate, retain, and train women in the Afghan National Security Forces, as well encourage participation in elections. Davis included a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act that authorized this funding to ensure Afghan women play an increasing role in the rebuilding of their country.\r\tShipbuilding: Contains funding to accelerate NASSCO's next Navy ship, the third Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB) ship, supporting 4000 plus jobs in the San Diego region.\r\tRenewable Energy: Provides a major boost to renewable energy by extending the Wind Production Tax Credit for five years (through 2019), and extending the Solar Investment Tax Credit for five years (through 2021). Extending the solar tax credit is estimated to create 61,000 jobs nationwide in 2017 alone. San Diego is a leader in the growth of solar energy industry.\r\tEnergy Efficiency and Clean Energy R&D: Provides an 8 percent increase over 2015 for R&D activities in the pursuit of new clean energy and energy efficiency technologies.\r\tTransportation: The popular TIGER grants are being used across the country to repair infrastructure and contribute to economic growth, including improvements at the San Diego port. This bill avoids cuts attempted by the Majority and restores the funding to the 2015 level of $500 million.\r\tWorking Families: Increases Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding by $86 million. Davis led a letter with the California delegation for this funding increase.\r\tLaw Enforcement: The bill provides $187 million for COPS hiring grants, which is $7 million above the 2015 level.\r \r\rThe Omnibus also reauthorizes financial and health care assistance for the 9/11 first responders under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, making the Health Program permanent and reauthorizing the Victims Compensation Fund for five years. Davis is a cosponsor of the bill.\r\rThe House passed the Omnibus bill by a vote of 316-133.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://swalwell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/swalwell-votes-yes-bipartisan-government-funding-bill-keep-government", "Swalwell Votes YES on Bipartisan Government Funding Bill to Keep the Government Open and Strengthen Homeland Security", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Eric Swalwell", "S001193", "swalwell.house.gov", "swalwell", "https://swalwell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15), released the following statement after voting YES on the bipartisan $1.1 trillion omnibus funding bill that will keep the government open and funded:\n\n\"This bipartisan compromise funding deal keeps the government open, and protects programs that help working families. The compromise deal does not include extremely partisan anti-environmental or anti-refugee provisions, and it is a compromise I am able to support. Importantly, the funding bill rightly re-authorizes the long-stalled Zadroga Act, which ensures our 9/11 heroes receive long-term care and support.\n\n\"In addition, as a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I am grateful that the funding bill includes key intelligence bills that address the growing cyber threat facing our nation, while adequately safeguarding civil liberties. I'm particularly pleased the funding bill also contains a provision I authored in the Intelligence Authorization Act to ensure Department of Energy National Labs like Lawrence Livermore and Sandia are clearly available to work with recipients of federal homeland security grants such as state and local governments.\n\n\"I am hopeful in the New Year we can build upon the bipartisan nature of this funding bill and continue to invest in hardworking Americans and our national security.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["https://vargas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-vargas-highlights-funding-for-programs-in-the-district-included-in-the-fy2016-omnibus", "Rep. Vargas Highlights Funding for Programs in the District Included in the FY2016 Omnibus", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Juan Vargas", "V000130", "vargas.house.gov", "vargas", "https://vargas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC (December 18, 2015) - Representative Juan Vargas (CA-51) voted in favor of the $1.15 trillion government spending bill voted on and approved by the House of Representatives today. Over 100 programs supported by Rep. Vargas were included in the bill. Rep. Vargas issued the following statement after voting on the Fiscal Year 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act:\n\n\"This bill is the result of long hours of hard work and compromise through a bipartisan effort. Although not everything I wanted to see funded was included in this spending bill, I was pleased to see that it tackles issues that go beyond party lines,\" said Rep. Vargas. \"The omnibus spending bill includes significant funding for programs that benefit our District.\"\n\nThe following is a list of some of the programs Rep. Vargas worked on with his colleagues in Congress to secure funding for the FY16 budget:\n\nDepartment of Defense's Operations and Maintenance, Navy: Funded at $39.6 million\n\nU.S. Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program: Funded at $10 million\n\nVeterans Treatment Courts: Funded at $6 million\n\nBureau of Reclamation's Salton Sea Research Project: Funded at $300,000\n\nAlfalfa and Forage Research: Funded at $2 million ($1 million less than the original request)\n\nLand and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF): Funded at $450 million\n\nHead Start: Funded at $9,168 billion\n\nNational Institutes of Health: Funded at $32 billion\n\nRefugee and Entrant Assistant Program: Funded at $1,674 billion\n\n\"The bill provides $32 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an incredible $2 billion above the enacted 2015 level. The funding will provide a general increase to all NIH Institutes and Centers, for the continuation of critical biomedical research that leads to the discovery of new cures. \"\n\nVargas represents California's 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California's entire US/Mexico border. Vargas was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and is currently serving his second term in Congress. He represented the 40th California State Senate District from 2010-2012, the 79th California State Assembly District from 2000 \u2013 2006 and served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 \u2013 2000.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-waters-supports-los-angeles-unified-school-district-s-0", "Congresswoman Waters Supports Los Angeles Unified School District\u2019s Decision to Close All Schools after Receiving Electronic Threat", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Maxine Waters", "W000187", "waters.house.gov", "waters", "https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking member of the Committee on Financial Services, released the following statement after the Los Angeles Unified School District closed 900 schools after receiving a threat via email on Tuesday.\n\nCongresswoman Waters' statement follows:\n\n\"I fully support the Los Angeles Unified School District's (LAUSD) decision to close all schools on Tuesday after receiving an electronic threat. After thorough investigation by officials, the electronic threat against LAUSD on was determined not to be credible.\n\n\"While it is unsettling and disturbing that someone would engage in a hoax of this nature and magnitude, I am grateful that the students and citizens of Los Angeles are safe, and I remain committed to ensuring that the more than 660,000 students in the District are protected and potential dangers are thwarted.\n\n\"Although the threat was ultimately determined not to be credible, I believe that LAUSD officials carefully considered the threat and took appropriate and timely actions in the best interest of thousands of students, teachers and staff.\n\n\"Therefore, I commend the efforts of the LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines, LAUSD Police Chief Steve Zipperman, LAUSD President Steve Zimmer and the other School Board members, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Council members, and Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck for working collaboratively to be proactive, intentional and deliberate.\n\n\"I also commend the cooperation of the entire Los Angeles community, including parents, students and businesses that were gracious in allowing flexible work hours to accommodate parents picking up their children. Safety is the main priority, and I am committed to working with LAUSD officials and other city leaders to evaluate emergency protocol and plans when these types of threats are issued.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["http://garamendi.house.gov/press-release/former-cal-bears-lineman-garamendi-cosponsors-sports-concussion-legislation", "Former Cal Bears Lineman Garamendi Cosponsors Sports Concussion Legislation", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "John Garamendi", "G000559", "garamendi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "DAVIS, CA - Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, Davis, Yuba City, CA), a former offensive and defensive lineman for the Cal Bears and NFL prospect before deciding to pursue a career in public service, is helping lead the fight in Congress to raise awareness about the need for improved safety in high school sports by cosponsoring H.R. 3986, the High School Football Safety Study Act of 2015.\nThe bill directs the Centers for Disease Control, in consultation with the Department of Education and the Presidents Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, to conduct a study on the causes of deaths in high school football and to develop recommendations to prevent death and serious injury in the future, including innovative ways of harnessing technology and data analytics to keep student-athletes healthy.\nHigh school and college sports helped keep me fit and taught me the importance of self-discipline and cooperation at an early age. Looking back on it, I also realize I was one of the lucky ones. Many people in my situation walked away with brain injuries that stuck with them for life, Congressman Garamendi said. I helped make high school football safer with state legislation in the 1970s, and were long overdue for science-driven reforms on the federal level too. The High School Football Safety Study Act is an important step forward to better protect many of our nations brightest and most driven student athletes from injuries that could hold them back or lead to death.\nIn 1976, Garamendi, then a state legislator, authored legislation to ensure that helmets worn by high school football players gave them better protection. Since then, there have been major advances in our understanding of concussion-related injuries. The forthcoming movie Concussion, starring Will Smith, centers around the pioneering research by Dr. Bennet Omalu about the prevalence of brain injuries in football.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://juliabrownley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/brownley-applauds-passage-of-bipartisan-tax-relief-for-working-families", "BROWNLEY APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF BIPARTISAN TAX RELIEF FOR WORKING FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Earlier today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) voted to support passage of the tax extenders package. The bipartisan legislation was approved in a vote of 318 to 109.\nI supported the tax extenders package because it includes important relief for working families and the middle-class, by improving the child and earned income tax credits, which are critical to keeping children out of poverty, stated Congresswoman Brownley. The legislation would also provide certainty for individuals and businesses to invest, create jobs, and further improve Ventura Countys economy. Im especially proud of the provisions I championed to make the research and development tax credit permanent while giving start-ups the ability to use the tax credit when they need it most.\nCongresswoman Brownley previously authored and championed the Innovation, Research, and Manufacturing Act (H.R. 1536), legislation to permanently extend the research and development tax credit and to permit start-ups to utilize the credit as a refundable credit. The legislation approved by the House today includes those provisions.\nThe House-approved tax measure also includes individual income tax provisions to improve and make permanent the child tax credit, the American Opportunity Credit, the earned income tax credit (EITC), the deduction for elementary and secondary school teachers, incentives for charitable giving, and the deduction of state and local taxes. The bill also extends certain business and energy tax credits.\n###\nJulia Brownley represents Californias 26th Congressional District, which includes most of Ventura County, and Westlake Village in Los Angeles County. She serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and as the Ranking Member on the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lowenthal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398709", "Congressman Lowenthal Denounces Arrest Of Human Rights Lawyer Nguyen Van Dai By Vietnamese Government", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Alan Lowenthal", "L000579", "lowenthal.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alan Lowenthal today issued the following statement on the arrest yesterday in Vietnam of human rights lawyer Nguyen Van Dai on charges of propaganda against the state: I am, along with the Vietnamese-American community and many in the international community, shocked and outraged about the arrest of Nguyen Van Dai for doing nothing more than standing up for freedom and human rights in his country.\nSadly this is just the latest example of the failed human rights record of the Hanoi government and casts a stark spotlight on the fact that cases of human rights abuse and repression are the government-sponsored norm in Vietnam, not the exception. \nToday, I have asked Secretary of State John Kerry to press the Vietnamese government to immediately release Dai and drop all charges against him. Moreover, I calling on the Vietnamese government to unequivocally put an end to attacks on human rights activists.\nWhen I visited Vietnam earlier this year as part of a congressional delegation, I had the pleasure of meeting Dai in person. It saddens me to think that Dai and other activists must live in fear for their own safety simply for exercising their most basic human rights--the freedom of speech, the freedom of assembly, and the freedom of religion.\nA stronger relationship with Vietnam would benefit our nation and the people of Vietnam. But the possibility of a stronger relationship remains soured by the government of Vietnams continuing record of attacks and abuses against the freedoms of its own people.To view the letter, please click here: /UploadedFiles/12-17-15-Lowenthal-letter-Dai-arrest.pdf", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/thompson-votes-against-unpaid-for-tax-package", "THOMPSON VOTES AGAINST UNPAID FOR TAX PACKAGE", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Thompson", "T000460", "mikethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today voted against H.R. 2029, legislation that extends or makes permanent numerous tax provisions but isnt paid for and would add upwards of $680 billion to the national debt. Those tax provisions made permanent include conservation easements, the research and development tax credit, Section 179 capital expensing for small businesses, and expanded versions of the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit and the American Opportunity Tax Credit for college expenses.\nThis bill contains a number of polices that I have long supported, and it even includes a conservation provision that Ive championed since coming to Congress, said Thompson. The fact that Im voting against todays bill, speaks volumes to just how fiscally reckless this legislation is. We should enact polices like conservation easements and the R&D Tax Credit. Theyre good for our country. But we cant do it by forcing our kids and grandkids to foot a nearly $700 billion bill.\nThe legislation passed the House by a vote of 318-109. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/transcript-of-pelosi-press-conference-today-94", "Transcript of Pelosi Press Conference Today", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George,202-226-7616\nWashington, D.C.  Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi held her weekly press conference today. Below is a transcript of the press conference. \nLeader Pelosi. Good afternoon. Since last we met here in this room, a great thing happened for the world and for the future. The world came together in Paris for a historic agreement to confront the climate crisis.\nThe success of the Paris climate summit is truly a monumental moment in the history of the world. Nearly 200 countries participated. Nearly 150 heads of state attended and participated personally there, adding to the seriousness of the discussion.\nI congratulate President Obama, Secretary Kerry, Secretary Moniz for their great leadership and others, and their negotiators, Brian Deese and others, in the negotiations. They really were essential in securing a solid, bold, global commitment to act on climate.\nAs you know, His Holiness spoke about this to the Congress when he was here. Pope Francis wrote his encyclical, \"Laudato Si,\" about protecting the environment. I feel particularly close to that because \"Laudato Si\"  he is praising St. Francis, who was one of the earliest environmentalists, and he is our patron saint in the city of San Francisco.\nIt just comes down to only the Republicans in the Congress of the United States continue to cling to their denial on the subject. Before all of you were born, there was a play called \"Stop the World  I Want to Get Off.\" And I think that could be their slogan.\nAs you know, today the House will vote on a permanent, unpaidfor Republican tax extender bill that will give hundreds of billions of dollars to special interests at the expense of hard-working Americans. My problem with most of it is that it is unpaid for.\nMany of the initiatives in the bill have Democratic origins  issues that relate to the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, American Opportunity Act for education. 179, an initiative to help small businesses, came from us. The issue of R&D tax credit is something we have all worked on. Coming from the Bay Area, of course, the R&D tax credits have been important to us, and we have always talked about modernizing them and making them permanent.\nBut the issue of having all of that unpaid for, in my view, is unconscionable. And I say that because we have a responsibility not just in terms of the provisions of a particular bill but how it affects our responsibilities to be architects of our children's futures. The idea that this future is built on the quicksand of tax breaks, making the deficit even larger, in the out years, threatening the stability of Social Security, is just plain wrong.\nBut it fits comfortably in a plan that they have had since President Bush became President  tax cuts for the wealthy; let it trickle down, if it will. This now deepens the deficit. At some point, they will have to borrow more from the Social Security Trust Fund, undermining that. Certainly it is an obstacle to having comprehensive revenue reform, how we have tax reform to lower the corporate rate, to promote growth, and to keep America number one. It also dampens the opportunities we have to invest in discretionary investments in our children's education and their future.\nIt's just plain wrong, and I intend to vote \"no.\"\nI did speak on the floor at  but nobody said it better than the House Progressive Caucus. Perhaps you read their letter, but in case you didn't, I will just read you this paragraph.\n\"We are concerned that the current agreement is weighted too heavily toward corporate America, furthers the longterm Republican goal of creating separate fiscal responsibility standards for tax cuts and investments, and will open the door to further attacks on discretionary investment and our social safety net programs.\"\nNow, what is really important here is  again, many of these initiatives are of our own invention, and some of them we want to be made permanent, but the unpaid for, it just is a Trojan Horse. And they are using it to put stuff on there for benefits to corporations that shift jobs overseas. \nIt's appalling, and I will not  it does not have fiscal soundness. It does not have growth in the way that we need so that many more Americans can participate in the prosperity of our country. And it does not have my support.\nAs you know, we have the Omnibus tomorrow. Hopefully, then we can go home. But we shall see.\nMany of our Democrats still have some concerns about what is in the Omnibus and what isn't in the Omnibus, and particularly what isn't, and that is what we wanted of the opportunity for Puerto Rico to do restructuring, to declare bankruptcy.\nIt doesn't cost the American people one single penny, not one thin dime. What are some of the others? Not one red cent? Whatever it is, it doesn't cost us any of that. But, instead, they resisted putting it in the bill.\nNow, I am encouraged that the Speaker has said that we will come together after the first of the year and by March31, 2016, we will have resolved this issue. And we certainly will look forward to working together to accomplish that. He wants it to go through the regular order, through the committee. I think we have done enough research; we know what the problem is. There have been hearings, there have been meetings, all the rest. We can just get moving on it, starting now.\nBut, again, the fact that it is not in the bill  again, not costing anything  and the fact that it didn't go through committee. I understand that concern the Speaker has, but there are other things in the bill that didn't go through committee either. \nAnd then we have concerns about oil and lifting the ban on crude oil being exported. That was probably the biggest obstacle I have to overcome to support what is before us today and tomorrow.\nThis exporting of oil is the timing of it is so incredible, that right when the rest of the world is saying we are going to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, we are going to reduce emissions, we are taking an action that is going to increase emissions. Certainly, what else is in the bill offsets some of the emissions that Big Oil is putting out there.\nAnd you know what it is. I mean, the price of oil on the world market. The Brent [crude] oil price is higher than the West Texas price here. So they want to leave the  instead of selling the oil here and helping to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and have it refined in our refineries in here, with goodpaying jobs for American workers, they are taking the oil off to sea, and our jobs with it, leaving us the price tag of billions of dollars to pay to mitigate for the damage they have done to American refineries here, especially the small ones, the ones that meet the needs of independent companies.\nSo that was my big torment. Some of you that I ran into, I said, \"I just don't know.\" But the fact that the Republicans wanted Big Oil so desperately really argues for voting for the bill, because they were willing to concede so much. This was their raison d'etre. \"We are here to export crude oil at the expense of American jobs, and so we're willing to give up so much.\"\nSo we are pleased that the legislation is rid of its poisonpill riders, that what is in the bill is positivein terms of  well, let's talk about what they didn't  it eliminated riders to dismantle women's health. They tried to eliminate the clean power plant. They tried to weaken DoddFrank and our oversight of Wall Street. They tried to sabotage campaign finance reform, and they failed on that, what they call, Colorado 2 resolution. And they, of course, had to take out their provisions to destroy ACA. \nWe blocked 10 riders in the bill that would have seriously hurt organized labor in our country. Really stunning how they have targeted, whether it's women's health and Planned Parenthood, the environment, workers' rights to organize. It's a plan.\nBut I am pleased that at last we are renewing the 9/11 health and compensation bill. I was proud to pass it when I was Speaker, over their objections, and now they have come around.\nBut think of it: They are giving over $600 billion in unpaidfor tax cuts, many of them to corporate America, unpaid for, while we had to offset the cost of 9/11, of our first responders. Really, emergency spending? Wouldn't you think 9/11 was an emergency? And we do not usually have to offset emergency spending.\nBut I am so glad that that is in the bill. And it is really an obligation we have to our first responders, and I hope that it brightens their holiday season.\nAny questions?\nChad? Where is Chad? He is not here. If he is not here the Warriors won.\n***\nQ: Leader Pelosi, if history is any indication  Boehner was only able to get 80 Republican votes for this type of legislation, Ryan obviously thinks he can get 100 and wants that. But this largely falls on the backs of House Democrats  many who Ive spoken to have real concern on this bill. Are you confident that you can provide the votes necessary to get this over the finish line?\nLeader Pelosi. No. Were talking it through. There was concern about how this all came together. We never really met. It was done at the staff level and thank God for our magnificent staff. Im particularly proud of Richard Meltzer of our staff who especially on this Omnibus side of it. But no, I dont. Members are reviewing it. There are people who have very serious concerns about what this does to working families in this country, what it does to our investments for the future. And we are showing them in the bill the good work that was done in a bipartisan way, subcommittee by subcommittee. And the fact that we had such a victory  actually a bipartisan victory on the budget bill enabled us to have tens of billions of dollars more in there for our investments.\nSo, theres many good things that appropriators negotiated in a bipartisan way that are in the bill. People have concerns about the export  see, before the export of oil came along, we were on a path. And that ingredient was very harmful. I mean ingredient, that assault on the discussions was a real assault. But on the other hand, it enabled us to get many more things. Is it worth it? And thats what some Members who are particularly concerned about the climate issue and the environment and health issues that are related to air pollution are studying right now. And well be continuing those conversations this afternoon.\nI feel that what we did in the bill more than ten times offsets the damage that exporting crude oil does. And again, there are some other issues that Members  I think when they see the bill theyll have a better understanding, but they still may decide they dont want to be a party to something that enables the export of oil or the tax breaks for corporate America that are unpaid for and permanent. Again, we can debate each of them and their merits even to make them permanent, but unpaid for: unconscionable.\nQ: But just to clarify: I mean your whip counting operation is unparalleled here. You never lose. Are you whipping this? \nLeader Pelosi. Its up to them to have the votes. They have the majority. They have the majority. They have the legislation. We have some serious objections which we have made well known all along. So, well see. Well see. I cant really say right now because our Members are studying the issue. And I said from the start, as I said on all the things: review it and then tell me what you think.\nQ: Leader Pelosi, what needs to happen? You say youre in talks right now. Do you have a counter proposal? What needs to happen for you to\nLeader Pelosi. Theres no counter proposal. The counter proposal is a CR.\nQ: What needs to happen to give you confidence that there will be enough Dems\nLeader Pelosi. Well, I dont know. What do we need? How many do they have? This is deadly serious. This is deadly serious. And they knew full well when they injected oil into the debate that this was a disruptor of a serious magnitude. But it wouldnt have cost them a penny for them to do Puerto Rico. So that  youre saying those two issues. No. That aggravates all of the other concerns that they have of things that are not in the bill. But its a compromise. And I say: vote for whats in it rather than what you didnt get into it but also recognize what we kept out of it.\nSo again, I have told them how I came down on this because I was really  you know, the first stage was anger, oil. Now we go to: what are the next stages of all of this? Now lets get more information and well see.\nAnd I respect the thoughtfulness with which Members are bringing to the process. I share their values. I know what their concerns are but I do want them to know the good work that our appropriators under the leadership of Nita Lowey did on this and appreciate that and well see where they come down. But youre asking me how many will they have, will we have enough? What do they have? What do they have  they who go the big bonanza of increasing emissions, sending jobs overseas and getting more profits for Big Oil at the expense of American workers and costing the taxpayer probably eight billion dollars to mitigate for the damage theyve done to the local refineries.\nYes, sir?\nQ: Madam Leader, you cited both the R&D tax credit and the small businesses accelerated depreciation as ideas that your party come up with. \nLeader Pelosi. No, that weve shared in a bipartisan way. 179, yes. R&D has been bipartisan.\nQ: Would you make them permanent and how would you pay for it? Those are the two biggest expenses.\nLeader Pelosi. Right. And well, the fact is: is that the other objection here is what you need to do is to have comprehensive revenue reform, tax reform so that you can see. All along when we were doing the budget with Speaker Boehner he said: before I can give you a top line on what the budget is I want to see what the outlays are  the offsets are.\nSo with this, you have a comprehensive tax reform, you see what revenue you need. You lower the corporate rate. You, perhaps, repatriate but with some commitment in job creation. And you try to increase your opportunities in terms of investments. But you dont say: we all agree in modernizing and making R&D permanent; therefore, were going to spend $100 billion to enable businesses to send jobs overseas in the same package. No, thats why I call it a Trojan Horse. But thats something you sit down and you discuss them: what is the duration and what is the nature of it? What is the modernization of it? So that it truly is creating growth which brings more revenue into the Treasury. And nothing brings more money into the Treasury than education of the American people: early childhood, K through 12, higher ed, post-grad, lifetime learning for our workers.\nSo, lets put these things together. And when we did our Innovation Agenda, starting almost 10 years ago  modernizing and making R&D permanent  it was one of our key elements. Also, heavily investing in K through 12 was of the same value there. So lets have a weighing of equites. But, not one instead of the other. And I heard one of my colleagues say: Well, in our area, we have more R&D. No. In our area is where most of it started, so we know R&D. And thats why I support modernizing and making it permanent  but not at the expense, not in the way that theyre doing it, and not using it as a hook to drag out all the kinds of dogs and cats that they want to bring out that will not necessarily be stimulative to the economy, but just for the benefit of the special interests. Yes, maam?\nQ: Madam Leader, are you definitely going to vote for the Omnibus?\nLeader Pelosi. Yes, I am.\nQ: You are?\nLeader Pelosi. Yes.\nQ: I just wanted to be clear about that. \nLeader Pelosi. In other words  I think I told you once, the Dalai Lama, when I was criticizing China for its human rights violations in China and Tibet, he said: Weve got to rid you of your negative attitude. And Im like: Wait a minute, I thought I was speaking for you. So Ive tried to rid myself of my negative attitude on the Big Oil so that it did not prevent me from recognizing what else is in the bill.\nQ: But just to follow up, it doesnt sound like you are going to  Im not sure youre pushing your Members very hard to vote for it.\nLeader Pelosi. Well you dont know that, do you now?\n[Laughter]\nQ: Well, are you?\nLeader Pelosi. I want to tell you something, because perhaps you dont know this about our Members: we build consensus. Its not about pushing. You know, sometimes you say: Oh, are you going to let them vote their conscience? They always vote their conscience. We just want to make sure they have all the information that they need to make the judgment that is consistent with their view of the Constitution, their representation of their constituents and their conscience. We call it the Three Cs. The Caucus  the fourth  is the least; it isnt even a factor. But we do want to build, again, another C, consensus here, and thats what we do. And thats how we stay unified. We dont stay unified because we herd them. We stay unified because we have shared values, and how they see those values in this, weighing the equity.\nAs I say, I have my own problem with it, because of what I knew  the exportation of oil. The other thing about oil that I want to tell you, just for this moment: the reason it is also harmful is the difference between the Brent Oil Price and the West Texas Oil Price  you know, the price of oil in the U.S. and the price of oil in the world market  was always kind of the same, until fracking. And then theres a disparity now. Its about three dollars a barrel, but it was 20 at one point. So this encourages them to do more fracking and all of that in order to get more oil to ship overseas. And this is why we have serious numbers as to how it would add to emissions. So it has almost nothing going for it, except its what the Republicans want. And I want to show my colleagues what they were willing to yield, and then well see where they come down. But you dont understand our Caucus if you dont know that its about our shared values, and a respectful debate, and then we see where we come. Okay, well, what are we going to do here? I have time for, like, one question.\nQ: Well, the White House, as you know, also supports this package  maybe grudgingly. But its not just Republicans. So wouldnt you be opening a rift or doing a disservice to the President if you cant get this over the finish line tomorrow?\nLeader Pelosi. I dont know  who opens the rift? Our Members are going to do what our Members are going to do. And Im respectful of other peoples views, of course. But this  theyre separate votes; Members see them as: We vote for the Omnibus, were enabling them to do the other side of it. You know theyre going to do that anyway. Because, tax breaks for special interests? Make my day, say the Republican. Theyll vote for those in droves, regardless of what it does to the deficit. Where did all the deficit hawks go? Probably part of the endangered species. I dont know.\nBut in any case, were going to do what we do. You know, everybody does what they do. We have a very different caucus. Our Caucus is magnificently diverse  over 50 percent of it is women, minorities and LGBT-community people. Were very close to our constituents, and we represent them. Our job title and our responsibilities are the same: representative. So they have a little bit of a different perspective than maybe those in the Senate. Although weve worked very closely with them and are respectful of our colleagues in the Senate and the White House, we may have a different view on this.\nQ: Are you holding out for some\nLeader Pelosi. Were not holding out. We have serious unease in our Caucus. I dont think the Speakers going to reopen the bill. Hes made that pretty clear. But I think that its really important that the commitment on Puerto Rico be very, very  well, be followed up with right away. But again thats where it is. And theres no shortcut here. People have to go through it all, and well see where they come down, and well see what the Republicans come up with. In the meantime, well be talking about Big Oil versus what we did for renewables, which is quite remarkable in the package. Well be viewing what the investments were that the appropriators were able to do in a bipartisan way. And I feel sorry for the appropriators, because they did such good work, on top of the work that was done on the budget before, to bring us to a place where we had gotten rid of sequestration for this two year period, and had more opportunity for investments in our future. So that was good. And then, again, along came Big Oil. So, thank you all very much.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://scottpeters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-peters-helps-pass-tax-cuts-for-hardworking-students-and-families", "Rep. Peters Helps Pass Tax Cuts for Hardworking Students and Families", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Scott Peters", "P000608", "scottpeters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) voted in favor of a large tax policy package that reduces the tax burden of tens of millions of Americans. The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 makes permanent a number of credits that lower Federal Income Tax bills for working families, including the Child Tax Credit, the American Opportunity Tax Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit.\nIncreasing opportunity for hardworking Americans means making it easier for them to provide for their families, pay off their mortgages, and afford college for their children. Rep. Peters said. Federal Income Taxes should not be a barrier to families working hard toward the American dream, and this bipartisan legislation will keep thousands of dollars in the pockets of parents, students, and working people. \nThe Child Tax Credit allows families to save $1,000 on their Federal Income Taxes for every dependent they claim. The American Opportunity Tax Credit credits students up to $2,500 on their taxes for tuition and college-related expenses. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) reduces the tax burden for working and middle class Americans, and is adjusted based on income and number of dependents. In 2012, 3.2 million Californians claimed an average of $2,271 in returns via the EITC.\nRep. Peters continued by highlighting provisions that benefit San Diegos innovation and research economy, including a permanent extension of the Research and Development Tax Credit, and a delay of the implementation of the medical device tax.\nFor research and development, we have had the worst of both worlds  we would give a last minute extension whenever it was about to expire, but we never extended the incentive far enough in advance to actually spur investment. Now, with the credit made permanent, innovators know they can rely on this tax incentive to invest in their ideas, Peters said, adding, Since coming to Congress, I was in repeated contact with both the White House and Congressional leadership to make clear the importance of repealing the medical device tax. We should be making it easier for entrepreneurs to start their ventures and create jobs, but the medical device tax has penalized innovators in the San Diego region and the over 11,000 workers they support. This two-year delay is an important victory for San Diegos innovation economy, and I will continue to work to permanently repeal the medical device tax. \nBetween San Diego, Imperial, Orange, and Riverside Counties there are nearly 250 medical device companies directly employing 11,100 workers, according to BIOCOM. The medical device industry supports nearly $10 billion in economic activity each year in the region and 48,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs.\nAdvaMed appreciates the tireless efforts of Rep. Peters and his staff since his election to Congress to address the medical device tax. Working with research advocates, patient groups, medical technology companies and others, a broad bipartisan legislative effort to suspend the tax has finally come to fruition. Suspending this tax is a win for medical progress and continued research and development, said JC Scott, senior executive vice president, AdvaMed.\nCongressman Peters concluded, This legislation is not perfect, and it once again highlights the pressing need for comprehensive tax and budget reform. However, todays vote will give families and businesses certainty for next year as we continue to work to grow the economy and create jobs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://speier.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1815:congresswoman-speier-s-statement-on-the-pentagon-s-decision-to-select-a-single-variant-of-the-littoral-combat-ship-lcs-and-reduce-the-number-purchased&catid=20&Itemid=14", "Congresswoman Speiers Statement on the Pentagons Decision to Select a Single Variant of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Reduce the Number Purchased", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jackie Speier", "S001175", "speier.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "About Jackie \nJackie Speier (pronounced SPEAR)  \n\trepresents Californias 14th Congressional  \n\tDistrict, which stretches from the southern  \n\tportion of San Francisco through San Mateo  \n\tCounty to East Palo Alto. She is a recognized  \n\tchampion of womens rights, privacy, and  \n\tconsumer safetyas well as an avowed  \n\topponent of government inefficiency and  \n\twaste. In 2012, she was named to  \n\tNewsweeks list of 150 \"Fearless  \n\tWomen\" in the world.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://speier.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1815:congresswoman-speier-s-statement-on-the-pentagon-s-decision-to-select-a-single-variant-of-the-littoral-combat-ship-lcs-and-reduce-the-number-purchased&catid=20&Itemid=7", "Congresswoman Speiers Statement on the Pentagons Decision to Select a Single Variant of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Reduce the Number Purchased", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jackie Speier", "S001175", "speier.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "About Jackie \nJackie Speier (pronounced SPEAR)  \n\trepresents California\u2019s 14th Congressional  \n\tDistrict, which stretches from the southern  \n\tportion of San Francisco through San Mateo  \n\tCounty to East Palo Alto. She is a recognized  \n\tchampion of women\u2019s rights, privacy, and  \n\tconsumer safety\u2014as well as an avowed  \n\topponent of government inefficiency and  \n\twaste. In 2012, she was named to  \n\tNewsweek\u2019s list of 150 \"Fearless  \n\tWomen\" in the world.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=9DEE19DE-AAF8-4972-B7EA-FE07245BB94A", "Chiefs of Police Support Bill to Prevent Terrorists from Buying Weapons", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today announced leading chiefs of police from across the country support legislation to prevent known or suspected terrorists from buying firearms or explosives.\r\nUnder current law, there are nine categories of prohibited purchasers under the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Feinsteins legislation would add a 10th: those determined by the attorney general to be known or suspected terrorists who may use a weapon in connection with terrorism.\r\nLocal law enforcement officers are the first to respond in the event of a terrorist attack. In fact, law enforcement and military personnel are often targeted by terrorist suspects. Law enforcement personnel know full well the dire threat posed by known and suspected terrorists with easy access to weapons, said Senator Feinstein. The fact that we cannot stop individuals on terrorist watch lists from purchasing guns and explosives in the United States makes it harder for our countrys law enforcement officers to do their jobs to keep us safe.\r\nChiefs of police in support of the bill include:\r\n \r\nWilliam Bratton, New York Police Department\r\nCharlie Beck, Los Angeles Police Department\r\nCathy Lanier, Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia\r\nCharles Ramsey, Philadelphia Police Department\r\nGreg Suhr, San Francisco Police Department\r\nShelley Zimmerman, San Diego Police Department\r\nArt Acevedo, Austin Police Department\r\nRay Kelly, former commissioner, New York Police Department\r\nEd Davis, former commissioner, Boston Police Department\r\n \r\nChief Bratton: The purpose of the police is to prevent crime and disorder, and, in todays world, terrorism. As Police Commissioner of the City of New York, a place terrorists have struck before and a place they wish to strike again, I and the New York City Police Department do everything in our power to keep the cityand, by extension, the nationsafe. New York Citys residents, workers, and visitors deserve no less. It is my fervent belief, however, that public safety is a shared responsibility. Accordingly, I urge that Congress approve the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act.\r\nChief Beck: I fully support the Senate's efforts to keep firearms and explosives out of the hands of terrorists. Recent events in Paris and San Bernardino, California, underscore the importance of this critical legislation.\r\nCommissioner Ramsey: I stand with law enforcement officials in support of this legislation to bar purchase of guns by terrorists. This is a critical step to close a dangerous loophole in the current federal system. We are grateful to Senator Feinstein for her leadership on this issue.\r\nChief Suhr: This needed legislation corrects a flaw in the current background check system. We must do everything to stop terrorists from buying guns and we commend Senator Feinstein for her efforts to get this bill passed.\r\nChief Zimmerman: I strongly support this long overdue legislation to deny firearms to potential terrorists. The purpose of the current system is to stop guns from getting into the wrong hands and Senator Feinstein should be commended for this needed measure.\r\nChief Acevedo: The current federal system to check backgrounds must be strengthened and this measure is an important step to close a loophole which allows terrorists to buy guns. We must support this legislation and get it passed to stop guns from getting into the wrong hands.\r\nFormer Commissioner Kelly: Recent terror attacks in Paris, Mali, Beirut and the Sinai remind us that we need to remain vigilant. While an armed terror attack on American soil is a very real concern, legal loopholes exist that allow individuals on our terror watch list to purchase weapons and munitions. We need to close the terror gap and help law enforcement prevent terrorists from accessing firearms. It is common sense to close those loopholes and help secure and protect our country. I strongly support the critical legislation sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Peter King prohibiting those on our do not fly terror watch lists from purchasing firearms and explosives.\r\nFormer Commissioner Davis: I strongly support the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act. It is a well-reasoned, common sense approach to a critical, global issue we face as a nation every day. The legislation provides an important tool in our efforts to defeat terrorism by permitting the Attorney General to deny transfer of firearms to the issuance of firearms and explosives licenses to known or suspected dangerous terrorists.\r\nThe Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act would:\r\n \r\nAllow the attorney general to deny the purchase or transfer of a firearm or explosive to a known or suspected terrorist if the prospective recipient may use the firearm or explosive in connection with terrorism.\r\nMaintain protections in current law that allow a person who believes he has been mistakenly prevented from buying a firearm to learn of the reason for the denial, and then to challenge the denial, first administratively with the Department of Justice, and then through a lawsuit against the Justice Department.\r\nAllow the Justice Department, in any administrative or court proceeding challenging the accuracy of a denied firearm or explosive transfer under the bill, to protect information that, if disclosed, would compromise national security.\r\n \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-votes-support-valley-families-and-businesses", "Costa Votes to Support Valley Families and Businesses", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jim Costa", "C001059", "costa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC Today, Representative Jim Costa (CA-16) voted in support of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015. This legislation includes tax credits for working families, businesses, and research and development.\nMany of the tax extenders that passed today in the House will directly benefit individuals, businesses, and communities in the San Joaquin Valley, said Rep. Costa. Furthermore, the tax credits for research and development will help the United States continue as the global leader in research advancements, and that is vital for moving this country forward. \nCosta continued saying, Getting a comprehensive tax reform bill passed and signed into law is what this country needs, but the unfortunate reality of today is that the political differences in this Congress are too strong for real tax reform. It is my hope that the legislation passed today is a first step in Congress coming together to craft a robust tax reform package that will allow our economy to grow and provide more certainty for families and businesses in the Valley. \nThe Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 makes about 50 tax provisions permanent, including:\n The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which benefits low- and middle-income working families.\n\tThe American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) helps individuals pay down college debt.\n\tThe Small Business Expensing credit allows for small businesses that have less than $2 million in assets to expense as much as $500,000 in property.\n\tAnd the R&D Credit benefits a broad range of industries, including defense, health care, and technology.\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-applauds-passage-of-bipartisan-tax-relief-for-working-families/", "Brownley Applauds Passage of Bipartisan Tax Relief for Working Families and Businesses", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", "juliabrownley", "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Earlier today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) voted to support passage of the tax extenders package. The bipartisan legislation was approved in a vote of 318 to 109.\n\n\u201cI supported the tax extenders package because it includes important relief for working families and the middle-class, by improving the child and earned income tax credits, which are critical to keeping children out of poverty,\u201d stated Congresswoman Brownley. \u201cThe legislation would also provide certainty for individuals and businesses to invest, create jobs, and further improve Ventura County\u2019s economy. I\u2019m especially proud of the provisions I championed to make the research and development tax credit permanent while giving start-ups the ability to use the tax credit when they need it most.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Brownley previously authored and championed the Innovation, Research, and Manufacturing Act (H.R. 1536), legislation to permanently extend the research and development tax credit and to permit start-ups to utilize the credit as a refundable credit. The legislation approved by the House today includes those provisions.\n\nThe House-approved tax measure also includes individual income tax provisions to improve and make permanent the child tax credit, the American Opportunity Credit, the earned income tax credit (EITC), the deduction for elementary and secondary school teachers, incentives for charitable giving, and the deduction of state and local taxes. The bill also extends certain business and energy tax credits.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-announces-27m-federal-grant-to-support-job-training-and-affordable-housing", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces $2.7M Federal Grant to Support Job Training and Affordable Housing", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.15\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces $2.7M Federal Grant to Support Job Training and Affordable Housing \n\t\t\tOakland, CA  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee announced that the Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) was awarded a $2.7 million Job Plus grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide employment and educational opportunities that improves the quality of life for West Oakland's public housing residents.\r\nI am pleased that the Oakland Housing Authority has been selected to receive this highly competitive funding and I am proud to have supported their grant application, said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Federal investments, such as this one, are critical to decreasing Oakland's unemployment rates and helping families build pathways out of poverty.\r\nThe Jobs Plus Pilot grant program was created to develop locally-based, job-driven approaches to increase earnings and advance employment outcomes through work readiness, employer linkages, job placement, educational advancement technology skills and financial literacy for residents of public housing.\r\nWith this funding, the Oakland Housing Authority will implement West Oakland Works (WOW), a place-based program targeting unemployed and underemployed West Oakland public housing residents.\r\nIn partnership with the Private Industry Council, OHA designed Skilled Training Employment Pathways (STEP) academies to provide job readiness training, wrap around services and certifications and skills-development options through partnerships with the Peralta Community College system.\r\nLinking public housing residents to these critical workforce services empowers them to take control of their lives and prepares them to succeed along with the rest of the East Bay, said Congresswoman Lee. I am pleased to know this great work is happening in our community and I will continue working to bring federal resources back to the East Bay to support this and other vital programs.\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. \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"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/rep-lee-celebrates-one-year-of-renewed-relations-with-cuba", "Rep. Lee Celebrates One Year of Renewed Relations with Cuba", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.15\n\t\t\t Rep. Lee Celebrates One Year of Renewed Relations with Cuba \n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, a member of the bipartisan Congressional Cuba Working Group's Steering Committee, released this statement marking the first anniversary of President Obama's historic announcement of renewed relations between the U.S. and Cuba:\r\nOne year ago, I joined many of my colleagues and the vast majority of the American people in applauding President Obama's bold action to end more than five decades of failed policy toward Cuba.\r\nThe President's announcement was a historic step and renewed relations between our two nations have and will continue to benefit both the Cuban and American people.\r\nOver the past year, we have made significant progress toward fully normalizing relations between the U.S. and Cuba with expanded travel, technology transfers and formalized relations. Earlier this year, I was honored to attend the re-opening of the Cuban Embassy in Washington D.C. and the re-opening of the American Embassy in Havana. By re-establishing formal relations, our countries have laid the groundwork to continue addressing areas of shared interest.\r\nThese rapid changes have been remarkable but more work remains and Congress must join these efforts.\r\nIt's past time for Congress to stop clinging to more than fifty years of failed policy and instead help chart a new path for relations between our two nations. Yesterday, I joined eleven of my colleagues in launching the bipartisan Cuba Working Group and I look forward to working with my colleagues to repeal the failed embargo, lift the travel ban and modernize our relations with Cuba.\r\nAs we mark the anniversary of President Obama's historic announcement, let us recommit to once and for all ending more than five decades of failed policy toward Cuba.\r\nBACKGROUND\r\nCongresswoman Lee has been working on U.S.-Cuba policy since 1977 and has traveled to the island more than 20 times, leading several Congressional delegations. Congresswoman Lee is proudly co-sponsoring the bipartisan Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act (H.R. 664) to lift the travel ban and the Free Trade with Cuba Act (H.R. 403) to end the embargo. Learn more about the Congresswoman's work by reading her nationally syndicated OpEd.\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. \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"], ["https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-lieu-tim-robbins-take-part-white-house-event-arts-innovation", "CONGRESSMAN LIEU & TIM ROBBINS TO TAKE PART IN WHITE HOUSE EVENT ON ARTS, INNOVATION & PRISON REFORM", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ted Lieu", "L000582", "lieu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\nWASHINGTON - Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County)has issued the following statement in advance of todays White House event: Arts & Innovation - Prison Reform & Reentry in the 21st Century. The event will be a unique opportunity to discuss innovative ways to transform the prison experience, criminal justice system, and the reentry process through arts-based initiatives. The event will focus on implementing creative programs in prisons across the country that create meaningful experiences and reduce rates of recidivism. The event will feature actor, director and advocate Tim Robbins, a tireless champion for the arts and prison reform.\nThis past September, Congressman Lieu, along with 19 fellow House Democrats, sent a letter to the Bureau of Prisons encouraging that they expand arts education and engagement in their prisons.\nI am very excited to join with actor Tim Robbins and the Actors Gang to take part in the White Houses event on Arts & Innovation: Prison Reform & Reentry in the 21st Century. Americas criminal justice system is at a critical juncture with over 2.2 million adults incarcerated in our prison system. Arts education in prisons has a history of proven success.Data shows that arts education in prison can result in improved behavior among inmates, fewer disciplinary actions, cost savings, and reduced recidivism.Despite these impressive results, there are too few of these programs in our prison system. I hope that as Congress looks at criminal justice reform, arts education will remain a fundamental part of the conversation.\nMr. Tim Robbins, Founder of the Actors Gang and Academy Award honored actor and director, also made comment.\nWe at the Actors Gang are grateful for Congressman Ted Lieus continued support and look forward to seeing him at our Arts and Innovation event at the White House. Ted has been to see our work at the California Institute for Women and understands firsthand the transformative effect the arts can have in rehabilitation. I look forward to working with Ted to expand the availability of arts programs in correctional institutions and also, importantly and preemptively, within the California public school system.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lieu-calls-dhs-reverse-policy-not-reviewing-social-media-foreigner-0", "REP. LIEU CALLS ON DHS TO REVERSE POLICY OF NOT REVIEWING SOCIAL MEDIA OF FOREIGNERS AND TO APOLOGIZE FOR MISLEADING CONGRESS", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ted Lieu", "L000582", "lieu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\nWASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) issued the following statement in light of todays House Oversight Committee hearing on vetting terrorist travel for national security concerns.\nAs a Member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, I find it outrageous that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rejected a secret policy to review social media of foreigners seeking entry to the US through the visa program. Based on an USCIS memo recently released by MSNBC and reporting by multiple media organizations, I am deeply troubled that US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Leon Rodriguez apparently misled the Committee today during his testimony when he repeatedly denied any such secret policy.\nI am proud to be an American because being a citizen of the greatest country in the world comes with it many benefits, including the critical fact that the US Constitution applies to US citizens. But the US Constitution does not apply to a foreign national seeking entry to the US.\nYet DHS apparently believes foreign nationals seeking entry to the United States have more rights than US citizens when it comes to social media. In America, if a US citizen applies for a job in the private or public sector, their social media postings can certainly be reviewed. The federal government also apparently reviews social media as a factor in determining whether persons, including US citizens, should be placed on the Terrorist Watch List. \nIn a perversion of the US Constitution, DHS apparently believes foreigners seeking entry to the US have some sort of reasonable expectation of privacy under the Constitution. They do not have those rights. This is an urgent matter of national security and the DHS' current policy makes no sense.\nDHS needs to have a department-wide policy of reviewing social media of foreign nationals seeking a visa, and they need to change their policy NOW. DHS also needs to apologize for the misleading testimony they gave under oath today to the Oversight Committee.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lofgren.house.gov/media/press-releases/lofgren-and-franks-introduce-bipartisan-wireless-tax-fairness-act", "Lofgren and Franks Introduce Bipartisan Wireless Tax Fairness Act", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Zoe Lofgren", "L000397", "lofgren.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Today, U.S. Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) introduced the Wireless Tax Fairness Act, a bipartisan, consumer-friendly bill to place a 5-year moratorium on new taxes and fees for wireless services.\nOn average, wireless customers pay nearly 18% in taxes and fees, largely imposed on state and municipal levels. These wireless taxes effect a growing number of consumers and fall disproportionately on younger, lower-income, and working Americans who tend to rely more exclusively on wireless devices for telephone and Internet access and therefore pay a greater percentage of their income in wireless taxes. With wireless broadband access rapidly becoming a key platform for innovation, the Wireless Tax Fairness Act will help foster greater access and investment in this key market by halting discriminatory and increasingly onerous tax treatment.\n\"Wireless connectivity is one of the simplest and easiest routes to the Internet, but rather than encouraging wireless growth, we've burdened it with taxes,\" said Lofgren. \"It's time to hit the pause button on any further discriminatory taxes. This will help boost job growth and innovation, and allow customers to choose wireless services based on merit and need.\"\n\"Access to wireless networks represents a key component of millions of Americans' livelihoods, providing the efficient communications capabilities -- whether phone, broadband internet, or otherwise -- necessary to run a successful business,\" said Franks. \"Exorbitant taxes on wireless customers are discriminatory, adding costly impediments to the success of so many American businesses and affecting low-income and senior Americans who frequently rely on wireless service as their sole means of telephone and internet access.\"\nThe nearly 18% in taxes and fees wireless customers pay today is more than twice the 7.5% average rate on goods and services. In many localities, this cumulative tax burden is even higher. For example, the wireless tax rates are as high as:\n 36% in Chicago\n\t29.9% in Baltimore\n\t26% in Omaha\n\t22.4% in Tallahassee\n\t26.9% in New York City\n TheWireless Tax Fairness Actwould impose a temporary, five-year freeze on new taxes levied solely on wireless services. The legislation does not reduce or remove any existing revenue from state or local governments, it simply pauses taxes and fees at the current rate. It does not prohibit additional taxes on wireless access provided that the same tax rate is applied to other goods and services.\nThe legislation was introduced with 49 bipartisan cosponsors. Similar legislation introduced in previous Congresses has enjoyed support from a majority of House members, and was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in November, 2011.\nFull bill text of the Wireless Tax Fairness Act can be found here.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lofgren.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398041", "Lofgren and Franks Introduce Bipartisan Wireless Tax Fairness Act", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Zoe Lofgren", "L000397", "lofgren.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Today, U.S. Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) introduced the Wireless Tax Fairness Act, a bipartisan, consumer-friendly bill to place a 5-year moratorium on new taxes and fees for wireless services.\r\nOn average, wireless customers pay nearly 18% in taxes and fees, largely imposed on state and municipal levels. These wireless taxes effect a growing number of consumers and fall disproportionately on younger, lower-income, and working Americans who tend to rely more exclusively on wireless devices for telephone and Internet access and therefore pay a greater percentage of their income in wireless taxes. With wireless broadband access rapidly becoming a key platform for innovation, the Wireless Tax Fairness Act will help foster greater access and investment in this key market by halting discriminatory and increasingly onerous tax treatment.\r\n\"Wireless connectivity is one of the simplest and easiest routes to the Internet, but rather than encouraging wireless growth, we've burdened it with taxes,\" said Lofgren. \"Its time to hit the pause button on any further discriminatory taxes. This will help boost job growth and innovation, and allow customers to choose wireless services based on merit and need.\"\r\n\"Access to wireless networks represents a key component of millions of Americans' livelihoods, providing the efficient communications capabilities -- whether phone, broadband internet, or otherwise -- necessary to run a successful business, said Franks. Exorbitant taxes on wireless customers are discriminatory, adding costly impediments to the success of so many American businesses and affecting low-income and senior Americans who frequently rely on wireless service as their sole means of telephone and internet access.\"\r\nThe nearly 18% in taxes and fees wireless customers pay today is more than twice the 7.5% average rate on goods and services. In many localities, this cumulative tax burden is even higher. For example, the wireless tax rates are as high as:\r\n \r\n    36% in Chicago\r\n    29.9% in Baltimore\r\n    26% in Omaha\r\n    22.4% in Tallahassee\r\n    26.9% in New York City\r\n \r\nTheWireless Tax Fairness Actwould impose a temporary, five-year freeze on new taxes levied solely on wireless services. The legislation does not reduce or remove any existing revenue from state or local governments, it simply pauses taxes and fees at the current rate. It does not prohibit additional taxes on wireless access provided that the same tax rate is applied to other goods and services.\r\nThe legislation was introduced with 49 bipartisan cosponsors. Similar legislation introduced in previous Congresses has enjoyed support from a majority of House members, and was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in November, 2011.\r\nFull bill text of the Wireless Tax Fairness Act can be found here.\r\n\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://matsui.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=174", "Congresswoman Matsui Announces HUD Grant to Support Pathways to Employment in Sacramento Region", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Doris Matsui", "M001163", "matsui.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, December 17, 2015  CONTACT: LAUREN DART(202) 225-7163  Congresswoman Matsui Announces HUD Grant to Support Pathways to Employment in Sacramento Region $2.7 Million Jobs Plus Grant Will Advance Employment Outcomes for Residents of Public Housing  Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will award the Housing Authority of the City of Sacramento $2,700,000 in grant funding for the Jobs Plus Pilot program. The locally-based program aims to increase earnings and advance employment outcomes for residents of public housing through work readiness programs, employer linkages, job placement, and financial literacy. The Jobs Plus Grant builds on Sacramento's Promise Zone designation and Choice Neighborhoods planning grant, equipping public housing residents with the resources they need to feel empowered in their job search, said Congresswoman Matsui. The Jobs Plus Pilot Program will connect low-income residents with employment opportunities, which is ultimately foundational to Sacramento families' long-term prosperity, and our region's continued growth. I am thankful to Secretary Castro and SHRA for their work in securing this critical grant. \"SHRA is proud to be selected to receive a $2.7 million Jobs Plus award which will greatly enhance our efforts to break down barriers to employment for residents at our Marina Vista and Alder Grove public housing communities where over 50 percent of the residents age 18 - 64 are able to work yet are unemployed,\" said La Shelle Dozier, Executive Director for Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency. \"We are grateful to Congresswoman Doris Matsui for her tireless efforts to benefit Sacramento residents. This award will significantly enhance our capacity to build on our Choice Neighborhoods workforce strategy with support from over 40 partners to create pathways to self-sufficiency.\" The grant will benefit Marina Vista and Alder Grove, two public housing communities in Sacramento that are close in proximity to employment and education opportunities in Downtown Sacramento. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcnerney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mcnerney-introduces-consumers-rebate-legislation-to-reduce-emissions", "Rep. McNerney Introduces Consumers REBATE Legislation to Reduce Emissions", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jerry McNerney", "M001166", "mcnerney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington  On the heels of the successful United Nations Climate Conference in Paris where nearly 200 nations agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) is showing his leadership on the issue by introducing the Consumers REBATE (Rebate to ban Emissions and Boost AlTernative Energy) Act. This new climate legislation is aimed at reducing emissions, boosting the economy, and promoting cleaner air and healthier communities.\nCombating the dangerous effects of a changing climate begins with growing the economy in a way that reduces carbon emissions from polluters and fossil fuels that dirty our air, harm the health of our families and communities, and hinder our country's long-term energy independence. My Consumers REBATE Act takes the revenue generated from pricing carbon over time and puts it in the hands of consumers to empower individuals to become more efficient in their energy choices, said Rep. McNerney. We must look at climate change, one of the great challenges facing future generations, as an opportunity for America to be the leader of a new clean energy economy. Now is the time to build on the innovative technologies and investments we've already made with market-based approaches that will further drive renewable energy production, promote job creation and produce a cleaner environment.\nThe Consumers REBATE Act puts a price on carbon extracted from coal, oil, and natural gas and returns that revenue back to the consumer. Under the legislation, the applicable price for taxable carbon is $15/per ton of carbon emission.\nThe price is paid by the producer, miner, or importer of the oil, coal or natural gas. The U.S. Treasury is instructed to make quarterly payments or reinvestments back to all eligible consumers.\nThe Consumers REBATE Act is built to increase American innovation and leadership in manufacturing and energy production by including a tariff on goods imported from countries that do not have carbon markets or pricing.\nA recent study from Regional Economic Modeling, Inc., released by the Citizens' Climate Lobby, shows that the benefits of a carbon fee and dividend approach include: a 33 percent decline in carbon emissions after 10 years, 52 percent after 20 years; an increase in employment of 2.1 million jobs after 10 years; 13,000 lives saved annually after year 10; and a nearly $80 billion increase in GDP from 2020 forward.\nThe world took a great step forward in Paris to bring climate change under control, and the next step needed to ensure success is to put a price on carbon, said Marti Roach, leader of the Contra Costa Chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby. Congressman McNerney's bill does that in a way that protects families and helps our economy. Congress can provide leadership for the rest of the world by enacting a market-based solution like this.\nDuring the recent international climate negotiations, three former cabinet secretaries  George Shultz, Robert Reich and Steven Chu  and four Nobel Economics Laureates also made the argument for taxing carbon emissions.\nFurthermore, a recent World Bank report highlighted pricing carbon as one step in reducing emissions in a way that results in investments and maintains a strong economy.\nCountries representing a quarter of the world's economy are establishing carbon markets.\nThese efforts illustrate that countries can reduce emissions, promote a cleaner environment and boost the economy at the same time.\nAfter California announced a cap on carbon in 2006, more than $12 billion in clean energy venture capital has flown into the state, more than all other states combined, according to information from the Environmental Defense Fund.\nScientists have warned that without taking action to curb the effects of climate change, we will continue to see more severe droughts, storms, and increasingly rising sea levels. Reports have also shown that the effects of climate change will disproportionately affect lower-income communities.\nI am concerned about how communities in my district will feel the effects of climate change. In particular, rising sea levels and stronger storms will greatly increase the risk of flooding in many low-lying towns in Contra Costa and San Joaquin Counties. The Consumers REBATE Act will not only curb emissions to help slow the effects of a changing climate, it will also provide critical economic benefit to low-income families and individuals while improving the health of our communities, added Rep. McNerney.\nA former wind engineer, Rep. McNerney is an expert in renewable energy and a strong advocate for policies that will reduce carbon emissions, curb the effects of climate change, and spur a growing clean energy economy. Rep. McNerney is a trained scientist and one of only two members of Congress with a technical Ph.D., his in mathematics.\n###\nRep. Jerry McNerney proudly serves the constituents of California's 9th Congressional District that includes portions of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Sacramento Counties. For more information on Rep. McNerney's work, follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @RepMcNerney.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schiff.house.gov/news/press-releases/rep-adam-schiff-announces-major-funding-increase-for-west-coast-earthquake-early-warning-system-of-82-million", "Rep. Adam Schiff Announces Major Funding Increase for West Coast Earthquake Early Warning System of $8.2 Million", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Adam Schiff", "S001150", "schiff.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.15\n\t\t\t Rep. Adam Schiff Announces Major Funding Increase for West Coast Earthquake Early Warning System of $8.2 Million \n\t\t\tWashington, DCToday, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Burbank, CA) announced that Congress has included $8.2 million in the FY 2016 funding bill specifically designated for a West Coast Earthquake Early Warning System. The $8.2 million is a substantial increase over what the President requested in his budget and is a great victory for California and the West Coast. Congress included funds allocated for the system in a spending bill for the first time last year at $5 million. \r\nThe Earthquake Early WarningSystem is currently being developed by Caltech, UC-Berkeley,the University of Washington, and the University of Oregonin conjunction with the U.S. Geological Survey(USGS). It can provide users with seconds to even a minute or more of warning before shaking hits, depending on the distance to the epicenter. A limited system already been deployed for test users has proved that the early warning technology is sound. It will cost an estimated $38.2 million to build out a full system for the west coast, with annual operating and maintenance costs of $16.1 million. \r\nBy increasing the funding for the West Coast Earthquake Early Warning System, Congress is sending a message to the western states that it supports this life saving system. But the federal government cannot do it alone and will need local stakeholders, both public and private, to get behind the effort with their own resources, said Rep. Adam Schiff. This year, Congress allocated an additional eight million dollars, a very substantial sum in these budget constrained times, and I thank Chairman Calvert for his support.The Early Warning System will give us critical time for trains to be slowed and surgeries to be stopped beforeshakinghits  saving lives and protecting infrastructure. This Early Warning System is an investmentwe need to make now, not after the big one hits.\r\nEarlier this year, Schiff led a group of 35 Members of Congress  primarily from California, Washington, and Oregon to requestthat the Appropriations Committee fund an Earthquake Early Warning System for the West Coast. The final FY16 budget funds the Early Warning System at a higher level than the $5 million originally included in the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill. The funding level in the FY16 budget also exceeds the Presidents $5 million budget request earlier this year. Senator Feinstein, Rep. Schiff and 35 other Members of Congresssent a letterto the Presidentlast October, asking him to include funding for the West Coast Early Warning Systemfor FY2016.\r\nIn December 2014, Congresspassed a funding billfor FY2015 which included an additional $5 million specifically for the Earthquake Early WarningSystem, bringing the total funding for the system for FY2015 to $6.5 million. This was the first time Congress included funds specifically allocated for the system in a spending bill. That $5 million in funding allowed those developing the statewide system to begin purchasing and installing additional sensors, build new stations, speed up the ShakeAlert system, and come closer to deploying comprehensive early earthquake warning coverage throughout earthquake prone regions of the West Coast.\r\nThe explanatory language for the funding bill reads:\r\nNatural Hazards.-Fundingfor the Natural Hazards program includes $60,503,000 for earthquake hazards, of which $8,200,000 is provided to transition the earthquake early warning demonstration project into an operational capability for the West Coast.\r\n### \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"], ["https://speier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-speier-s-statement-pentagon-s-decision-select-single", "Congresswoman Speiers Statement on the Pentagons Decision to Select a Single Variant of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Reduce the Number Purchased", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jackie Speier", "S001175", "speier.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) released the following statement today about reports that Defense Secretary Ash Carter has directed the Navy to reduce the planned LCS/FF procurement from 52 to 40 and then downselect to one variant by FY 2019. I applaud Secretary Carter's decision to downselect to one LCS variant and reduce the number of ships purchased. Common sense is finally catching up with the Littoral Combat Ship, and we know that a plan to keep purchasing two LCS variants indefinitely is not survivable in such an encounter. The LCS program has long been hobbled by hazy conceptual justifications and serious acquisition malpractice. We must be good stewards of taxpayer money and direct it to programs that will be the most effective at keeping our servicemembers safe and defending the American people. The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), future versions of which will use the Navy designation FF because it has been reclassified as a frigate, has had a troubled design and procurement history. In 2010, the Pentagon completed a competition between two proposed LCS variants, but decided not to select a winner and instead to continue producing both models. The LCS has also been plagued by concerns about mission suitability, design flaws and corrosion issues, crew workload, weight restrictions, and survivability in a combat environment. The Pentagon's decision to downselect would finally limit purchases to a single version of the LCS/FF and reduce the amount purchased from 52 to 40 so that taxpayer money can be used on other defense priorities. ##", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/chairman-thompson-statement-on-gun-violence-research-ban-in-omnibus", "CHAIRMAN THOMPSON STATEMENT ON GUN VIOLENCE RESEARCH BAN IN OMNIBUS", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Thompson", "T000460", "mikethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5), Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, released the following statement on the Dickey Amendments, which bans gun violence research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), inclusion omnibus bill:\nThe inclusion of this rider is outrageous. 30-plus people are being killed every day by someone using a gun, and House Republicans refuse to even take the most basic steps to help lesson this loss of life. Heres how you know the Dickey Amendment needs to be thrown out: medical professionals say so, scientific researches say so, and Jay Dickey himself says so. \nNo one can offer one good reason to keep this ban in place. This rider has prohibited experts at the CDC from researching the causes and best ways to prevent gun violence for nearly 20 years. The omnibus bill gave us a chance to fix that, but once again Republicans refused to simply get out of the way and let our experts do what they do best  conduct research that will save some lives. \nOn December 1st, former Republican U.S. Rep. Jay Dickey sent a letter to Thompson in which he called for the Dickey Amendment to be repealed, and for federal research to be conducted on the causes of gun violence, provided that nothing is done to infringe the rights of gun ownership.\nIn his letter Dickey writes, Research could have been continued on gun violence without infringing on the rights of gun owners, in the same fashion that the highway industry continued its research without eliminating the automobile it is my position that somehow or someway we should slowly but methodically fund such research until a solution is reached. Doing nothing is no longer an acceptable solution.\nThe Dickey Amendment, authored in 1996, effectively blocked the CDC from carrying out the necessary research to better understand how to prevent gun violence\nThe full text of Dickeys letter is below.\n\nGUN VIOLENCE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH NEEDED\nDecember 1, 2015\nMany years ago the highway industry took on studying from a scientific viewpoint how head on collisions could be reduced. They didnt include in their scope of study the elimination of the automobile, which would have been a simple solution, but what came out of this were three or four foot barricades that are placed in between lanes of traffic in our interstate highway system. We have all seen these fences, but what isnt generally known is how overwhelmingly successful this project has become.\nBack in 1998, I took part in cutting off gun violence research dollars at the federal level because of what was considered a misapplication of the dollars by the CDC. I have recently expressed my regrets that we didnt continue that research with the provision that nothing shall be done in this project to infringe the rights of gun ownership as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution in the Second Amendment.\nResearch could have been continued on gun violence without infringing on the rights of gun owners, in the same fashion that the highway industry continued its research without eliminating the automobile.\nThere is no ready answer to the question How are we going to accomplish the desired result of reducing gun violence under these circumstances? For sure the same dilemma faced the scientists in the highway industry some years ago. The highway industry answered the question of how to reduce traffic fatalities through scientific research. In the same way, scientific research should help answer how we can best reduce gun violence.\nEven though my opinion and the opinion of my colleague, Dr. Mark Rosenberg, have been spread to media outlets all over our country, there has been only one member of Congress who has expressed any support for this endeavor. I can tell that member that though there is no groundswell of agreement, at least I have not been tarred and feathered and run out of townyet.\nTo sum this up, it is my position that somehow or someway we should slowly but methodically fund such research until a solution is reached. Doing nothing is no longer an acceptable solution.\nJay Dickey\nMember of Congress, 1993-2000\n\nCongressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent Californias 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-on-omnibus-and-tax-extenders-legislation", "Pelosi Statement on Omnibus and Tax Extenders Legislation", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George,202-226-7616\nWashington, D.C.  Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on the Omnibus and tax extenders bills:\nRepublicans have filed their tax extender and omnibus legislation. On the Omnibus bill to keep government open, while I commend our Ranking Member Nita Lowey and the Democratic appropriators for their strong, principled leadership for Americas hard-working families during these tough negotiations, a number of concerns have arisen. House Democrats are now reviewing the Omnibus bill language.\nRepublicans tax extender bill provides hundreds of billions of dollars in special interest tax breaks that are permanent and unpaid for. These massive giveaways to the special interests and big corporations are deeply destructive to our future.\nWe have a responsibility to pass legislation that grows the paychecks of hard-working families and invests in the future of our children. The tax extender bill fails to meet that test.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=08AFF965-B4DE-41B6-B602-BC9C66418ABC", "Senators Introduce Legislation to Honor Heroes Killed in Benghazi Attacks", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.),Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Ron Wyden (D-Oreg.), Jeff Merkley (D-Oreg.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) today introduced legislation to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to J. Christopher Stevens, Glen A. Doherty, Tyrone Woods and Sean Smith in recognition of their contributions to the nation. Stevens, Doherty, Woods and Smith were killed in the attack on the U.S. facility in Benghazi, Libya in September 2012.\r\nStevens was serving as United States Ambassador to Libya during the attack. Doherty, a former combat-decorated Navy SEAL, was a native of Winchester, Massachusetts. Woods, a native of Portland, Oregon was also a former combat-decorated Navy SEAL. Smith had served in the Air Force where he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal.\r\nA copy of the legislation can be found here.\r\nThe attacks against American facilities in Benghazi received an enormous amount of attention over the past three years. This legislation redirects the focus where it should beon the four men who lost their lives in the line of duty while serving the national security and foreign interests of our nation,said Senator Feinstein.We owe them our gratitude and recognition.\r\nThese distinguished public servants and warriors made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, and their memories will live on as an inspiration to everyone for their bravery and commitment, said Senator Markey. I am proud to introduce bipartisan legislation to honor their courage with the Congressional Gold Medal. These heroes made the ultimate sacrifice, and we will never forget their last full measure of devotion to our nation.\r\nFour brave Americans died serving our country in Benghazi, and they deserve the recognition of a grateful nation, said Senator Warren. The Congressional Gold Medal  the most prestigious award that the American people's elected representatives can bestow  is a fitting honor. I am especially proud that this legislation honors a son of Massachusetts, Glen A. Doherty, for his sacrifice. His memory will always remain in the hearts of everyone in our Commonwealth.\r\nThese four courageous heroes made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and security, and we owe them a debt of gratitude we can never fully repay, said Senator Ayotte. This medal represents the deep appreciation of a nation that will never forget their brave service and profound sacrifice.\r\nJ. Christopher Stevens, Glen A. Doherty, Tyrone Woods and Sean Smith leave a proud legacy of service and sacrifice that our country must never forget, said Senator Wyden. Its my honor to recognize these four brave Americans through bipartisan legislation that pays deserved tribute to their memories and to the inspirational lives they led.\r\nThese four courageous men are true American heroes, as they fought to serve and protect our nation until the very last moment, said Senator Rubio. I am proud and honored to co- sponsor bipartisan legislation to pay tribute to their sacrifices with the Congressional Gold Medal. We must never forget the September 11 terrorist attacks on our facilities in Benghazi or the champions who lost their lives in the service of our country.\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=0B43DA4B-052D-416A-9F73-A79494B73F7F", "Post Office Sells 1 Billionth Breast Cancer Research Stamp", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Stamp has raised $81 million for research programs since 1998\r\nWashingtonSenator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today announced that the 1 billionth breast cancer research stamp was sold this month. The stamp has raised $81 million for breast cancer research since its creation in 1998, and President Obama last week signed legislation to extend the stamp through 2019.\r\nThe breast cancer research stamp provides first-class postage and currently costs 60 cents. The additional 11 cents over the regular postal rate helps fund breast cancer research at the National Institutes of Health and the Medical Research Program at the Department of Defense.\r\nThe idea for the stamp was devised by Dr. Ernie Bodai, a Sacramento breast cancer surgeon. Dr. Bodai partnered with Betsy Mullen, a breast cancer survivor from San Diego, and David Goodman from Orinda, who lost his wife to breast cancer, to advocate for the creation of the stamp.\r\nThe breast cancer research stamp has reached a tremendous milestone1 billion stamps sold, said Senator Feinstein. We must take steps to ensure the stamp continues to provide meaningful support for lifesaving research, and I look forward to working with the Post Office and nationwide retailers to increase awareness of the stamp and make sure its widely available.\r\nWith the Breast Cancer Research Semipostal Stamp, Americans have used the power of the mail to raise awareness about this disease as well as hope for the cure, said Postmaster General and CEO Megan J. Brennan. We appreciate the tremendous support from our postal employees and our customers, which has resulted in over one billion stamps being sold and more than $80 million in stamp sales to date for vital breast cancer research.\r\nProceeds from the stamp help fund the National Cancer Institutes breast cancer research programs. These programs focus on how to improve early detection of breast cancer. Scientists study how cancers originate and develop in order to improve prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment.\r\nScientists also research how to identify markers that precede the development of breast cancer, find better ways to predict whether tumors and lesions found through cancer screening are likely to become life-threatening and investigate links between pregnancy factors and breast cancer risk.\r\nThe stamp is supported by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Association for Cancer Research, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American College of Surgeons, Are You Dense Advocacy, Breast Cancer Fund, Center for Women Policy Studies, Susan G. Komen, Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Tigerlily Foundation.\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=2D9DBE1C-6086-47C3-A3D9-B4910B03D9A0", "Feinstein Statement on Visa Waiver Provisions in Omnibus", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement on the Visa Waiver Program provisions included in the omnibus:\r\nThe provisions included in the omnibus bill are a significant step in strengthening the security of the Visa Waiver Program. I am pleased a number of provisions in the bill I introduced with Senator Flake are incorporated, including the requirement for the use of electronic passports, which are more secure and harder to tamper with, as well as improved information-sharing between the United States and participating countries.\r\nThe risk of foreign fighters exploiting the program will also be reduced by requiring individuals who have traveled to high-risk countries to use the traditional visa process, which requires an in-person interview and the collection of biometric information such as photographs and fingerprints.\r\nI do believe we must take additional action to improve the program, including looking at ways to collect biometrics from first-time visa waiver travelers before they depart their home countries. Congress must examine this issue in the coming months as we consider additional steps to keep our country safe.\r\nPhotographs of the apparent ringleader of the Paris attacks, a French national, were prominently featured in the magazine produced by ISIL, known as Dabiq, nine months before the attacks took place. That is why biometric checks like facial recognition are important to protecting our security.\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=31F74127-F2FC-4AF1-B335-EBD47FB0AAB6", "Feinstein Statement on Cybersecurity Information-Sharing Agreement", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenator Feinstein released the following statement today regarding the agreement to include cybersecurity information sharing legislation in the omnibus funding bill:\r\nIm pleased the cybersecurity information sharing bill is in the omnibus funding bill well be voting on later this week. This is an important first step to fight back against dangerous cyber attacks.\r\nThe bill encourages the voluntary sharing of cyber-threat information, both company-to-company sharing as well as between companies and the government. This type of information sharingwith strict safeguards for private informationis key to countering cyber attacks.\r\nThe agreement in the omnibus maintains Senate language on use of a Department of Homeland Security portal to share information. It also maintains liability protections for companies, limited to the actions authorized in the bill. And it restricts the governments use of cyber information to cybersecurity purposes and specific instances of major harm to people or the economy. The agreement incorporates the Senate bills robust privacy protections.\r\nIn short, this is a strong bill that takes an important first step to address a significant drain on our economy and threat to our national security. Im glad we finally reached this agreement after years of work and I look forward to seeing it signed into law soon.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://aguilar.house.gov/2015/12/16/aguilar-leads-house-moment-silence-honor-san-bernardino-victims/", "Aguilar Leads House in Moment of Silence in Honor of San Bernardino Victims", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Pete Aguilar", "A000371", "aguilar.house.gov", "aguilar", "https://aguilar.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/", "scraper", "Press Releases\n\nAguilar Leads House in Moment of Silence in Honor of San Bernardino Victims\n\nThis morning, Rep. Pete Aguilar led the House of Representatives in a moment of silence in honor of those lost and affected by the terrorist attack in San Bernardino on December 2, 2015.\n\n\u201cMr. Speaker, today I rise with a heavy heart to pay tribute to the fourteen innocent lives lost on December 2nd in San Bernardino, California, in the terrorism attack at the Inland Regional Center.\n\nIn the wake of this terrorist act, our San Bernardino community has come together and supported one another during this dark chapter of our region and our nation.\n\nMr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues, fellow Americans and those who hear this message around the world, to pray for the families of the fourteen victims, the speedy recovery of the 22 injured, the countless first responders who helped that day, and for the health and resilience of the San Bernardino community.\n\nIn the aftermath of this pain, I have seen firsthand the tenacity and spirit of the area we call the Inland Empire. We have said loudly as one community that this tragedy will not define us and it will not divide us. We will not be afraid to come together in fellowship, to work together, to mourn together, or to rebuild together. Across faith and culture we will support one another in this time of need.\n\nMr. Speaker, San Bernardino has been forced to soldier through difficult times before. As we face this new and different hurdle, I know my community will continue to stand together to show our country and our region the resolve of this city and of these people to heal. We are San Bernardino United.\n\nMr. Speaker, I am joined by my colleagues and I ask the House to pause for a moment of silence in honor of those affected by the terrorist attack in San Bernardino on December 2nd.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-08T20:00:17Z", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["https://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-leads-house-moment-silence-honor-san-bernardino-victims", "Aguilar Leads House in Moment of Silence in Honor of San Bernardino Victims", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Pete Aguilar", "A000371", "aguilar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This morning, Rep. Pete Aguilarled the House of Representatives in a moment of silence in honor of those lost and affected by the terrorist attack in San Bernardino on December 2, 2015.\nMr. Speaker, today I rise with a heavy heart to pay tribute to the fourteen innocent lives lost on December 2ndin San Bernardino, California, in the terrorism attack at the Inland Regional Center.\nIn the wake of this terrorist act, our San Bernardino community has come together and supported one another during this dark chapter of our region and our nation.\nMr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues, fellow Americans and those who hear this message around the world, to pray for the families of the fourteen victims, the speedy recovery of the 22 injured, the countless first responders who helped that day, and for the health and resilience of the San Bernardino community.\nIn the aftermath of this pain, I have seen firsthand the tenacity and spirit of the area we call the Inland Empire. We have said loudly as one community that this tragedy will not define us and it will not divide us.We willnot be afraid to come together in fellowship, to work together, to mourn together, or to rebuild together. Across faith and culture we will supportone another in this time of need.\nMr. Speaker, San Bernardino has been forced to soldier through difficult times before. As we facethisnewand differenthurdle, I know my community will continue to stand together to show our country and our region the resolve of this city and of these people to heal. We are San Bernardino United.\nMr. Speaker, I am joined by my colleagues and I ask the House to pause for a moment of silence in honor of those affected by the terrorist attackin San Bernardinoon December 2nd.\nRep. Aguilars remarks can be viewed in full here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/new-bipartisan-cuba-working-group-announced", "New Bipartisan Cuba Working Group Announced", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n\t\t\t New Bipartisan Cuba Working Group Announced \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee to Serve on Steering Committee\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  Today, a bipartisan group of twelve Members of Congress announced the formation of a Cuba Working Group to develop policies that modernize relations between the U.S. and Cuba.\r\nCongresswoman Barbara Lee, a long-time leader in efforts to normalize relations between the U.S. and Cuba, will serve on the Working Group's Steering Committee.\r\nThe formation of this bipartisan Working Group is another step forward in the effort to finally end more than fifty years of failed policy and open a new chapter in relations between our nation and our Cuban neighbors, said Congresswoman Lee. The President has shown bold leadership in ending failed U.S. isolationist policies toward Cuba. It's past time for Congress to follow his lead by repealing the embargo and lifting the travel ban.\r\nThe group announced its formation in a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).\r\nThe Steering Committee writes: Increasingly, the American people are indicating their desire for a new, more pragmatic approach to Cuba. More people are traveling from the U.S. to Cuba, more businesses are looking for opportunity on the island, and more sectors are eager for trade. The bi-partisan Cuba Working Group will promote a U.S.-Cuba policy that reflects the interests of the American people in engagement with Cuba.\r\nThey conclude stating, Our goal is to raise the level of understanding inside of Congress for the need to build a new policy framework for U.S.-Cuban relations.\r\nThe Members of the Steering Committee include Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Congresswomen Kathy Castor (D-FL), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Nydia Velzquez (D-NY) and Congressmen Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Rick Crawford (R-AR), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Sam Farr (D-CA), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Ted Poe (R-TX), Reid Ribble (R-WI) and Mark Sanford (R-SC.)\r\nBACKGROUND\r\nEarlier this year, Congresswoman Lee attended the re-opening of the Cuban Embassy in Washington D.C. and the re-opening of the American Embassy in Havana. Congresswoman Lee has been working on U.S.-Cuba policy since 1977 and has traveled to the island more than 20 times, leading several Congressional delegations. Congresswoman Lee is proudly co-sponsoring the bipartisan Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act (H.R. 664) to lift the travel ban and the Free Trade with Cuba Act (H.R. 403) to end the embargo. Learn more about the Congresswoman's work by reading her nationally syndicated OpEd.\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. \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"], ["https://matsui.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=175", "Congress Unanimously Passes Life-Saving Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Bill", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Doris Matsui", "M001163", "matsui.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Wednesday, December 16, 2015  CONTACT: LAUREN DART(202) 225-7163 Congress Unanimously Passes Life-Saving Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Bill  Legislation Co-Authored by Congresswoman Matsui Heads to the President's Desk for Signature  Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Senate-amended version of H.R. 2820, the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act, a bill co-authored by Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) that will reauthorize the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program and the National Cord Blood Inventory (NCBI). H.R. 2820 will renew federal funding for the vital national bone marrow and cord blood registry and coordinating centers, which facilitate bone marrow and cord blood donations that provide transplants to treat diseases like blood cancer, sickle cell anemia, and inherited metabolic or immune system disorders. Passage of the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act provides hope to the thousands of Americans and their families who suffer from painful and potentially life-threatening blood cancer or other bone marrow disorders, said Congresswoman Matsui, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus to Cure Blood Cancers and Other Blood Disorders. The Be a Match' National Registry makes possible life-saving transplants by connecting patients with donors, and funding the services and research needed to eradicate these devastating diseases. It is incredibly timely to reauthorize this life-giving program during this gift-giving time of year, said Congressman Chris Smith, Co-Author of H.R.2820. Americans willing to give the gift of life to others are at the heart of the success of this program. In reauthorizing it we are grateful for the adult donors willing to provide bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells, as well as mothers who donate their child's cord blood through public cord blood banks. I applaud my colleagues in the House and Senate for approving this bipartisan legislation that reauthorizes the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation program and the National Cord Blood Inventory through fiscal year 2020, said Congressman David Jolly, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus to Cure Blood Cancers and Other Blood Disorders.These programs have saved tens of thousands of lives and continue to make key advances in marrow and cord blood transplantations that increase survival rates and expand the number of diseases for which marrow transplantation is a cure.I urge the President to sign this important, life-saving measure right away. Since the Congress first authorized it, the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program has successfully facilitated nearly 68,000 transplants, with 6,300 transplants in 2014 alone. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcnerney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mcnerney-issues-statement-on-energy-provisions-in-omnibus-bill", "Rep. McNerney Issues Statement on Energy Provisions in Omnibus Bill", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jerry McNerney", "M001166", "mcnerney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington  Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) issued the following statement on the renewable energy tax credits and oil export ban provisions in the omnibus spending bill:\nThe purpose of the oil export ban was to help America ensure the maximum supply of oil for domestic consumers to prevent shortages and price gouging. Our situation today is substantially different than it was in the 1970's. New oil recovery technology has made the United States the world's biggest oil producer, even though our country still consumes more oil than it produces.\nAs Congress considers lifting the oil exports ban as part of the omnibus spending legislation, I believe that such a policy change cannot just be a free giveaway to oil companies at the expense of energy consumers and American families. Any shift on the oil ban should occur in a manner that protects the economy, creates American jobs, and invests in our clean energy future. I am encouraged to see that the omnibus proposal includes renewable energy tax credits to offset some of the potential negative economic effects of lifting the ban.\nThese tax credits are an important tool that will help spur an innovative, robust clean energy economy, create good jobs, and reduce carbon emissions. The United States just signed an agreement with nearly 200 countries signaling a move toward a clean fuel future. Our national energy priorities should reflect that commitment, and with these multi-year renewable energy tax credits, we are taking steps to promote greater wind, solar, and renewable power production and increased energy efficiency. These critical investments in clean energy will also help boost our economy, and I will support the omnibus bill in its current form when it comes to floor.\n###\nRep. Jerry McNerney proudly serves the constituents of California's 9th Congressional District that includes portions of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Sacramento Counties. For more information on Rep. McNerney's work, follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @RepMcNerney.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-sherman-statement-on-lausd-threat", "Congressman Sherman Statement on LAUSD Threat", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Brad Sherman", "S000344", "sherman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington DC - Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Los Angeles), former chair of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism and senior member of House Foreign Affairs Committee issued the following statement:\nThere are important differences between the email received by school officials in Los Angeles and those received by school officials in New York City  the New York City email was considerably less credible::\n \nThe Los Angeles email claims that the author had 32 accomplices ready to strike on Tuesday. In the New York email the author claims to have 138 accomplices. To think that there would be a conspiracy in the Los Angeles involving 33 individuals, including the email author, without the federal government having at least heard enough to raise the threat level is somewhat unlikely. To think that there would be a conspiracy in the New York area involving 139 active shooters ready to act on a single day, all without the federal government at least raising the threat level, is not credible at all.\n\tThe email author claims to be a student of the Los Angeles Unified district. This is terminology that someone familiar with the Los Angeles schools would use. In the other email, the author claims to be a student of the New York City School District. Someone who is actually familiar with the New York would use the term New York City Schools or DOE (Department of Education).\n\tThe email was received at roughly 10 pm Monday night in Los Angeles, meaning that Los Angeles officials had enough time to announce the closure of schools before they opened the next morning, thus forcing L.A. School Officials to make a decision. Apparently the New York email was received at 5am local time (and may not have been read until later) when it was too late to close the New York City Schools. A few hours later, New York City became aware that a near identical email had been sent to Los Angeles, thus indicating that both emails were not credibleThere are at least three reasons to believe that the author of the email may not be a Muslim:\n \n1. The Los Angeles email says it is froman email name that includes an obscene word for a body part. No devout Muslim, nor a Muslim extremist claiming to be devout, would use such an email name.\n2. The email contains several typos but most significantly fails on one occasion to capitalize the word Allah. A devout Muslim, or an extremist Muslim claiming to be devout, would be careful to capitalize the word Allah.\n3. The email does not read like any of the missives from Islamic extremists. It does not quote any portion of the Quran nor allude to any incident in the life of Muhammad. The author of the email does not demonstrate any understanding of Islam.\nThe following are comments on the credibility of the threats made in the attack:\n \nThe claim by the author to have nerve gas agent is not credible.\n\t\t\n\tThe claim by the author to have 32 Los Angeles accomplices in a conspiracy in which the federal government had not even detected an increase in chatter is not credible. The claim in the New York email to have a 138 accomplices is fanciful.\n\t\t\n\tJust because some portions of each email appear to be false does not mean that school officials could conclude that all of the assertions in the email are false, nor could they assume there was not some plot to kill some students at some schools.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://susandavis.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-susan-davis-moves-to-protect-the-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge", "Rep. Susan Davis Moves to Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Susan Davis", "D000598", "susandavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) cosponsored bipartisan legislation in the House to protect one of the remaining pristine locations in America. The Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act (H.R. 239) would set aside over 1 million acres in the Coastal Plain of the Artic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.\nWe have a responsibility to take care of our planet and preserve its beautiful wilderness areas for future generations to enjoy and be inspired by, said Davis. Loss of wilderness space contributes to damage to the climate. While we fight to address climate change, preservation of open spaces must be a component of that.\nIn Congress, Davis has long fought to protect ANWR, opposing proposals to open it up for oil drilling, as well as also protecting federal lands and parks. Environmental groups have recognized Davis for her efforts.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://susandavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=392499", "Rep. Susan Davis Moves to Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Susan Davis", "D000598", "susandavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) cosponsored bipartisan legislation in the House to protect one of the remaining pristine locations in America. The Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act (H.R. 239) would set aside over 1 million acres in the Coastal Plain of the Artic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.\r\rWe have a responsibility to take care of our planet and preserve its beautiful wilderness areas for future generations to enjoy and be inspired by, said Davis. Loss of wilderness space contributes to damage to the climate. While we fight to address climate change, preservation of open spaces must be a component of that.\r\rIn Congress, Davis has long fought to protect ANWR, opposing proposals to open it up for oil drilling, as well as also protecting federal lands and parks. Environmental groups have recognized Davis for her efforts.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://swalwell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-unanimously-approves-swalwell-lobiondo-bipartisan-tracking-foreign", "House Unanimously Approves Swalwell-LoBiondo Bipartisan \u201cTracking Foreign Fighters in Terrorist Safe Havens Act\u201d", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Eric Swalwell", "S001193", "swalwell.house.gov", "swalwell", "https://swalwell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The House of Representatives today approved the \"Tracking Foreign Fighters in Terrorist Safe Havens Act\" (H.R. 4239) which was introduced last week by House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence members Eric Swalwell (CA-15) and Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02) to ensure greater oversight by Congress over the intelligence agencies. The vote to pass the bill was unanimous.\n\n\"Recent events have made it clear that our national security agencies have not had access to all tools needed to fully combat the threat of terrorism. Furthermore, the disclosure to Congress on the exact nature of the threat we face has been inadequate. I applaud my colleagues for recognizing the need for greater Congressional oversight and a clear assessment of the number of terrorists being trained in safe havens across the globe. Only then can our strategic counterterrorism efforts succeed and we prevent future attacks like San Bernardino,\" said House CIA Subcommittee Chairman LoBiondo. \"I appreciate Ranking Member Swalwell's partnership in this legislation and urge the Senate to support our bipartisan bill.\"\n\n\"To defeat ISIL, we must be more coordinated than they are. Today, we are vulnerable to ISIL fighters who travel to terrorist safe havens and then to the United States to carry out attacks against innocent Americans. We must know more about them. This bipartisan legislation makes sure our intelligence community tracks and reports to Congress any individual, across the globe, who travels to terrorist safe havens. To best understand the threats to Americans, we must know who is fighting and/or training in terrorist hot zones and capable of coming to the United States. America's leaders work best to protect Americans when we work together. Today's bipartisan legislation should be a foundation for this Congress to build upon to address America's greatest threat,\" said House CIA Subcommittee senior Democrat Swalwell.\n\nAs directed by the legislation, every six months the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on foreign fighter flows to and from terrorist safe havens abroad. The reports would be categorized as classified and consistent with the protection of intelligence sources and methods. An unclassified report would also be provided.\n\nSwalwell and LoBiondo's legislation instructs the DNI to submit a report on each terrorist safe haven and to include the following:\n\nTotal number of foreign fighters who have traveled or are suspected of having traveled to the terrorist safe haven since 2011, including the countries of origin of such foreign fighters;\n\nTotal number of United States citizens present in the terrorist safe haven; and,\n\nTotal number of foreign fighters who have left the terrorist safe haven or whose whereabouts are unknown.\n\nThe full text of the legislation is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-torres-port-cybersecurity-legislation", "House Passes Torres Port Cybersecurity Legislation", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Norma J. Torres", "T000474", "torres.house.gov", "torres", "https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 3878, the Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Coordination in Our Ports Act of 2015.\n\n\"More than $1.3 trillion in cargo moves annually through our nation's 360 commercial ports, and many of the goods that enter through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach come to my district before being shipped to the rest of the country,\" said Torres. \"With this much economic activity and the increased use of cyber technology to manage port operations ranging from communication and navigation to engineering, safety, and cargo, it is critical to protect our maritime cyber infrastructure.\"\n\nThe Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Coordination in Our Ports Act would improve information sharing and cooperation in addressing cybersecurity risks at our nation's ports. Specifically, it requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish voluntary guidelines for reporting of cybersecurity risks, to develop and implement a maritime cyber security risk model, and to make recommendations on enhancing the sharing of cyber information. It also requires the Commandant of the Coast Guard to direct Area Maritime Security Committees to ensure area maritime security and facility security plans address cybersecurity risks.\n\n\"During a recent homeland security hearing, we learned of significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities at our nation's ports,\" continued Torres. \"There appears to currently be little coordination between port landlords and tenants in addressing cyber threats, and federal agencies have only recently started to consider the impact that a cyber-attack could pose to our maritime infrastructure. This legislation will ensure the necessary planning and coordination is in place to protect the ports that form the backbone of our nation's economy.\"\n\nH.R. 3878, the Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Coordination in Our Ports Act of 2015, was introduced by Rep. Torres on November 2, 2015 and voted favorably out of the Homeland Security Committee on November 4, 2015.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["http://lowenthal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398707", "Congressman Lowenthal Calls on Sec. Kerry and Sec. Perez To Investigate Labor Charges Against El Super Markets", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Alan Lowenthal", "L000579", "lowenthal.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Lowenthal Calls on Sec. Kerry and Sec. Perez To Investigate Labor Charges Against El Super Markets \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, D.C.,\r\n        December 15, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n    \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Today, I spearheaded letters to Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez asking them to each expedite an investigation of unfair and inappropriate labor practices by the parent company of El Super grocery stores, Grupo Comercial Chedraui, in Mexico. I was joined by 18 other Members of Congress, who also have El Supers in their congressional districts. We believe that workers rights must be protected and workers must be allowed to organize and work in an environment that is free from intimidation and unfair and unlawful labor practices.Click here to read the letter to Secretary Kerry and click here to read the letter to Secretary Perez.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roybal-allard.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397946", "Reps. Roybal-Allard, Becerra, Schiff Lead Letter to President Obama Calling for LA River Project Funding in Next Years Budget", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Lucille Roybal-Allard", "R000486", "roybal-allard.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Congressman Xavier Becerra (CA-34), Congressman Adam Schiff (CA-28), and ten additional members of the Los Angeles-area congressional delegation sent a letter to President Obama calling for $4.2 million in Preconstruction Engineering and Design (PED) funding for the Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration project to be included in next years budget request. The project would restore and revitalize the areas where the LA River flows, from Burbank to Los Angeles to Glendale, and would benefit over one million people living in the area. The letter can be read here.I am pleased to join my congressional colleagues in urging the president to include funding for the LA River Ecosystem Restoration project in his fiscal year 2017 budget, said Congresswoman Roybal-Allard. Such funding is critical to our plan to revitalize the LA River. Including these funds in the presidents budget will send a strong message that the administration is committed to helping us realize our dream of a rich and vibrant LA River which will be enjoyed by Angelenos for decades to come. The Los Angeles River is becoming the beloved treasure we know it can be, said Congressman Becerra. We must continue moving forward on its restoration for the sake of guaranteeing Angelenos an outdoor space that they can enjoy with their families today and for generations to come. I urge President Obama to consider the LA River Restoration as part of his fiscal year 2017 budget request to Congress.   \n  \nA project to revitalize the LA River is now closer than ever. After years of strong advocacy by Los Angeles residents wanting more green space as a retreat from urban life, we are finally within striking distance, said Congressman Schiff. It is my hope that the Presidents budget will include necessary federal funding for this project especially given its recent approval by the Army Corps of Engineers. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://scottpeters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-peters-applauds-paris-climate-agreement", "Rep. Peters Applauds Paris Climate Agreement", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Scott Peters", "P000608", "scottpeters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) released the following statement in support of the agreement reached by 196 nations at the COP 21 Paris Climate Summit:\nThe Paris Climate Change Agreement is a historic and important step to reduce emissions and limit the damage to our climate. I applaud the work of Secretary Kerry, U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Sterns, and all of the private sector and government leaders from around the world who came together to make this happen.\nThe Paris Agreement comes to the same conclusion that we did in San Diego a long time ago: we do not have to choose between a clean environment and a prosperous economy. As much as reducing emissions is a challenge, it is also an opportunity. This agreement is a clear signal that the transition to a clean energy economy is happening now.\nAs Chairman of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalitions Climate Task Force, I defended efforts to expand the United States climate leadership leading up to the Paris talks, and will work to ensure we keep our commitments as part of this agreement.\nEarlier this year I led the effort in Congress to support the Green Climate Fund to assist developing countries in adapting to and mitigating climate change, and am glad to see that it will play a central role in ensuring the success of the Paris Agreement.\nThis agreement also follows the November breakthrough in Dubai to reduce the disproportionate role superpollutants like hydrofluorocarbons play in damaging our climate. Tackling this low hanging fruit can quickly mitigate the worst effects of climate change, and I have worked in Congress to ensure U.S. leadership in reducing superpollutant emissions by introducing the SUPER Act.\nSan Diegos innovation has left its mark on this agreement, and will be crucial in ensuring that America keeps its commitments. Qualcomm, the University of California San Diego, and San Diego State University took pledges to curb emissions and invest in energy efficiency and clean energy. The investment in research and development of clean technologies will also see San Diegos world-class clean tech sector continue to grow and create jobs across our region.\nBecause of his leadership on climate and energy issues in Congress, Congressman Peters was selected to be part of the Congressional Delegation to attend the Paris Climate Talks. The delegation was cancelled because of unanticipated votes scheduled for last Friday. Earlier this year, he led a House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition meeting with Todd Sterns, U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change.\nCongressman Peters is the sponsor of the Department of Defense Energy Security Act, a vocal proponent of using the Social Cost of Carbon in the rulemaking process, and active member of the Safe Climate Caucus.\nCongressman Peters has also unveiled his own plan to curb climate change, which includes supporting innovative research and initiatives in San Diego, as well as legislative proposals to make Congress a leader on reducing emissions and mitigating climate change.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://desaulnier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-desaulnier-introduces-bi-partisan-legislation-improve", "Congressman DeSaulnier Introduces Bi-partisan Legislation to Improve Accountability & Oversight of Megaprojects", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mark DeSaulnier", "D000623", "desaulnier.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) introduced bi-partisan legislation to improve accountability and oversight of so-called \u201cmegaprojects.\u201d The \u201cTransportation Megaprojects Accountability and Oversight Act\u201d (H.R. 4228) would establish an independent peer review group to assess the quality assurance, cost containment, and risk management of federal highway and transportation projects that cost over $2.5 billion. While current law requires financial reporting requirements for projects costing more than $500 million, no additional oversight mechanisms exist for large, complex megaprojects.\n\u201cLarge infrastructure projects are vital to our country\u2019s development and its economic growth. Yet, nine out of every 10 megaprojects experience cost overruns and many suffer significant delays that cost taxpayers millions of additional dollars. We\u2019re building large scale projects all across the country and we should have both the benefit of lessons learned from existing projects and an independent outside analysis of future endeavors. The public deserves a system that manages costs, foresees risks, and holds decision-makers accountable,\u201d said Congressman DeSaulnier.\nExamples of such projects include: the San-Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, the I-265 Bridge between Kentucky and Indiana, the Big Dig in Boston, the Tappan Zee Bridge in New York, and Denver International Airport.\nH.R. 4228 would require agencies that receive federal funds for projects over $2.5 billion to submit a comprehensive risk management plan that includes a description of identified risks associated with the project, proposed mechanisms to manage such risks, updated cost estimates, among others. Additionally, it would establish an independent peer review group, with conflict of interest for greater transparency, consisting of a minimum of five individuals tasked with giving expert advice on scientific, technical, and management aspects of the megaproject.\nAs the former Chairman of the California Senate Transportation Committee, DeSaulnier helped bring to light numerous issues including an extensive investigation and hearing on deficiencies with the Bay Bridge which led to $5 billion overrun and a 10-year delay. In 2013, then-Senator DeSaulnier authored legislation in California which similarly established the use of peer review processes for public work projects in the state.\nCongressman Doug LaMalfa (CA-1) is the Republican co-sponsor of H.R. 4228.\n#", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-waters-appalled-vandalism-two-mosques-hawthorne-0", "Congresswoman Waters Appalled By Vandalism at Two Mosques in Hawthorne", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Maxine Waters", "W000187", "waters.house.gov", "waters", "https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services, released the following statement after the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Baitus-Salaam Mosque and the Islamic Center of Hawthorne were vandalized in Hawthorne, California.\n\nCongresswoman Waters' statement follows:\n\n\"I am saddened, shocked and appalled that two Hawthorne mosques, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community-Baitus-Salaam Mosque and the Islamic Center of Hawthorne, were vandalized on Sunday. These mosques are sacred places where families go to worship and to pay reverence to their religious ideals and beliefs. It is sacred ground that should never face such damage and disrespect.\n\n\"In light of the recent events, many in the Muslim community are concerned that they are being targeted and persecuted for their religious beliefs. There is also no proof that members of the mosques in Hawthorne have been radicalized or have engaged in any terroristic behavior. These types of fears and trepidations should not exist in America. Our country was founded on principles that allow Americans to be able to worship freely and without threat of danger. The Constitution gives every American the right to religious freedom, a freedom etched in the fabric of our country's ideals and values.\n\n\"These egregious acts of divisiveness at the mosques in Hawthorne have no place in our society. It goes against who we are as a country. No religious group or culture should face harassment or be made to fear their beliefs are forbidden. Making Muslims \u2013 or any other religious group \u2013 feel threatened, intimidated or unwelcome in local communities conflicts with our Founders' vision of religious liberty and tolerance.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-waters-delivers-remarks-torrance-area-chamber-commerce-0", "Congresswoman Waters Delivers Remarks at the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce 14th Annual State of the Region Event", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Maxine Waters", "W000187", "waters.house.gov", "waters", "https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "LOS ANGELES - Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of Committee on Financial Services, and Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-33) delivered remarks at the 14th Annual State of the Region event sponsored by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce on Monday, December 14th at the DoubleTree by Hilton Torrance-South Bay in Torrance. Congresswoman Waters and Congressman Lieu were invited by the Chamber to give updates about the legislation and economic development opportunity affecting the South Bay region.\n\nCongresswoman Waters opened her remarks by giving an update on budget negotiations in Congress. She informed the audience of the continuing negotiations in Congress pertaining to finalizing a budget and educated them on policy riders that jeopardize negotiations. In addition, Congresswoman Waters discussed the impending interest rate increase being discussed by Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen.\n\nAs Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee, Congresswoman Waters' remarks focused on the historic efforts she led to renew the Export-Import Bank, which provides critical support to the United States exporters looking to compete and sell products to foreign markets. Some of those suppliers such as Boeing and Space X are in the South Bay region.\n\n\"We worked with a diverse coalition, including The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, small businesses and labor groups such as the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers to ensure the Bank could get back to the business of growing jobs and supporting American exporters,\" said Congresswoman Waters.\n\nThe Congresswoman also discussed job creation, business development and major developments in the South Bay Region, such as the $200 million dollar renovation of the Del Amo Mall in Torrance and the football stadium in Inglewood that is scheduled to open in 2018.\n\n\"These new developments and initiatives will bring more revenue to the region. When the local economy thrives, more people in this region will start businesses and even more jobs are created,\" said Congresswoman Waters.\n\nHomelessness was also a major focus. The Congresswoman discussed the work she has done to increase federal investments in public housing, homeless and rental housing assistance for vulnerable population. Congresswoman Waters guided the passage of the reauthorization of the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance program, and worked to support federal funding for programs such as the Los Angeles County Continuum. The Congresswoman also fought to ensure that federal funds support permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless veterans and seniors.\n\n\"Homelessness is a major issue across the country, especially among veterans. I am determined to ensure that the men and women who valiantly serve this country have homes. Vermont Villas in Harbor Gateway is a new development that recently opened due to private and public sector funding to reduce the number of homeless veterans and elderly residents living on the streets. We need more developments of this kind across the country, and I have focused my efforts to achieve this goal,\" said the Congresswoman.\n\nThe Congresswoman also discussed the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) that Congress recently passed. The FAST Act includes $3.7 billion in bus and bus facilities funding, a 75 percent increase over current funding levels that will help transit agencies in the South Bay region.\n\n\"I am pleased that this additional funding will help agencies such as the Torrance Transit in the City of Torrance, and GTrans in the City of Gardena to expand and improve services and reduce traffic congestion,\" stated the Congresswoman.\n\nAt the conclusion of her remarks, Congresswoman Waters complimented the Torrance Chamber of Commerce and the other Chambers of Commerce in the area for the work they do to improve the business climate and the care they have shown by providing resources for the vulnerable in our society such as the homeless.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["http://chu.house.gov/press-release/rep-chu-praises-historic-paris-agreement-climate-change", "Rep. Chu Praises Historic Paris Agreement on Climate Change", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Judy Chu", "C001080", "chu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  On Saturday night, after two weeks of negotiations in Paris, negotiators from 195 countries agreed to an historic agreement to curb emission and fight climate change. Under the Paris Agreement, every country has agreed to promote and pursue voluntary cuts to greenhouse gas emission to keep average global temperatures from rising significantly. Scientists have argued that an increase of 2 degrees Celsius would mean significant risks to people and the environment. Wealthier countries have also pledged financial support to help developing countries adopt new energy plans. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), released the following statement:\nWhat we have witnessed in Paris is truly historic. For years, we have been warning that climate change is a global problem, and now we finally have a global solution. I want to congratulate all of our negotiators who worked so hard on this agreement. Curbing emissions is an achievable goal that will spur new innovations and help our economy while protecting our environment. I am committed to doing my part to ensure we meet our goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 26% below 2005 levels by 2025 by supporting the Clean Power Plan, the EPA, investments in new technology, and more. We know the risks of climate change. The stakes could not be higher. This agreement is finally putting the entire world in action to ensure a livable environment for future generations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lowenthal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398702", "Congressman Lowenthal Calls Paris Climate Agreement a Game-Changer", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Alan Lowenthal", "L000579", "lowenthal.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alan Lowenthal today issued the following statement regarding the COP-21 Paris Climate Summit agreement: \"When the history of our generations response to climate change is fully written, 2015 will be a major milestone. \"This year the United States announced groundbreaking cooperation statements with China, India, and Brazil to limit greenhouse gas emissions, develop clean energy, and protect rainforests from deforestation. \"Pope Francis issued his historic encyclical, Laudato Si, which was emblematic of a larger faith community push to care for the earth by acting to reduce the drivers of climate damage and assist vulnerable communities in adapting to a changing world.  \"The Obama administration finalized the Clean Power Plan to curb emissions from the power sector, the most significant federal action the Unites States has taken to date. \"And now, to finish out this already momentous year, more than 190 countries, both rich and poor, and representing 96 percent of global emissions, have come together in agreement on an ambitious framework to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate.  \"Make no mistake -- the Paris Climate Summit is not only historic, it is a game-changer. \"The Paris agreement is a loud signal that the world is united in moving forward on a new, cleaner path to a safer and more secure, common home. \r\n\"It also signals a universal understanding among these nations that the sunset of the unconstrained fossil fuel age is at hand and the age of a cleaner global economy is truly dawning. \"We have finally moved past the question of if we are going to do something, and shifted to how to implement a solution. It is a global acknowledgement that denial and delay are no longer acceptable, and the only way forward is through cooperation and action. \"Paris is only the beginning. The road ahead will require vision and leadership. As chair of the House Safe Climate Caucus, I believe Congress should embrace this opportunity and I am working across the aisle to advance the dialogue from the denial of yesterday to the solutions of tomorrow.  We have taken the first major steps. Now the hard work truly begins.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://scottpeters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-peters-demands-action-on-third-anniversary-of-shooting-at-sandy-hook", "Rep. Peters Demands Action on Third Anniversary of Shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Scott Peters", "P000608", "scottpeters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) released the following statement on the third anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut:\nI was elected to Congress just weeks before this horrific day. Ill never forget thinking about my own children and I vowed that I would use my position to make a difference, Peters said. Yet here we are, three years later and Congress has done nothing because House Republican leadership cannot summon the courage to challenge the gun lobby and let us take a stand and vote on bipartisan proposals to honor these victims  these children  with action. \nToday, we remember the lives of the twenty children and six educators that were brutally murdered at Sandy Hook. We honor the resiliency of those families and all the people of Newtown who persevered as they continue to heal from this heartbreaking tragedy.\nSince Sandy Hook, at least 161 communities have experienced school shootings, our country has lost 90,000 people to gun deaths, and Congress has done nothing. For as long as it takes, I will remind the Speaker of the human cost of his inaction. Speaker Ryan: its time to let Congress take action and pass universal background checks. \nLast week, Peters began reading the names of mass shooting victims since the tragedy at Sandy Hook in a series of speeches in front of the House of Representatives. The speeches will continue until Speaker Paul Ryan allows Congress to vote on one of a number of bipartisan proposals to curb the national epidemic of gun violence. Peters read 63 names during three speeches last week, and will carry on the series tomorrow.\nVideos of these speeches and an updated list of names read in front of the House of Representatives can be found here.\nRep. Peters is a co-sponsor of the bipartisan King-Thompson background check legislation and an active member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force in the U.S. House of Representatives.\nCurrently, loopholes in our gun safety laws allow many firearms purchases online or at a gun shows to proceed no questions asked and without a background check. By closing these loopholes, Congress could keep more firearms out of the hands of criminals, domestic abusers, and the dangerously mentally ill.\nAccording to a July survey by the Pew Research Center, 85% of Americans, including majorities of both Republicans and Democrats, favor expanding background checks to cover all gun purchases. According to the same survey, 87% of responsible, gun-owning Americans also support expanding background checks as a way to keep guns out of those who pose a threat to innocent lives.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-says-working-together-key-passing-california-water-legislation", "Costa Says Working Together is Key to Passing California Water Legislation", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jim Costa", "C001059", "costa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Fresno, CA  Rep. Jim Costa (CA-16) released the following statement regarding California water legislation. \nFor months, my Republican and Democratic colleagues have been working on short- and long-term solutions for Californias drought stricken economy. Those of us from the San Joaquin Valley have been working on it for years. Many of us are fearful that California will receive the much anticipated El Nio rains and snow in the mountains over the next four months, and yet we will not be able to move as much water through the Delta as we need, and many farm communities will end up with another zero allocation of water. This would be devastating, and is both unacceptable and avoidable. My colleagues and I all agree that we have come very close to reaching an agreement on how we can take advantage of excess flows during these storms.\nI urge Senators Feinstein and Boxer and my Republican and Democratic colleagues in the House to not give up. We can all retreat to our political corners and point fingers to lay blame, but that will not bring us desperately needed water next year, nor will it address the very real harm done to the very people we have the honor to represent.\nThe fact is we still have to work together to accomplish this very difficult task, and I will continue to work with the multiple parties involved in these negotiations to try to bridge the conflicts. I understand we are all frustrated, but it is our responsibility to the people of California to come together and agree on solutions that will reach our goal of bringing water to regions of our state that could receive no water allocation next year, even with an exceptional El Nio event. Doing anything else would be irresponsible and a disservice to all Californians.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-lieu-statement-historic-paris-climate-agreement", "CONGRESSMAN LIEU STATEMENT ON HISTORIC PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ted Lieu", "L000582", "lieu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\nWASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) issued the following statement in light of the delegates to the COP21 Paris Climate Summit reaching a final agreement to limit carbon pollution and address the climate crisis:\nI am thrilled by the climate agreement reached at the Paris talks. The Paris Agreement involves 190 countries and commits each nation, for the very first time, to lowering its carbon pollution and keeping Earths global temperature well below the devastating 2 degree Celsius rise. This is a historic moment not only for the United States, but the entire world, as we work to save our planet from the destruction of climate change. \nMy home state of California has long been a world leader in tackling climate change, and I am proud of the Golden States presence at the Paris talks. I am also particularly proud of the University of California for being the only university to join Bill Gatess Breakthrough Energy Coalition, a group of investors committed to green innovation and technologies. \nI hope that Congress will support the historic progress that the Paris Agreement represents. The economic vibrancy, national security and health of our nation  of our world  in great part depends on Congress willingness to forge urgent, bipartisan solutions to address the global peril of climate change.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://matsui.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=176", "Congresswoman Matsui Statement on Historic Paris Climate Summit Agreement", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Doris Matsui", "M001163", "matsui.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Monday, December 14, 2015  CONTACT: LAUREN DART(202) 225-7163 Congresswoman Matsui Statement onHistoric Paris Climate Summit Agreement   Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) issued the following statement on the historic climate agreement reached at the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP21): I commend President Obama, Secretary Kerry, and the entire Administration for their leadership in securing an ambitious climate agreement at the COP21 Paris Climate Summit, said Congresswoman Doris Matsui. Nearly 200 nations have taken an historic step forward in securing a cleaner and healthier world for our children and grandchildren. The world community has sent a message that the climate crisis is real and should be taken seriously, and our country's leadership is more critical than ever. I hope my colleagues in Congress will work together on climate solutions that adequately answer the challenge put forth by our leaders in Paris. In the decades ahead, we must continue to do our part to prevent further damage to the climate by implementing the President's Clean Power Plan and increasing investments in our clean energy future. ### ###From Subject Received Size Categories  Matsui Press RELEASE: Congresswoman Matsui Statement on Historic Paris Climate Summit Agreement 5:46 PM 7 KB", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pelosi.house.gov/news/pelosi-updates/no-more-silence", "No More Silence", "2015-12-12", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ending the Epidemic  Monday marks three years since the heartbreaking shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. It has been a little more than 1,000 days since that attack. In that time, there have been more than 1,000 mass shootings -- almost one for each day. Gun violence is a public health epidemic that claims the lives of 30,000 Americans each year. Sandy Hook and San Bernardino are the bookends of a daily tragedy of gun violence that tears at communities across the country. Congress has no right to hold moments of silence for the victims of gun violence without honoring them with action. Yesterday, I brought a privileged resolution to the Floor of the House demanding we vote on theDenying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Actto close the outrageous loophole that allows those on the FBIs Terrorist Watchlist to legally purchase guns. Seven times in the past two weeks, Republicans have blocked the House from even debating closing this loophole  and Democrats will continue to demand action with our discharge petition to force a vote. Within the ongoing omnibus bill negotiations, House Democrats are also pushing to end the 19-year-old ban on federal research into gun violence. The American people deserve the facts. Members of Congress need the data. Republicans cannot use willful ignorance to justify their inaction on gun violence.  \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t                                          This week, my office was contacted by a constituent who had applied for her daughters passport over one month ago using the expedited processing service offered by the Passport Agency. With her familys planned international travel approaching later this week, she was concerned that the Passport Agency would not process the passport application in time for the trip. Immediately after contacting my office, my staff relayed the details of my constituents situation to the Passport Agency, and was able to ensure that the passport was printed and overnighted to my constituents home. My constituent and her family will now be able to visit their relatives for the holidays.Caseworkers in my San Francisco office work to address any problems or concerns you may have with a federal government agency. To submit a Casework Authorization Form, pleasevisitmy website.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\tGet Ready for El Nio\n\t\t\t\t\tWeather forecasters are predicting heavyEl Niorains this winter, significantly increasing the risk of flooding. TheNational Flood Insurance Program(NFIP) protects your home from severe flooding with affordable rates. To check if you are in a high risk flood zone, FEMA provides an easy to useflood hazard mapping tool. The NFIP will then match you with an agent to provide the bestpolicy ratesbased on the level of risk to your property.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-on-historic-paris-climate-summit-agreement", "Pelosi Statement on Historic Paris Climate Summit Agreement", "2015-12-12", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George,202-226-7616\nWashington, D.C.  Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement after delegates to the COP21 Paris Climate Summit announced a final agreement to limit carbon pollution and address the climate crisis:\nThe success of the Paris Climate Summit is truly a monumental moment in the history of the world. I congratulate President Obama for his indispensable leadership in getting this agreement. Secretary Kerry and our negotiators are to be commended for securing such a bold, global commitment to act on climate.\nWith the Paris Agreement, the world has come together to affirm that clean energy is the future. As we move toward more ambitious action in the decades ahead, we must ensure that America is equipped to lead in the clean energy economy. We will continue to advance the landmark Clean Power Plan that reduces carbon pollution, lowers energy bills, and protects the air our children breathe.\nPresident Hollande is to be congratulated on this successful conference on this challenging issue under challenging circumstances.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://chu.house.gov/press-release/reps-chu-marino-introduce-bill-historic-reforms-copyright-office", "Reps. Chu, Marino Introduce Bill with Historic Reforms to the Copyright Office", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Judy Chu", "C001080", "chu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.Today, Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), Congressman Tom Marino (PA-10) and Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (VA-10) introduced H.R. 4241  the Copyright Office for the Digital Economy Act or the CODE Act. This comes after months of discussion with various stakeholders, including several joint Member roundtables.\nAs a result, improvements were made to the bill which reflect a consensus across various industries and public interest groups since the discussion draft bill was released for comment in June. Among the new changes are:\n Housing the Copyright Office in the Legislative Branch\n Requiring ongoing technology studies to ensure the office remains current with technology to be more user friendly which includes improving upon the searchable database\n The establishment of an advisory board representing a variety of interests and views tasked with providing the Office with candid feedback on the office current field of copyright to ensure neutrality and objectivity\n Technical provisions to ensure a more seamless transition away from the Library of Congress\nCongresswoman Chu said the following of the bill:\nI am proud to join Rep. Marino to introduce legislation that would modernize the Copyright Office. The copyright industries are responsible for millions of jobs and billions of dollars in our economy, yet the office responsible is running on analog in a digital world. Over the course of this year, we met with interested stakeholders to discuss the needs of the Copyright Office and the changes we must make to bring it into the modern age. I appreciate their participation and the feedback we received that helped shape this legislation. As a result, this bill would make operational improvements, provide budgetary control to the Copyright Office, and ensure that it has sound legal ground to perform its core mission. I look forward to continuing my work with colleagues and interested parties on the improvements needed to ensure that our country has a Copyright Office that reflects the 21st century.\nCongressman Marino said:\nCreativity is the essence that has made America the most prosperous nation in the world. However, we have allowed our Copyright Office to fall behind the fast-moving pace of Americas creators and the industries they work within, which hurts copyright holders as well as the public. This bill will ensure the Office has great autonomy to more quickly adapt to changes in technology and accessibility to ensure the public can enjoy the benefits of creative works while ensuring the artists get paid. We approached this effort thoroughly and sought the advice and feedback of everyone interested in copyright. This bill is well thought-out, reasonable and provides a long-term solution to the Copyright Offices ailments. I am more than confident this proposal will garner more and more support as we move forward.\nThe text of the bill can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-approves-huffman-proposal-to-increase-available-affordable-housing", "House Approves Huffman Proposal to Increase Available Affordable Housing in West Marin", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jared Huffman", "H001068", "huffman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today announced that the U.S. House of Representatives has approved his proposal to increase the availability of badly-needed affordable housing in West Marin, by requiring the Coast Guard to convey its roughly 30-acre property located in Point Reyes Station to the County of Marin. The County intends to work with local partners to repurpose the property as affordable housing and community space.\nIn May, Huffman was able to successfully pass a legislative initiative allowing the County exclusive first rights to purchase the property. Since that time, the Congressman has worked with bipartisan colleagues on both sides of the Capitol to secure stronger language and require by law the sale of the property to the County within four years. The House has now approved an updated Coast Guard authorization bill that includes this stronger language.\nThe legislation brings us one step closer to ensuring that the Coast Guard property will benefit working families in West Marin. This is the strongest mandate to date: it requires by law that the Coast Guard transfer its Point Reyes Station housing site to Marin County for permanent affordable housing, Huffman said. I thank Senators Boxer and Feinstein for introducing companion legislation, and I look forward to working with colleagues in the House and Senate to swiftly move the legislation to the Presidents desk.\nInitially the Coast Guard planned to auction the property, designated as surplus, to the highest bidder. However, after well over a year of legislative efforts by Congressman Huffman and persistent advocacy from the local community, including the Community Land Association of West Marin (CLAM) and County Supervisor Steve Kinsey, the Coast Guard formally agreed in October to sell the property to the County. Todays House-passed legislation provides a legal backstop to ensure the sale proceeds promptly.\nA previous press release from the Congressman on the subject is available here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/huffman-leads-congressional-letter-to-irs-don-t-tax-homeowners-for", "Huffman Leads Congressional Letter to IRS: Dont Tax Homeowners for Saving Water", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jared Huffman", "H001068", "huffman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) and Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) today led a letter signed by 32 other Members of Congress to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of the Treasury, urging they act to clarify that homeowners who receive rebates for water conservation and stormwater management improvements to their home should not be required to pay federal taxes on those rebates.\nCurrently, the IRS considers water rebates to be taxable income. The letter sent by the lawmakers argues instead that the IRS should consider these rebates a reduction of the purchase price of the home improvement. This change would establish parity between water and energy efficiency rebates. Currently, rebates provided for energy efficiency home improvements, such as the installation of Energy-Star-certified windows or doors or energy efficient appliance, are not subject to federal tax.\nThis is a perfect opportunity to help homeowners and businesses who are doing the right thing, said Congressman Huffman. The IRS should not be in the business of taxing rebates for home improvements that address water conservation and green infrastructure. Every consumer in America understands that rebates like these are not income, but an effort to defray costs. Its time for the IRS to get up to speed by making water conservation rebates tax-free, just like we do with energy conservation rebates. This tax impacts communities across the nation  not just California, but from Washington to Maryland and Florida. I look forward to pushing this common-sense, pro-consumer, pro-conservation reform forward.\nFor many families, these water conservation improvements projects are too expensive to be installed without some financial incentive, said Congressman Sherman. These rebates are not income, and they should not be subject to tax. Rebates are used to reimburse consumers for implementing environmentally conscious improvements, and these efforts should be rewarded, not penalized.\nEncouraging residents to reduce water usage by replacing water-thirsty lawns, installing gray water capture systems, or purchasing new water-efficient appliances can provide significant water savings and ease the strain on public infrastructure. However, these improvements are often too expensive for property owners to install without a financial incentive. To encourage more installations, water utilities across the country have established rebate programs to defray costs.\nAdditionally, protecting our waterways from stormwater runoff pollution is critical for public health, local economies, and the environment. Because so much of the natural surface in cities is paved over, rainwater flows over city streets, collecting a range of pollutants, such as motor oil, antifreeze, and pesticides, before entering into local water bodies, making stormwater runoff a significant cause of water pollution. Dealing with this issue is not only a matter of good governance, but is required by the Clean Water Act, and water utilities in California and across the country, from Seattle to Milwaukee to Montgomery County, MD, have implemented rebate programs to incentivize property owners to act.\nIn addition to Reps. Huffman and Sherman, the letter was signed by Reps. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif), Ral Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.), Chris Van Vollen (D-MD), Janice Hahn (D-Calif), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif), Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif), Lucile Roybal Allard (D-Calif), Jackie Speier (D-Calif), Mark Takano (D-Calif), Mike Thompson (D-Calif), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Juan Vargas (D-Calif), John Garamendi (D-Calif), Mike Honda (D-Calif), Grace Napolitano (D-Calif), Julia Brownley (D-Calif), Sam Farr (D-Calif), Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), John Delaney (D-MD), Dina Titus (D-Ariz.), Tony Cardenas (D-Calif.), Ted Lieu (D-Calif), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif), Matt Cartwright (D-Penn.), and Scott Peters (D-Calif), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Lois Capps (D-Calif.), and Eric Swalwell (D-Calif).\nA PDF of Reps. Huffman and Shermans lettercan be found hereand the full text is directly below.\nThe Honorable John Koskinen  \n\tCommissioner  \n\tInternal Revenue Service  \n\t1111 Constitution Avenue NW  \n\tWashington, DC 20224\nThe Honorable Mark Mazur  \n\tAssistant Secretary (Tax Policy)  \n\tDepartment of the Treasury  \n\t1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW  \n\tWashington, DC 20220\nDear Commissioner Koskinen and Assistant Secretary Mazur:\nWe are writing to urge the Internal Revenue Service to resolve an important tax matter relating to water conservation and stormwater management. Many water utilities have programs to encourage private property owners to make water efficiency and stormwater-related improvements and are providing rebates to defray the property owners cost.The IRS should issue a revenue ruling clarifying that these rebates are not taxable both because they are fundamentally a reduction in purchase price and because they are not intended to confer a net benefit on the private property owner.\nSevere droughts and a growing awareness of limited freshwater resources are driving communities across the nation to cut water usage. Encouraging residents to reduce water usage by replacing water-thirsty lawns, installing gray water capture systems, or purchasing new water-efficient appliances can provide significant water savings. However, these improvements are often too expensive for property owners to install without a financial incentive. To encourage more installations, water utilities have established programs to provide rebates to defray costs.\nProtecting our waterways from stormwater runoff pollution is critical for public health, local economies, and our environment. Because so much of the natural surface in our cities is paved over, rainwater is no longer able to soak directly into the ground. Instead, rainwater flows over city streets, collecting a range of pollutants, such as motor oil, antifreeze, and pesticides, before entering into local water bodies. In older cities with combined sewer systems, stormwater runoff mixes with wastewater containing raw sewage and can overflow into local waterways.Approximately ten trillion gallons of polluted stormwater runoff impairs our rivers, lakes, and oceans each year, making stormwater runoff a significant cause of water pollution. Dealing with this issue is not only a matter of good governance, but is required by the Clean Water Act.\nRather than just building more and more wastewater treatment plants, sewers, and pipes, water utilities have increasingly turned to green infrastructure, such as rain gardens, green roofs, cisterns, planter boxes and permeable pavement. These infrastructure solutions are designed to retain stormwater at or near the site where it falls, rather than route all stormwater to overburdened centralized infrastructure. As much of urban land is privately owned, many local water utilities have established green infrastructure rebate programs to encourage private property owners to install green infrastructure on privately-owned land.\nWhen water conservation and green infrastructure rebate payments are taxable to the property owners who receive them, it significantly deters participation in these programs.\nFortunately, Treasury and the IRS have ample authority under current law to address this issue. The rebates should be nontaxable because they are fundamentally a reduction of the purchase price of the water conservation or green infrastructure installation (analogous to manufacturers rebates paid to customers who buy automobiles from car dealers). Support for this conclusion can be found in Revenue Ruling 76-96, 1976-1 C.B. 23, suspended in part on another issue; as well as Revenue Ruling 2005-28, 2005-1 C.B. 1997; Revenue Ruling 88-95, 1988-2 C.B. 28, further clarified by Revenue Ruling 2001-8, 2001-1 C.B. 726; Freedom Newspapers, Inc. v. Commissioner, 36 T.C.M. 1755 (1977); James Brown v. Commissioner, 10 B.T.A. 1036 (1928).\nAdditionally, the rebates should be nontaxable because the benefit of the water conservation or green infrastructure installation goes to the water utility (by reducing demand for potable water or reducing local costs for stormwater management). See also Letter Ruling 7950049 (Sep. 12, 1979). Municipal water conservation and green infrastructure rebate programs are not intended to confer a net benefit on the property owner as most benefits are not expected to exceed out-of-pocket installation and maintenance costs.\nThank you for your consideration of this important matter. We look forward to your timely response.\nSincerely,\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 4066, "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": "2015"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 4066, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=CA&year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 4066, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2015&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "CA", "label": "CA", "count": 4066, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "2015", "label": "2015", "count": 4066, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2015-12-11,http~3A~2F~2Fhuffman~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fhuffman-leads-congressional-letter-to-irs-don-t-tax-homeowners-for", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=CA&year=2015&_next=2015-12-11%2Chttp~3A~2F~2Fhuffman~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fhuffman-leads-congressional-letter-to-irs-don-t-tax-homeowners-for&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 766.297108028084, "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"}