{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"CA\" and year = 2013 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://cook.house.gov/media-center/newsletter/a-special-holiday-message", "A Special Holiday Message", "2013-12-25", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Paul Cook", "C001094", "cook.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friends,\u00a0 On behalf of myself, my family, and my staff, Merry Christmas and best wishes to your family in the coming New Year!\u00a0 Please keep our service members and their families in your thoughts and prayers as you gather with loved ones in the coming weeks. They\u2019re serving our nation far away from their families and in harm\u2019s way. They put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms and for this we're especially grateful.\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Please click here to watch my holiday messageAs always, you can follow everything I'm working on in California and Washington, DC, through my website https://cook.house.gov/, on Twitter\u00a0@RepPaulCook, and through Facebook at Congressman Paul Cook.\u00a0 Happy Holidays,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nunes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=365028", "Benghazi investigation continues", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Devin Nunes", "N000181", "nunes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Benghazi investigation continues \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,\r\n        December 20, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      I spoke to Fox News this week about the ongoing investigation into the Benghazi attack. You can read the article and watch a video clip here. \nSeparately, the Nunes Digest is updated for your weekend reading here. \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221082927/http://denham.house.gov/newsletter/weekly-update-rep-denham-december-20-2013", "Weekly Update from Rep. Denham - December 20, 2013", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend,\n\tI\u2019ve had a great week at home in the Central Valley meeting with many of you. As we celebrate the holiday season I am especially honored to have the opportunity to represent you in Congress. As always, I welcome your feedback and look forward to hearing from you on the things you care about most. You can contact me through my website, http://denham.house.gov, or subscribe to my Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube\u00a0feeds to stay in touch with what I\u2019m working on in the 10th district and Washington, D.C.\n\tAs you may have seen, the financial security of California\u2019s High-Speed Rail project has been heavily debated over the last few weeks following rulings from Sacramento Judge Michael Kenny and the Surface Transportation Board. I joined The California Report to discuss the multi-billion dollar construction and whether or not the High-Speed Rail Authority is working with a fiscally responsible, long-term funding plan. You can listen in to our discussion here.\n\tOn Wednesday several of my staff members attended the girls' basketball tournament at Excel Academy to present the school with a flag flown over the Pentagon on Veterans Day of this year. SJCOE Superintendent Mick Founts dedicated the flag and one of my staffers led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. I hope that the flag will inspire their young athletes for years to come.\nThis flag, which SJCOE framed and had placed in glass on their gymnasium wall, was flown above the U.S. Pentagon on 11/11/13.\u00a0\nLast night I participated in a discussion about immigration reform with the City Ministry Network in Modesto. I believe our immigration system is broken and needs real and effective reform, and I am committed to working across the aisle to find a bipartisan American solution to solve this problem for the next generation. I have focused on this topic all year and will continue to work on a true and lasting fix as we enter 2014.\nIt was a pleasure to speak with participants at the City Ministry Network event.\u00a0\nAs I mentioned last week, I had the honor of nominating 19 young men and women from across the 10th district to our country\u2019s prestigious military academies for 2013. These exceptional young people exhibit great character and dedication to serving our country. It is a privilege to nominate them to our esteemed military academies. Their desire to join our military forces is inspiring.\n\tThe nominees are seeking admission to the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. and the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. \u00a0\n\tEach student seeking to attend one of these four military academies must be nominated by a U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator or the Vice President. Nominees are selected through a rigorous application and interview process and are chosen based on factors such as academic achievement, leadership ability, physical aptitude, participation in extra-curricular activities and demonstration of character.\n\tAcademy students commit to serving in the military for a minimum of five years active duty upon graduation. If accepted to attend, students will receive notice from the individual service academies in April 2014. Here is the full list of 10th district nominees\u00a0from Tracy, Modesto, Newman, Waterford, Turlock, Ripon and Manteca.\n\tLastly, I wanted to feature one of my Modesto office\u2019s dedicated fall interns, Kyle Griffith. Kyle is a CSU Stanislaus grad who majored in Political Science. He is a Modesto native who has been helping my staff with database management, updating contact lists and answering constituent phone calls. He is most interested in doing casework, where he has the ability to help individual constituents with their needs, and participating in the office\u2019s mobile district office hours, where myself and my district staff meet with 10th district residents one-on-one.\n\tKyle has been an asset to my staff in Modesto as we work to serve members of our community from across the district. It is always an honor to help young people beginning a career in politics experience work in a congressional office.\n\tKyle\u2019s dream job is to work in an embassy as a Foreign Service Officer for the State Department, but he could see himself working on Capitol Hill in the future or in the office of a California state legislator.\n\t\u201cI have multiple family members and close friends who have served or are currently serving in our military,\u201d said Kyle. \u201cOne of Congressman Denham\u2019s priorities is veteran services, and I want to help him with that in any way I can.\u201d\n\tKyle is the son of Keith and Gemma Griffith.\n\n\t\u00a0\nJEFF DENHAM", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://issa.house.gov/press-releases/2013/12/house-judiciary-committee-members-call-for-doj-investigation-of-national-intelligence-director-clapper-for-lying-to-congress/", "House Judiciary Committee Members Call for DOJ Investigation of National Intelligence Director Clapper for Lying to Congress", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON. D.C. \u2013 Today, Representatives Darrell Issa (CA-49), Jim Sensenbrenner (WI-5), Trent Franks (AZ-08), Blake Farenthold (TX-27), Trey Gowdy (SC-04), Raul Labrador (ID-01) and Ted Poe (TX-02) sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. urging an investigation of the Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, for lying to Congress while testifying before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in March of 2013.\u00a0\n\n\u201cDirector Clapper\u2019s willful lie under oath fuels the unhealthy cynicism and distrust that citizens feel toward their government and undermines Congress\u2019s ability to perform its Constitutional function,\u201d the Members write in their letter to Holder. \u201cThere are differences of opinion about the propriety of the NSA\u2019s data collection programs.\u00a0 There can be no disagreement, however, on the basic premise that congressional witnesses must answer truthfully.\u201d\n\u201cCongressional oversight depends on truthful testimony\u2014witnesses cannot be allowed to lie to Congress.\u00a0 Accordingly, we request you investigate Director of National Intelligence James Clapper\u2019s \u2018erroneous\u2019 statements to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence earlier this year.\u201d\nAt a March 12, 2013 Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing, Director Clapper was asked if, \u201cthe NSA collected any type of data at all on millions of hundreds of millions of Americans\u201d to which he responded with, \u201cNo, Sir.\u201d\u00a0 Four months later, in June 2013, after the Snowden leaks publicly exposed Clapper\u2019s testimony as false, Clapper finally retracted his remarks and wrote, \u201cMy response was clearly erroneous, for which I apologize.\u201d\nTo read the text of the letter, please click here.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364665", "California Delegation and California Assembly Request Immediate Executive Action", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "David Valadao", "V000129", "valadao.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, United States Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) and California Senator Jean Fuller (SD-18) joined together at a press event in Bakersfield where they delivered an update on California\u00e2\u0080\u0099s 2014 water situation and reiterated their request that President Barack Obama and Governor Jerry Brown take immediate action to address the catastrophic effects of what is shaping up to be another dry water-year for the State. \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Washington \u00e2\u0080\u0093 Today, United States Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) and California Senator Jean Fuller (SD-18) joined together at a press event in Bakersfield where they delivered an update on California\u00e2\u0080\u0099s 2014 water situation and reiterated their request that President Barack Obama and Governor Jerry Brown take immediate action to address the catastrophic effects of what is shaping up to be another dry water-year for the State.  Jim Beck of  Kern County Water Agency, Ron Jacobsma of Friant Water Users Authority, Dan Vink of Lower Tule River and Pixley Irrigation Districts and Jason Peltier of Westlands Water District accompanied Congressman Valadao and Senator Fuller delivering their own messages regarding the current water situation as well.  Over the last several years, naturally occurring dry conditions in the State of California have been exacerbated by government bureaucracy and environmental regulations that prevent water deliveries through the Delta.  Earlier this month, Congressman Valadao and Senator Fuller were joined by every Californian Republican from the U.S. House of Representatives and 34 Members of the California State Senate and Assembly in sending a letter urging President Obama and Governor Brown utilize their executive authority to alleviate the effects of drought. The letter also stressed the need for additional water storage and assured protections of water right priorities in order to ensure an affordable, reliable water supply for California\u00e2\u0080\u0099s families and farms. The full letter can be found here.  \u00e2\u0080\u009cLike various regions in our State, my District in the Central Valley is extremely affected by this on-going man-made drought. Farmers and farm-workers, families, and communities throughout my District continue to suffer as the Endangered Species Act and other regulatory barriers have starved them of desperately needed water.\u00e2\u0080\u009d He continued, \u00e2\u0080\u009cI am excited to join my colleagues in the House, Senator Fuller and her colleagues in the California State Legislature as we work together to find a sensible solution for our constituents.\u00e2\u0080\u009d   \n\u00e2\u0080\u0093 Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) \u00e2\u0080\u009cCalifornia cannot afford to wait any longer to address the lack of a reliable water storage and delivery system. The recent water allocation announcement by the California Department of Water Resources further highlights the dire situation we are facing for the coming years. This problem needs the immediate attention of both national and state leaders and needs action now. It is my hope that action is taken and I will continue to work with my Legislative colleagues and Congressional delegation on a solution that\u00e2\u0080\u0099s right for the whole of California.\u00e2\u0080\u009d    \n- Senator Jean Fuller (SD-18)  \"The announcement last month of an initial 5% allocation for our farmers and small businesses is unacceptable, and puts the livelihoods of hardworking Californians in Central and Southern California in jeopardy. Our farmers and businesses deserve to receive the water they contract and pay for, but the environmental regulations in the Delta prioritize fish over people. A stable and adequate water supply is critical for our local community and our state, and we will continue to fight for immediate action to be taken to increase vital water supplies for our communities to flourish.\"   \n\u00e2\u0080\u0093 Congressman Kevin McCarthy (CA-21)  \u00e2\u0080\u009cHaving received yet another inadequate water allocation, Central Valley farmers desperately need relief. Not many countries in human history have thrived by systematically starving their most productive farmers of water, and there is no reason to believe the United States will be an exception. These destructive environmental regulations must be permanently repealed.\u00e2\u0080\u009d    \n- Congressman Devin Nunes (CA-22)  \u00e2\u0080\u009cWater has always been an especially vital and precious resource to California's cities and farms. Most of the California's reservoirs are already at dangerously low levels and next year's projected water supply allocation will not protect our state against drought or natural disaster. I join with my California colleagues in the House in calling for an improved and reliable 2014 water plan that will ensure the people, economy, and agriculture of our state are protected from catastrophe.\u00e2\u0080\u009d   \n\u00e2\u0080\u0093 Congressman John Campbell (CA-45) \u00e2\u0080\u009cRoughly half of California\u00e2\u0080\u0099s water is consumed by environmental regulations.  These laws are not only squandering our existing water supply, they are blocking the construction of any new storage that might relieve the current shortages.  Drought is the catalyst, but the underlying problem is not an act of God but rather acts of government.  I remain committed to restoring rational federal water policies that allow for the creation of abundant water and electricity, rather than government-imposed rationing.\u00e2\u0080\u009d   \n\u00e2\u0080\u0093 Congressman Tom McClintock (CA-04)  \u00e2\u0080\u009cA solution to stabilize Central and Southern California\u00e2\u0080\u0099s water allocation needs to be implemented immediately. The initial 5% water allocation projections recently announced by the California Department of Water Resources will cause the ongoing water crisis in Central and Southern California to worsen. It is unfair to deny families and businesses access to a stable and affordable water supply. I am pleased to join with California\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Congressional delegation and State legislators in urging President Obama and Governor Brown to immediately increase vital water resources for our region.\u00e2\u0080\u009d  \n\u00e2\u0080\u0093 Congressman Gary Miller (CA-31) \u00e2\u0080\u009cMisguided environmental regulations and natural drought conditions threaten to take thousands of acres of valuable farmland out of production and jeopardize our state\u00e2\u0080\u0099s economy. I\u00e2\u0080\u0099m calling on our Governor, our federal delegation in Congress and the President to take immediate action to improve California\u00e2\u0080\u0099s water supplies stemming from decreases in federal and state government allocations. California farmers and residents deserve a clean and reliable supply of water. A severe water shortage due to government cutbacks only threatens to derail our slow economic recovery in California.\u00e2\u0080\u009d   \n\u00e2\u0080\u0093 Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff (SD-29) \u00e2\u0080\u009cThe health and well-being of our Valley residents and economy depend on a safe and reliable water supply.  I call upon the President and Governor to take action and give the Valley a much-needed lifeline as we enter what is expected to be another dry year.\u00e2\u0080\u009d   \n- Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway (AD-26)  \u00e2\u0080\u009cA reliable water supply is an essential element of California's economy. Given the federal government's role in California water policy, it is essential that President Obama and Congress take the lead in providing relief to California farmers.\u00e2\u0080\u009d   \n\u00e2\u0080\u0093 Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian (AD-35) \u00e2\u0080\u009cIf President Obama and Governor Brown fail to come together to make water infrastructure and storage a top priority next year, California\u00e2\u0080\u0099s water crisis will continue to be a nightmare. I urge them to do what is best for our families and our farmers, and not to let misguided environmental priorities take precedent.\u00e2\u0080\u009d  \n\u00e2\u0080\u0093 Assemblyman Brian Jones (AD-71) \u00e2\u0080\u009cCalifornia\u00e2\u0080\u0099s future depends on our water infrastructure\u00e2\u0080\u0099s ability to provide an affordable water supply to the entire state.  We need to pursue innovative water solutions to ensure all Californians have reliable sources of water.\u00e2\u0080\u009d   \n- Assemblyman Travis Allen (AD-72) \"We appreciate the efforts of Congressman Valadao, State Senator Jean Fuller and many other elected officials at both the federal and state levels to bring more attention to the need for immediate action for regulatory relief.  With 2014 shaping up to be one of the driest calendar years on record, Kern County\u00e2\u0080\u0099s water users will be utilizing all available resources and strategies to meet our local water demands.  Implementing less onerous regulatory restrictions will be a necessary part of the portfolio of actions that will need to be taken.\"   \n- Jim Beck; General Manager, Kern County Water Agency \"We appreciate the efforts of Congressman Valadao and many other elected officials at both the federal and state levels to bring more attention to the need for immediate action for regulatory relief while respecting water right priorities to improve water supplies for 2014 and beyond.\"   \n\u00e2\u0080\u0093 Steve Chedester; General Manager, San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority \u00e2\u0080\u009cThe depth of the water crisis in the Central Valley is unprecedented and it's time to move from rhetoric to action - something that makes a difference. To do that, we need serious and committed leadership in Washington DC and Sacramento and we need it now. Failure to act will cripple the cities, families and farms that make up the backbone of the state.\u00e2\u0080\u009d  \n\u00e2\u0080\u0093 Dan Vink; General Manager, Lower Tule River Irrigation District  \u00e2\u0080\u009cAll Californians would benefit from a more flexible management of our water resources by state and federal regulators.  In addition, each year we delay a permanent delta fix is a year closer to disaster for our economy.  Finally, it appears that 2014 will be another challenging water year and direct leadership from the President and the Governor are needed now more than ever.\u00e2\u0080\u009d    \n\u00e2\u0080\u0093 Brett R. Barbre; Director, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Congressman David G. Valadao represents the 21st Congressional District, which includes Kings County and portions of Fresno, Tulare, and Kern Counties. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221165242/http://denham.house.gov/press-release/denham-announces-2013-military-service-academy-nominees", "Denham Announces 2013 Military Service Academy Nominees", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) today announced the 2013 service academy nominees from California\u2019s 10th district. Rep. Denham nominated 19 students from cities across the district, including Modesto, Newman, Waterford, Turlock, Tracy, Manteca and Ripon to four of the nation\u2019s five prestigious military academies. The nominees are seeking admission to the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. and the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.\u00a0\n\u201cThese exceptional young people exhibit great character and dedication to serving our country,\u201d said Rep. Denham. \u201cIt is an honor to have the privilege of nominating them to our esteemed military academies. Their desire to join our military forces is inspiring, and I commend each of them for their hard work to reach this point in the process.\u201d\nEach student seeking to attend one of these four military academies must be nominated by a U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator or the Vice President. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination to attend. Nominees are selected through a rigorous application and interview process and are chosen based on factors such as academic achievement, leadership ability, physical aptitude, participation in extra-curricular activities and demonstration of character.\nAcademy students commit to serving in the military for a minimum of five years active duty upon graduation. If accepted to attend, students will receive notice from the individual service academies in April 2014.\nFor more information about the military academy nomination process, please visit http://denham.house.gov/serving-you/military-academy-nominations.\nThe full list of this year\u2019s nominees is below.\nKyle Azlin \u2013 U.S. Military Academy\n\tShane Bell \u2013 U.S. Merchant Marine Academy\n\tDaniel Cota \u2013 U.S. Naval Academy\n\tMichael Gallagher \u2013 U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy\n\tPaul Grimaldo \u2013 U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy\n\tJoseph Johnson \u2013 U.S. Air Force Academy\n\tMaria Martinez \u2013 U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy\n\tJohn Moody \u2013 U.S. Air Force Academy\n\tMarco Neves \u2013 U.S. Air Force Academy\n\tOnix Paredes \u2013 U.S. Naval Academy\n\tAustin Rice \u2013 U.S. Naval Academy\n\tKeegan Rivera \u2013 U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy\n\tAlex Rodin \u2013 U.S. Air Force Academy\n\tCaleb Rogers \u2013 U.S. Naval Academy\n\tBenjamin Smith \u2013 U.S. Air Force Academy\n\tJoshua Tam \u2013 U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy\n\tJonas Trevethan \u2013 U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy\n\tMichala Wyrsch \u2013 U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy\n\tLennart Zielke \u2013 U.S. Naval Academy", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cook.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-of-representatives-passes-critical-national-security-legislation", "House of Representatives Passes Critical National Security Legislation", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Paul Cook", "C001094", "cook.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Yesterday, Rep. Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) voted in support of H.Res 441. This resolution set America\u2019s military priorities for next year to ensure our armed forces have the authorizations needed to keep us safe. This bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support by a vote of 350-69.\nIncluded in this legislation was a 1.8% pay raise for active duty military. Additionally, it ensures men and women in uniform will continue to be eligible for TRICARE Prime, reforms the military\u2019s sexual assault policy, and prohibits any Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) activity for Fiscal Year 2014.\nSaid Cook, \u201cI\u2019m extremely pleased to see this measure pass. Our military has struggled with sequestration cuts, and this critical legislation will help prepare it to face new challenges. This increases national security and will allow our service members to carry out their mission. I\u2019d like to thank the members of the Armed Services Committee for their hard work in getting this crucial bill done.\u201d\nH. Res. 441 will now go to the Senate for a final vote before being sent to the President.\nA member of the House Armed Services, Veterans\u2019 Affairs, and Foreign Affairs Committees, Cook served as an infantry officer and retired after 26 years as a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. During his time in combat, he was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221082956/http://denham.house.gov/newsletter/weekly-update-rep-denham-december-13-2013", "Weekly Update from Rep. Denham - December 13, 2013", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend,\n\tYesterday the House passed a budget agreement which makes permanent changes to mandatory spending programs, taking a step in the right direction towards long-term budgetary reform that will end our out-of-control spending and bring fiscal stability to Washington. I supported the agreement because it makes common sense reforms and replaces the indiscriminate cuts put in place by the President\u2019s sequester plan in the 2011 Budget Control Act. I believe we must rein in our out-of-control spending, which is why I\u2019ve voted for budgets that balance every year I\u2019ve served in Congress.\n\tWe also passed a one-month extension to the farm bill last night. The short-term extension is a temporary solution as we work towards having a full 5-year farm bill signed into law. It gives certainty to families across the country whose household budgets rely on stable prices at the grocery store and to farmers who depend on the safety net this legislation provides. I continue to work along with the rest of the Conference Committee to find common ground with counterparts in the Senate and on the other side of the aisle, and I look forward to seeing our final agreement finished early next year.\n\tToday marks the 377th birthday of the National Guard. Our guard members function as citizen soldiers standing ready to defend our nation whenever the call may come, and I am especially thankful today for their service. This week we passed key defense legislation, the National Defense Authorization Act, which provides the resources the National Guard and the other branches of our military need to keep our country safe.\n\tOn Wednesday, we passed a bill I co-sponsored shortly after its introduction in May called the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act. This legislation would prioritize funding for pediatric research in the hopes of helping children with autism, cancer and other diseases. As a father, I was inspired by Gabriella\u2019s story. She is one of too many children who have battled life-threatening illnesses, and she passed away about a month ago. You can see more of her story here.\n\tI met with representatives from Congregations Building Community in Modesto to discuss my support for securing our borders and for implementing real and effective immigration reform to improve our economy, aid in job creation and unite families nationwide. I will continue to work to find a fix for our broken system.\nI enjoyed meeting with representatives of Congregations Building Community.\nOn Thursday, I met with two members of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission. Chairman Johnson and Executive Director Mortensen gave me an update on their work with ACE, and I shared my priorities as we move towards passing a Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (or PRIIA) next year.\n\tAs your representative in Congress, each year I have the privilege of nominating a limited number of people to four of the five military service academies. I got on the phone today to personally congratulate the students I nominated in 2013. It\u2019s an honor to share such good news.\u00a0For more information about the military academy nomination process, please visit my website here.\nThis call was for Alex, a Turlock student at Pitman High School who I nominated to the Air Force Academy.\u00a0\nMy Twitter\u00a0and Facebook\u00a0pages are great ways to stay updated on what I\u2019m doing in the Central Valley and in D.C. You can also visit my website\u00a0and contact me there with your questions and concerns.\n\t  \n\tJEFF DENHAM", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://calvert.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364317", "Rep. Calvert Votes for Bipartisan Budget Agreement", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Ken Calvert", "C000059", "calvert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) voted for the Bipartisan Budget Agreement that reduces the deficit by $23 billion while establishing discretionary spending levels for Fiscal Year 2014 and 2015.\u00a0 The agreement was approved in the House of Representatives by a vote of 332 to 94.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe Budget Agreement passed by the House today is a step in the right direction in addressing our unsustainable fiscal path,\u201d said Rep. Calvert.\u00a0\u201cThe agreement reduces the deficit by $23 billion more than if Congress had\u00a0done nothing and simply let the government operate on autopilot.\u00a0I am a strong believer that the American people deserve a budget and appropriations process that is debated, legislated and negotiated in the halls of Congress \u2013 not in the dark corners of the Obama administration bureaucracy.\u201d\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cToday, we have established the framework for the Appropriations Committee to complete its work on the Fiscal Year 2014 spending bills and advance the priorities we believe in.\u00a0I am hopeful that the bipartisan, bicameral nature of the agreement will pave the way for long overdue negotiations that will tackle the rapidly rising costs of our mandatory spending programs and our outdated tax code.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 would set overall discretionary spending for the current fiscal year at $1.012 trillion\u2014about halfway between the Senate budget level of $1.058 trillion and the House budget level of $967 billion. The agreement would provide $63 billion in sequester relief over two years, split evenly between defense and non-defense programs. In Fiscal Year 2014, defense discretionary spending would be set at $520.5 billion, and non-defense discretionary spending would be set at $491.8 billion.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe sequester relief is fully offset by savings elsewhere in the budget. The agreement includes dozens of specific deficit-reduction provisions, with mandatory savings and non-tax revenue totaling $85 billion. The agreement would reduce the deficit by $23 billion.\r\n\u00a0\r\nBelow are the most notable examples:\r\n(Provided by the House Budget Committee)\r\n\u00a0\r\nEliminate waste\r\n \r\n    Stop paying Medicaid bills that dead-beat dads and insurance companies should cover. That\u2019s a $1.4 billion spending cut. \r\n    Stop sending unemployment checks to criminals. That\u2019s just common sense. \r\n    Stop sending government checks to dead people. There\u2019s no reason to tolerate fraud.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\nStop favoritism\r\n \r\n    End the special treatment for non-profit student-loan servicers. We're paying too much, and these groups should compete for our business\u2014fair and square. That would save $3 billion. \r\n    End corporate welfare.\r\n \r\n  \r\n- Some energy companies use the federal government like a bank. They deposit extra cash and earn well above market interest rates. By addressing this problem, we can save $750 million.\r\n- Repeal a government research program for private energy companies. That\u2019s a $40 million cut.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\nReal reforms\r\n \r\n    The federal government makes trillions of dollars of empty promises to retirees. And these empty promises not only drive the debt; they also threaten the retirement security of current and future seniors. \r\n    This agreement starts to address the problem. \r\n    We make sensible reforms for civilian and military retirement programs.\r\n \r\n  \r\n- On the civilian side, we ask future retirees to contribute a little bit more \u2014 still well below what\u2019s common for state and local government employees \u2014 so taxpayers don\u2019t have to pick up the entire tab.\r\n- And for younger military retirees, we trim their cost-of-living adjustment just a bit. It\u2019s a modest reform for working-age military retirees.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Taxpayers shouldn\u2019t have to bail out private companies\u2019 pension benefits. That\u2019s why we ask private companies to cover more of the cost of guaranteeing their pension benefits. That would protect taxpayers and save $7.9 billion. \r\n    Mandatory spending is where the problem is. This agreement extends the mandatory sequester for two more years, which cuts $28 billion and rightly focuses on the source of the problem.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://calvert.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364347", "Rep. Calvert Praises Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Ken Calvert", "C000059", "calvert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Ken Calvert joined a bipartisan majority of his colleagues in the House of Representatives in approving the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\u00a0The bill was approved by a vote of 350 to 69.\u00a0The NDAA authorizes $552.1 billion for national defense and an additional $80.7 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations. This is consistent with levels authorized in the FY 13 NDAA for the base budget and $7.8 billion less for war spending.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cEstablishing our military priorities and policies is one of the most important roles Congress performs,\u201d said Rep. Calvert. \u201cI am pleased that we were able to come to a bipartisan, bicameral agreement that provides our men and women in uniform with the resources they need to do their jobs.\u00a0I am especially supportive of language in the bill concerning the Forest Service/U.S. Coast Guard aircraft transfer proposal that I have been working on with Senator McCain.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nTransfer of Excess Military Aircraft to the Forest Service\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe NDAA also contained a provision supported by Rep. Calvert that authorizes the transfer of excess military aircraft to the Forest Service for wildfire fighting purposes.\u00a0Under the provision, the Forest Service would receive seven C-130H as large air tankers from the Coast Guard (after being modified by Air Force) while Forest Service would relinquish its first right of refusal on seven C-27J aircraft, which allows the Coast Guard to receive the entire compliment of 14 C-27J from the Defense Department.\u00a0The Forest Service would also receive 15 retired C-23 Sherpas as smokejumper/transport aircraft.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nEarlier this year, Rep. Calvert and Senator McCain spearheaded a letter sent to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack regarding the status of the aircraft transfer.\r\n\u00a0\r\nJohnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Area\r\n\u00a0\r\nLanguage in the NDAA would preserve approximately 100,000 acres of Johnson Valley as the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Area. The deal will allow the Marines to expand the Twentynine Palms Marine Base into a portion of Johnson Valley and would end the threat of military expansion to the remaining off-road area. The new Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Area is nearly as large as the Imperial Sand Dunes at Glamis and is explicitly designated for off-highway vehicle use under the new law. Included in this area is the entire \u201cHammers\u201d area, both the front and back side. The Marines would be allowed to use a portion of the nearly 100,000 acre Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area for a maximum of 60 days per year. It would be open to the off-road community for recreational use during the remaining 305 days.\r\n\u00a0\r\nOther Highlights\r\n\u00a0\r\nIncreased troop pay\u2013 The bill allows for a 1.8% increase in troop pay, consistent with current law.\r\n\u00a0\r\nPrevention of new fees and fee increases under TRICARE\u2013 The bill once again rejects proposals to increase fees or create new fees under TRICARE and maintains current reforms.\u00a0The bill also allows certain beneficiaries to remain enrolled in TRICARE Prime after the DoD reduces the program\u2019s availability to retired beneficiaries.\r\n\u00a0\r\nBenghazi\u2013 In light of the attacks on U.S. facilities in Benghazi in September of 2012, the NDAA requires a report from the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff related to Benghazi. The report will cover the posture and readiness of U.S. Armed Forces to respond to a request by the Department of State to support embassy security in the event of a similar attack.\r\n\u00a0\r\nReduced bureaucracy\u2013 The bill requires GAO studies aimed at reducing bureaucracy by putting a check on the expansion of headquarters staff within U.S. Central Command, all functional combatant commands, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, and the Service Secretaries.\r\n\u00a0\r\nBRAC\u2013 Understanding that a round of base closures at this time would not only be costly, but reflect temporary budget pressures at the expense of long term strategic assets, the NDAA prohibits DOD from initiating another round of BRAC.\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364254", "Congressman Valadao Releases Statement on Ryan/Murray Budget Agreement", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "David Valadao", "V000129", "valadao.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) released the following statement regarding the recent budget deal. \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Washington \u00e2\u0080\u0093 Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) released the following statement regarding the recent budget deal reached by House Budget Committee Chairman Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). Congressman Valadao stated, \u00e2\u0080\u009cWhile this budget agreement is not perfect, it is a step in the right direction. The deal responsibly reduces our national debt without increasing taxes on hardworking Americans. He continued, \u00e2\u0080\u009cFurthermore, this agreement is proof that both Chambers of Congress can come together through compromise to move our country forward.\u00e2\u0080\u009d  Congressman Valadao also joined with fellow members of the Congressional United Solutions Caucus, Congressmen David Joyce (R-OH), Patrick Murphy (D-FL), and Eric Swalwell (D-CA), in releasing a statement regarding the importance of compromise and bipartisanship to achieve what is best for their constituents, the American people. The full text of the letter can be viewed here.\u00a0 Congressman David G. Valadao represents the 21st Congressional District, which includes Kings County and portions of Fresno, Tulare, and Kern Counties.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://calvert.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-calvert-praises-passage-national-defense-authorization-act-0", "Rep. Calvert Praises Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Ken Calvert", "C000059", "calvert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Ken Calvert joined a bipartisan majority of his colleagues in the House of Representatives in approving the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).The bill was approved by a vote of 350 to 69.The NDAA authorizes $552.1 billion for national defense and an additional $80.7 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations. This is consistent with levels authorized in the FY 13 NDAA for the base budget and $7.8 billion less for war spending.\n\n\"Establishing our military priorities and policies is one of the most important roles Congress performs,\" said Rep. Calvert. \"I am pleased that we were able to come to a bipartisan, bicameral agreement that provides our men and women in uniform with the resources they need to do their jobs.I am especially supportive of language in the bill concerning the Forest Service/U.S. Coast Guard aircraft transfer proposal that I have been working on with Senator McCain.\"\n\nTransfer of Excess Military Aircraft to the Forest Service\n\nThe NDAA also contained a provision supported by Rep. Calvert that authorizes the transfer of excess military aircraft to the Forest Service for wildfire fighting purposes.Under the provision, the Forest Service would receive seven C-130H as large air tankers from the Coast Guard (after being modified by Air Force) while Forest Service would relinquish its first right of refusal on seven C-27J aircraft, which allows the Coast Guard to receive the entire compliment of 14 C-27J from the Defense Department.The Forest Service would also receive 15 retired C-23 Sherpas as smokejumper/transport aircraft.\n\nEarlier this year, Rep. Calvert and Senator McCain spearheaded a letter sent to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack regarding the status of the aircraft transfer.\n\nJohnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Area\n\nLanguage in the NDAA would preserve approximately 100,000 acres of Johnson Valley as the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Area. The deal will allow the Marines to expand the Twentynine Palms Marine Base into a portion of Johnson Valley and would end the threat of military expansion to the remaining off-road area. The new Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Area is nearly as large as the Imperial Sand Dunes at Glamis and is explicitly designated for off-highway vehicle use under the new law. Included in this area is the entire \"Hammers\" area, both the front and back side. The Marines would be allowed to use a portion of the nearly 100,000 acre Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area for a maximum of 60 days per year. It would be open to the off-road community for recreational use during the remaining 305 days.\n\nOther Highlights\n\nIncreased troop pay The bill allows for a 1.8% increase in troop pay, consistent with current law.\n\nPrevention of new fees and fee increases under TRICARE The bill once again rejects proposals to increase fees or create new fees under TRICARE and maintains current reforms.The bill also allows certain beneficiaries to remain enrolled in TRICARE Prime after the DoD reduces the program's availability to retired beneficiaries.\n\nBenghazi In light of the attacks on U.S. facilities in Benghazi in September of 2012, the NDAA requires a report from the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff related to Benghazi. The report will cover the posture and readiness of U.S. Armed Forces to respond to a request by the Department of State to support embassy security in the event of a similar attack.\n\nReduced bureaucracy The bill requires GAO studies aimed at reducing bureaucracy by putting a check on the expansion of headquarters staff within U.S. Central Command, all functional combatant commands, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, and the Service Secretaries.\n\nBRAC Understanding that a round of base closures at this time would not only be costly, but reflect temporary budget pressures at the expense of long term strategic assets, the NDAA prohibits DOD from initiating another round of BRAC.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://calvert.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-calvert-votes-bipartisan-budget-agreement", "Rep. Calvert Votes for Bipartisan Budget Agreement", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Ken Calvert", "C000059", "calvert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) voted for the Bipartisan Budget Agreement that reduces the deficit by $23 billion while establishing discretionary spending levels for Fiscal Year 2014 and 2015. The agreement was approved in the House of Representatives by a vote of 332 to 94.\n\n\"The Budget Agreement passed by the House today is a step in the right direction in addressing our unsustainable fiscal path,\" said Rep. Calvert.\"The agreement reduces the deficit by $23 billion more than if Congress haddone nothing and simply let the government operate on autopilot.I am a strong believer that the American people deserve a budget and appropriations process that is debated, legislated and negotiated in the halls of Congress  not in the dark corners of the Obama administration bureaucracy.\"\n\n\"Today, we have established the framework for the Appropriations Committee to complete its work on the Fiscal Year 2014 spending bills and advance the priorities we believe in.I am hopeful that the bipartisan, bicameral nature of the agreement will pave the way for long overdue negotiations that will tackle the rapidly rising costs of our mandatory spending programs and our outdated tax code.\"\n\nThe Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 would set overall discretionary spending for the current fiscal year at $1.012 trillionabout halfway between the Senate budget level of $1.058 trillion and the House budget level of $967 billion. The agreement would provide $63 billion in sequester relief over two years, split evenly between defense and non-defense programs. In Fiscal Year 2014, defense discretionary spending would be set at $520.5 billion, and non-defense discretionary spending would be set at $491.8 billion.\n\nThe sequester relief is fully offset by savings elsewhere in the budget. The agreement includes dozens of specific deficit-reduction provisions, with mandatory savings and non-tax revenue totaling $85 billion. The agreement would reduce the deficit by $23 billion.\n\nBelow are the most notable examples:\n(Provided by the House Budget Committee)\n\nEliminate waste\n Stop paying Medicaid bills that dead-beat dads and insurance companies should cover. That's a $1.4 billion spending cut. \n    Stop sending unemployment checks to criminals. That's just common sense. \n    Stop sending government checks to dead people. There's no reason to tolerate fraud.\n \nStop favoritism\n End the special treatment for non-profit student-loan servicers. We're paying too much, and these groups should compete for our businessfair and square. That would save $3 billion. \n    End corporate welfare.\n   \n- Some energy companies use the federal government like a bank. They deposit extra cash and earn well above market interest rates. By addressing this problem, we can save $750 million.\n- Repeal a government research program for private energy companies. That's a $40 million cut.\n \n\nReal reforms\n The federal government makes trillions of dollars of empty promises to retirees. And these empty promises not only drive the debt; they also threaten the retirement security of current and future seniors. \n    This agreement starts to address the problem. \n    We make sensible reforms for civilian and military retirement programs.\n   \n- On the civilian side, we ask future retirees to contribute a little bit more  still well below what's common for state and local government employees  so taxpayers don't have to pick up the entire tab.\n- And for younger military retirees, we trim their cost-of-living adjustment just a bit. It's a modest reform for working-age military retirees.\n \n Taxpayers shouldn't have to bail out private companies' pension benefits. That's why we ask private companies to cover more of the cost of guaranteeing their pension benefits. That would protect taxpayers and save $7.9 billion. \n    Mandatory spending is where the problem is. This agreement extends the mandatory sequester for two more years, which cuts $28 billion and rightly focuses on the source of the problem.\n \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sequester-we-hardly-knew-ye", "Sequester We Hardly Knew Ye", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Tom McClintock", "M001177", "mcclintock.house.gov", "mcclintock", "https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "By Congressman Tom McClintock\n\nThe great irony of the Republican decision to bust the budget sequester is that barely two months ago, congressional roles were reversed. The Democrats insisted on funding the government according to existing law. The Republicans sought one simple change: that the individual insurance mandate under Obamacare be delayed for one year. They were trying to spare the American people the Obamacare disaster that is now unfolding, but to no avail. The American people sided overwhelmingly with the Democrats on the principle that the government should be funded according to current law without any side issues.\n\nWhy wasn\u2019t that principle applied just two months later? Republicans were in the ideal position to hold the budget line simply by insisting on enforcing current law. Instead, the House Republican leadership pushed through a two-year budget that will allow the federal government to spend an additional $63 billion more than current law allows \u2013 money that our country does not have.\n\nSome of the discussion has focused on how much of the spending spree will be paid with higher taxes. The answer is, \u201call of it.\u201d Once government spends a dollar, it has already decided to tax that dollar \u2013 the only questions that remain are who gets the bill and when.\n\nSixty-three billion dollars of new spending \u2013 and therefore new taxes in some form \u2013 is not a small amount of money. It averages about $570 of added burdens for every family in America.\n\nNot so, say supporters. Over the next ten years, fee increases and spending reforms will pay for all of this, with $22 billion to spare for debt reduction. The claim is a practical application of the economic principles of J. Wellington Wimpy: \u201cI will gladly pay you $22 billion in deficit reduction ten years from now for $63 billion in new spending today.\u201d\n\nThe lie is given to this promise within the measure itself. A major part of the alleged long-term deficit reduction is the assurance that after a two year spending binge, Congress will not only enforce the sequester but will even extend it for an extra two years in 2022 and 2023. Pardon my skepticism. We are required to believe that in the future, Congress will magically summon the fiscal discipline that has eluded it in the present.\n\nA side deal called the \u201cDoc Fix\u201d offers more reason for doubt. The \u201cDoc Fix\u201d has become an annual ritual arising from a previous budget deal that promised long term savings, except that Congress votes every year to ignore it (oops there goes another $8.7 billion).\n\nTrue, discretionary spending will be less than the House budgets of 2011 and 2012, but this is a sleight-of-hand. Those budgets were unified packages of reforms that saved most on the mandatory side of the ledger and must be viewed in their totality \u2013 not picking and choosing which parts to compare and which to ignore.\n\nFinally, we are told that there are not enough votes in the House to support current-law spending. There\u2019s one way to find out: put a clean measure on the floor and see where the votes are. That\u2019s essentially how the impasse was resolved two months ago.\n\nThe sequester provided less than a third of the deficit reduction that Standard and Poors warned would have been necessary to maintain our triple-A credit rating, which is why many conservatives opposed it. But it was at least a step in the right direction. It was an agreement that Congress made with itself, and given the political realities of a divided government, it became the only viable instrument to keep spending under some modicum of control. The busting of that limit now calls into question any promises of future fiscal restraint.\n\nPerhaps the most stinging indictment of the budget deal comes from former Reagan budget director David Stockman. Under Stockman\u2019s guidance, the Reagan administration reduced both spending and the deficit as a percentage of GDP, produced a period of prolonged economic expansion and won the cold war. His verdict is chilling: \"It's a joke and betrayal. It's the final surrender of the House Republican leadership to Beltway politics and kicking the can and ignoring the budget monster that's hurtling down the road.\"\n\nThe new Congressional budget is a mistake at a time when we can\u2019t afford many more mistakes. The path of least resistance, even if paved with good intentions, is not a path America can afford to travel any longer.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:40:02Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131216082705/http://mcclintock.house.gov:80/2013/12/sequester-we-hardly-knew-ye.shtml", "Sequester We Hardly Knew Ye", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Tom McClintock", "M001177", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Sequester We Hardly Knew Ye  By Congressman Tom McClintock  \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The great irony of the Republican decision to bust the budget sequester is that barely two months ago, congressional roles were reversed. \u00a0The Democrats insisted on funding the government according to existing law. \u00a0The Republicans sought one simple change: that the individual insurance mandate under Obamacare be delayed for one year. \u00a0They were trying to spare the American people the Obamacare disaster that is now unfolding, but to no avail. \u00a0The American people sided overwhelmingly with the Democrats on the principle that the government should be funded according to current law without any side issues. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Why wasn\u2019t that principle applied just two months later? Republicans were in the ideal position to hold the budget line simply by insisting on enforcing current law. \u00a0Instead, the House Republican leadership pushed through a two-year budget that will allow the federal government to spend an additional $63 billion more than current law allows \u2013 money that our country does not have. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Some of the discussion has focused on how much of the spending spree will be paid with higher taxes. \u00a0The answer is, \u201call of it.\u201d \u00a0Once government spends a dollar, it has already decided to tax that dollar \u2013 the only questions that remain are who gets the bill and when. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Sixty-three billion dollars of new spending \u2013 and therefore new taxes in some form \u2013 is not a small amount of money. \u00a0It averages about $570 of added burdens for every family in America. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Not so, say supporters. \u00a0Over the next ten years, fee increases and spending reforms will pay for all of this, with $22 billion to spare for debt reduction. \u00a0The claim is a practical application of the economic principles of J. Wellington Wimpy: \u00a0\u201cI will gladly pay you $22 billion in deficit reduction ten years from now for $63 billion in new spending today.\u201d \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The lie is given to this promise within the measure itself. \u00a0A major part of the alleged long-term deficit reduction is the assurance that after a two year spending binge, Congress will not only enforce the sequester but will even extend it for an extra two years in 2022 and 2023. \u00a0Pardon my skepticism. \u00a0We are required to believe that in the future, Congress will magically summon the fiscal discipline that has eluded it in the present. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 A side deal called the \u201cDoc Fix\u201d offers more reason for doubt. \u00a0The \u201cDoc Fix\u201d has become an annual ritual arising from a previous budget deal that promised long term savings, except that Congress votes every year to ignore it (oops there goes another $8.7 billion). \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 True, discretionary spending will be less than the House budgets of 2011 and 2012, but this is a sleight-of-hand. \u00a0Those budgets were unified packages of reforms that saved most on the mandatory side of the ledger and must be viewed in their totality \u2013 not picking and choosing which parts to compare and which to ignore. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Finally, we are told that there are not enough votes in the House to support current-law spending. \u00a0There\u2019s one way to find out: put a clean measure on the floor and see where the votes are. \u00a0That\u2019s essentially how the impasse was resolved two months ago. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The sequester provided less than a third of the deficit reduction that Standard and Poors warned would have been necessary to maintain our triple-A credit rating, which is why many conservatives opposed it. \u00a0But it was at least a step in the right direction. \u00a0It was an agreement that Congress made with itself, and given the political realities of a divided government, it became the only viable instrument to keep spending under some modicum of control. \u00a0The busting of that limit now calls into question any promises of future fiscal restraint. \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Perhaps the most stinging indictment of the budget deal comes from former Reagan budget director David Stockman. \u00a0Under Stockman\u2019s guidance, the Reagan administration reduced both spending and the deficit as a percentage of GDP, produced a period of prolonged economic expansion and won the cold war. \u00a0 His verdict is chilling: \"It's a joke and betrayal. It's the final surrender of the House Republican leadership to Beltway politics and kicking the can and ignoring the budget monster that's hurtling down the road.\"\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The new Congressional budget is a mistake at a time when we can\u2019t afford many more mistakes. \u00a0The path of least resistance, even if paved with good intentions, is not a path America can afford to travel any longer.  \u00a0 ### Congressman McClintock voted NO on the Congressional Budget Resolution, H.J. Res 59, on the House floor on December 12, 2013.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cook.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-paul-cook-welcomes-deal-to-save-the-johnson-valley-off-highway", "Rep. Paul Cook Welcomes Deal to Save the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Area", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Paul Cook", "C001094", "cook.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) welcomed the announcement this week of a deal on the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Area as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 (NDAA). This language, which was made public last night, would preserve approximately 100,000 acres of Johnson Valley as the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Area. The deal will allow the Marines to expand the Twentynine Palms Marine Base into a portion of Johnson Valley and would end the threat of military expansion to the remaining off-road area. The new Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Area is nearly as large as the Imperial Sand Dunes at Glamis and is explicitly designated for off-highway vehicle use under the new law. Included in this area is the entire \u201cHammers\u201d area, both the front and back side. Spooners, Aftershock, Sunbonnet, the Riffle Monument, and the Cal200 Memorial (The Rockpile) are also located within the preserved off-road area. The majority of the Fry Mountains and full access to Soggy Dry Lake Bed are also guaranteed for off-highway vehicle use, as well as access to Emerson Dry Lake Bed. This deal is the culmination of a years-long campaign to save the Hammers from base expansion. The famed \u201cKing of the Hammers\u201d Race, which draws over 30,000 people to Johnson Valley every year, will continue under the new bill. The Bureau of Land Management estimates that Johnson Valley currently generates more than $71 million annually for local economies. The Marines would be allowed to use a portion of the nearly 100,000 acre Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area for a maximum of 60 days per year. It would be open to the off-road community for recreational use during the remaining 305 days. Cook said, \u201cMy biggest concern has always been public safety. This agreement ensures public safety, while also balancing the training needs of the Marine Corps with the rights of the off-road community. It preserves California\u2019s most important off-road recreation area for future generations. After years in which off-roaders have lived in fear of the closure of Johnson Valley, this permanently ends the threat of base expansion into off-road areas.\u201d San Bernardino County Supervisor James Ramos stated, \u201cThis compromise reached on the Johnson Valley OHV recreational area is a well-designed plan that will protect our residents, local economy, and our recreation community while allowing the military to maintain essential training operations. I applaud Congressman Cook for his leadership in the House of Representatives, Senator Dianne Feinstein for her support, and my fellow Board colleagues for standing with them on this critical issue.\u201d San Bernardino County Supervisor Robert Lovingood said, \u201cThis is a victory for everyone. The Marine Corps gets land for training while preserving off-roading areas and the economic impact of the King of the Hammers event.\u201d Dave Cole, one of the founders of King of the Hammers, responded to the deal by saying, \u201cWhile I am happy that we will be able to continue racing King of the Hammers in Johnson Valley, I am truly thankful that we have preserved the ability of future generations to enjoy this amazing area.\u201d Robert Lombardo, the Mayor of Yucca Valley said, \u201cSaving a large portion of Johnson Valley not only allows for recreation to continue, but it makes it safer for the residents who would have been located so close to the proposed USMC boundary. I am excited to have the positive economic impacts of the off-road community continue, while allowing the Marines to meet their training needs.\u201d Mayor Dan Mintz of Twentynine Palms commented, \u201cI'm proud that the voices of our communities were heard by our representatives in Congress, and I'm thankful that the Marines listened. We look forward to continuing our positive relationship with the Marines, while still being able to recreate safely. Off-roading has been a huge economic benefit to our city, and I'm thrilled that this deal will allow it to continue.\u201d Fred Wiley, the President/CEO of the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA), also weighed in on the deal, \u201cThe off-highway motorized recreation community considers this ground breaking legislation a \u2018win\u2019 for both the OHV community and the US Marines. A 5-year effort by the California Motorized Recreation Council (CMRC) has demonstrated that it is possible to share land in order to accomplish military training goals and protect motorized recreation areas. If not for Congressman Cook\u2019s leadership, this shared-use agreement would not have been possible. As a result, Johnson Valley will soon be designated by Congress as the \u2018Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area\u2019 managed by the Department of Interior.\u201d The Marine Corps released the following statement: \u201cThe expansion of 29 Palms is the best investment the Marine Corps has made to ensure combat success and the safe return home of our Marines, as it addresses the Marine Corps\u2019 current training and readiness shortfalls.\u00a0 The Marine Corps will now be able to conduct fully integrated, live-fire exercises based on current training requirements, while still preserving safe public access for Off-Highway Vehicle recreation in Johnson Valley.\u201d A map of the compromise plan for the Johnson Valley can be found at this link: https://cook.house.gov/johnson-valley-map A member of the House Armed Services, Veterans\u2019 Affairs, and Foreign Affairs Committees, Cook served as an infantry officer and retired after 26 years as a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. During his time in combat, he was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221204734/http://rohrabacher.house.gov/video/rep-rohrabacher-questions-obama-administration-afghanistan-policy", "Rep. Rohrabacher questions the Obama administration on Afghanistan policy.", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Dana Rohrabacher", "R000409", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Rohrabacher questions the Obama administration on Afghanistan policy.                \n                  \n      \n                                                  \n              Dec 11, 2013                          \n                  \n        \n        \n        \n        \n        \n  \n  \n    Dec 11, 2013 - Rep. Rohrabacher questions the Obama administration on Afghanistan policy.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cook.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-paul-cook-participates-in-hearing-on-iran", "Rep. Paul Cook Participates in Hearing on Iran", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Paul Cook", "C001094", "cook.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Earlier today, Rep. Paul Cook (R- Apple Valley) participated in a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on the Administration\u2019s nuclear deal with Iran. Secretary of State John Kerry testified before the committee and took members\u2019 questions. Rep. Cook has been deeply concerned about the deal because of its one-sided concessions to Iran. The deal would ease sanctions without demanding that Iran dismantle any of its nuclear program or even halt uranium enrichment. Said Cook, \u201cPresident Obama brought us to the verge of war against Syria just a few months ago over its use of chemical weapons. Iran has been the chief financier of the Syrian regime and the Hezbollah terrorists that are leading the fight against the Syrian rebel forces. These are the same terrorists that killed hundreds of American marines, sailors, and soldiers in a terrorist attack in Beirut back in the 1980s.\u201d Iran\u2019s President Rouhani was a leading Iranian military figure at the time of the Beirut attacks. Rep. Cook submitted the following question for Secretary Kerry and looks forward to a response: \u201cDoes the President really believe that a regime that is a state supporter of terrorism and is complicit in the use of chemical weapons will suddenly give up their pursuit of nuclear weapons? Can we really trust an Iranian President with the blood of hundreds of Americans on his hands?\u201d A member of the House Armed Services and Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committees, Cook served as an infantry officer and retired after 26 years as a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. During his time in combat, he was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hunter.house.gov/cutting-defense-budget-while-protecting-pay-and-benefits-currently-serving-troops", "Cutting the Defense Budget While Protecting Pay and Benefits for Currently Serving Troops", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Duncan Hunter", "H001048", "hunter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Depending on who is doing the talking, the national defense budget is either too big or not large enough.\u00a0 Both sides have fair points, but what seems to be dangerously lacking from the two perspectives is a true sense of budget realities.\nTo those who argue the defense budget is too large, big-ticket weapons systems and overseas engagements are usually the cause for protest.\u00a0 Those who believe the defense budget is too small have a completely different take:\u00a0 The world is a dangerous place, the systems of the future are expensive and the military must always be prepared to protect U.S. interests worldwide.\nBoth perspectives converge in one area at least.\u00a0 When it comes to personnel costs, neither is quick to acknowledge, if willing to make the point at all, the fact that compensation and benefits is overwhelming the defense budget\u2014consuming nearly half.\u00a0 Projections are even more severe, with the same costs eventually swallowing most of the budget, leaving little room to fund the resources the services need and preserve a force-size large enough to meet global obligations.\nOver the next decade, the Pentagon is required to identify $1 trillion in savings in order to comply with spending caps contained in current law.\u00a0 Sequestration triggered the latest round of cuts and the Pentagon, just one-year into a ten-year process, is already feeling the pinch.\nFor the U.S. Army in particular, between 42 and 45 percent of its total budget goes to salaries and benefits.\u00a0 By 2023, these same costs could grow to 80 percent of the Army\u2019s budget if left alone, according to Army Chief of Staff General Raymond Odierno.\nSpeaking before Congress, General Odierno warned of the challenge, stating, \u201cThe cost of a soldier has doubled since 2001.\u00a0 It\u2019s going to almost double again by 2025.\u00a0 So we have to come up with compensation packages, not taking money away.\u201d He is right.\nSooner or later, personnel costs will have to be addressed.\u00a0 A major challenge in doing so will be managing the rate of growth for military pay and benefits while guaranteeing that neither capability nor mission readiness suffers. That is no easy task, but it is definitely doable.\nThe military services are working on a plan to reduce cost growth of compensation and benefits, and Congress will surely have a say in what reforms are acceptable.\u00a0 This is a major responsibility and both the service branches and lawmakers will have one chance to get it right.\nOf course, there is a right way and a wrong way to proceed.\u00a0 Any recommendations and potential changes should not affect the men and women who are serving now.\u00a0 Instead, the aim must be to look ahead to those who step forward in the future.\u00a0 Promises must be upheld.\nTo get there, plenty areas of the budget are worthy of reform and cuts where appropriate.\u00a0 In one move last week, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel revealed a plan to save at least $1 billion in costs over the next five years by reducing by 20 percent the number of staffers who report to him while other duties and functions are realigned.\u00a0 Similarly, there is no shortage of systems and programs that require scrutiny to ensure the Pentagon is managing dollars wisely and maximizing efficiency.\u00a0 Once again, no easy undertaking but a necessary action that will lead to added cost-savings.\nThe best-case scenario is to rollback sequestration, but absent that solution, it will remain the responsibility of the Pentagon and Congress to guide budget priorities in the post-sequester environment.\nAs important as cutting-edge resources are to the mission success of the U.S. military, the strength of the armed forces is entirely dependent on the brave men and women who serve in its ranks.\u00a0 They deserve to know that as they stand to defend America, their country will stand beside them by guaranteeing that, in addition to receiving compensation that is worthy of their contributions, they also receive the\u00a0best weapon systems and training in the world.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364027", "Republican Says Iran Deal Should Halt Uranium Enrichment by Michael Gordon for the New York Times", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Edward Royce", "R000487", "royce.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Laying down a marker, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said Tuesday that a follow-on nuclear accord with Iran should require that Tehran stop enriching uranium.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Laying down a marker, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said Tuesday that a follow-on nuclear accord with Iran should require that Tehran stop enriching uranium.  \r\n\u201cThe key issue is whether a final agreement would allow Iran to manufacture nuclear fuel,\u201d the chairman, Ed Royce of California, said during a hearing that included testimony by Secretary of State John Kerry. \u201cIt simply can\u2019t be trusted with enrichment technology, because verification efforts can never be foolproof.\u201d\r\nComments by Mr. Royce and other panel members effectively shifted the terms of the debate from the interim accord that the United States and five other world powers negotiated last month, which involved freezing much of Iran\u2019s nuclear program, to the more comprehensive one that international negotiators now plan to pursue.\r\nThe interim agreement is for six months, but it can be renewed for an additional six months by mutual consent. The goal is to buy time so that a more sweeping agreement can be negotiated. The interim agreement also outlines some of the provisions of such a follow-on agreement, saying that Iran could continue to enrich uranium \u201cunder mutually agreed parameters\u201d and under \u201cenhanced monitoring.\u201d\r\nMr. Kerry said to the panel that he did not know if a comprehensive agreement could be achieved, but that the United States had an obligation to try. And, seeking to defuse the congressional push for additional sanctions, he said that imposing new penalties at this point would poison the atmosphere for such talks.\r\n\u201cWe have an obligation to give these negotiations an opportunity to succeed,\u201d Mr. Kerry said.\r\nTrying to reassure the lawmakers, Mr. Kerry said that the scope of any future Iranian enrichment activity under a comprehensive agreement would need to be \u201cmutually agreed\u201d and would be linked to legitimate civilian needs.\r\nBut the six-month interim agreement, Mr. Kerry asserted, was also in the best interest of the United States because it halted important elements of Iran\u2019s program.\r\n\u201cThe national security of the United States is stronger under this first-step agreement than it was before,\u201d said Mr. Kerry, who asserted that Israel and Persian Gulf Arab states were also more secure.\r\nMr. Kerry promised that the Obama administration would go to Congress for tougher sanctions if the effort to negotiate a comprehensive nuclear accord with Iran faltered. \u201cWe are committed to asking you for additional sanctions if we fail,\u201d Mr. Kerry said. \u201cWe will need them.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363835", "Valadao, Fuller Lead Tricameral California Delegation Water Letter to Obama, Brown", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "David Valadao", "V000129", "valadao.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) joined together with California Senator Jean Fuller (SD-18) in leading a letter to President Barack Obama and Governor Jerry Brown asking them to take immediate action to address the catastrophic effects of what is shaping up to be another dry water-year for California. \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Washington \u00e2\u0080\u0093 Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) joined together with California Senator Jean Fuller (SD-18) in leading a letter to President Barack Obama and Governor Jerry Brown asking them to take immediate action to address the catastrophic effects of what is shaping up to be another dry water-year for California. Over the last several years, naturally occurring dry conditions in the State of California have been exacerbated by government bureaucracy and environmental regulations that prevent water deliveries through the Delta.  Congressman Valadao and Senator Fuller were joined by all the members of the House Republican Conference\u00e2\u0080\u0099s California Delegation and 34 Members of the California State Senate and Assembly in urging President Obama and Governor Brown utilize their executive authority to alleviate the effects of drought. The letter also stresses the need for additional water storage and assured protections of water right priorities in order to ensure an affordable, reliable water supply for California\u00e2\u0080\u0099s families and farms. The full letter can be found here.  Congressman Valadao stated, \u00e2\u0080\u009cLike various regions in our State, my District in the Central Valley is extremely affected by this on-going man-made drought. Farmers and farm-workers, families, and communities throughout my District continue to suffer as the Endangered Species Act and other regulatory barriers have starved them of desperately needed water.\u00e2\u0080\u009d He continued, \u00e2\u0080\u009cI am excited to join my colleagues in the House, Senator Fuller and her colleagues in the California State Legislature as we work together to find a sensible solution for our constituents.\u00e2\u0080\u009d  \u00e2\u0080\u009cCalifornia cannot afford to wait any longer to address the lack of a reliable water storage and delivery system,\u00e2\u0080\u009d said Fuller.  \u00e2\u0080\u009cThe recent water allocation announcement by the California Department of Water Resources further highlights the dire situation we are facing for the coming years.  This problem needs the immediate attention of both national and state leaders and needs action now.  It is my hope that action is taken and I will continue to work with my Legislative colleagues and Congressional delegation on a solution that\u00e2\u0080\u0099s right for the whole of California.\u00e2\u0080\u009d \n   \nCongressman Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) stated, \"The announcement last month of an initial 5% allocation for our farmers and small businesses is unacceptable, and puts the livelihoods of hardworking Californians in Central and Southern California in jeopardy.  Our farmers and businesses deserve to receive the water they contract and pay for, but the environmental regulations in the Delta prioritize fish over people.  A stable and adequate water supply is critical for our local community and our state, and we will continue to fight for immediate action to be taken to increase vital water supplies for our communities to flourish.\"\u00a0 Congressman Valadao and Senator Fuller will hold a press conference on Tuesday, December 17 to further address the issue. Further details regarding the event will be announced next week.    Congressman David G. Valadao represents the 21st Congressional District, which includes Kings County and portions of Fresno, Tulare, and Kern Counties.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hunter.house.gov/preventing-nuclear-armed-iran", "Preventing a nuclear-armed Iran", "2013-12-07", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Duncan Hunter", "H001048", "hunter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "When dealing with Iran, it\u2019s an odd thing when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to show more concern about U.S. global security than President Obama and his foreign policy team.\nPerhaps it\u2019s the advantage of experience and perspective. For decades, Netanyahu and the world have witnessed Iran\u2019s persistent provocations. \nIn recent years, Iran has only become more emboldened. In fact, at the high point of the war in Iraq, U.S. defense officials asserted that Iran was arming insurgents with armor-piercing roadside bombs, which were the single greatest source of U.S. casualties. Iran is also active in Afghanistan, while directly supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is now the subject of an inquiry by the United Nation\u2019s for war crimes, according to the United Nation\u2019s human rights chief. \nMore to the point, Iran is also an active state sponsor of terrorism. Included on the U.S. Department of State\u2019s website is a long list of Iranian-supported terrorist activity since the designation was first applied almost 30 years ago.\nIn the post-9/11 world, Iran\u2019s activities and threats are by no means a reason to ignore the option of diplomacy, but the U.S. and others must be realistic in dealing with Iran. And one thing that has been learned is that people will not change simply because they are asked or we, as a nation, desperately want them to change. \nThe problem with the Obama administration\u2019s nuclear deal with Iran is that it pretends Iran\u2019s actions over the last several decades are inconsequential. They are not. They are very real and provide every reason why the Obama administration\u2019s approach on the Iran deal is wrong.\nReaching an agreement with Iran to verifiably dismantle its nuclear program or agree to significant reductions while fully opening its doors and books to inspectors is most definitely in America\u2019s best interest. But that is not what the deal does. In fact, it does nothing to stop Iran\u2019s centrifuges from spinning or further illuminate the development of delivery vehicles. If anything, as sanctions are lifted and billions of dollars are funneled into Iran, the deal only temporarily slows development that can otherwise resume when timing allows.\nThe long-term objective is to prevent a nuclear Iran. Otherwise, the threat of proliferation becomes serious and real. As confirmed by the Department of State, \u201cIran remains a state of proliferation concern.\u201d If Iran has provided \u201chundreds of millions of dollars in support of Hezbollah in Lebanon and has trained thousands of Hezbollah fighters at camps in Iran,\u201d then what reassurances are there that nuclear weapons won\u2019t proliferate to bad actors in the Middle East and elsewhere? Bottom line, there can be no such assurances.\nAll of this underscores why it remains in the world\u2019s interest for America to diplomatically but effectively halt Iran\u2019s nuclear and weapons development. Should Iran acquire nuclear capability, then both the stakes and risks will be high and irreversible. And through the experiences of more than a decade in Iraq and Afghanistan, America must be fully aware of its limitations. A protracted ground war is unthinkable. Further, conventional resources won\u2019t have any real affect, leaving very few options available to tactically and effectively remove Iran\u2019s nuclear capability.\nThere is still a window of time to diplomatically reverse Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions. That window is certainly closing, but how the U.S. chooses to lead now and into the future will make all the difference. Now is not the moment to provide Iran more resources and leverage that stands to produce capability that could one day be misused. \nAmerica learned a valuable lesson in its dealing with North Korea years ago. The only difference is that now, with Iran, there is actually still a chance to get things right.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nunes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363746", "Talking ObamaCare, Benghazi, and Iran", "2013-12-06", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Devin Nunes", "N000181", "nunes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Talking ObamaCare, Benghazi, and Iran \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,\r\n        December 6, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      I\u2019d like to share links with you to some of my recent media appearances:\u00a0\n \n    \n    TV interview with Sean Hannity on ObamaCare: here \n    \n    \n    TV interview with Jake Tapper on ObamaCare: here\n    \n    \n    TV interview with Megyn Kelly on the Benghazi attack: here\n    \n    \n    Radio interview with Ray Appleton and John Batchelor on the Iran nuclear deal: here \n    \n \nYou can find links to other interviews as well as this week\u2019s updated Nunes Digest on my website here. \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221083027/http://denham.house.gov/newsletter/weekly-update-rep-denham-december-6-2013", "Weekly Update from Rep. Denham - December 6, 2013", "2013-12-06", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend,\n\tAs you know, the world lost a true hero last night with the passing of Nelson Mandela. He spent his life fighting with courage and determination for the dignity of all, and he will be greatly missed. I offer my thoughts and prayers to his family and to the nation of South Africa.\n\tI\u2019ll be joining Fox\u2019s Megyn Kelly this evening to discuss the effects of the Affordable Care Act on California doctors and patients. Please tune in during the 6 p.m. PT hour to watch.\n\tOn Tuesday, I wrote an op-ed in The Hill newspaper concerning the prospects for immigration reform this year and next. I see strong moral and economic reasons to pass reform that will add jobs, increase the number of individuals contributing to our tax rolls, strengthen our economy and unite families across the nation. Conservatives are right to recoil from any plan that grants amnesty. Luckily, there is no plan being seriously considered by either chamber that offers amnesty. Instead, doing nothing will allow our current situation \u2014 de facto amnesty \u2014 to continue. The op-ed is online here; I would be happy to hear your thoughts on our current immigration system and how it should be fixed.\n\tIn the latest blow in a series of setbacks to California\u2019s High-Speed Rail (HSR) project, the Surface Transportation Board denied the HSR Authority\u2019s request for a construction exemption to allow them to build prior to completing the environmental review process. Last week\u2019s court ruling established that the Authority must complete the environmental review process and submit a legitimate funding plan before issuing any Prop 1A bonds. Without Prop 1A bonds, the Authority will not be able to fund the project. \u00a0For more information and to view the ruling itself, please click here.\n\tI had the opportunity this week to record a holiday message to send to our troops through the efforts of the American Armed Forces Network. Our military members sacrifice so much to defend our freedoms, including time at home with their families during the Christmas season. I hope that you will join me during your holiday celebrations in taking time to remember the service being bravely performed on your behalf.\nI visited Union Station on Tuesday to see one of Amtrak's ACS-64 locomotives.\u00a0\nIn September I had the opportunity to tour the Siemens plant in Sacramento and check out their new ACS-64 locomotives, which are in the final testing stages before full production begins. On Tuesday I visited Union Station to see one of the very same cars, all of which are made in their Central Valley plant.\nFrank's service is an inspiration to me, and getting to tour the monuments paying tribute to the conflicts he served in with him was an experience I'll never forget.\u00a0\nAs you know, tomorrow is the 72nd\u00a0anniversary of the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. I had the honor earlier this year of accompanying Frank Myers, a Navy vet and Pearl Harbor survivor, on a tour of the WWII, Vietnam and Korean War Memorials. On that day, we lost four battleships, 188 aircraft and 2,403 American lives. In his address following the surprise attack, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared December 7 \u201ca day which will live in infamy.\u201d He was right \u2013 it is imprinted on our minds as we remember the men and women who lost their lives and those who served bravely during our response.\nThe Capitol Christmas tree was lit in a ceremony at 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday evening.\u00a0\nOn Tuesday the Capitol Christmas tree was lit for the season. The 88-foot tall Engelmann spruce traveled all the way from Colville National Forest in Colville, Washington to grace the Capitol grounds through the holidays, and children between the ages of 5 and 19 are invited each year to submit ornaments to decorate the tree. To see the tree\u2019s journey to our nation\u2019s capital, please visit the official website here. If you and your family are planning a trip to Washington, please get in touch with my office\u00a0to let us know you\u2019re coming! We can arrange tours of the Capitol and many other D.C. landmarks on your behalf.\n\tPlease stay in touch with me on Twitter\u00a0and Facebook\u00a0to stay updated on my work in the 10th district and Washington, D.C. For more information, you may also visit my website.\nJEFF DENHAM", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://issa.house.gov/press-releases/2013/12/issa-applauds-passage-of-patent-reform-bill-to-protect-and-promote-american-innovation/", "Issa Applauds Passage of Patent Reform Bill to Protect and Promote American Innovation", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON. D.C. \u2013 On a bipartisan vote of 325-91, today the House of Representatives passed the Innovation Act (H.R. 3309) \u2013 a bill originating from the House Judiciary Committee that combats abusive patent litigation.\u00a0 Currently, bad actors known as patent \u2018trolls\u2019 target American businesses and file frivolous lawsuits with the sole purpose of extorting settlements.\n\u201cAbusive patent litigation is a drag on our economy,\u201d said House Judiciary Committee Member Rep. Darrell Issa, who holds 37 patents.\u00a0 \u201cPatent trolls manipulate the system, forcing businesses and entrepreneurs to spend millions of dollars on settlements and litigation expenses instead of using that capital to create new jobs, fund research and development, and create new technologies.\u201d\n\u201cToday\u2019s passage of the Innovation Act takes a pivotal step towards eliminating abuses and protecting American innovators.\u00a0 I urge my colleagues in the Senate to take immediate action to prevent patent trolls from further targeting businesses and taking money directly out of the pockets of hard-working Americans.\u201d\nFor more information on H.R. 3309, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://issa.house.gov/press-releases/2013/12/issa-statement-on-the-passing-of-former-south-african-president-nelson-mandela/", "Issa Statement on the Passing of Former South African President Nelson Mandela", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases           \r\n                    \r\n                                    \r\n          \r\n        \r\n        \r\n            \n    \r\n\r\n    \r\n  \r\n    \n  \n  \n    \n      \n  \n      \n  \n  \n     Issa Statement on the Passing of Former South African President Nelson Mandela \n  \n  \n  \n\n  \n      \n  \n  \n      \n  \n  \n\n  \n      \n  \n  \n    WASHINGTON. D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., issued the following statement on the passing of former South African President Nelson Mandela:\n\u201cMy thoughts and prayers go out to Gra\u00e7a Machel, the Mandela family, and the people of South Africa on the occasion of Nelson Mandela\u2019s passing.\u00a0 Nelson Mandela\u2019s legacy of peaceful reconciliation in the struggle against apartheid lives on to inspire people around the world.\u00a0 We will never forget his incredible capacity to forgive or his advocacy for the cause of freedom and democracy.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363601", "Chairman Royce on the Passing of Nelson Mandela", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Edward Royce", "R000487", "royce.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Chairman Royce on the Passing of Nelson Mandela \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        December 5, 2013,\r\n        December 5, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n        Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on the death of Nelson Mandela, South Africa\u2019s first democratically elected president.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on the death of Nelson Mandela, South Africa\u2019s first democratically elected president:\r\n\u201cThe world has lost a humble, courageous and generous man.\u00a0 One of democracy\u2019s strongest champions, Nelson Mandela selflessly served South Africa.\u00a0 His vision and lack of vindictiveness was amazing, and brought South Africans through a very difficult transition, which could have gone in a very different, violent direction.\u00a0 Most impressively, he elected to serve a single presidential term, turning over power he assuredly could have kept.\u00a0 When others remained silent, Mandela spoke out against Mugabe\u2019s tyranny in neighboring Zimbabwe.\u00a0His message of reconciliation must endure.\u201d\u00a0\r\nNote:\u00a0From 1997 to 2004 Royce chaired the Subcommittee on Africa, working to promote democracy and the rule of law in Africa.\u00a0 Leading a congressional delegation, he met with President Mandela in 1997 in South Africa.\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363471", "Bill Gates talks foreign policy with Rep. Royce committee by the Orange County Register", "2013-12-04", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Edward Royce", "R000487", "royce.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bill Gates talks foreign policy with Rep. Royce committee by the Orange County Register \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        December 4, 2013,\r\n        December 4, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n        Bill Gates, tech magnate and global philanthropist, discussed public health, global development and U.S. international food aid with the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday. Gates is co-director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Bill Gates, tech magnate and global philanthropist, discussed public health, global development and U.S. international food aid with the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday. Gates is co-director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.\r\n\u201cThe conversation rightly focused attention on the tension between budget constraints in the U.S. and advancing our national security interests by targeted foreign assistance,\u201d said the Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce, R-Fullerton, in a statement. Among the topics: U.S. engagement in the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria and the need to better target foreign assistance. Committee staff declined to elaborate on what Gates\u2019 role might be going forward.\r\nRead the full story here:\u00a0http://www.ocregister.com/articles/bill-539944-tuesday-years.html\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221165348/http://denham.house.gov/press-release/denham-statement-surface-transportation-board-ruling-california-high-speed-rail-case", "Denham Statement on Surface Transportation Board Ruling in California High-Speed Rail Case", "2013-12-04", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) issued the following statement in response to news that the Surface Transportation Board (STB) denied the California High-Speed Rail Authority\u2019s request for a construction exemption in case FD 35724:\n\u201cThe STB ruling is another major blow in a series of setbacks to the California project. Last week\u2019s court ruling established that the Authority must complete the environmental review process and submit a legitimate funding plan before issuing any Prop 1A bonds. Without Prop 1A bonds, the Authority will not be able to fund the project, and today STB has denied the Authority\u2019s request for a construction exemption and requires the full environmental review to be completed before construction can be approved. This ruling shows the project must comply with all state and federal laws before moving forward.\"\nThe STB ruling can be viewed here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://issa.house.gov/press-releases/2013/12/issa-statement-on-latest-obamacare-delay/", "Issa Statement on Latest ObamaCare Delay", "2013-12-03", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases           \r\n                    \r\n                                    \r\n          \r\n        \r\n        \r\n            \n    \r\n\r\n    \r\n  \r\n    \n  \n  \n    \n      \n  \n      \n  \n  \n     Issa Statement on Latest ObamaCare Delay \n  \n  \n  \n\n  \n      \n  \n  \n      \n  \n  \n\n  \n      \n  \n  \n    WASHINGTON \u2013 House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., today made the following statement on the Administration\u2019s announcement of a yearlong delay of online enrollment for small businesses looking to purchase health coverage through federally-run Small Business Health Option Program (SHOP) exchanges:\n\"The White House has issued delay after delay for parts of the law they find inconvenient but the American families and individuals who will bear the brunt of the law have received no such relief.\n\n\u201cPresident Obama needs to get over his bruised ego and join with the bipartisan coalition of House and Senate members who recognize that Americans need protection from the negative effects of ObamaCare. The President should support a suspension in the implementation of the law.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://rohrabacher.house.gov/press-release/rohrabacher-stop-anti-innovation-bill", "Rohrabacher:  Stop the Anti-Innovation Bill", "2013-12-03", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Dana Rohrabacher", "R000409", "rohrabacher.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-CA, Monday called on members of Congress to postpone action on a \u201cpatent reform\u201d bill passed by the Judiciary Committee just before Thanksgiving and now swiftly making its way to a full House vote.\n\u201cIt seems that we have to pass this bill to find out what\u2019s in it,\u201d said the congressman, vice chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.\nRohrabacher, in a 30-minute speech on the House floor, charged that the bill, authored by Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-VA, has not been given a full legislative day between moving from committee to the full membership.\nCalling the bill an effort to make \u201cthe most sweeping changes to the American patent system in history,\u201d Rohrabacher argued that the impetus behind the rush to a vote comes from \u201cmega-multinational corporations\u201d that have been trying for decades to neuter U.S. inventor protections in the face of global competition.\n\u201cI wish that I could focus simply on the bad provisions of this new bill, the Innovation Act, H.R. 3309, which is expected to be on the floor later this week,\u201d Rohrabacher lamented. \u201cBut if the bill is bad, the process being used to stifle debate and ram this down our Congressional throats is even worse.\u201d\nThe congressman said his colleagues have been denied a fair process in which credible opponents from academia, industry, and small inventors themselves were given little opportunity to air their views.\nHe said studies have shown that most patent infringement cases are not frivolous. Instead, he said, small inventors will be discouraged from defending their intellectual property rights against large corporations who can afford to lose lawsuits.\n\u201cThis schedule suggests the fix was in,\u201d said Rohrabacher. \u201cThe clear message to little inventors: give thanks for your intellectual property rights, because you may not have them by this time next year.\u201d\nThe bill\u2019s supporters say it takes aim at so-called \u201cpatent trolls,\u201d but Rohrabacher, rejecting that pejorative characterization, said the only people it hits are small, independent inventors.\n\u201cThese so-called villainous trolls,\u201d contended Rohrabacher, \u201care patent holders, or companies who represent patent holders. They are engaged in defending their rights against the infringement of those patents that they own.\u201d\nRohrabacher asked his colleagues to postpone a vote on the bill until next year.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221073424/http://denham.house.gov/news/hill-immigration-reform-us-morally-and-economically-sound", "The Hill: Immigration reform in the US is morally and economically sound", "2013-12-03", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "The staunchest supporter and strongest opponent of immigration reform would agree on one thing \u2014 it\u2019s been a banner year for this issue by any standard.\nWe\u2019ve seen progress and inaction, bipartisan cooperation and fervent disagreement.\nThe Senate and the House started considering immigration reform from different starting points and working through separate legislative processes, as is emblematic of the two different bodies of Congress. Both chambers began their work with the shared goal of producing the best possible outcome for the American people.\nBeyond convening a conference committee, which only takes place to negotiate a small fraction of bills before they are signed into law, we have many legislative options to apply to comprehensive or piecemeal bills. There are several bills that could potentially come up for a vote in the coming months.\nGiven the general and widespread dissatisfaction with our current immigration system, I can say with sincerity that the House has the will to address immigration reform simply because it is the right thing to do. Moral issues such as this one \u2014 with united faith-community advocacy \u2014 tend to gradually persuade members to cross the partisan divide and bring consensus where there once was only disagreement.\nAs I have said in many crowds, often to nods of agreement from people of all points of view, we as Americans would never consider deporting a group of almost 12 million people. To do so would be akin to deporting the entire state of Ohio. It is unconscionable, unrealistic and impossible.\nAs a Californian, I understand the concern of many in my party that allowing a pathway forward for those who are currently undocumented would result in an eventual transference of political votes and support to the Democratic Party. They often cite California as an example.\nYet in my district, the patriotic immigrants from Central and South America, Asia, Southeast Asia and many other parts of the world often have more in common with the conservative family values of Republicans than they do the liberal social politics of many Democrats. It is not a foregone conclusion that allowing currently undocumented immigrants to enter a long, arduous process to earn citizenship would result in their coloring the map blue.\nIn fact, my fellow Republicans and I deeply believe that the American values of hard work, rugged individualism, family values and economic freedom will imbue in immigrant communities seeking legalization a strong identification with the Republican Party: the party of immigrant activists in the Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush administrations, the periods of the last two serious efforts at immigration reform.\nConservatives are right to recoil from any plan that grants amnesty. Luckily, there is no plan being seriously considered by either chamber that offers amnesty. Instead, doing nothing will allow our current situation \u2014 de facto amnesty \u2014 to continue.\nInstead of offering amnesty, the Senate bill proposed a framework by which current undocumented immigrants can begin a rigorous and punitive decades-long process of becoming legal permanent residents by undergoing background checks, paying fines and back taxes, waiting at the end of the line, taking civics tests and language exams and applying through the regular immigration pathways to get a green card. At the end of that process, the immigrant may choose to apply to become a citizen. Under that framework, the fastest path to citizenship would take at least 13 years to complete.\nMuch has been made of the economic stimulus and growth that would follow from immigration reform and the increased demand on private businesses and services from a newly legalized workforce. Since the House has committed to considering immigration reform legislation, a range of economic studies have undertaken efforts to model how many jobs will be created by allowing an influx of new workers. These workers, while receiving no public benefits, pay into the system through federal and state taxes and social security. On a worker-for-worker basis, each new worker forestalls the collapse of our Social Security system. The impending collapse is predicated upon the lack of youthful workers to replace the exit of the baby boomers from the labor force. Republicans should be with me in favor of offering a real solution to a huge, impending problem that will define the coming decades.\nA study by American Action Network, which draws from a comprehensive Regional Economic Models Inc. study, as well as the Congressional Budget Office data, predicts that top-to-bottom reform will add an average of nearly 14,000 jobs per House district, with no district gaining fewer than 7,000 jobs. Those who believe that foreign workers will threaten American jobs are clinging to outdated economic theories. More workers create more demand, and a larger working force creates economic growth. Current American citizens and currently undocumented immigrants both stand to benefit from the economic and civic boon of reform.\nI am far from the only member of my party to recognize that our system needs change. To reap the economic and social benefits that will follow top-to-bottom immigration reform, we must begin by passing legislation to address every aspect of immigration reform in the House. I will remain focused on that goal this year and next.\u2028\u00a0\u2028\nDenham has represented California\u2019s 10th Congressional District since 2011. He sits on the Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Veterans Affairs committees.\nSource:\u00a0http://thehill.com/special-reports/191990-immigration-reform-in-the-us-is-morally-and-economically-sound", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221135530/http://denham.house.gov/intern-spotlight/intern-spotlight-taylor-barry", "Intern Spotlight - Taylor Barry", "2013-12-02", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "http://on.fb.me/IAV93I\n\u00a0\nU.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) welcomed Taylor Barry as an intern in his Washington office this fall. Barry, a political theory graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz is a Fresno native who came to Washington, D.C. to pursue her interests in defense and veterans\u2019 issues through interning on Capitol Hill.\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u201cDue to the timing of my internship, I have spent a considerable amount of time learning about what healthcare reform needs to look like in this country,\u201d said Barry. Her post-internship plans include pursuing a PhD in political theory or international studies.\n\u00a0\n\u201cEach of my office\u2019s interns plays a valuable role in helping us to serve the people of California\u2019s 10th district,\u201d said Rep. Denham. \u201cWashington provides a wonderful learning environment for many young people interested in politics, political theory and service. Taylor was a great asset to our staff.\u201d\n\u00a0\n\u201cI chose to intern with Congressman Denham because he is a man of integrity and I have an immense amount of respect for the work he\u2019s done for veterans,\u201d said Barry. \u201cThis experience has taught me so much about just how important it is to remain true to your convictions. The right thing to do isn\u2019t always the easy thing to do.\u201d\n\u00a0\nTaylor is the daughter of Mary Ann McCarthy, John Barry and Rebekah Barry.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221083057/http://denham.house.gov/newsletter/weekly-update-rep-denham-november-29-2013", "Weekly Update from Rep. Denham - November 29, 2013", "2013-11-29", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend,\n\tI hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your loved ones! On Thanksgiving I was especially grateful for the service men and women who are sacrificing holidays without their families to fight for the freedoms and liberties that make our nation so special. I am blessed with the opportunity to represent you, and I am thankful for the responsibility.\n\tOn Monday the Sacramento County Superior Court issued rulings in two cases concerning the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority). In the first case, the judge denied the Authority\u2019s request to validate more than $8 billion in Proposition 1A bonds, and in the second, the judge ordered the Authority to re-write its funding plan before any state bond money can be spent on HSR construction. In light of these rulings, I sent a letter\u00a0on Tuesday to the Comptroller General and asked that the U.S. Government Accountability Office review the Authority\u2019s funding agreements with the federal government. My top priority is to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent responsibly. The Authority has already spent hundreds of millions of federal taxpayer dollars, and now has no identified state matching funds. My letter, which was also signed by Rep. Tom Latham of Iowa, who chairs the House Appropriations subcommittee on Transportation, asks the GAO to determine if the Authority is violating or on the verge of violating its grant agreements with the federal government and if the state court rulings on Monday put the FRA in violation of federal laws. You can view my letter online here.\n\tAs you may have seen, on Wednesday the Administration announced yet another delay to the Affordable Care Act \u2013 delaying the mandate for small businesses to enroll. Their latest in a series of postponements is more evidence that there is no fix for the law. Instead the Affordable Care Act should be fully repealed and replaced with patient-centered, cost-saving reforms passed through bipartisan effort.\n\tI had the honor of welcoming Taylor Barry as an intern in my Washington office this fall. Barry, a political theory graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz is a Fresno native who came to Washington, D.C. to pursue her interests in defense and veterans\u2019 issues through interning on Capitol Hill.\nTaylor interned in my D.C. office for the last several months.\u00a0\n\u201cDue to the timing of my internship, I have spent a considerable amount of time learning about what healthcare reform needs to look like in this country,\u201d said Barry. Her post-internship plans include pursuing a PhD in political theory or international studies.\n\tEach of my office\u2019s interns plays a valuable role in helping us to serve the people of California\u2019s 10th district. Washington provides a wonderful learning environment for many young people interested in politics, political theory and service. Taylor was a great asset to my staff.\n\t\u201cI chose to intern with Congressman Denham because he is a man of integrity and I have an immense amount of respect for the work he\u2019s done for veterans,\u201d said Barry. \u201cThis experience has taught me so much about just how important it is to remain true to your convictions. The right thing to do isn\u2019t always the easy thing to do.\u201d\n\tTaylor is the daughter of Mary Ann McCarthy, John Barry and Rebekah Barry.\n\tWe are accepting applications for spring and summer internships in both my Modesto and Washington offices. If you or someone you know is interested in an internship, please visit my internship web page\u00a0for more information.\n\tI post regular updates to my Twitter\u00a0and Facebook\u00a0pages to keep you updated on my work in the Central Valley and our nation\u2019s capital. For more information, you may also visit my website.  \n\t\u00a0\nJEFF DENHAM", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221073451/http://denham.house.gov/news/fresno-bee-rep-denham-seeks-review-high-speed-rail-grants", "The Fresno Bee: Rep. Denham seeks review of high-speed rail grants", "2013-11-27", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "A Valley congressman wants a government watchdog agency to take a second look at grant agreements for more than $3 billion in federal stimulus and transportation funds for California's high-speed rail project.\nIn a letter Tuesday to the U.S. Comptroller General, Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, joined with Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa, to ask the Government Accountability Office to review the agreements. The letter came a day after a Sacramento County Superior Court judge denied a request by the California High-Speed Rail Authority to validate the sale of about $8 billion in bonds from Proposition 1A, a high-speed rail bond measure approved by California voters in 2008.\nUnder the grant agreements, California is obligated to put up about $2.7 billion to match the federal contributions for the initial construction of the high-speed rail project from Madera to just north of Bakersfield. That money is expected to come from the Prop. 1A bonds.\nEarlier this year, the state rail agency approved a $985 million contract to design and build the first 29-mile stretch of the proposed statewide high-speed train line between Madera and the south end of Fresno.\nIn the letter to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, Denham -- an outspoken critic of the state rail agency -- and Latham expressed concern over how the judge's bond-validation ruling affects the state's ability to match the federal grants. \"Without these bonds, California will have to find other funding sources to comply\" with the grant requirements, the congressmen wrote.\nDenham, who chairs the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, and Latham, who leads an Appropriations subcommittee on transportation, housing and urban development, also have questions about changes made to the grant agreements by the Federal Railroad Administration, which allow the state to spend the federal money first before putting up the matching funds. That, the Denham letter stated, is \"a departure from standard federal/local cost-share agreements where funds must be spent concurrently.\"\nIn a statement issued Tuesday, Denham said the judge's bond ruling potentially puts the federal government on the hook for spending without recovering any of the state's share. \"The authority has already spent hundreds of millions of federal taxpayer dollars and now has no identified state matching funds,\" the congressman said.\nDenham and Latham are asking the GAO to examine several questions, including whether the court's ruling puts the state rail authority \"on the verge of violating its grant agreements,\" or whether the Federal Railroad Administration is violating U.S. law by allowing its federal money to be spent without the state putting up its share.\nThe rail authority's leadership said the project has already undergone intensive scrutiny by both federal and state officials.\n\"The last time the project was reviewed, the Government Accountability Office validated our ridership and cost projections,\" Dan Richard, the authority's board chairman, said Wednesday. \"Congressman Denham continues to look for reasons to oppose the high-speed rail project despite the tremendous employment, economic and rail transportation benefits it would bring to his district and the state.\"\nRead the letter from Reps. Denham and Latham \nSource:\u00a0http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/11/27/3635818/rep-denham-seeks-review-of-high.html", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221073522/http://denham.house.gov/news/bakersfield-californian-locals-participated-high-speed-rail-court-case", "The Bakersfield Californian: Locals participated in high-speed rail court case", "2013-11-27", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "When a Sacramento judge issued dual rulings Monday that will pose indefinite delays for California High-Speed Rail, most of the credit, or blame, went to a pair Kings County property owners.\nBut Kern County played a role as well.\nThree local litigants -- the Kern County Board of Supervisors, Bakersfield oilman Gene Voiland and First Free Will Baptist Church on East California Avenue -- all took part behind the scenes.\nEach of the parties participated in strategic phone conferences and contributed court filings that, though not central to Monday's rulings, may be critical if the case is appealed by the California High-Speed Rail Authority, as some expect will happen.\n\"They're still lurking. All of these issues can be raised again,\" said Stuart Flashman, an Oakland lawyer who represented two parties in the lawsuit, Kings County landowners Aaron Fukuda and John Tos.\nAlso, he said the fact that the county, Voiland and the church joined as parties to the case may have helped defeat the rail authority's lawsuit to validate the sale of $8.5 billion in voter-approved bonds to pay for the project's initial stages.\nSuch a lawsuit is normally an uncontested, procedural matter.\nBut, Flashman said, \"The more defendants that answered, the more significant the challenge becomes.\"\nCONGRESSIONAL RESPONSE\nFallout from the court rulings came Tuesday as Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, called for a review of the rail authority's financial agreements with the federal government.\nIn a letter to U.S. Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, Denham and Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa, noted that Monday's ruling eliminated the only source of state money identified as a required match to an existing grant by the Federal Railroad Administration.\nDenham, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, asked that the General Accounting Office make a determination on whether the lack of a state match means the rail authority is violating, or on the verge of violating, the federal grant agreement.\n\"The (high-speed rail) Authority has already spent hundreds of millions of federal taxpayer dollars, and now has no identified state matching funds,\" Denham said in a news release. \"I am requesting that the GAO review the Authority's grant agreement with the FRA to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not wasted.\"\nIn addition to ruling Monday against the rail authority's request for a blanket validation for the bond sale, Sacramento Superior Court Judge Michael Kenny also ordered the rail agency to redo its 2011 funding plan.\nIn doing so, he sided with the Kings County Board of Supervisors and other parties who accused the rail authority of violating terms of the Proposition 1A, the 2008 measure that California voters approved to provide $9 billion in bond money for the project.\nExactly what effect those two rulings will have is unclear.\nKenny did not bar the state from selling the bonds, nor did he order the agency to rescind its approval of contracts for work on the first 29-mile construction stretch from northeast Madera to the south edge of Fresno.\nHe also did not block the state from spending federal stimulus or transportation money on the project -- something Denham hopes the GAO will address.\nCOUNTY ACTION\nKern County Deputy Counsel Nicole Misner said Tuesday her team that represented the Board of Supervisors chose to limit its involvement in the case because so many other parties were involved -- at least 12, according to Sacramento Superior Court records.\nThe county ultimately decided to become a co-defendant against the rail authority by filing what is known as a \"joinder.\" That decision was made, Misner said, because it seemed \"a little silly to repeat what everyone else is doing.\"\nThat action was authorized by a 4-1, closed-session vote of the county Board of Supervisors on May 7. The dissenting board member was Supervisor Leticia Perez.\nMisner said the county's position was that the rail authority had asked for $8.5 billion without providing evidence that the bonds were \"necessary or desirable.\"\n\"The bond was going to be used to fund additional Amtrak, additional regular diesel train lines (and) would not ensure that there would be high-speed rail that would make it from San Francisco to Los Angeles,\" she said.\n\"It was Kern County stepping in on behalf of taxpayers and citizens, saying, 'Wait a minute, you're not doing this right. This isn't what we agreed to.'\"\nThe filing by First Free Will Baptist could not be retrieved from the Sacramento Superior Court's website Tuesday, and church representatives could not be reached for comment.\nHowever, at least one proposed rail alignment would have crossed church property.\nFlashman, the Oakland lawyer who has seen First Free Will's filing, said it largely echoed arguments made by other defendants in the case.\nThe filing made on behalf of Bakersfield oilman Voiland, however, presented unique technical arguments, Flashman said.\nVoiland's case claimed that plans for the rail project's \"initial operating segment\" from Madera to the San Fernando Valley violated Proposition 1A because they do not clearly identify sources of money to complete the project.\nIt also alleged that the rail authority has no concrete plan for spending the bond proceeds, that it has not met reporting requirements and that its failure to state when the money would be spent threatens the bonds' tax-exempt status.\nUntil last month, Voiland was co-owner of the Bakersfield Blaze and part of a team trying to develop a baseball stadium as part of the Bakersfield Commons retail, office and residential project at Brimhall and Coffee roads. Roughly a sixth of the Commons project would be lost to the proposed rail alignment through Kern County. The baseball stadium project, which has been abandoned for lack of financing, was not directly endangered by the proposed alignment.\nVoiland could not be reached for comment Tuesday. But his attorney, Thomas Feher, stated in an email that his client continues to have \"serious concerns\" about the project's proposed alignment from Madera to roughly Bakersfield's northern border.\n\"We hope that the High Speed Rail Authority will see this ruling as an opportunity to take a close look at its plans and come forward with rational solutions to the significant problems that have been raised by Bakersfield residents,\" he wrote.\nFresno Bee staff writer Tim Sheehan contributed to this report\nSource:\u00a0http://www.bakersfieldcalifornian.com/local/x2127194759/Locals-participated-in-high-speed-rail-court-case", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cook.house.gov/media-center/newsletter/weekly-newsletter-november-26", "Weekly Newsletter, November 26", "2013-11-26", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Paul Cook", "C001094", "cook.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A Special Thanksgiving Message  Thanksgiving is a day when we take time out of our busy lives to gather with family, friends, and neighbors. We remember all that we\u2019re thankful for and enjoy the time we\u2019re able to spend with loved ones. We reflect on all the accomplishments and challenges from the past year and think about what next the year may hold for us.\u00a0 As I gather with my friends and family this Thanksgiving, I\u2019ll be thankful for having the privilege of representing California\u2019s 8th District in Congress. I constantly keep in my thoughts and prayers all the service men and women who are not home this holiday season. They\u2019re serving our nation far away from their families and in harm\u2019s way. For them and for their sacrifices, we are especially grateful. I\u2019ll continue my work to protect our freedoms and to ensure that our children and grandchildren inherit a stronger more prosperous nation. I wish you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act   Congressman Cook voted last week to enhance America's energy security. HR 1900 passed by a bipartisan majority of 252-165. It will help expand energy exploration and lower energy costs for California\u2019s 8th District. The vote speeds up the federal review process for applications to build new natural gas pipelines, just like the Keystone Pipeline.  Native American Code Talkers  On November 20, Congressman Cook attended the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honoring Native American code talkers. During World Wars I and II, Native American code talkers played a critical role in outsmarting the enemy by transmitting tactical messages in their tribal languages. An estimated 400 code talkers served in the two wars, according to the Department of Defense. Congressman Cook was privileged to watch these heroes being honored in the Capitol. Congressman Cook attends the ceremony.Thanksgiving Veterans Corner  Basic necessities and supplies for meals are distributed by the High Desert Veteran\u2019s Center for Veterans. The Veteran\u2019s Center is closed this Thursday for Thanksgiving but will reopen on Friday. The High Desert Veteran\u2019s Center is located at 15095 Amargosa Rd, Suite 107, Victorville, CA 92394 and may be reached by calling 760-261-5925For information please visit https://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/facility.asp?ID=5908 Veterans Holiday Tribute  Silverado High School is teaming up with the Don Ferrarese Charitable Foundation for their 6th annual Veterans Holiday Tribute, Dec. 14th, on the Silverado Campus in Adelanto. The event will host approximately 1000 veterans and their guests. The Don Ferrarese Charitable Foundation awards are provided to local students based solely upon their charitable service. To RSVP, sponsor a veteran, inquire on the essay, or to place an ad in the program, please call 760-951-8003 or visit www.don-frse.com. Thanksgiving Meals/Food Banks  If you or anyone you know is in need of a warm meal over the Thanksgiving holiday, below is a list of some community food banks that may be able to help. Inyo Mono Advocates for Community Action, Inc - Mammoth Lakes - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - CCC Office, 625 Old Mammoth Road, (760) 873-8667 Inyo Mono Advocates for Community Action, Inc - Bishop - Monday \u2013 Friday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. -IMACA Main Office, 224 S. Main Street, (760) 873-8667 Salvation Army Victor Valley - 14585 La Paz Drive, Victorville, CA 92395 - Nov. 28 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (760) 245-2545\u00a0 Salvation Army Victor Valley - James A. Woody Community Center 13467 Navajo Road, Apple Valley, CA 92308 - Nov. 28 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - (760) 240-7880 Salvation Army Corps Hemet/Valle Vista Assembly of God - 45252 E. Florida Ave., Hemet, CA 92544 - Nov. 28 11:00 a.m. \u2013 2:00 p.m. - (951) 791-9495\u00a0 Calvary Chapel Victorville \u2013 15081 Center St. Victorville, CA 92395 Thursday 3:30pm-4:00pm American Food Bank - 56208 Buena Vista Rd Yucca Valley, CA - Thursday 9:00am-5:00pm Calvary Church - 1800 J Street Needles, CA 92363 - Thursday at 10:00am Set Free Christian Fellowship - 13700 Calimesa Blvd. Yucaipa, CA 92399 - Thanksgiving Dinner 11am-4pm - (909) 446-0033 San Bernardino\u2019s St. Paul\u2019s United Methodist Church - 785 N Arrowhead Ave San Bernardino, CA 92401 - 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Dinner) 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. (Volunteers) - (909) 889-3609 Faith Lutheran Church - 3663Hallee Rd Joshua Tree, CA - Nov 27 4:00pm to 6:00pm", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221073548/http://denham.house.gov/news/reuters-california-vision-republicans-challenge-immigration", "Reuters:  In California, a vision of Republicans' challenge on immigration", "2013-11-26", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "(Reuters) - For most Republicans in the U.S. Congress, a large gathering of Hispanic voters to discuss immigration would be politically perilous - an invitation to complaints about the party's longtime resistance to measures aimed at helping undocumented immigrants.\nBut when Republican Rep. Jeff Denham walked into a meeting with hundreds of his Hispanic constituents at a church in California's Central Valley this month, he was met with applause, praise and a hand-lettered \"Thank You\" sign.\nDenham, 46, is a rarity in the U.S. House of Representatives: one of only three Republicans in the chamber's 231-member majority who support a Democrat-sponsored bill that would give millions of undocumented immigrants a legal pathway to U.S. citizenship.\nSo far, Denham is a voice in the wilderness of the Republican Party, nationally. But in California, he is closer to the mainstream and represents a path forward for his party that begins by facing the human side of undocumented immigrants and extends to a view that immigrants can drive the\u00a0economy.\nDenham, who said he learned Spanish to help court his wife Sonia, the daughter of Mexican immigrants, recalled watching his father-in-law battle the U.S. immigration system and said he would keep lobbying colleagues in Congress on the issue.\n\"There are some Republicans who have said some outrageous things\" about undocumented immigrants, Denham said after meeting with the crowd in Ceres, a city of 45,000 people. \"My job is to make sure the entire party is not branded that way.\"\nImmigration - an issue that gained political urgency for both parties after last year's elections revealed the potency of the nation's exploding Hispanic population - has lost momentum in Washington, overshadowed by debates about federal spending and Democratic President\u00a0Barack Obama's\u00a0troubled healthcare makeover.\nBut in California, home to nearly one-third of the nation's estimated 53 million Hispanics, the calls to revamp immigration laws to deal with 12 million undocumented immigrants nationwide have remained front and center. And Obama has said he wants action on the issue.\nFor Denham, whose district is 40 percent Hispanic, being a cheerleader for immigration reform is a political necessity, even though it has sparked some criticism from conservative groups that typically favor his party.\nFor other California Republicans, it could be a step toward viability for a party suffering the political consequences of a boom in Hispanic population and a backlash against Republican-backed immigration laws of the mid-1990s that have since been eliminated. Democrats now hold every major state office in California, and significant majorities in the state's legislature and congressional delegation.\nMany California Republicans see their experience as a cautionary tale for the party in states such as Nevada, Colorado, Arizona and Texas, where Democrats hope to turn growing Hispanic minority populations into building blocks for permanent political majorities.\n\"Republicans at the national level and in other states need to look at what's happened in California, because those demographics will affect the whole country,\" said Ruben Barrales, president of Grow Elect, a California group that recruits Republican Hispanics to run for public office.\nThe committee, one of several Republican efforts in California to build ties to the Hispanic community, has helped about 50 Hispanic Republicans win local offices across the state. Barrales hopes to break triple digits next year.\n\"Given the demographics, there is no way that Republicans get from where they are today to becoming a governing party without winning Latinos,\" said Barrales, a former presidential aide in Republican George W. Bush's administration. \"We've got to change the face of the Republican Party so it's reflective of the demographics of the state.\"\nNationwide, the Republican share of Hispanic votes in presidential races has dropped from Bush's 44 percent in 2004 to Mitt Romney's 27 percent in 2012: the lowest Republican share since 1996. At the same time, the Hispanic share of the national vote increased from 8 percent to 10 percent and is still climbing.\n'A CATASTROPHIC TRAIN WRECK'\nIn California, Hispanic support for Democrats surged after the passage in 1994 of a Republican-backed ballot measure, Proposition 187, that was designed to block state benefits for immigrants who did not have legal status.\nBefore 1992, Republicans had won California in nine of 10 presidential elections. Since 1992, they have lost California in all six elections, and the state is now one of the nation's most reliably Democratic.\n\"The fallout since Proposition 187 has been a catastrophic train wreck for the Republican Party in this state,\" said Gary Segura, a political scientist at Stanford University and co-founder of the polling firm Latino Decisions.\nState Republicans have taken a more moderate tack recently, giving substantial support to a law passed by the California legislature and signed by Democratic Governor Jerry Brown making undocumented immigrants eligible for driver's licenses, one of several bills expanding their rights\nNational Republican leaders acknowledge the demographic threat to the party and tout an immigration overhaul as the first step to recovery among Hispanics. But the effort has hit a roadblock in the House of Representatives, where it is a hostage to divisions within the Republican Party.\nMany conservative Republicans oppose a bill passed by the Democrat-led Senate that would give undocumented workers hope of becoming U.S. citizens.\nSuch Republicans see the bill as an \"amnesty\" measure that would reward those who broke the law, take jobs from current citizens and lead to lower wages for all blue-collar workers. Some House Republicans also fear a possible primary challenge from the conservative Tea Party movement if they back the bill.\nDenham counters such concerns by arguing the Democratic bill would a $1 trillion boost to the U.S.\u00a0economy\u00a0by adding millions of new taxpayers to the system. He also noted that it would create a 13-year process to gain citizenship.\n\"That's a long time,\" he said. \"It's an issue of fairness.\"\nObama has called on Congress to act soon on immigration. U.S. House Speaker John Boehner said last week that immigration reform was \"absolutely not\" a dead issue but he would not say when the topic might surface again.\nIn Ceres, Denham noted that since he became the first Republican to support a version of the bill offered by House Democrats, two other Republicans - Californian David Valadao, whose Central Valley district is 70 percent Hispanic, and Florida's Ileana Ros-Lehtinen - have backed the bill.\n\"Call other members' offices,\" Denham urged those in Ceres. \"Ask them why\" they aren't supporting an immigration overhaul.\nSome who heard Denham's pitch remained wary of the Republican Party's commitment to Hispanics, who play a big role in the Central Valley's labor-intensive\u00a0farming\u00a0economy.\n\"Supporting immigration reform is a big first step, but he needs to do a little more than that,\" said Victor Orosco, a mechanic from nearby Riverbank, where Denham attended a Spanish-language Mass at a Roman Catholic church and briefly addressed the congregation in Spanish before the Ceres meeting.\nOrosco questioned whether Denham and other Republicans who now back immigration reform were making a politically inspired conversion. \"Now that they see people going to the other team, now they want to support us,\" he said.\nBrenda Noriega of Fresno, a community organizer for the activist group Faith in Community, said after the Ceres meeting that there was still broad distrust of Republicans among Hispanics.\n\"We are going to vote for the people who support us,\" Noriega said, making it clear that conservative Republicans did not qualify.\n\"In the Latino community, we know the Tea Party,\" she said dismissively. \"We know where they stand.\"\n'A LONG WAY TO GO'\nDenham rejected the notion that his stance was a re-election ploy, calling it a commitment to fix an immigration system that has torn families in his district apart through deportations and bureaucratic wrangling.\nDenham and other California Republicans said winning over Hispanic voters who distrust their party on key issues such as jobs, the economy, healthcare and education would require becoming a more consistent presence in Hispanic communities and putting a more empathetic face on a party often viewed as out of touch with minorities' concerns.\n\"Some of the neighborhoods that I've walked over the years, I've been the first Republican who has walked there,\" said Denham, who was re-elected last year with 53 percent of the vote over Democrat Jose Hernandez, a former astronaut.\nDenham appears frequently on Spanish-language television networks such as Univision and Telemundo to promote - and often defend - Republican positions. But he acknowledges the party has a long way to go on immigration.\n\"Some of my colleagues just say, 'Uphold the laws.' That is a very easy statement to make,\" he said. \"We have a long way to go and a very short time to get there.\"\nHe said reaching out to contact Hispanics is difficult for many Republican House members in less diverse districts, saying they \"tend to stay in their comfort zones.\"\nNationwide, only 24 Republicans represent a U.S. House district where at least 25 percent of the population is Hispanic - and 11 of them are in California, according to data compiled by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.\n\"If there is any state in the country that really needs to deal with immigration reform, it is California,\" said Wayne Bridegroom, a Baptist pastor in Modesto who offered a prayer for Denham at the Ceres event.\nAndy Vidak, a white Republican cherry farmer who won a special election to the California Senate this year from a Central Valley district that is mostly Hispanic, said winning over Hispanics requires Republicans \"to go where Republicans rarely go, and where Democrats take the voters for granted.\"\n(Editing by\u00a0David Lindsey,\u00a0Peter Henderson\u00a0and\u00a0Jonathan Oatis)\nSource:\u00a0http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/26/us-usa-immigration-republicans-idUSBRE9AP05H20131126", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221165438/http://denham.house.gov/press-release/denham-requests-gao-review-california-high-speed-rail-spending-agreements", "Denham Requests GAO Review of California High-Speed Rail Spending Agreements", "2013-11-26", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) today sent a letter to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro requesting that the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) review the California High-Speed Rail Authority\u2019s (Authority) funding agreements with the federal government.\nIn the letter, Rep. Denham, Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, noted that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Authority\u2019s existing grant agreement requires that federal funding is matched with 50 percent state funding. However, on November 25, 2013, a California Superior Court denied the Authority\u2019s request to issue more than $8 billion in California Proposition 1A state bonds to finance construction of the project. This ruling has eliminated the only identified source for the state match.\n\u201cMy top priority is to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent responsibly,\u201d said Rep. Denham. \u201cThe Authority has already spent hundreds of millions of federal taxpayer dollars, and now has no identified state matching funds. I am requesting that the GAO review the Authority\u2019s grant agreement with the FRA to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not wasted.\u201d\nRep. Denham asked that the GAO determine if the Authority is violating or on the verge of violating its grant agreements with the federal government and if the state court rulings on November 25, 2013 put the FRA in violation of federal laws, including the Anti-Deficiency Act.\nThe letter was also signed by U.S. Representative Tom Latham (R-Iowa), Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies.\nFull text of the letter is available online here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hunter.house.gov/iran-nuclear-deal-obamacare-and-more", "Iran Nuclear Deal... Obamacare... And More...", "2013-11-25", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Duncan Hunter", "H001048", "hunter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "THANKSGIVING IS JUST DAYS AWAY\u00a0and as Americans gather with friends and family through the entire holiday season, it\u2019s important that we take a moment to reflect on the men and women of the armed forces, especially those who are contributing to the U.S. mission in Afghanistan.\u00a0 As we extend our gratitude to our military, we also must not forget the military families that have sacrificed so much.\n\tAnd to all Americans\u2014I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.\n\tWHAT\u2019S NEXT FOR IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL\u2014On the heels of this weekend\u2019s nuclear agreement with Iran, there\u2019s a lot of interest in what might happen next.\u00a0 Check out this primer\u00a0from CNN.\u00a0 If Iran fails to live up to its end of the bargain, specific to its nuclear program, there is the threat of new layers of sanctions.\u00a0\u00a0 Meanwhile, over the next six months, Iran will receive relief that will translate into billions of dollars.\u00a0\n\tMy view is\u00a0that\u00a0Iran has consistently showed that it cannot be trusted.\u00a0 The roadside bomb threat in Iraq was coordinated and elevated at the direction of the Iranians.\u00a0 Similar problems exist in Afghanistan.\u00a0 The Assad regime in Syria is still benefiting from Iranian involvement while terrorist organizations still receive funding, weapons and training from Iran.\u00a0 None of this provides reassurance that Iran will honor its end of the agreement.\u00a0\u00a0\n\tAlso, as I wrote in USA Today, the race to halt a nuclear ambitious Iran is eerily reminiscent of America\u2019s sprint more than two decades ago to halt North Korea\u2019s development of nuclear weapons.\u00a0 The negotiated agreement ignores all of Iran\u2019s existing centrifuges and therefore risks having no measurable impact on Iran\u2019s nuclear program.\u00a0\u00a0\n\tAT HOME, THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION IS STILL REPAIRING THE FAILED HEALTH CARE WEBSITE\u00a0while also attempting to address structural aspects of the Affordable Care Act that have forced a growing number of Americans off their health care plans.\u00a0 Most recently, President Obama provided insurance companies an opportunity to extend cancelled health plans, consistent with the promise that individuals who like their health care plan and their doctors can keep both.\u00a0 The problem is that insurances companies and states are under no legal requirement\u00a0to do so\u2014as the case with California, which is not reinstating cancelled plans.\u00a0\n\tLast week, a bipartisan House\u00a0voted to pass H.R. 3350, the Keep your Health Plan Act, which amends federal law to\u00a0ensure anyone opting to keep their plan wouldn't face financial penalties and allows insurers to sell existing plans to new customers.\u00a0\u00a0In a\u00a0bit of irony: despite bipartisan support for H.R. 3550, a veto threat was issued by the President.\u00a0\u00a0\n\tALREADY OBAMACARE ENROLLMENT FOR 2015 HAS BEEN DELAYED BY ONE MONTH,\u00a0extending the open enrollment period from November 15, 2014 to January 15, 2015.\u00a0 And just days from now, on November 30th, administration officials have guaranteed that the enrollment site will be completely repaired and operational\u2014two months after its debut on October 1.\u00a0 Meanwhile, CNBC reported Monday\u00a0that it could take as long as a year to \u201csecure the risk of high exposure of personal information on the federal Obamacare online exchange.\u201d\n\tWHAT\u2019S YOUR OBAMACARE EXPERIENCE?\u00a0 Good or bad, please let me know about your experiences from navigating the website and exchanges, to any concerns/satisfaction with\u00a0program costs.\u00a0\u00a0\n\tFOLLOWING A REPORT THAT DRUG CARTELS EXPLOIT THE ASYLUM SYSTEM,\u00a0I immediately wrote to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte\u00a0(R-VA), recommending that his committee evaluate asylum claims through the San Diego region.\u00a0 The Judiciary Committee is\u00a0currently evaluating reports that Mexican drug cartels and other foreign nationals are taking advantage of holes in the U.S. asylum system.\n\tAFGHANISTAN COMBAT AWARDS UNDER REVIEW AFTER LOST MEDAL OF HONOR--Through several inquiries to the Department of Defense Inspector General, it was revealed that the U.S. command in Afghanistan regularly loses awards, has unreliable processes and inadequate tracking systems.\u00a0 U.S. Central Command is now reviewing the combat awards process and system in light of the lost Medal of Honor nomination for former Army Captain Will Swenson.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hunter.house.gov/iran-deals-details-are-cause-alarm-opposing-view", "Iran deal's details are cause for alarm: Opposing view", "2013-11-24", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Duncan Hunter", "H001048", "hunter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The race to halt a nuclear ambitious Iran is eerily reminiscent of America's sprint more than two decades ago to halt North Korea's development of nuclear weapons, and Iran constitutes an even greater threat to the world.\nSince then, the international community has watched North Korea continue its weapons testing as its economy stagnates in isolation. North Korea is emboldened and more defiant, and the world is no safer from North Korean aggression than it was decades ago.\nTo think of Iran any differently is foolish.\nWhere North Korea is constrained, Iran fills the same void through growing capability, regional influence and alliances.\nThe deal reached by the Obama administration will need to be thoroughly examined to understand its full scope, but the preliminary details are cause for alarm. Bottom line: The deal provides no real assurance that Iran will stop pursuing nuclear weapons.\nIran's centrifuges will still spin by the thousands, while its belief that enrichment is an inalienable right has gone undeterred. A deal that involved Iran's centrifuges would have surely instilled more confidence, not just by observers in the U.S., but elsewhere, including Israel.\nWithout centrifuges at the center of the deal, there is little real reason to celebrate what could be a toothless agreement built on false hope that Iran is serious and has divorced itself from its recent past.\nIt is because of Iran that improvised explosive devices were such a threat during the Iraq War. Iran's involvement in Afghanistan is no less a problem. Meanwhile, in Syria, Iran is supporting the Assad regime against rebel forces. Funding and material support from Iran to terrorist organizations also continues.\nThese actions underscore why any deal with Iran must be met with caution and skepticism. There is also concern with the Obama administration's ability to effectively implement and enforce any parameters of the deal. High-profile failures on the domestic and international fronts have shaken the confidence of millions of Americans.\nWith the agreement in place, much will depend on what transpires in the coming months. Iran is still untrustworthy, and the U.S. should proceed over the next six months with the expectation that Iran has every intention of developing nuclear weapons.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://issa.house.gov/district-blog/2013/11/follow-me/", "Follow Me", "2013-11-22", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I want to hear from you. In addition to communicating with me by email, you can also keep in touch with me and join in the dialogue via Facebook and Twitter. These social media pages are essential in sharing daily updates with you about what I\u2019m doing as your Representative, my work as Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and other important issues I\u2019m working on to create jobs, protect Americans from harmful policies like the President\u2019s healthcare law and increase federal transparency.\nTo follow me on Facebook, please click here.  \nTo follow me on Twitter, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://issa.house.gov/district-blog/2013/11/house-passes-major-spending-transparency-bill/", "House Passes Major Spending Transparency Bill", "2013-11-22", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Too often, information about how the federal government spends your taxpayer dollars is inaccurate, inconsistent or incomplete. To rein in spending and hold government accountable, reform is necessary.\nGovernment agencies often avoid scrutiny of their spending because the information is not maintained in an easily readable and publically searchable database. The information is instead in silos of spending within agencies and departments. Often, even the government has difficulty tracking how your taxpayer dollars are spent.\nMy bill, the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA Act) will open the government and its spending information to you and the rest of the American people. By establishing government-wide standards for reporting of federal spending and making it available for citizen watchdogs to review, a more accountable government will be in the hands of the people.\nThis week, the House passed my bill by an overwhelming margin of 388-1. The DATA Act will now head to the Senate where it will be considered.\nFor more information on the DATA Act, please click here.  \nTo watch Rep. Issa speaking about the DATA Act on the House floor, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://issa.house.gov/district-blog/2013/11/supporting-veteran-owned-businesses/", "Supporting Veteran-Owned Businesses", "2013-11-22", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Each year, the federal government offers billions of dollars\u00a0in small-businesses contracts to service-disabled veterans so that they can grow their company while providing the government with needed services and goods.\nUnfortunately, sometimes unscrupulous individuals seek to take advantage of veterans\u2019 initiatives.\nEarlier this year, my Committee \u2013 the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee \u2013 learned of a flaw in the current system that allowed a contractor to secure a \u201cservice-disabled veteran\u201d designation and, as a result, receive millions in government awards, despite never having served one day in the military.\nWhile attending a military preparatory school, Braulio Castillo injured his ankle and, shortly after went on to play quarterback and linebacker at a civilian college. Twenty-seven years later, Castillo applied for service-disabled veteran status \u2013 conveniently, just months before he started his business and sought out lucrative federal contracts worth over $500 million.\u00a0\u00a0Despite never serving\u00a0a day in the military, Castillo secured this designation for contracting purposes.\nThose who have never actually served our country should not be entitled to receive the special status of service-disabled veteran in order to secure advantages\u00a0in receiving contracts. This loophole must be closed so that future service-disabled veteran businesses can fairly compete for government contracts.\nThat\u2019s why I have worked with fellow Congresswoman \u2013 and disabled veteran \u2013 Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to introduce the SERV (Support Earned Recognition for Veterans) Act. This bill will prevent future abuses of the veterans-preference contract system so that those whom never served in the actual armed forces will not be eligible for this status.\nTo read more about the case of Braulio Castillo, please click here.  \nTo watch Congresswoman Duckworth question Castillo during the Oversight hearing, please click here.  \nTo become a citizen cosponsor of the SERV Act, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362703", "American Sikh Congressional Caucus Celebrates Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji\u2019s Birth", "2013-11-22", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "David Valadao", "V000129", "valadao.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, American Sikh Congressional Caucus Co-Chairs Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) and Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) and released the following statements on the anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru: \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Washington \u00e2\u0080\u0093 Today, American Sikh Congressional Caucus Co-Chairs\u00a0Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) and Congresswoman\u00a0Judy Chu (CA-27) and released the following statements on the anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru: Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21), Co-Chair:  \r\n\u00e2\u0080\u009cAmerican-Sikhs play a very important role in our communities, especially in California\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Central Valley, which is home to a large population of American-Sikhs. Today, on the Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Birth, let us remember the important lessons he taught and why they are the foundation of Sikhism to this day. As Americans we should also try to live by these teachings of equality, compassion, and virtue.\u00e2\u0080\u009d Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), Co-Chair:  \r\n\u00e2\u0080\u009cI join the Sikh community in the United States and around the world to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.  Guru Nanak Dev Ji\u00e2\u0080\u0099s teachings, based on ethical and moral values are at the core of Sikhism and remain a model for so many today, centuries after his death. We are grateful to the American Sikh community, who continue to enrich our nation through these teachings and embody the shared American values of love, tolerance and compassion.\u00e2\u0080\u009d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221140409/http://denham.house.gov/intern-spotlight/intern-spotlight-jeff-montgomery", "Intern Spotlight - Jeff Montgomery", "2013-11-22", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "http://on.fb.me/1cIeIQJ\n\u00a0\nU.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) welcomed Jeff Montgomery as an intern in his Washington office this winter. A CSU Stanislaus senior, Montgomery is a political science major from Waterford, CA.\n\u00a0\nDuring his internship, Montgomery helped staff answer phones, respond to constituent questions, check faxes, email and phone lines, and write letters. He also attended briefings and hearings to learn more about the legislative process and the Congressman\u2019s work on behalf of the 10th district.\n\u00a0\n\u201cJeff was a tremendous asset to my staff,\u201d said Rep. Denham. \u201cIt is always an honor for me to help young people better understand how laws are made on Capitol Hill. Internships are a wonderful way for students like Jeff to learn and to better prepare for their professional careers.\u201d\n\u00a0\n\u201cMy time in the office was nothing but great as I got to experience all the amazing things Washington, D.C. has to offer,\u201d said Montgomery. \u201cComing from the town of Waterford, it was truly humbling to live and work in Washington, D.C. and go back home to show people back home what is possible through hard work to better the community.\u201d\n\u00a0\nJeff is the son of Mark and Sandy Montgomery.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140223100817/http://denham.house.gov/newsletter/weekly-update-rep-denham-november-22-2013", "Weekly Update from Rep. Denham - November 22, 2013", "2013-11-22", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend,\n\tAs you may have seen, yesterday Covered California announced that they will not implement President Obama\u2019s proposed \u201cfix\u201d to the Affordable Care Act. Their decision makes it clearer than ever that this law cannot be fixed. The Affordable Care Act was designed to force people off of their insurance plans, and now millions of Californians are receiving notices of cancelled policies. I\u2019ve heard many of your individual stories and seen the cancellation letters you\u2019ve gotten \u2013 if you haven\u2019t shared your story with me yet, please do so by clicking here. The Affordable Care Act should be fully repealed and replaced with common-sense, patient-centered and market-based reforms that allow individuals to purchase insurance across state lines, lowering premium costs and increasing the availability of healthcare providers.\n\tOur focus this week in the House was on three bills designed to move our nation towards energy independence and speed up job creation. All three bills work to to rein in overreaching federal bureaucracy, increase domestic energy production and reduce energy costs for families across the country. Increasing domestic energy production will reduce our dependence on foreign nations for oil and create jobs here at home, and as a member of the House Energy Action Team, energy independence is my ultimate goal. I supported all three bills \u2013 the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act, Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act, and Protecting States' Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act. \u00a0\n\tI testified in front of the Transportation & Infrastructure committee this week about my bill to reduce the footprint of the federal government\u2019s properties and save taxpayers an estimated $15 billion. My Civilian Property Realignment Act (CPRA), which passed the House with bipartisan support last Congress, would make management of federal buildings more efficient and generate savings through selling wasteful vacant properties. You can view my full testimony online\u00a0here.\nPlease view my full testimony online here.\u00a0\nI had the opportunity to participate in a meetup of young Indian Americans. I was joined by my friends Ricky Gill and Representative Rob Woodall from Georgia. Young people have such a crucial role to play in shaping our national political debate, and it was wonderful to have a chance to hear directly from them about the things they care most about, like our skyrocketing national debt, immigration reform and job creation.\nI am always committed to hearing the insight that young people can provide.\u00a0\nOn Wednesday evening, I played in the Congressional Football game. This tradition pits members of Congress against the Capitol Police who work to keep us all safe and benefits several charities. It was an honor to play, especially on behalf of the Capitol Police Memorial Fund, which was established after the 1998 shooting at the Capitol that took the lives of two members of the Capitol Police. Proceeds also went to Our Military Kids, the American Red Cross National Capital Region and A Advantage 4 Kids non-profit organizations.\n\tOur team got some help from several former NFL pros, including Herschel Walker, Ken Harvey and John Booty.\nWith Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker at Wednesday night's game.\u00a0\nI\u2019ve had several talented interns working in both my district and D.C. offices over the last few months, including Jeff Montgomery, a CSU Stanislaus senior. Montgomery is a political science major who spent this fall and winter interning in Washington.\nJeff Montgomery was a tremendous asset to my staff.\u00a0\nDuring his time in the office, Montgomery helped answer phones, respond to constituent questions, check faxes and write letters. He also attended briefings and hearings to learn more about the legislative process and my work on behalf of the 10th district.\n\tIt is always an honor for me to help young people better understand how laws are made on Capitol Hill. Internships are a wonderful way for students like Jeff to learn and to better prepare for their professional careers.\n\t\u201cMy time in the office was nothing but great as I got to experience all the amazing things Washington, D.C. has to offer,\u201d said Montgomery. \u201cComing from the town of Waterford, it was truly humbling to live and work in Washington, D.C. and go back home to show people back home what is possible through hard work to better the community.\u201d\n\tJeff is the son of Mark and Sandy Montgomery.\n\tIf you are interested in an internship in either of my offices, please visit my internship web page for more information.\n\tTo receive the latest news on my work in the Central Valley and in Washington, D.C., please follow me on Twitter\u00a0and Facebook\u00a0or visit my website. You can also share this weekly newsletter\u00a0with friends.\nJEFF DENHAM", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221073619/http://denham.house.gov/news/washington-post-congressmen-use-adorable-dogs-persuade-amtrak-allow-pets-trains", "The Washington Post: Congressmen use adorable dogs to persuade Amtrak to allow pets on trains", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Michael G. Grimm had one very compelling argument for why his new bill should become law.\n\u201cLook at that\u00a0face!\u201d the congressman gushed, showing off Sebastian, his beloved Yorkie, who was Wednesday\u2019s poster pooch for the Pets on Trains Act of 2013.\nSebastian, Grimm\u2019s Yorkie. (Robert O. Charles)\n\nGrimm and Sebastian headlined the news conference outside Union Station designed to pressure Amtrak to allow dogs and cats on pet-approved train cars. The event, heavy on canine cuteness and human speeches, featured bill sponsors Grimm, Rep. Jeff Denham (who brought his French bulldog, Lily) and Rep. Steve Cohen. A dozen other small dogs were there to amp up the cuteness factor, including Monkey, a King Charles spaniel, and Winston, a fairly dignified, Union Jack-sweater-wearing English bulldog.\nThe human celebrity was Hallmark Channel\u2019s Laura Nativo, resident pet-lifestyle expert and \u201cOne of the Eight People From the Dog World You Should Know,\u201d according to Dogster magazine. Cradling her pocket Pomeranian, Preston Casanova, Nativo declared it\u2019s unfair that puppies are\u00a0canina non grata\u00a0considering Amtrak actually allowed pets until 1976.\n\u201cIn our modern society, dogs and cats are frequently the subject of laws that remove them from the picture,\u201d she told the crowd. \u201cBut is that really in our best interest?\u201d\nWell, people are split on that. While some would love to take Spot home with them for Thanksgiving, other passengers might not be so sure.\nNot a problem, Grimm argues. \u201cThat\u2019s why you have a quiet car.\u201d And the bill has rules: Pets must be crated, and trips with pets can\u2019t be longer than 750 miles. The upside? Increased revenue and better morale for traveling pet parents.\nMonkey, a King Charles spaniel, belongs to Rep. Grimm\u2019s chief of staff.\n\nAmtrak put a stop to pets on trains in the \u201970s because things got . . . well, a little out of control, Amtrak chief executive Joe Boardman told us. To make this work, the company would have to crunch the numbers, including cleaning costs for the not-quite-train-trained. (Would trains stop for bathroom breaks?) Then there\u2019s the problem of pet owners who might want to bring their snakes and God knows what else on board. (Samuel L. Jackson, white courtesy phone.)\nStill, animal lovers Wednesday pulled out the most famous pro-pet argument. \u201cHarry Truman said, \u2018If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog,\u2019\u200a\u201d Cohen said. \u201cBut you have to get your dog to Washington. And Amtrak\u2019s the best way to do it.\u201d\nSource:\u00a0http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/wp/2013/11/21/congressmen-use-adorable-dogs-to-persuade-amtrak-to-allow-pets-on-trains/", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221073646/http://denham.house.gov/news/turlock-journal-denham%E2%80%99s-government-property-bill-save-taxpayers-billions", "The Turlock Journal: Denham\u2019s government property bill to save taxpayers billions", "2013-11-19", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Since entering office, Congressman Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) has worked vigorously to help taxpayers save billions of dollars through improving the management of federal properties and real estate.\nBy introducing his Civilian Property Realignment Act, Congressman Denham is hopeful that the legislation will lessen the federal real estate footprint while decreasing government spending.\n\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdWe\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdve got over a trillion dollar deficit in skyrocketing debt that we must examine every area of government and look for ways to cut that spending,\ufffd\ufffd? said Congressman Denham while testifying before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee\ufffd\ufffd\ufffds Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffdThe CPRA would create a non-partisan professional mission to root out waste and inefficiencies in the way that we manage our public buildings. The principles of this bill are driving forces behind the effort to redevelop the Federal Triangle and serve as a model for how we manage property nationwide.\ufffd\ufffd?\nAccording to Denham, to successfully save billions of dollars for taxpayers, the government must implement the CPRA using the following five principles: working to maximize return to the taxpayer; maximizing space utilization; reducing the reliance on costly leasing; creative value in underperforming assets; and improving the overall management and controls related to federal properties.\n\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdWe have got to have a solution that incorporates all five principles,\ufffd\ufffd? said Congressman Denham. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffdWe need a CPRA which is designed to reshape the way that this country manages its federal footprint and fortunately this administration recognizes the same problem.\ufffd\ufffd?\nSupport for the CPRA comes from both Republican and Democratic members of the House and Senate, leading Denham to believe that billions of dollars can be saved while working together. Denham also commended President Barack Obama for bringing the issue of mismanaging government buildings to light both during his 2011 State of the Union address and his 2012 budget.\n\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdI\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdm proud that not only do we have bipartisan support in the house and senate, but the President actually wants to engage on this issue,\ufffd\ufffd? said Congressman Denham. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffdI\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdm very pleased that the President made federal real estate a national priority.\ufffd\ufffd?\nDuring his first term, Denham says he worked diligently to have an old post office in his district redeveloped to help create local jobs to boost the economy. In September, the congressman joined Donald Trump at the architectural and design unveiling of the Trump International Hotel that will occupy the old post office building in downtown Washington, D.C., creating 700 construction jobs and 300 permanent jobs in the process.\nThat particular old post office building was losing more than $6 million annually, according to Denham, making it a prime example of the mismanagement that he is attempting to improve. During his testimony, Denham also recognized the General Services Administration\ufffd\ufffd\ufffds efforts to reconfigure its headquarters that will triple the amount of employees working there.\nCurrently housing 2,000 federal employees, the GSA headquarters will consolidate by increasing the amount of employees in one building to 6,000 while vacating two other buildings \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd a move that Denham foresees as vital in reducing wasteful government spending.\n\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdThese properties can be redeveloped, creating those local jobs but also that long ongoing boost to our local economies,\ufffd\ufffd? said Congressman Denham. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffdI believe that a commission that uses the five principles to guide its decisions can have an immediate savings of upwards of $15 billion.\ufffd\ufffd?\nDenham\ufffd\ufffd\ufffds CPRA passed the House last congress with bipartisan support and was re-introduced this congress in mid-February. Last week, Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.\n\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdAt the end of the day, the total cost of housing federal government is directly proportional to how much real estate we hold,\ufffd\ufffd? said Congressman Denham. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffdPerhaps one of the greatest areas for tax payer savings will be in the redevelopment or sale of high value, underutilized properties.\ufffd\ufffd? \ufffd\ufffd\nSource:\ufffd\ufffdhttp://www.turlockjournal.com/section/14/article/22844/", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221165509/http://denham.house.gov/press-release/denham-testifies-civilian-property-realignment-act-hearing-federal-property-disposal", "Denham Testifies on Civilian Property Realignment Act at Hearing on Federal Property Disposal", "2013-11-19", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) today testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee\u2019s Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management regarding his Civilian Property Realignment Act (CPRA), legislation to improve the management of federal properties and save taxpayers billions of dollars.\n\u201cThe Civilian Property Realignment Act is designed to reshape the way this country manages the federal real estate footprint,\u201d said Rep. Denham. \u201cIt creates a civilian BRAC commission to identify and eliminate billions of dollars of waste generated through mismanagement, over building and an overreliance on leases, which add unnecessary costs. A successful implementation of CPRA would save us upwards of $15 billion.\u201d\nRep. Denham introduced CPRA as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management in the 112th Congress. CPRA passed the House last Congress with bipartisan support and was re-introduced this Congress on February 14, 2013. Last week, Sens. Warner (D-VA) and Blunt (R-MO) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.\nThe legislation encompasses five key principles for reforming the property management process, including: working to maximize return to the taxpayer, maximizing space utilization, reducing the reliance on costly leasing, creating value in underperforming assets and improving the overall management and controls related to federal properties.\nFull video of Rep. Denham\u2019s testimony at today\u2019s hearing can be found online here.\n\u00a0(Testimony as Prepared)\nChairman Barletta, Ranking Member Carson, thank you for allowing me to testify here today. First I\u2019d like to commend Chairman Barletta and his efforts as Chairman of this subcommittee, specifically the work in authoring the Public Buildings Savings and Reform Act of 2013 in a bipartisan manner. Your leadership on this issue is needed in a time of increasing national debt and government inefficiency.\nGiven our trillion dollar deficit and skyrocketing debt we must examine every area of government and look for ways to cut spending.\nI\u2019d also like to thank Chairman Shuster for working with me on this issue to ensure that it receives the proper oversight and attention. Since taking the helm of this Committee, Chairman Shuster has worked to create bipartisan solutions to our nation\u2019s problems, which is fitting for the topic we have here before us today.\nReducing the nation\u2019s debt is truly a bipartisan issue.\nI\u2019m here today to talk about a bill I authored and continue to work on with the assistance of you Chairman Barletta, and Chairman Shuster who has also been a strong voice in cutting government waste. H.R. 695, the Civilian Property Realignment Act would create a non-partisan professional commission to root out waste and inefficiencies in the way we manage our public buildings. The principles of this bill are the driving forces behind the effort to redevelop the Federal Triangle and serve as a model for how we manage property nationwide.\nI first proposed a civilian BRAC commission at this subcommittee\u2019s first hearing in February 2011 and the President proposed a commission in his 2012 budget.\nIn recent years, the GAO identified billions of dollars of waste through mismanagement, over building, and an over reliance on costly leased space to meet long term housing needs. On a bipartisan basis, this committee has struggled to house federal employees in the most cost-effective manner possible. Though I\u2019m proud to say that due to the actions of this subcommittee, GSA leasing prospectuses are becoming much more efficient and saving taxpayer dollars.\nI believe the potential to save billions of dollars is real.\nI am very pleased the president made federal real estate a national priority by including it in his state of the union address in 2011 and his official budget submission to Congress. Additionally both houses of Congress have included the idea in their annual budget documents.\nTo be successful, the commission will need to:\n1. Consolidate the footprint of federal real estate;\n2. House more federal employees in less overall space;\n3. Reduce our reliance on costly leased space;\n4. Sell or redevelop high value assets that are underutilized or too valuable for housing federal employees; and\n5. Dispose of surplus property more quickly.\nI believe a commission that uses these 5 principles to guide its decisions can save upwards of $15 billion. We must have a solution that incorporates all five principles.\nFor example, if all the commission achieves is a fire sale of worthless properties in one of the worst real estate markets in our lifetime, then we shouldn\u2019t expect to save a lot of money. Simply dumping vacant properties on to the market is not a long term solution.\nWhat CPRA is designed to do is reshape the way this country manages the federal real estate footprint.\nFortunately, the administration recognizes this same problem. At the end of the day, the total cost to house the federal government is directly proportional to how much real estate we hold.\u00a0 To save money we will have to consolidate that footprint.\nTo consolidate, we must house more federal employees in less space. Fortunately there are tremendous opportunities for savings in this area. For example, GSA is working to reconfigure its headquarters building to triple the number of employees working there from 2000 to 6000.\u00a0 Allowing GSA to vacate 2 buildings \u2013 one of which is leased \u2013 and house everyone in their renovated headquarters.\nThe private sector has been increasing its utilization rates for over a decade and a commission can achieve the same results in the federal government.\nReducing expensive leased space is another principle necessary for a successful commission. For example, the federal government spent well over a billion dollars to lease space for the Department of Transportation\u2019s headquarters.\u00a0 Yet the government could have purchased several buildings for this amount and housed thousands of employees for much less money.\nPerhaps one of the greatest areas for taxpayer savings will be in the redevelopment or sale of high value but underutilized properties.\u00a0 For instance, the Postal Service used a private developer to transform a rundown money pit \u2013 with a great location \u2013 into $150 million in revenue and a fully renovated building without any taxpayer money.\nWhile the government retained ownership of this property, in other cases selling may generate the greatest savings for the taxpayer. There are high value properties all across the country that are being used inefficiently and often times have large amounts of vacant space.\nMaximizing value is what CPRA seeks to achieve.\nWe do have to dispose of our surplus property more quickly. What we are talking about is not simply disposing of properties, but unlocking value and maximizing the return on government investment.\nI believe these guiding principles should help inform the development of any legislative solution.\nI thank the Committee and I look forward to working with you on these issues going forward.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140223100904/http://denham.house.gov/newsletter/weekly-update-rep-denham-november-18-2013", "Weekly Update from Rep. Denham - November 18, 2013", "2013-11-18", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend,\n\tOn Friday the House passed the Keep Your Health Plan Act of 2013, a three-sentence bipartisan bill I co-sponsored to allow those of you who received notices your healthcare plan is scheduled to be cancelled to maintain it instead. Despite the President\u2019s promises, many of you are finding out that you can\u2019t afford the Affordable Care Act. I spoke on the House floor on Thursday to share some of the many stories I have heard from you. You can watch my remarks online here.\nI shared your stories in your words about the Affordable Care Act on the House floor.\u00a0\nLast Congress as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, one of my top priorities was eliminating unnecessary government properties to save taxpayer dollars and increase efficiency. To that end I introduced the Civilian Property Realignment Act (CPRA), which passed the House\u00a0in 2012 with strong bipartisan support. This Congress I have re-introduced CPRA, which would encourage consolidation, redevelopment and selling of federal properties to save the American people millions of dollars and maximize the rate of use of federal properties. With our skyrocketing national debt, CPRA is one way to cut costs and pay down the deficit.\n\tLast week Senator Warner (D-VA), who serves as the head of the Senate Budget Committee\u2019s Task Force on Government Performance, and Senator Blunt (R-MO) introduced the CPRA in the Senate. I look forward to working with the Senators to see this legislation moved through both chambers of Congress and signed into law by the President.\n\tAs co-chair of the Congressional Veterans Jobs Caucus, I remain committed to seeing industries across the nation work to hire more vets, honoring the sacrifice our brave service members make to our nation by ensuring they are able to find high-quality jobs upon reentering the civilian workforce. Rep. Tim Walz, my Caucus co-chair, joined me to host the Aerospace Industries Association, which hires thousands of veterans nationwide, to honor our veterans last Wednesday evening.\nLast Wednesday's Congressional Veterans Jobs Caucus event was a great success, and it was an honor to share a few words about the dedication of our veterans and all that we can do to ensure that they find work following their service.\u00a0Marion C. Blakey, AIA President\u00a0 & CEO, and Rep. Walz also addressed the crowd.\nThis week I will be voting on three bills to increase domestic energy production, create American middle class jobs and lower the cost of energy for families. I am committed to making our country energy-independent and these bills are a great step in that direction.\n\tI\u2019d like to share a spotlight of one of my interns, who worked in both my Modesto and Washington offices over the last year. This summer, I welcomed Kevin Padway as an intern in my Washington, D.C. office. The 22-year old Padway, originally from Alameda, California, graduated from California Poytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in June.\nKevin was a great asset to our office! We are glad to have had him on board.\u00a0\nDuring his internship, Kevin assisted staff with daily tasks, drafted letters, and assisted constituents via phone or in person. His favorite parts of his internship were attending local meetings concerning water issues with Modesto staff members, listening to veteran needs in the 10th district and working on veteran outreach.\n\t\u201cI chose to intern for Congressman Denham because he has a strong desire to solve California\u2019s water problems and represents a district rich in agriculture,\u201d said Padway. \u201cSome highlights of the internship were welcoming home the 1/126th Aviation Regiment Bravo Company from Afghanistan, touring the Bob Jones Pumping plant and fish facility, attending a CV salts meeting, attending a Veterans Job Caucus briefing, assisting the constituent advisors in district and my USCP ride along.\u201d\n\tKevin was a great asset to my staff throughout his time in both of our offices. It was a pleasure to have him on board and to provide an opportunity for him to experience work with constituents and the legislative process.\n\tPadway is the son of Leida and Laurence Padway.\n\tIf you are interested in an internship in either of my offices, please visit my internship web page for more information.\n\tTo stay up to date on what I\u2019m doing in Washington and in the Central Valley, please follow me on Twitter\u00a0and Facebook\u00a0or visit my website. I\u2019d also like to welcome you to share our weekly newsletter\u00a0with friends.\n\tJEFF DENHAM", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://calvert.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361724", "Rep. Calvert Introduces Resolution Supporting Gold Star Families", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Ken Calvert", "C000059", "calvert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) introduced a House Resolution, H. Con. Res. 65,\u00a0in support of Gold Star families throughout the United States. \r\n\u201cThe families of our fallen soldiers have paid a tremendous sacrifice on behalf of our country, and the very least we can do as a nation is to provide them with the support they need and deserve,\u201d said Rep. Calvert.\u00a0\u201cPrivate organizations and the larger military community do an amazing job providing valuable resources for Gold Star families in the aftermath of the loss of a loved one.\u00a0Congress and the Executive Branch must continually look at new ways to support these families both in the days immediately following the tragedy and the years to come.\u201d\r\nThe resolution introduced by Rep. Calvert encourages military bases around the country to organize and host events to recognize and commemorate the sacrifices of members of the Armed Forces. The resolution also encourages the attendance of families within the local area that have lost loved ones in combat to attend such commemorations.\r\nSince the start of the Global War on Terrorism more than 6,700 members of the Armed Forces have been killed.\u00a0\r\nBelow is the actual text of the resolution:\r\nExpressing the sense of Congress regarding outreach to families of members of the Armed Forces killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan, and in other conflicts.\r\nWhereas the human burden of the Global War on Terrorism has been disproportionately borne by the less than one percent of Americans who serve in the military;\r\nWhereas 2,276 members of the Armed Forces have been killed in Afghanistan and 4,474 members of the Armed Forces killed in Iraq as of November 11th, 2013;\r\nWhereas the strength of our military is built upon the men and women who serve in uniform and the families who support them; and\r\nWhereas supporting those families who have lost loved ones in the Global War on Terrorism demonstrates the commitment of the American people to those families now and in the future: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that\u2014\r\n(1) all families that have lost loved ones in uniform should be recognized for their sacrifices and for their dedicated and patriotic support of the United States;\r\n(2) local communities should recognize and support those families that have lost a loved one in combat; and\r\n(3) the President should encourage military bases around the country to organize and host events to recognize and commemorate the sacrifices of members of the Armed Forces of all services, and to encourage the attendance of families within the local area that have lost loved ones in combat to attend such commemorations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cook.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-paul-cook-votes-for-keep-your-health-care-act", "Rep. Paul Cook Votes For Keep Your Health Care Act", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Paul Cook", "C001094", "cook.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) today voted for H.R. 3350, the Keep Your Health Care Act of 2013. The act, which passed by a vote of 261-157, allows providers to continue to offer health insurance plans next year that were in effect in the individual market as of January 1, 2013.\nAcross the country millions of Americans are receiving notices of cancelled health care plans. As recently as September 26, President Obama has said that Americans could keep their current health care plans if they were happy with them. However, according California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, approximately one million Californians are set to lose their existing health care plans.\nThis plan will allow existing policies to qualify as \u201cminimum essential coverage\u201d for purposes of meeting the individual mandate requirement.\nSaid Cook, \u201cToo many people are being forced off their healthcare plans and are facing premiums they simply can't afford. This bill makes good on the President\u2019s broken promise and allows those receiving cancellation notices to continue to be covered on the plans they like.\u201d\nA member of the House Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, and Foreign Affairs Committees, Cook is a former educator who served as an infantry officer and retired as a Colonel after 26 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal with valor device and two Purple Hearts for actions in combat.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://issa.house.gov/district-blog/2013/11/presidents-healthcare-law-millions-face-higher-rates-cancelled-plans/", "President\u2019s Healthcare Law: Millions Face Higher Rates, Cancelled Plans", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This week, we learned that only 106,185 Americans managed to navigate and select a healthcare plan as part of the new health law. Of those 106,185 enrollments, only 26,794 came through the federal marketplace which services Americans in 36 states.\nThese enrollment numbers pale in comparison to the Administration\u2019s original\u00a0estimate of 494,620 enrollments within the first month of HealthCare.gov\u2019s launch. And, even more so to the\u00a04.8 millions of Americans \u2013 and more than\u00a01 million Californians - who have already received notices that their current health coverage will be dropped because of the Affordable Care Act.\nYesterday, President Obama apologized to the millions of Americans who have been receiving cancellation notices and announced a proposal to grant administrative relief by selectively enforcing the Administration\u2019s own regulations. But, by trying to ignore a problem with existing law \u2013 instead of addressing it \u2013 the president\u2019s proposal is sure to create confusion and prolong uncertainty for millions more.\nCA-49 CONSTITUENTS AFFECTED\nIn an effort to show Washington that you, the American people, know what\u2019s best for you and your family, I have encouraged you to\u00a0share with me how you and your family have been affected by the President\u2019s healthcare law. Your stories have made one thing clear: this law is harming a lot more Americans than it is helping.\nLaurie, from Oceanside, received a letter from her provider informing her that as of December 15 her policy would no longer be offered to her and her son - forcing Laurie to enroll in government-mandated coverage that will increase her premium by 86% from $4,680 to $8,682 per year.\nBrian, a resident of San Clemente, shared that, \u201cthanks to ObamaCare, my health care insurance was cancelled.\u201d He added, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t a decision of the insurance company.\u00a0 It was because my policy was not \u2018grandfathered\u2019 into the new law as was promised by the President of my country.\u00a0 That's a big deal.\u201d Under Brian\u2019s new plan, he will now be forced to pay almost $4,000 more a year \u2013 a 154% increase.\nSamuel and Debi of Carlsbad wrote that, due to the cancellation of their current plan, they will face a 97% yearly increase with their new \u201ccomparable plan.\u201d They added that, despite having no children, they will now be required to have a plan that offers maternity and pediatric dental care \u2013 raising the valid questions of \u201cWhy are we required to purchase services we will never use? And, is a 100% increase even remotely justified?\u201d\nLynda, from Oceanside, shared with me that Kaiser is discontinuing her plan in December because it does not meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act \u2013 increasing her premium by 54% or $2,258 more a year. Lynda added, \u201cWhat kind of law takes away perfectly fine, affordable insurance and replaces it with poor coverage, unaffordable insurance?\u201d\nI couldn\u2019t agree with you more, Lynda.\nWhat you are experiencing is simply unacceptable. Southern Californians deserve much better. You, and the rest of the American people, deserve the right to choose and have access to affordable health coverage that meets the needs of you and your family. Unfortunately, the President\u2019s healthcare law strips you of that fundamental choice.\nOVERSIGHT COMMITTEE EXAMINES HEALTHCARE.GOV FAILURES\nOn Wednesday, I convened an Oversight\u00a0hearing to hear from top HealthCare.gov officials to examine what went wrong with the site\u2019s rollout and what the Administration is doing to address and fix the technology and security problems currently plaguing the site.\nAt the hearing, White House official Todd Park could not confirm whether the website would be ready by the end of November, as promised. Even more concerning, Administration technology experts could not state who was responsible for the botched rollout of HealthCare.gov.\nAs Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, I will not stop until the Administration comes clean about what caused HealthCare.gov\u2019s disastrous rollout, who was responsible and what can be done in the future to prevent these systematic and pervasive failures from occurring again.\nHOUSE ACTS TO ALLOW AMERICANS TO KEEP HEALTH PLANS\n\u00a0\nToday, the House passed the Keep your Health Plan Act (H.R. 3350), a bipartisan bill that will allow plans that were available at the beginning of this year to continue to be offered next year without facing a penalty. Unlike the President\u2019s current proposal, the House bill will clearly change the law so the plans Americans have and like will not be banned.\nAmericans everywhere are now experiencing first-hand that the President\u2019s healthcare law is not affordable and is not in the best interest of consumers. However, unlike President Obama, I will not ignore a problem with an existing law instead of addressing it.\nI will do everything in my power to address the President\u2019s self-acknowledged \u201cfumble\u201d so that you may regain your fundamental right to choose your coverage and have access to affordable healthcare that meets the needs of you and your family.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://issa.house.gov/press-releases/2013/11/issa-statement-on-vote-in-favor-of-the-keep-your-health-plan-act/", "Issa Statement on Vote in Favor of the Keep Your Health Plan Act", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., voted in favor of H.R.3350, the Keep Your Health Plan Act. Chairman Issa issued the following statement:\n\u201cThe President has admitted to breaking his repeated promise that \u2018if you like your health plan, you can keep it\u2019 and admitted to \u2018fumbling\u2019 the ObamaCare rollout. He knows that millions of Americans have been told their health coverage is being cancelled, and he knows that that they cannot log on to the broken exchange website. Yet when faced with mounting bipartisan pressure to protect those losing their health coverage, the President offers nothing more than an administrative gimmick. Today, by passing the Keep Your Health Plan Act, the House has acted to change the law to reduce uncertainty and offer real solutions for individuals and families.\u201d\n\nThe bill, sponsored by Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., passed on a vote of 261-157.\nThis week, Chairman Issa convened the Committee\u2019s first hearing on the technical and security problems with Healthcare.gov and what is being done to fix the troubled website, which featured the Administration\u2019s top IT experts.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nunes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361678", "There is no fixing ObamaCare", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Devin Nunes", "N000181", "nunes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Yesterday President Obama announced yet another major change to ObamaCare, allowing insurance companies to reinstate policies that ObamaCare itself forced them to cancel. This adds to a fast-growing list of ObamaCare \u201cfixes\u201d that were unilaterally decreed by the Obama administration, including the delay of the employer mandate and a slew of short-term exemptions to various ObamaCare rules that were awarded to select companies and unions. Consider the current situation: millions of people who were told they could keep their healthcare plans have had those plans cancelled; millions more are unable to sign up for new plans on the malfunctioning website of the ObamaCare exchanges even though they will soon be fined if they don\u2019t somehow get a plan; those who do manage to access the exchanges are realizing they must get coverage for unnecessary services such as maternity care for men; and businesses have downgraded workers from full-time to part-time status in order to avoid ObamaCare mandates.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 My friends, this is no way to run a government. The president cannot purport to remake one-sixth of the U.S. economy, throw people off their healthcare plans, drown businesses in a sea of impossible regulations, and then assume the authority to enforce, not enforce, or change the law at will. This does grievous harm to individual Americans, to the healthcare system, and to our tradition of governance based on the rule of law. We live in a constitutional republic, not an autocracy where the law is whatever the monarch says it is.\u00a0\u00a0  The Obama administration\u2019s mania for controlling the healthcare sector has created a crisis so profound that even convinced ObamaCare supporters in the president\u2019s own party are speaking out. But the damage cannot be repaired by more administrative fixes. Democrats can still protect ObamaCare in Congress, but their willingness to do so is weakening with every new ObamaCare disaster. We must continue to chip away at this overreaching, ill-conceived law until it is repealed entirely and replaced with free-market reforms that work. For reform ideas that some colleagues and I have proposed, see here.  Separately, I appeared on Fox News\u2019 Special Report yesterday to discuss the investigation into the attack on Benghazi. You can watch the video here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://rohrabacher.house.gov/press-release/rohrabacher-speaks-out-against-phony-patent-%E2%80%98reform%E2%80%99", "Rohrabacher Speaks Out Against Phony Patent \u2018Reform\u2019", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Dana Rohrabacher", "R000409", "rohrabacher.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Dana Rohrabacher has declared his vigorous opposition to efforts being proposed in the House Judiciary Committee that would disadvantage America\u2019s small inventors. \u201cIn and of itself,\u201d the congressman said Thursday in a speech before the House of Representatives, \u201cthis legislation is too broad, its implications too unclear, and its effects unknowable.\u201d\nThe \u201cInnovation Act,\u201d H.R. 3309, said Rep. Rohrabacher, \u201cdisadvantages the little guy against deep-pocket multi-national corporations, in the guise of targeting so-called \u2018patent trolls.\u2019\u201d The term refers to purchasers of patents who then search for potential infringements and defend their intellectual property rights.\n\u201cProponents of this legislation,\u201d continued the congressman, who represents coastal Orange County, CA, \u201care covering the fact they have stolen someone else\u2019s patent rights, and now want to change the system so they can get away with it. A recent study mandated by Congress showed that this much heralded \u2018problem\u2019 isn\u2019t a major driver of lawsuits and has not caused a surge of new lawsuits.\u201d\nThe legislative effort to correct this so-called problem contended the congressman, actually creates more hurdles for small inventors and \u2013 contrary to the bill\u2019s identifier \u2013 frustrates further innovation in a U.S. economy that desperately needs to recover its dynamism.\n\u201cMost of the provisions in the legislation they will pass through committee,\u201d said Rep. Rohrabacher, \u201cwill make it much more complicated, costly, and challenging to bring a lawsuit for patent infringement, rather than making it simpler, cheaper, and easier to defend against baseless accusations of infringement.\n\u201cIn addition, under the claim of \u2018technical correction,\u2019 this legislation proposes the removal of the patent system\u2019s only independent judicial review process, Section 145 of Title 35. If this passes, inventors who are not satisfied with the patent office administrative processes will have no recourse. This safeguard of independent judicial review has been American law since 1836, and last year the Supreme Court \u2026 reaffirmed the importance of t his provision.\n\u201cNow the Patent Office has requested that judicial review be done away with because it is burdensome to them to defend their actions in court. The Patent Office wants to strip away the rights of Americans because it is inconvenient for their bureaucracy.\n\u201cThe legislation going before the Judiciary Committee here in the House on Wednesday, Nov. 20, is consistent with the decades-long war being waged on America\u2019s independent inventors.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361614", "Royce proposes efficiencies that would expand food aid abroad by Elizabeth Held for the Orange County Register", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Edward Royce", "R000487", "royce.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "It sounds like an idea that few could oppose. Rep. Ed Royce, R-Fullerton, is advocating a change to America\u2019s international food aid program that he says would allow the U.S. to feed more people, faster and at a lower cost.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      It sounds like an idea that few could oppose. Rep. Ed Royce, R-Fullerton, is advocating a change to America\u2019s international food aid program that he says would allow the U.S. to feed more people, faster and at a lower cost.\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s a reasonable reform that we believe will save millions of lives,\u201d Royce told the Register this week.\r\nBut farmers and port workers whose livelihoods are tied to the program object, saying the proposed reform would cost American jobs.\r\nThe U.S. government buys commodities such as wheat or other grains from domestic farmers and ships it overseas to troubled countries, such as Ethiopia, South Sudan and Mali. The entire process, beginning with the call for procurement and ending with distribution in the target country, takes four to six months, said Eric Munoz a senior policy analyst at Oxfam America, which supports Royce\u2019s effort.\r\nRead the full article here:\u00a0\r\nhttp://www.ocregister.com/articles/royce-537036-food-aid.html", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://calvert.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-calvert-introduces-resolution-supporting-gold-star-families", "Rep. Calvert Introduces Resolution Supporting Gold Star Families", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Ken Calvert", "C000059", "calvert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) introduced a House Resolution, H. Con. Res. 65,in support of Gold Star families throughout the United States. \n\"The families of our fallen soldiers have paid a tremendous sacrifice on behalf of our country, and the very least we can do as a nation is to provide them with the support they need and deserve,\" said Rep. Calvert.\"Private organizations and the larger military community do an amazing job providing valuable resources for Gold Star families in the aftermath of the loss of a loved one.Congress and the Executive Branch must continually look at new ways to support these families both in the days immediately following the tragedy and the years to come.\"\nThe resolution introduced by Rep. Calvert encourages military bases around the country to organize and host events to recognize and commemorate the sacrifices of members of the Armed Forces. The resolution also encourages the attendance of families within the local area that have lost loved ones in combat to attend such commemorations.\nSince the start of the Global War on Terrorism more than 6,700 members of the Armed Forces have been killed.\nBelow is the actual text of the resolution:\nExpressing the sense of Congress regarding outreach to families of members of the Armed Forces killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan, and in other conflicts.\nWhereas the human burden of the Global War on Terrorism has been disproportionately borne by the less than one percent of Americans who serve in the military;\nWhereas 2,276 members of the Armed Forces have been killed in Afghanistan and 4,474 members of the Armed Forces killed in Iraq as of November 11th, 2013;\nWhereas the strength of our military is built upon the men and women who serve in uniform and the families who support them; and\nWhereas supporting those families who have lost loved ones in the Global War on Terrorism demonstrates the commitment of the American people to those families now and in the future: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that\n(1) all families that have lost loved ones in uniform should be recognized for their sacrifices and for their dedicated and patriotic support of the United States;\n(2) local communities should recognize and support those families that have lost a loved one in combat; and\n(3) the President should encourage military bases around the country to organize and host events to recognize and commemorate the sacrifices of members of the Armed Forces of all services, and to encourage the attendance of families within the local area that have lost loved ones in combat to attend such commemorations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hr-3350-keep-your-health-plan-act-of-2013", "HR 3350 -  Keep Your Health Plan Act of 2013", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Tom McClintock", "M001177", "mcclintock.house.gov", "mcclintock", "https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Congressman Tom McClintock voted YES on HR 3350 today and issued the following statement:\n\nHR 3350 \u2013 Keep Your Health Plan Act of 2013: YES. It is important not to over-promise on this measure. It will not get back the five million health insurance policies that have already been cancelled due to Obamacare. It MIGHT prevent some cancellations that might otherwise occur in the future. However, to the extent that it does, it will mean higher premiums for those who have been forced into the Obamacare exchanges. Any way you cut it this is an unmitigated nightmare. Ultimately, there is no substitute for the complete repeal of Obamacare and the restoration of a decentralized, free market, patient-centered healthcare system.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:39:47Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221162412/http://mcclintock.house.gov/2013/11/hr-3350---keep-your-health-plan-act-of-2013.shtml", "HR 3350 -  Keep Your Health Plan Act of 2013", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Tom McClintock", "M001177", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Tom McClintock voted YES on HR 3350 today and issued the following statement: \u00a0 HR 3350 \u2013 Keep Your Health Plan Act of 2013: YES. \u00a0It is important not to over-promise on this measure. \u00a0It will not get back the five million health insurance policies that have already been cancelled due to Obamacare. \u00a0It MIGHT prevent some cancellations that might otherwise occur in the future. \u00a0However, to the extent that it does, it will mean higher premiums for those who have been forced into the Obamacare exchanges. \u00a0Any way you cut it this is an unmitigated nightmare. \u00a0Ultimately, there is no substitute for the complete repeal of Obamacare and the restoration of a decentralized, free market, patient-centered healthcare system. \u00a0 Legislative Information: \u00a0H.R. 3350 allows health insurance issuers who have health coverage in the individual market as of January 1, 2013, to continue to offer that coverage for sale outside of the exchanges through 2014.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221165558/http://denham.house.gov/press-release/denham-applauds-introduction-civilian-property-realignment-act-senate", "Denham Applauds Introduction of Civilian Property Realignment Act in the Senate", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) today applauded U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) for their introduction of the Civilian Property Realignment Act of 2013 (CPRA) in the Senate. The Senate legislation the two senators introduced is modeled after Rep. Denham\u2019s legislation to improve the management of federal properties and eliminate inefficiencies in government spending.\n\u201cThe Civilian Property Realignment Act would encourage consolidation, redevelopment and selling of federal properties to save the American people billions of dollars and maximize the properties\u2019 rate of use,\u201d said Rep. Denham. \u201cWith our skyrocketing national debt, CPRA is one way to cut costs and pay down the deficit. Senators Warner and Blunt understand that this bill is critical to saving taxpayer dollars for hardworking Americans across the nation. I look forward to working with the Senators to see this legislation move through the Senate and to see my bill pass the House.\u201d\nSens. Lindsay Graham (R-SC), Dean Heller (R-NV), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) are also original cosponsors of the Senate bill.\nAs the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management in the 112th Congress, Congressman Denham has worked to eliminate duplicative federal properties and unnecessary spending on public buildings. Rep. Denham introduced CPRA in the 112th Congress, and, after CPRA passed the House last Congress with widespread bipartisan support, re-introduced the legislation in February of 2013. CPRA is designed to improve the management of federal properties across the nation, reducing government spending and shrinking the vast footprint of the federal government.\nRep. Denham\u2019s bill encompasses five key principles for reforming the property management process, including: working to maximize return to the taxpayer, maximizing space utilization, reducing the reliance on costly leasing, creating value in underperforming assets and improving the overall management and controls related to federal properties.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lamalfa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lamalfa-comments-on-president-s-effort-to-conceal-obamacare-s-broken", "LaMalfa Comments on President\u2019s Effort to Conceal Obamacare\u2019s Broken Promises", "2013-11-14", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Doug LaMalfa", "L000578", "lamalfa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) today released the following statement after the President announced that his administration would only selectively enforce provisions of Obamacare:\n\u201cToday, the President announced his decision to unilaterally change provisions of his health care takeover as a political fix to the promise he broke with the American people. This decision is just another example of the President\u2019s history of wand-waving to pick and choose which parts of the law to enforce without Congress\u2019 approval, despite lacking any legal authority to do so. Furthermore, even with the multiple delays, repeals, and adjustments we have seen over the past few months from the administration, Obamacare remains a train wreck. Less access, fewer choices, and skyrocketing premiums is exactly the opposite of what the President promised.\n\u201cWhile the President\u2019s unlawful decision to temporarily allow Americans to keep their plan further recognizes that his law is not working, it does nothing to solve the devastating affects this law is having on individuals, families, and small businesses across the country.\u00a0 We need long term, patient-centered solutions. Americans deserve affordable, quality health care that addresses their needs, not a law full of broken promises.\u201d\u00a0\nTomorrow, the House will vote tomorrow on H.R. 3350, the Keep Your Plan Act, a bill that would allow insurance companies to continue offering plans that were cancelled under Obamacare.\nDoug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California\u2019s First Congressional District including, Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361580", "Rep. Valadao Releases Statement on Immigration Reform", "2013-11-14", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "David Valadao", "V000129", "valadao.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This week, House Republican Leadership announced that immigration reform will not be addressed this year. Following the press conference Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) released the following statement in response. \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      This week, House Republican Leadership announced that immigration reform will not be addressed this year. Following the press conference Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) released the following statement:\u00e2\u0080\u009cI am disappointed that my Republican colleagues will not address immigration reform this year. Despite many positive conversations, some still refuse to acknowledge the benefits of fixing our broken immigration system. We need Members from both Parties to set aside their differences and join together to deliver a common sense immigration solution for America,\u00e2\u0080\u009d Congressman Valadao stated.  \u00e2\u0080\u009cThis issue is important to my constituents, our community, and to me personally. It directly touches every life in the Central Valley and will have significant impacts on every American throughout our country. Although I am upset with this most recent development, I remain committed to fighting for real, effective immigration reform.\u00e2\u0080\u009d Congressman David G. Valadao represents the 21st Congressional District, which includes Kings County and portions of Fresno, Tulare, and Kern Counties.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221165644/http://denham.house.gov/press-release/denham-shares-constituent-experiences-affordable-care-act", "Denham Shares Constituent Experiences with the Affordable Care Act", "2013-11-14", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 In a statement on the House floor today, U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) shared stories from 10th district residents in Oakdale, Ceres, Denair and Turlock about their experiences with the Affordable Care Act.\n\u201cMany of my constituents have health care plans they like and would like to keep,\u201d said Rep. Denham. \u201cThey believed that under the Affordable Care Act they would be able to keep their plans and that their premiums would go down. Today as the law begins to take effect, the hardworking men and women who I am proud to represent are finding that their plans are getting canceled and their premiums are rising. The Valley continues to see a shortage of doctors and physicians accepting Medicare and Medicaid patients, and the new law will only make that shortage more stark. Despite the President\u2019s promises, my constituents are finding out that they can\u2019t afford the Affordable Care Act.\u201d\nAaron, a constituent from Waterford, said, \u201cI am a small business owner with a construction business in Modesto, CA with two employees. My wife has her own small book keeping business. We are a family of three and have always paid for our health care out of pocket. As of Oct 1, 2013 our health care policy for 2014 is going to increase by roughly $250 per month\u2026 [the policy has] increased our co-pay, deductible, and RX\u2019s by double. And to add insult to injury we were told by our health care representative that we should apply for Medical because we only show $25,000 of income per year. We were also told that for a family of three that the income cap to receive Medical is $78,000.\u201d\nNate, an Oakdale resident, said, \u201cBefore the Affordable Care Act, our health coverage was $279 a month for me and my wife. We recently got a letter in the mail stating that our plan is no longer available due to the ACA and that our premium will be $434.60 a month \u2013 an increase of $155.60. That is NOT affordable for our family.\u201d\nYou may view Rep. Denham\u2019s full remarks online here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://calvert.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361191", "Rep. Calvert Named Chairman of the Interior Subcommittee", "2013-11-13", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Ken Calvert", "C000059", "calvert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) was named as the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. \r\n\u00a0 \r\n\u201cI\u2019m honored to serve as Chairman of the Interior Subcommittee and I am excited to roll up my sleeves and get to work in this new role,\u201d said Rep. Calvert.\u00a0\u201cThe continued growth of mandatory spending programs, combined with the effects of sequestration, makes it absolutely critical that we take a close look at every dollar we spend on discretionary programs.\u00a0I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Interior Subcommittee to assess and provide the necessary resources to protect our air and water quality, ensure Americans can enjoy our country\u2019s natural treasures, and maintain our commitment to Native Americans.\u00a0I plan on tapping into the experience gained during the many years I served on the Committees responsible for authorizing many of the agencies and programs funded by the Interior Subcommittee.\u201d \r\n\u00a0 \r\n\u201cLeading the subcommittee in charge of funding everything from our National Parks to the Environmental Protection Agency is an extremely difficult job,\u201d said Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (KY-05).\u00a0\u201cKen is not only up to the task, but will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be an excellent asset to the Committee and to the country as we tackle many fiscal challenges in the future. Ken has proven to be an exceptional leader in eliminating waste and inefficiency in government, has fought for programs and policies that benefit not only the people of his district but all Americans, and has the focus and determination needed to ensure that this important budgetary work gets done.\u201d \r\n\u00a0 \r\n\u201cI want to thank Chairman Hal Rogers for this opportunity and for his strong leadership of the Appropriations Committee,\u201d Calvert said.\u00a0\u201cI will be reaching out to Ranking Member Jim Moran (VA-8), as well as our Senate counterparts, Chairman Jack Reed (RI) and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski (AK), in the coming days to discuss our Subcommittee priorities.\u201d \r\n\u00a0 \r\n\u201cI am particularly interested in finding ways to strengthen domestic energy production by utilizing appropriate federal lands.\u00a0Our economy benefits greatly from reducing our dependence on foreign energy supplies and by putting Americans to work here at home to take advantage of our natural resources.\u00a0I am deeply concerned by ongoing efforts within the Department of Interior and the EPA to impose unnecessary regulatory red tape that will thwart our energy production and other sectors of our economy.\u201d \r\n\u00a0 \r\n\u201cAs a member from a Western state, I remain concerned about the seemingly constant lack of adequate resources to reduce the risk of wildfires and will work to correct this imbalance.\u00a0With portions of a Native American tribal reservation in my district, I am aware of the important issues Indian Country continues to face and am ready to work hand-in-hand with tribes across the nation to address their needs.\u201d \r\n\u00a0 \r\nThe Interior Subcommittee provides regular annual appropriations for the Department of the Interior (except the Bureau of Reclamation and the Central Utah Project), the Environmental Protection Agency, and for other related agencies, including the Forest Service, the Indian Health Service, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities. \r\n\u00a0 \r\nRep. Calvert was named as Vice Chairman of the Interior Subcommittee in January of 2013.\u00a0Previously, while serving on the House Natural Resources Committee, Rep. Calvert served as the Chairman of the Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee as well as the Chairman of the Water and Power Subcommittee.\u00a0While serving on the House Science Committee, Rep. Calvert served as the Chairman of the Energy and the Environment Subcommittee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cook.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-paul-cook-issues-statement-on-iranian-sanctions", "Rep. Paul Cook Issues Statement on Iranian Sanctions", "2013-11-13", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Paul Cook", "C001094", "cook.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013\u00a0Earlier today, Rep. Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) participated in a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing examining the status of nuclear negotiations with Iran. At the hearing, committee members expressed serious concerns about the Obama Administration\u2019s proposed nuclear weapons deal with Iran. A bipartisan group of members raised serious objections and concerns to any proposal to lift the sanctions imposed on Iran and instead called for the Senate to join the House of Representatives in tightening sanctions by passing H.R. 850, the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act. This bill passed out of the House earlier this year on an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 400-20.\nFollowing the hearing, Congressman Cook released the following statement:\n\u201cI\u2019m gravely concerned about the administration\u2019s proposal to lift sanctions without receiving any significant concessions from the Iranian regime. Weakening sanctions on Iran while it continues to pursue nuclear weapons is exactly the wrong approach to take. Existing sanctions are the only reason that Iran has even come to the table to negotiate, and loosening them just as they are beginning to work would only encourage Iran to continue its pursuit of nuclear weapons. History has shown that appeasing aggressors and trading concrete concessions for a dictator\u2019s promise is dangerous. As we\u2019ve seen with North Korea, lifting sanctions without verifiable and irreversible nuclear disarmament will do nothing to prevent the world\u2019s leading state sponsor of terrorism from pursuing the world\u2019s most dangerous weapons.\n\u201cLess than a month ago, we remembered the 241 American servicemen killed in a terrorist attack by Hezbollah, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard\u2019s most dangerous terrorist proxy. President Rouhani was a senior Iranian Defense official at the time of the bombing and since then has helped lead some of the regime\u2019s most brutal crackdowns on student activists. Rather than relaxing sanctions on this dangerous man and the terrorist regime he represents, it\u2019s time for the Senate to join the House in tightening sanctions by passing H.R. 850, the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act of 2013. Senate passage of this bill, which had overwhelming bipartisan support in the House, would tighten existing sanctions and send a strong message that the United States will never accept a nuclear Iran. If the administration insists on lifting sanctions for reversible and largely cosmetic Iranian concessions, the United States will be left with only two options: accept a nuclear-armed Iran or take the United States into another war in the Middle East.\u201d\nA member of the House Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, and Foreign Affairs Committees, Cook is a former educator who served as an infantry officer and retired as a Colonel after 26 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal with valor device and two Purple Hearts for actions in combat.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://issa.house.gov/press-releases/2013/11/issa-duckworth-introduce-serv-act/", "Issa, Duckworth introduce SERV Act", "2013-11-13", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Oversight Committee member Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced the Support Earned Recognition for Veterans (SERV) Act, H.R. 3469, a bipartisan bill to eliminate abuses in the veterans benefit system and ensure that only individuals who have actually served in the military can qualify to receive government contracting preferences and similar benefits.\n\u201cEach year, the federal government offers hundreds of millions of dollars of small-businesses contracts to service-disabled veterans so that they can grow their small businesses while providing the government with needed services and goods,\u201d said Rep. Issa.\u00a0 \u201cThose who never actually served our country are not \u2013 and should not \u2013 be entitled to receive this special status.\u00a0 This loophole must be closed to reduce these egregious abuses and prevent taxpayer dollars from being inappropriately awarded to non-veterans.\u201d\n\u201cMy neighbors sent me to Washington to reach across the aisle and get results,\u201d said Rep. Duckworth. \u201cThis is a common-sense solution to a small problem, but a good start so that we can spend taxpayer dollars more effectively and honor our veterans properly.\u201d\nAs the law stands, individuals who attend a military preparatory school but never joined the Armed Forces may claim veteran status.\u00a0 The SERV Act would clarify the definition of \u201cveteran\u201d to exclude such individuals and prevent them from exploiting the system to secure \u201cservice-disabled veteran-owned small business\u201d contracting preferences.\nThe SERV Act follows a recent Oversight and Government Reform hearing that examined a flaw in the current veterans benefit system that allowed an IT contractor to secure a \u201cservice-disabled veteran\u201d designation and, as a result, receive $500 million in government contracts, despite never having served a day in the military.\nThe SERV Act has 57 original cosponsors.\nTo read the full text of H.R. 3469, please click here.\nTo read a joint article by Reps. Issa and Duckworth, please click here.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://issa.house.gov/press-releases/2013/11/issa-statement-on-low-obamacare-enrollment-numbers/", "Issa Statement on Low ObamaCare Enrollment Numbers", "2013-11-13", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., released the following statement on the low ObamaCare enrollment numbers released today.\n\u201cThe 27,000 enrollments through federally facilitated exchange pale in comparison to the millions of Americans who have lost their health insurance under ObamaCare,\u201d Issa stated. \u201cThe president promised that if you like your health insurance, you can keep it \u2013 period. Not only is that untrue, but this Administration cannot even offer a workable alternative to people once they have lost the insurance they liked. At today\u2019s House Oversight Committee hearing, White House officials could not say whether HealthCare.gov will be operational by the end of the month, nor could they say who was ultimately responsible for the website\u2019s failure. It is time for the president to finally acknowledge ObamaCare isn\u2019t working and to delay the law, in fairness to families and individuals.\u201d\n\nToday, Chairman Issa also convened the Committee\u2019s first hearing on the technical problems with HealthCare.gov and what is being done to fix them. At the hearing, White House official Todd Park could not confirm whether the website would be ready by the end of November, as promised. The panel of Administration technology experts, including Chief Information Officer Steven VanRoekel and\u00a0 Henry Chao, one of the top CMS officials tasked with implementing ObamaCare, could not state who was responsible for HealthCare.gov\u2019s rollout.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://calvert.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-calvert-named-chairman-interior-subcommittee", "Rep. Calvert Named Chairman of the Interior Subcommittee", "2013-11-13", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Ken Calvert", "C000059", "calvert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) was named as the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. \n \n\"I'm honored to serve as Chairman of the Interior Subcommittee and I am excited to roll up my sleeves and get to work in this new role,\" said Rep. Calvert.\"The continued growth of mandatory spending programs, combined with the effects of sequestration, makes it absolutely critical that we take a close look at every dollar we spend on discretionary programs.I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Interior Subcommittee to assess and provide the necessary resources to protect our air and water quality, ensure Americans can enjoy our country's natural treasures, and maintain our commitment to Native Americans.I plan on tapping into the experience gained during the many years I served on the Committees responsible for authorizing many of the agencies and programs funded by the Interior Subcommittee.\" \n \n\"Leading the subcommittee in charge of funding everything from our National Parks to the Environmental Protection Agency is an extremely difficult job,\" said Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (KY-05).\"Ken is not only up to the task, but will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be an excellent asset to the Committee and to the country as we tackle many fiscal challenges in the future. Ken has proven to be an exceptional leader in eliminating waste and inefficiency in government, has fought for programs and policies that benefit not only the people of his district but all Americans, and has the focus and determination needed to ensure that this important budgetary work gets done.\" \n \n\"I want to thank Chairman Hal Rogers for this opportunity and for his strong leadership of the Appropriations Committee,\" Calvert said.\"I will be reaching out to Ranking Member Jim Moran (VA-8), as well as our Senate counterparts, Chairman Jack Reed (RI) and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski (AK), in the coming days to discuss our Subcommittee priorities.\" \n \n\"I am particularly interested in finding ways to strengthen domestic energy production by utilizing appropriate federal lands.Our economy benefits greatly from reducing our dependence on foreign energy supplies and by putting Americans to work here at home to take advantage of our natural resources.I am deeply concerned by ongoing efforts within the Department of Interior and the EPA to impose unnecessary regulatory red tape that will thwart our energy production and other sectors of our economy.\" \n \n\"As a member from a Western state, I remain concerned about the seemingly constant lack of adequate resources to reduce the risk of wildfires and will work to correct this imbalance.With portions of a Native American tribal reservation in my district, I am aware of the important issues Indian Country continues to face and am ready to work hand-in-hand with tribes across the nation to address their needs.\" \n \nThe Interior Subcommittee provides regular annual appropriations for the Department of the Interior (except the Bureau of Reclamation and the Central Utah Project), the Environmental Protection Agency, and for other related agencies, including the Forest Service, the Indian Health Service, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities. \n \nRep. Calvert was named as Vice Chairman of the Interior Subcommittee in January of 2013.Previously, while serving on the House Natural Resources Committee, Rep. Calvert served as the Chairman of the Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee as well as the Chairman of the Water and Power Subcommittee.While serving on the House Science Committee, Rep. Calvert served as the Chairman of the Energy and the Environment Subcommittee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://issa.house.gov/op-eds/2013/11/eliminate-fraud-in-the-veterans-contract-system/", "Eliminate fraud in the veterans contract system", "2013-11-12", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Hill\nBy: Rep. Issa (R-CA) and Rep. Duckworth (D-IL)\n\u00a0\nDoes a twisted ankle at a prep school before you actually joined the military make you a service-disabled veteran?\nEarlier this year, the Internal Revenue Service awarded $500 million in government contracts to a man who claimed to be a service-disabled veteran but had never served a day in the actual armed forces. Exploiting current law, Braulio Castillo parlayed an ankle injured while at a military prep school into a service-disabled-veteran designation that gave his business a significant advantage in getting contracts with the federal government.\nCastillo claims pain and disability from this injury to this day. But the pain was not so severe and disabling that he could not play quarterback and linebacker at a civilian college right after the injury. Indeed, he waited 27 years to apply for service-disabled veteran status \u2014 conveniently, just months before he started his business and sought out lucrative government contracts.\nCastillo\u2019s testimony of \u201csacrifice\u201d for our nation in his June testimony before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee was disgraceful. He attended one year of prep school, and served not a single day in the actual armed forces.\nThis exploitation of a system designed to repay the truly injured offends veterans and service members like us. Contract preferences are intended to help veterans grow their small businesses while providing the government needed services and goods. And, rightfully, priority goes to those who have sacrificed the most: to those who have lost life, limb or were otherwise disabled in service to our nation.\nThe individuals exploiting this generous system diminish the benefits available for the deserving and tarnish the record of a well-intentioned veteran program. Every dollar contracted to someone who did not earn that benefit is a loss for our true service-disabled veterans.\nIn our respective home states alone, there are more than 320,000 disabled veterans. For them, the hundreds of thousands of additional disabled veterans across our nation, and the millions of other American veterans, this loophole must be closed.\nTherefore, we are proud to introduce the Support Earned Recognition for Veterans (SERV) Act. With this bill, mere attendance at a military prep school will no longer be enough for veteran contracting preferences and similar benefits. Actual service will be required to ensure these important benefits will be available for those who continue beyond prep school and make a commitment to our nation.\nEach year, the government offers small-businesses contracts to service-disabled veterans worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The SERV Act will reduce abuses in this system and ensure the goal of the American people to appropriately compensate disabled veterans is not displaced by the greed of a few.\nVeterans Day is set aside to honor all those who have donned our nation\u2019s uniform and served. The SERV Act has the same goal: to honor our veterans by ensuring their benefits are reserved solely for those who have, in fact, served.\nIssa has represented California\u2019s 49th Congressional District since 2001. He is chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, sits on the House Judiciary Committee and is an Army veteran. Duckworth is in her freshman term representing Illinois\u2019s 8th Congressional District. She sits on the House Armed Services, and the Oversight and Government Reform committees. She is a National Guard lieutenant colonel who lost her legs and partial use of her right arm when the helicopter she piloted was hit by an RPG in Iraq in 2004.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221140456/http://denham.house.gov/intern-spotlight/intern-spotlight-kevin-padway", "Intern Spotlight - Kevin Padway", "2013-11-12", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "http://on.fb.me/1aVvd99\nThis summer, U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) welcomed Kevin Padway as an intern in his Washington, D.C. office. The 22-year old Padway, originally from Alameda, California, graduated from California Poytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in June and since that time interned in both the Modesto district office and the Washington, D.C. office.\nDuring his internship, Kevin assisted staff with daily tasks, drafted letters, and assisted constituents via phone or in person. His favorite parts of his internship were attending local meetings concerning water issues with Modesto staff members, listening to veteran needs in the 10th district and working on veteran outreach.\n\u201cI chose to intern for Congressman Denham because he has a strong desire to solve California\u2019s water problems and represents a district rich in agriculture,\u201d said Padway. \u201cSome highlights of the internship were welcoming home the 1/126th Aviation Regiment Bravo Company from Afghanistan, touring the Bob Jones Pumping plant and fish facility, attending a CV salts meeting, attending a Veterans Job Caucus briefing, assisting the constituent advisors in district and my USCP ride along.\u201d\n\u201cKevin was a great asset to my staff throughout his time in both of our offices,\u201d said Rep. Denham. \u201cIt was a pleasure to have him on board and to provide an opportunity for him to experience work with constituents and the legislative process.\u201d\u00a0\nPadway is the son of Leida and Laurence Padway.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361041", "House Bill Would Combat Human Trafficking by Rachel Martin for NPR's Weekend Edition", "2013-11-10", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Edward Royce", "R000487", "royce.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Human trafficking, the U.N. calls it a modern form of slavery. It's not something we associate with life here in the United States. It's an issue that's come to the attention of Republican Representative Ed Royce of California, the chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Royce recently introduced legislation aimed at combating international human trafficking.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:\nThis is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Rachel Martin.\nHuman trafficking, the U.N. calls it a modern form of slavery. It's not something we associate with life here in the United States. And while more than half of trafficking victims are in Asia and the Pacific, it is happening in this country too. A new Global Slavery Index was released last month by the Walk Free Foundation, a group that fights human trafficking. And according to that report, the U.S. is home to roughly 60,000 people who live in slave-like conditions.\nIt's an issue that's come to the attention of Republican Representative Ed Royce of California, the chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Royce recently introduced legislation aimed at combating international human trafficking.\nWe reached out to Congressman Royce and I started by asking him what good another law against human trafficking will do since the practice is already illegal.\nREPRESENTATIVE ED ROYCE: Let me give you an example. Right now, you have victims trafficked into the United States. They have no idea what their rights are. What the legislation that I've introduced would do is to give the workers the right up front to have information with a 1-800 number. The brokers, of course, should be registered, right? They should be registered with the Department of Labor, so it requires those foreign labor recruiters to register, to remain in good standing with the Department of Labor.\nBut for the first time they're going to have to tell that individual: here are your rights; here is a job that I'm actually signing you up for because there's often a bait and switch - in other words, they think they're going to work in a hotel they end up working in a strip club, right? So these are some of the changes in the law that will make it easy to enforce in the United States. As a prosecutor told me, he needs those changes in order to bring prosecution against some of these companies.\nMARTIN: Where is the beginning of all of this?\nROYCE: A lot of it originates with very good sales pitches overseas. For example, in the Philippines, where we had one witness at our hearing, who explained how she was told that she would have a good job when she came to the United States. Angela ended up with the job very different from the one that was represented to her, one where she works seven days a week; one where they told her after the fact you now owe us $10,000, this is the interest rate and it will take you 10 years to work this off; and never given any information about her rights.\nMARTIN: Do you have any sense of who these people are of the people who end up being exploited in this way? Are they mostly women? Are they children?\nROYCE: There are two types. One, is under aged girls who are being trafficked for the purpose of sexual abuse; average age 13 being recruited to this in Southern California today, average age 12 in Orange County. The other type are those were trafficked in labor trafficking cases where they have no rights, and are told that at the end of 10 years they will finally have paid off the debt bondage, that they weren't even told about whether originally brought to the United States.\nMARTIN: Why is this issue important to you? Why is this something you wanted to bring up?\nROYCE: Not too long ago, I remember the case of a nine-year-old girl from Egypt who was forced to work as domestic servant, so-called, for an Irvine family. But when you look at the type of work and what she was put through, it was slavery. And it was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's office.\nSo I think there's ample evidence here that this problem is deep enough and so destructive to these young lives that all of us should lend a hand, and first try to repair the lives of those who've been injured. But second, get deterrence out there. Get the laws in place and get them in force that will prevent this kind of thing from continuing to happen.\nMARTIN: Ed Royce is a Republican congressman from California. Thank you so much for talking with us, Congressman.\nROYCE: Thank you, Rachel.\nListen to the interview here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221013327/http://denham.house.gov/newsletter/remembering-those-who-served-year-action-behalf-our-veterans", "Remembering Those Who Served: A Year of Action on Behalf of Our Veterans", "2013-11-08", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Who are our Veterans? \nCalifornia is home to over 1.8 million veterans who have fought in every conflict our country has faced since the Second World War. These men and women helped defend this nation in war and in peacetime they built our State into one of the world\u2019s largest economies. Hundreds of thousands of these veterans call the Central Valley home; in the two counties I am privileged to represent more than 60,000 who have served in the Armed Forces.\nMy Mission in Congress: Honor Our Promises to Veterans\nOne of my greatest honors as a member of Congress and a veteran myself is having the ability to help fulfill the promises made to our veterans for their brave and distinguished service to our country. I come from a family with a tradition of military service, and as a veteran myself, I understand how important our work is to continually improve care and support for our veterans. As the sole Valley representative on the Veteran Affairs Committee, you can count on me to fight to preserve the rights, protections and benefits our veterans deserve.\nThe Veterans Affairs Committee: Oversight and Accountability \nEvery day more than 8 million veterans, survivors and dependents access care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) where they are served by more than 300,000 employees at 1,700 healthcare facilities. These visits range from routine check-ups to complex surgeries and mental health visits. Outside of direct healthcare the VA also provides educational, disability and pension benefits to millions of veterans and their families. These services make the VA the largest direct healthcare provider in the United States and the second largest department of the federal government \u2013 an extraordinary investment by the American taxpayers to show our gratitude for those who have worn the uniform.\nThis means that the Veterans Affairs Committee must be vigorous in conducting it oversight responsibilities and hold the VA and its leadership accountable for mismanagement, especially when those errors jeopardize the health and safety of the veterans they serve. This Congress, the committee has acted in bipartisan fashion to do just that and I encourage you to visit the Veterans Affairs Committee website for more information on these efforts.\nImproving Access to Care in the Valley: New Facilities and Better Coordination\nImproving our existing VA resources and bringing new facilities closer to home will greatly enhance the level of care offered to veterans in the Valley and surrounding communities.\u00a0 This year I was proud to join fellow veterans and supporters at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System\u2019s ribbon cutting for the Modesto VA Clinic, which was delivered on schedule and should serve as a model to other critical projects for Central Valley veterans.\u00a0\nIn July, I presented the keys to two new Veteran Transport Vans for use by the Modesto VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). My staff and I worked with local veterans, community leaders and the VA Palo Alto Volunteer Services to secure the vans, which now help veterans who have special needs or transportation restrictions travel to their medical appointments on their own.\nJust as important as the Modesto Clinic is a planned facility in French Camp. For veterans in San Joaquin County who have to drive long distances for care, having this facility built on schedule is absolutely vital. I have met with Secretary Shinseki to personally deliver the message that we need to move forward with this project. Additionally, I\u2019d like to salute the efforts of the San Joaquin County supervisors and officials who have been tireless advocates for getting the French Camp Clinic completed as promised.\nThese new facilities are only one part of the effort to bring a better VA to the Valley. Implementing new electronic health records and ensuring that easy-to-access benefits information is available online will bring the Veterans Administration into the 21st Century.\u00a0\nWe must also work to expedite the benefits claims process. Secretary Shinseki has set the goal of processing all claims within 125 days with 98 percent accuracy in 2015. This year I met regularly with the Under Secretary for the Veterans Benefits Administration Allison Hickey to receive updates on their new paperless claims system and training processes that have been developed to reduce the backlog. While the VA has made important progress, thousands of Northern California veterans are still waiting more than 125 days for their claim to be processed at the Oakland Regional Office. I want to assure those who are waiting for their claim that I will continue to monitor the situation in Oakland to make sure that the VA follows through on their commitment to a better claims process.\nWorking Together to Hire Veterans: A Bipartisan Goal \nI am proud that last Congress we passed the Vow to Hire Heroes Act as well as the Veterans Skills to Jobs Act, which I authored with Congressman Walz. These laws will help veterans take the training they received in the military and find employment in the private sector. With 250,000 servicemen expected to enter civilian life each year over the next 5 years, we must do everything we can to make the transition as seamless as possible. More than veterans\u2019 benefits, what these soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines want is the dignity of a job.\nThat is why I started the Congressional Veterans Jobs Caucus, a bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators who are committed to working with the private sector to bring down the rate of unemployment. Together members of the jobs caucus have held job fairs, announced ambitious veterans hiring goals and brought together key government agencies and private companies to collaborate on long term solutions. To learn more about the Congressional Veterans Jobs Caucus, please click here.\nLegislation\nThis Congress I have worked with democrats and republicans to introduce legislation that taken together would recognize the service of our guard and reserve members, improve access to important medical records, speed the disability claims process and push the Department of Defense and the VA towards a truly integrated healthcare record. I have introduced or been an original co-sponsor of the following pieces of legislation:\nH.R. 679 Honor America's Guard-Reserve Retirees Act\nH.R. 1980 Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act\nH.R. 2055 Integrated Electronic Health Records (iEHR) for Military and Veterans Act\nH.R. 2150 Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2013\nH.R. 3405 The United We Stand to Hire Veterans Act\nH.R. 1132 Efficient Service for Veterans Act\nOverdue Honors: Ensuring our Heroes Get the Recognition They Deserve \nIt is a privilege as a member of Congress and a fellow veteran to help those who serve our nation get the recognition they are owed for their distinguished service. This year my office assisted more than 15 veterans get the award they earned fighting for our country. In some cases these men have waited more than 40 years for their heroic action to be recognized. Getting these overdue medals is a rigorous process that demands extensive documentation, eyewitness testimony and thorough review by the Pentagon.\nHonor Flight: Bringing Our Veterans to the Capital \nHonor Flight is a private, all volunteer organization that brings our elderly and terminally ill veterans to Washington D.C. in order to visit their war memorials.\nThis year I joined with the Northern California Honor Flight to welcome WWII & Korean War veterans to the capital. During the Honor Flight\u2019s visit, I accompanied Frank Myers, a Navy vet and Pearl Harbor survivor, throughout the group\u2019s tour of the WWII and Korean War Memorials. To experience the memorials that stand as a monument to Frank\u2019s service with him was an unforgettable experience. To view photos from our tour, please click here.\nVeteran Advisory Council: Local Veterans Who Make a Difference\nI could not do my job in Washington, D.C. without the advice and perspective of local veterans who are committed to serving their brothers-in-arms. These leaders are a part of my veteran advisory council. They meet each month to discuss the issues affecting Central Valley veterans and identify solutions that I can bring to my colleagues on the Veterans Affairs Committee.\nHarold \"Al\" Pound\nVFW Post 3199 Modesto\nJim Greer\nStan County VSO\nJerry Sarkovics\nMarine Corps League\nDoug Miller\nStan County Vet Commissioner\nJohn Treantos\nMarine Corps League/ Legion Post 172 Tracy\nMark Sward\nAmerican Legion Post 263 Escalon\nPhil White\nGWOT College Vets -CSUS/MJC\nMike Seward\nVFW Post 5059, Turlock\nNeil Holets\nAmerican Legion\u00a0 Post 172 Tracy\nMike Maloney\nAmerican Legion VFW 1537 Tracy\nWalt Butler\nAmerican Legion Post 491 Ceres\nAmy Hussar\nAmerican Legion Post 168 Patterson\nJim Winston\nAmerican Legion Post 249 Manteca\nLee Herren\nVFW Post 6311 Manteca\nHarold Palmer\nVFW Post 1051 Ripon\nTed Marshall\nVFW Post 1051 Ripon\nPeggy Winston\nAmerican Legion Post 249 Manteca\nVaugn Gates\nVFW Post 1537 Tracy\nThere is still much work to be done to ensure that we provide for the men and women who have laid their lives on the line for our great nation. I will continue to work throughout the 10th district, on the Veterans Affairs Committee and with the Congressional Veterans Jobs Caucus to provide the best results possible for our service members.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221071920/http://denham.house.gov/photo-gallery/year-action-behalf-our-veterans", "A Year of Action on Behalf of Our Veterans", "2013-11-08", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Modesto, CA  \n      4701 Sisk Road, Suite 202        Modesto, CA 95356        Phone: (209) 579-5458        Fax: (209) 579-5028        Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00AM-5:00PM", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140223101002/http://denham.house.gov/newsletter/weekly-update-rep-denham-november-8-2013", "Weekly Update from Rep. Denham - November 8, 2013", "2013-11-08", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend,\nI\u2019ve had a wonderful week at home in the 10th district, where I\u2019ve been able to meet with many of you and hear your feedback. I began the week by joining faith communities in Riverbank, Ceres and Modesto to share my support for real and effective immigration reform that will help our area as a whole by securing our border, ending the de facto amnesty we experience today, uniting families and generating almost a trillion dollars in deficit reduction over the next two decades.\n\tOn Monday, I visited Turlock High School to speak to their Government and Macroeconomics students. I shared some of the most challenging and interesting things about serving the Central Valley and took their questions on a wide range of topics, including immigration reform, energy independence and our out-of-control debt and spending. One of my top priorities in reigning in wasteful spending and working to eliminate our debt is ensuring that the next generation doesn\u2019t inherit tens of thousands of dollars in debt. With our current debt over $17 trillion, each man, woman and child is on the hook for over $52,000 of debt. This is unacceptable. We must keep up the fight to rein in our spending and ensure long-term economic sustainability for our nation. For more information on my discussion with the THS students, check out this Turlock City News\u00a0piece on my visit.\n\tMy office coordinates a program to donate surplus books from the Library of Congress to 10th district schools. This week, I dropped off books at John C. Kimball High, Southwest Park Elementary and North Elementary in Tracy. I also donated books to Virginia Parks Elementary in Ceres and my staff donated books to Turlock Junior High, Walter M. Brown Elementary and John H. Pitman High in Turlock. I read to kindergarteners at North Elementary. My office serviced 33 elementary, junior high and high schools with the Library of Congress Book Program this fall, donating a total of 587 books to students in either the classrooms or libraries of schools across our district.\nI had a great time reading \"Princess Pig\" to this kindergarten class.\u00a0\n\n\tWhile I was at Kimball High in Tracy, I presented a special award to Cheryl Domenichelli, who was named 2012 Secondary Principal of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA). Her efforts on behalf of Tracy students are outstanding, and it was an honor to be able to meet with her and recognize her hard work.\nI also had the pleasure of meeting with Principal Domenichelli while she was in Washington, D.C. last month. I am so impressed with her dedicated efforts.\u00a0\n\n\tI also stopped by Williams Middle School in Tracy to speak with their 7th-and 8th-grade AVID students about the importance of pursuing a college education. The AVID program is for students on track to attend college, and I was pleased to have the opportunity to speak to the students about how they could prepare to achieve their future goals. The group had great questions!\n\tOn Tuesday evening, I presented the recently-opened Manteca Fire Station with a flag flown over the Pentagon on the same day the fire station opened: September 11, 2013. I attended their groundbreaking last October, so it was great to see the station completed, open and keeping Manteca residents safe. The firefighters there do extraordinary work and put their lives on the line each day to protect our community \u2013 I am thankful for their service and was proud to share a small token of my appreciation in the form of the flag.\n\tWith Veterans Day coming up on Monday, I remember the great sacrifice our servicemen and women make each day to protect the ideals we hold close as Americans \u2013 like faith, freedom, and democracy. I hope that you can take time this Veterans Day to thank a veteran in your life, to share a story with your children about the service of a parent or grandparent or to make a care package donation to our soldiers currently serving across the globe. Men and women of each branch of our military have defended American interests at home and abroad for generations. We can honor their efforts on Monday and every day we pause to remember their service.\n\tI joined students at CSU Stanislaus for the 5th Annual 5th Annual Troops to College event on Wednesday. Frank Bettencourt, a World War II Navy veteran, was our guest of honor for the ceremony, which took place for a large group of veterans, active duty and reserve members from each part of our armed forces.\nThe Congressional Veterans Jobs Caucus created the \"I Hire Veterans\" campaign to encourage companies nation wide to hire more service members.\u00a0\n\n\tI serve as a co-chair of the Congressional Veterans Jobs Caucus, where I work across the aisle and with the Senate to increase hiring opportunities for veterans and ensure that service members returning to civilian life can secure gainful employment. This week I joined Senators Joe Manchin and Mark Kirk and Representative Tim Walz to introduce the United We Stand to Hire Veterans Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would streamline and consolidate duplicative government job portals to better connect current and former members of the Armed Services with employment opportunities. I believe that the best way to show our gratitude to those who have served is to make sure they can find high-quality jobs upon conclusion of their service.\n\tI spoke with a group of constituents in Modesto at Howard Training Center Wednesday morning and held Mobile District Office Hours in Turlock, where I received great questions about a range of topics, including the kind of immigration reform I support and our country\u2019s debt problem. More information on my views regarding immigration reform is available through my website. My staff and I conduct Mobile District Office Hours across the 10th congressional district each month \u2013 if you\u2019d like to attend, please view the updated schedule here. Getting your feedback helps me represent your interests \u2013 so I always value hearing from each of you.\nEnjoyed the opportunity to speak with a group of 10th district residents at Mobile District Office Hours in Turlock.\u00a0\n\n\tLastly, I wanted to invite you all to share your experiences using Covered California with me. As we\u2019ve seen, extensive problems with Healthcare.gov have left consumers nationwide struggling to access the system. Hundreds of thousands of Californians are preparing for their healthcare costs to go up, and unfortunately, many have received notices that their policies have been canceled under the new law. The valley continues to struggle with retaining enough doctors and physicians accepting Medicare and Medicaid patients.\n\tBecause of all the healthcare rollout problems, the House will vote next week on a bill called the \u201cKeep Your Health Plan\u201d Act, a three-sentence bill that will fulfill the promise made that \u201cif you like your health care you can keep it\u201d by ensuring that the millions of individuals who currently have health insurance through the individual market and are having their policies cancelled as a result of the Affordable Care Act could have the option to keep their policies in 2014. I have co-sponsored this bill and hope that the Senate and Administration will follow suit by taking up and signing this legislation to keep the promises made to the American people.\n\tFor the latest information on what I\u2019m working on in Washington, please follow me on Twitter\u00a0and Facebook\u00a0or visit my website. I\u2019d also like to welcome you to share our weekly newsletter\u00a0with friends.\n\tHave a great weekend and a wonderful Veterans Day!\nJEFF DENHAM", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nunes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=360559", "Interview on Benghazi with KMJ\u2019s Chris Daniel at 3:00 PST", "2013-11-07", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Devin Nunes", "N000181", "nunes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Interview on Benghazi with KMJ\u2019s Chris Daniel at 3:00 PST  \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,\r\n        November 7, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      I\u2019ll be speaking with KMJ\u2019s Chris Daniel today at 3:00 pm PST about a letter I sent to Speaker Boehner regarding the investigation into the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. You can listen to the Chris Daniel show here, and you can read the letter here. For more information, see:\n \n    CNN article and video here.\n    Fox News Special Report video here, and a Special Report panel discussion (beginning at the 22:40 mark) here. \n    Daily Beast article by Eli Lake here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221014023/http://denham.house.gov/press-release/bipartisan-group-aims-improve-job-opportunities-vets", "Bipartisan Group Aims to Improve Job Opportunities for Vets", "2013-11-07", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 As Veterans Day approaches, U.S. Senators Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Congressmen Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) and Tim Walz (D-Minn.), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Veterans Jobs Caucus, announced today their introduction of the United We Stand to Hire Veterans Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would streamline and consolidate duplicative government job portals to better connect current and former members of the Armed Services with employment opportunities.\n\"We owe everything to those who wore the uniform in defense of our country,\" Senator Kirk said.\u00a0 \"In honor of their sacrifices, we should provide every available resource to help our returning heroes transition to civilian life and enter the workforce.\u00a0 This legislation will make it easier for veterans to take advantage of government employment services with the ultimate goal of getting a high-quality job.\"\n\u201cOur veterans are some of the most disciplined, reliable, hardworking, and dedicated individuals in the world. They are trained to strive for excellence and exceed expectations every day. Their leadership and high-tech skills are unmatched worldwide,\u201d Senator Manchin said. \u201cSo it makes zero sense that our veterans find it difficult to search for jobs when they return home. That\u2019s simply unacceptable. The very least we can do to show our appreciation to our veterans is to help them find jobs. Like I\u2019ve always said, if you want to help a vet, hire a vet, and this bill is one step toward making it easier for our service men and women to find opportunities for good-paying jobs.\u201d\n\u201cThe best way to honor the hard work and sacrifices our service members make is to ensure that they enter civilian life with a quality job,\" Representative Denham said. \u201cThis bill streamlines the job search process our veterans go through, making it as easy as possible for them to find employment.\u201d\n\u201cThose who put their life on the line to preserve opportunity and prosperity for us, should be able to take advantage of that same opportunity for prosperity when they get home,\u201d Representative Walz said. \u201cThis bill will work to cut through bureaucratic red-tape and make it easier for our brave warriors to continue with a career in public service and find good-paying jobs when they get home.\u201d\nVeterans returning home from Afghanistan and Iraq face an unemployment rate that is 3 percent higher than the national average. Today, the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs operate duplicative portals aimed at veterans and servicemembers searching for public and private sector jobs. Combined with a wealth of resources provided by the private and nonprofit sectors, the lack of a single government portal to connect employers with veterans makes navigating the hiring process difficult for both the job seeker and organizations looking to hire them. No requirement currently exists for government agencies to consolidate these services.\nThe United We Stand to Hire Veterans Act would require the consolidation of each department\u2019s online employment services into a single portal across the federal government within one year of enactment. The basic function of the portal would remain the same: connect veterans and members of the Armed Services with public and private sector employers seeking to hire people with military experience. The portal would also provide other resources to veterans like resume assistance.\nSenators Kirk, Manchin and Representatives Denham and Walz, established the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Veterans Jobs Caucus to shed light on the challenges Active Duty, Reserve and guard members face as they transition to civilian life. The Caucus engages executive branch agencies, educational institutions and the private sector to help identify ways to reduce the unemployment rate of the nation\u2019s approximately 21 million veterans. To learn more about the Congressional Veterans Jobs Caucus, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140223025535/http://denham.house.gov/news/ceres-courier-latino-faith-community-hails-denham-hero-immigration-vote", "The Ceres Courier: Latino faith community hails Denham as hero for immigration vote", "2013-11-07", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "A Ceres sanctuary filled with Latino parishioners and social activists thundered with applause Sunday at the introduction of Rep. Jeff Denham. They came to St. Jude's Catholic Church to thank him for being the first Republican member of the House of Representatives to support immigration reform in H.R. 15, and to ask what they can do to win passage of the landmark legislation.\n\"We thank Congressman Denham for standing up for our families,\" said Gloria Sanchez a leader with the Modesto based Congregations Building Community (CBC). \"By lending his support to H.R. 15, he has shown that he is a leader. So we are here to ask him to continue to lead by gathering together those members of his party who told their constituents that they would support a pathway to citizenship. In H.R. 15 there is a way to support a path to citizenship and now is the time to support it.\"\nThe meeting with Denham was organized by CBC, and PICO, a California federation which is working toward a pathway to full citizenship rights for 11 million illegal aliens from Mexico.\nRep. David Valadao, R-CA, and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-FL, have joined Denham in supporting the bipartisan House immigration bill. But many representatives appear reluctant to support H.R. 15, otherwise known as The Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act.\nDenham assured the Ceres audience that supporters are speaking to colleagues \"one by one by one\" to get them to sign a letter to ask Speaker John Boehner to put the bill to a vote before the end of the year.\n\"We continue to have large meetings not only with Republican members but Republicans and Democrats,\" said Denham. \"We're at 190 members right now. We need to be at 218.\"\nDenham said he is pushing the speaker to call for a vote \"so we're not pushing this off to next year or the next president.\" He said timing is crucial, especially since another government shutdown or debt ceiling debate could resurface in January or February.\nA similar bill was introduced by Republicans under President George W. Bush but it was mired in politics. Denham said he wants a vote this month or next.\n\t\"We need to make our voices heard now more than ever,\" Denham told the Ceres audience.\nDenham's office has been flooded by calls urging him to withdraw his support of H.R. 15 but Denham urged his audience to flood the offices of congress members who don't support it and \"ask why.\"\n\"It's important to our economy, it's important to our country and it's something for us for Republicans with Republican values. We want to keep families together.\"\nHe said he has been asking colleagues to express what they don't like about the bill instead of just saying no to it.\nWhen asked why his colleagues are resistant to supporting a pathway to citizenship, Denham acknowledged the issue is \"controversial.\"\n\"It's always easy to sit back and do nothing or vote no. I'm having a lot of criticism for my position. Certainly there are many who agree with my position.\"\nDenham disagrees with those who say that H.R. 15 is amnesty for those who broke immigration law and rejected the idea that the pathway is easy.\n\"It's going to be difficult. It's an earned pathway. It is a provisional status for the first six years, after passing a background check, after you pay the application fee, after you pay back taxes, and then your reward for that first six years is having to go through that whole process again. It's a difficult process.\"\nAn opportunity to become a legal permanent resident awaits those who must pay a second application fee and background check.\n\"You're still waiting in line like everybody else,\" said Denham. \"And it is a 13-year process. It's a difficult process but it is a workable process. It gives hope to people. It will keep families together. I think it's one that can fix our broken immigration system once and for all.\"\nH.R. 15 also includes Denham's ENLIST Act, which allows qualified undocumented immigrants to gain citizenship by serving honorably in the U.S. military. He said the option for military service would be the quickest pathway to citizenship.\nStudents speak out\n\tMiguel Herrera, a student at Fresno State and constituent in the 22nd Congressional District, said 60 percent of his native Tulare County is composed of undocumented residents.\n\"I have witnessed the struggle of undocumented people,\" said Herrera, who related working in the fields with a friend who was deported during an immigration enforcement raid. \"We grew up together. We went to high school together. We graduated together. He attended College of Sequoias in Visalia and after that summer he was deported back to Mexico. And I know it's not only him but millions of people who are going through this process. That was a life ruined, a future denied to him that he had every right to do. He was a working citizen, well, a working person. He went through the education process. He wanted a better future for himself, which was denied.\"\nHerrera said calls to set up a meeting with his congressman, Devin Nunes, R-Tulare, to talk about supporting H.R. 15 have gone unanswered. Herrera asked Denham to arrange a meeting with Nunes to talk.\nAlso speaking was Jennifer Romero who flew in from Aurora, Colo. She told the crowd that her mother snuck across the border but was not allowed to return after visiting ill parents six years ago.\n\"These six years have been really hard for my family,\" said Romero. \"My younger sisters have had to grow up in their teen years without mom being there, my dad having to come home to a lonely house because his wife is not there to cook him a nice warm meal, and myself to have graduated high school and have many birthdays and Christmases without my mom...\"\nPastor Wayne Bridegroom of Central Grace Community Church in Modesto, whose great-grandfather was the mayor of Turlock in the 1920s, gave his blessing to the Latino fight.\n\t\"We've been here and let me tell you,\" said Bridegroom, \"you folks have added so much to this Valley and I am so glad you are here and maybe with the help of our congressman and others in front of us we're going to see that pathway to citizen, amen?\"\nH.R. 15 was proposed by House Democrats on Oct. 2 and is largely based on the Senate bill that passed by a vote of 68-32 in June. The House bill, however, removes the Corker-Hoeven Border Security Amendment, replacing it with the House Border Security Plan, H.R. 1417, also known as the McCaul Bill that was unanimously approved by the House Homeland Security Committee in May.\nThe McCaul Bill requires regular reports on surveillance and control over the borders by the Department of Homeland Security, who must also: utilize technology to gain situational awareness and produce metrics to measure progress and accountability; include efforts to assess control over illegal entries; create a plan to implement a biometric entry-exit system at ports of entry immediately, or an alternate plan that will provide the same level of security.\nAside from a more measured approach to border security, the House bill also includes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.\nSource:\u00a0http://beta.cerescourier.com/section/32/article/1790/", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://rohrabacher.house.gov/press-release/rohrabacher-nsa-should-continue-protect-america", "Rohrabacher: NSA Should Continue to Protect America", "2013-11-06", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Dana Rohrabacher", "R000409", "rohrabacher.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Dana Rohrabacher,R-CA, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today described recent reports of the National Security Agency (NSA) targeting foreign leaders and their countries as \u201cdue diligence in protecting our national security.\u201d\n\u201cWe need no worldwide apology tour or handwringing.\u00a0 We must protect American national interests, disrupt terrorist plots and prevent future attacks.\u00a0 Further, we must use tools at our disposal to minimize US forces deployed abroad. Knowing foreign leaders\u2019 communication might be necessary to that end.\u00a0 I hope that Secretary of State Kerry is robustly defending our national security,\u201d Rep. Rohrabacher said. \u201cThe hysteria expressed in some corners of Europe and in some of the press should have no bearing on our security requirements.\u00a0 We owe no explanation for our efforts to keep Americans safe. We must responsibly collect intelligence.\u00a0 While being opposed to excessive surveillance of American citizens and mindful and appreciative of constitutional limitations, I applaud US intelligence efforts overseas to acquire information to keep our people safe.\u201d\nRep. Rohrabacher supports continued congressional oversight and regular reauthorization to enable the Intelligence Community to protect America.\nRep. Rohrabacher is Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://rohrabacher.house.gov/rep-rohrabacher-california-model-whole-country-if-amnesty-passes", "Rep. Rohrabacher: California is the model for the whole country, if amnesty passes", "2013-11-06", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Dana Rohrabacher", "R000409", "rohrabacher.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014\u201cIf we have amnesty, the breakdown that has happened in California will be the model of what happens to the whole country,\u201d said Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, in an exclusive interview with SFPPR News & Analysis.\nShould Congress grant amnesty, Rohrabacher, who represents Southern California\u2019s 48th congressional district, projects that America will move in a more collectivist direction that will \u201cerase our individualist and free enterprise system,\u201d making the \u201cnation much more Leftist and socialist.\u201d\nAt the heart of the matter, Congressman Rohrabacher believes \u201cthe Left is very interested in changing our society and changing the fundamentals of our society,\u201d where it \u201csees illegal immigration and \u2018immigration reform\u2019 as a means to transform our nation.\u201d Barack Obama\u2019s own words spoken on October 30, 2008 at a campaign rally in Columbia, Missouri come to mind, and they are instructive. The would-be president proclaimed, \u201cWe are five days away from fundamentally transforming the United States of America.\u201d\nTaken together, Obamacare and amnesty for illegal immigrants, indeed, would do just that and our Founders would find America unrecognizable.\nNow that the government shutdown has been resolved, President Obama and Republican leaders are looking to bring so-called \u201cimmigration reform\u201d back into the national discussion, much to the chagrin of conservative members of Congress, who view the establishment proposals as amnesty.\nRohrabacher said America has \u201chad a culture that has been very open\u201d to people of various backgrounds but the nature of American society cannot be sustained \u201cwith the mass injection of millions of people into our society.\u201d\nHe attacked the Democrat Party\u2019s mantra that amnesty is all about helping the poor and downtrodden, saying \u201cthis is not a plan to help poor people who are struggling for a better life; they see these people as political pawns and big business sees them as cheap labor.\u201d\nIn Rohrabacher\u2019s view, the goal of the Left is the accumulation of power.\nHe says \u201cthe Left wants to use illegal immigrants and an amnesty program to gain political seats, whether it\u2019s in the state legislatures or the U.S. Congress to give them such a solid majority, as well with the presidential election, that will give them the ability to dramatically change the nature of our society.\u201d\nThe Congressman places special emphasis on saying, \u201cObama and his cohorts want to change the basic nature of our society and this is part of their game-plan.\u201d Rohrabacher described how the Left increases its power through expanding \u201cmulticulturalism and polygloting our society.\u201d\nRohrabacher\u2019s statements present a similar bleak projection by conservative commentator Ann Coulter at the 2013 CPAC who said, \u201cif amnesty goes through, America becomes California and no Republican will ever win another election.\u201d\nA similar warning was echoed by Phyllis Schlafly of Eagle Forum, who said in a recent Townhall Op-ed that \u201camnesty\u201d will mean \u201csuicide for the Republican Party\u201d and with the \u201cinflux of these new voters will reduce or eliminate Republicans\u2019 ability to offer an alternative to big government, increased government spending, and favorite liberal policies such as Obamacare and gun control.\u201d\nAs far as pro-amnesty fellow Republicans are concerned, Rohrabacher\u2019s description of their agenda was much simpler saying they\u2019re \u201ckowtowing to the interests of big business who wants cheap labor.\u201d\nPutting the numerical affects of a prospective amnesty in perspective, Rohrabacher, who represents Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa, disputed the traditional figure of 11 million illegal aliens, which he says \u201cis based on very old numbers that are about 10 years old.\u201d The Congressman indicates that the actual number of illegal aliens in the United States \u201cis closer to 20 million.\u201d However, he says that \u201cif you include family reunification, as happened with the last amnesty, it will be closer to 30 or 40 million.\u201d\nFurthermore, he projects that once amnesty passes and is announced, there will be approximately another \u201c10 to 20 million that could start to come in.\u201d Therefore, he concludes, we are looking \u201cat a situation where approximately 50 million people could be granted amnesty\u201d in the United States, truly transforming America as we\u2019ve known it.\nBy then injecting these additional millions of people into the U.S. economy, Rohrabacher says it will \u201cdrive down the wages of anybody trying to get a start in life,\u201d and most \u201cdramatically hit on America\u2019s poor standard of living.\u201d\nThis will occur, because, according to Rohrabacher, illegal aliens are basically \u201cpoor and uneducated\u201d and they will be \u201cinjected into the economy\u201d causing a much more \u201ccompetitive economic environment,\u201d resulting in tremendous societal dislocations.\nIn using California as the model again, Rohrabacher points out that \u201cthe cascade of economic troubles in California can be traced back to Ronald Reagan\u2019s amnesty in 1986.\u201d This was then felt politically, when the Republican Party of California \u201clost 50% of the [Republican] members of our legislature.\u201d The Congressman says that \u201cit took about 10 years for the full impact to be felt\u201d but in the end it transformed California into a one-party, socialist state.\nAs this is applied to the so-called Affordable Care Act, Congressman Rohrabacher believes that \u201cif Obamacare is made available to people who came here illegally, then that will certainly attract large numbers of people, along with their families to come here\u201d to the United States. Consequently, Rohrabacher concludes, \u201cwe may end up with just as many uninsured people in the system and it would lead to a chaotic situation in providing health care for people who are immigrants, legal or illegal.\u201d\nEdwin Meese III, who served as President Reagan\u2019s attorney general knows and understands, perhaps better than anyone else today, both how similar the Senate proposal is to the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which ultimately granted amnesty to nearly three million illegal aliens. The un-kept promises for this amnesty included border security, immigration enforcement and sanctions against employers who violate the law.\nAccording to recent polling, as reported by The Hill newspaper, 60 percent of likely voters oppose the Senate\u2019s Gang of Eight amnesty plan, while \u201c44 percent of likely voters want the government to reduce the number of permanent work visas issued.\u201d\nIf this amnesty model is then applied to the country at large, Rohrabacher, a staunch defender of American borders and national sovereignty, is afraid \u201cour economic system could collapse\u201d under \u201cthe weight of the socialist system.\u201d\nClick HERE for Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=360467", "Valadao Announces November Mobile Office Hours", "2013-11-06", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "David Valadao", "V000129", "valadao.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) announced mobile office program dates and locations for the month of November today. This program affords residents, who are unable to visit the Congressman\u00e2\u0080\u0099s office due to time or location restrictions, the opportunity to meet with congressional staff and receive services offered by Congressman Valadao\u00e2\u0080\u0099s office face-to-face.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Hanford\u00a0\u00e2\u0080\u0093 Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) announced mobile office program dates and locations for the month of November.\u00a0This program affords residents, who are unable to visit the Congressman\u00e2\u0080\u0099s office due to time or location restrictions, the opportunity to meet with congressional staff and receive services offered by Congressman Valadao\u00e2\u0080\u0099s office face-to-face. Constituents are invited to come and speak with congressional staff and voice questions or concerns they may have. You are especially encouraged to stop by for one-on-one casework assistance if you are having difficulties with a federal agency. In addition, Congressman Valadao\u00e2\u0080\u0099s staff is available to assist constituents Monday \u00e2\u0080\u0093 Friday, 9:00 AM \u00e2\u0080\u0093 5:00 PM at his Hanford (Kings County) and Bakersfield (Kern County) offices. Should you have additional questions or if you would like to schedule an appointment in advance, you can call Congressman Valadao's Hanford Office at (559) 582-5526. Pre-arranged appointments, however, are not required and walk-ins are always welcome!\u00a0 Congressman Valadao\u00e2\u0080\u0099s November Mobile Office Hours:  \r\n Monday, November 11, 2013McFarland Community Center\r\n103 West Sherwood\r\nMcFarland, California 93250\r\n12:00 PM \u00e2\u0080\u0093 2:00 PMDelano: Bakersfield College Campus\r\n1450 Timmons Avenue\r\nDelano, California 93215\r\n3:00 PM \u00e2\u0080\u0093 5:00 PMTuesday, November 12, 2013Sanger Branch Library\r\n1812 Seventh Street\r\nSanger, California 93657\r\n10:00 AM \u00e2\u0080\u0093 11:30 AMParlier Branch Library\r\n1130 East Parlier Avenue\r\nParlier, California 93648\r\n1:00 PM \u00e2\u0080\u0093 2:30 PMFowler Branch Library\r\n306 South Seventh Street\r\nFowler, California 93625\r\n3:30 PM \u00e2\u0080\u0093 5:00 PMWednesday, November 13, 2013Selma Branch Library\r\n2200 Selma Street\r\nSelma, California 93662\r\n10:00 AM \u00e2\u0080\u0093 11:30 AMKingsburg Branch Library\r\n1399 Draper Street\r\nKingsburg, California 93631\r\n1:00 PM \u00e2\u0080\u0093 2:30 PMThursday, November 14, 2013City of Corcoran Train Depot Office\r\n1099 Otis Avenue\r\nCorcoran, California 93212\r\n9:30 AM \u00e2\u0080\u0093 11:30 AMFirebaugh Branch Library\r\n1315 O Street\r\nFirebaugh, California 93622\r\n10:00 AM \u00e2\u0080\u0093 11:30 AMMendota Branch Library\r\n1246 Belmont Avenue\r\nMendota, California 93640\r\n1:00 PM \u00e2\u0080\u0093 2:30 PMLower Tule Irrigation District\r\n357 East Olive Avenue\r\nTipton, California 93272\r\n2:00 PM \u00e2\u0080\u0093 4:00 PMKerman Branch Library\r\n15081 West Kearney Boulevard\r\nKerman, California 93630\r\n3:30 PM \u00e2\u0080\u0093 5:00 PMMonday, November 18, 2013Lamont Family Apartments Community Center\r\n7022 Di Giorgio Road\r\nLamont, California 93241\r\n12:00 PM \u00e2\u0080\u0093 2:00 PMArvin City Hall\r\n200 Campus Drive\r\nArvin, California 93203\r\n3:00 PM \u00e2\u0080\u0093 4:00 PMMonday, November 25, 2013\r\n\r\nPoplar Village Homes\r\n1775 Poplar Ave\r\nWasco, California 93280\r\n10:00am-11:30amShafter Police Department Community Room\r\n201 Central Valley Highway\r\nShafter, California 93263\r\n12:00pm-1:30pm Congressman David G. Valadao represents the 21st Congressional District, which includes Kings County and portions of Fresno, Tulare, and Kern Counties. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cook.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-paul-cook-visits-yucca-valley-davita-facility-urges-against-proposed", "Rep. Paul Cook Visits Yucca Valley DaVita Facility, Urges Against Proposed Cuts to Dialysis Care", "2013-11-04", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Paul Cook", "C001094", "cook.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) today visited DaVita Yucca Valley. DaVita is the dialysis division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., which provides a variety of health care services to patient populations throughout the United States and abroad. DaVita delivers dialysis services to patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease (ESRD). In the High Desert, DaVita serves more than 500 patients and has facilities in Yucca Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, and Apple Valley.\u00a0 Cook\u2019s visit comes on the heels of signing onto a letter last month to Marilyn Tavenner, the Administrator of the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) at the Department of Health and Human Services. In the bipartisan letter, Cook joined approximately 200 of his colleagues in the US House of Representatives, in expressing concerns about proposed cuts to Medicare payments for dialysis care.\u00a0 Cook wrote, \u201cA payment cut of the magnitude proposed would result in the closure of dialysis facilities currently delivering high quality services to Medicare\u2019s most vulnerable patient population. Failing to cover the cost of care would reverse significant strides made in improving the quality of care and mortality for dialysis patients.\u201d During his visit, Cook was part of DaVita\u2019s Veterans Day ceremony honoring patients and staff who are veterans. He also had the opportunity to tour the facility. DaVita officials were on hand to thank him for speaking out against proposed cuts.\u00a0 Said Cook, \u201cMany veterans depend on the services DaVita provides. It\u2019s important that we ensure our veterans continue to have access to dialysis care.\u201d A member of the House Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, and Foreign Affairs Committees, Cook is a former educator who served as an infantry officer and retired as a Colonel after 26 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal with valor device and two Purple Hearts for actions in combat.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://royce.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=356110", "Chairman Royce Announces Southern California Field Hearing on Human Trafficking", "2013-11-04", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Edward Royce", "R000487", "royce.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      On Monday, November 4th, Rep. Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, will hold the Committee\u2019s first field hearing to examine international human trafficking and to assess efforts to combat trafficking at the international, Federal, State and local levels.\u00a0 The hearing, entitled \u201cRegional Perspectives in the Global Fight Against Human Trafficking,\u201d will begin at 10:00 a.m. PT\u00a0will be held in the Titan Student Union building on the campus of California State University, Fullerton.\nNote: Earlier this year, Chairman Royce launched a Human Trafficking Congressional Advisory Committee (HTCAC), which is comprised of victims\u2019 rights groups, local and federal law enforcement agencies, and community advocates.\u00a0 HTCAC meets on a monthly basis to address human trafficking concerns, as well as offer policy recommendations.\u00a0 In May, Chairman Royce convened a Committee hearing to examine local and private sector initiatives to combat international human trafficking.\u00a0\nWhat:  \nHearing: \u201cRegional Perspectives in the Global Fight Against Human Trafficking\u201d\nWhere:  \nCalifornia State University, Fullerton  \nTitan Student Union  \n800 N. State College Blvd.  \nFullerton, CA 92834  \nFor a campus map and parking information click HERE.\nWhen:  \nMonday, November 4, 2013  \n10:00 a.m. PT\nWitness List:  \nPanel I  \nThe Honorable Luis CdeBaca  \nAmbassador-at-Large  \nOffice to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons  \nU.S. Department of State\nPanel II  \nThe Honorable Tony Rackauckas  \nDistrict Attorney  \nOffice of the Orange County District Attorney\u00a0\nMs. Kay Buck  \nExecutive Director and Chief Executive Officer  \nCoalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking\u00a0\n*Witnesses may be added.\n***Important planning note for press covering hearing:\u00a0\nThe hearing will be webcast at www.foreignaffairs.house.gov.\u00a0\nMembers of the media must RSVP by Friday, November 1 at 12 p.m. to Audra McGeorge at audra.mcgeorge@mail.house.gov to receive credentials to cover the hearing from the press viewing area.\nFollowing the hearing, there will be a media availability to discuss human trafficking.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=360331", "Congressional Hearing At Cal State Fullerton Looks At Human Trafficking by Ron Kilgore for CBS News", "2013-11-04", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Edward Royce", "R000487", "royce.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Human trafficking is an underreported problem both in Southern California and globally, the Orange County district attorney testified at a congressional hearing Monday.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Human trafficking is an underreported problem both in Southern California and globally, the Orange County district attorney testified at a congressional hearing Monday.\r\nThe hearing at the Cal State Fullerton to address the issue of modern-day slavery was called by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs,\u00a0 chaired by Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton).\r\n\u201cHuman exploitation and trafficking generally comes in two forms: forced labor, which we believe is highly underreported, and commercial sexual exploitation,\u201d Orange County Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas said.   \r\nThe average sex slave is 12 years old, according to Rackauckas.\r\nRoyce told KNX 1070\u2032s Ron Kilgore that education is one preventive measure.\r\n\u201cIn the schools, create awareness,\u201d Royce said. \u201cSo that 12-year-old, 13-year-old girls understand that sometimes when these Romeos approach them and say, \u2018Hey let\u2019s leave the community, you come with me\u2019 they have some inkling of what could be down the road.\u201d\r\nRoyce also said a crackdown on international labor brokers would help to address the growing problem.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=360332", "Ed Royce addresses method to combat human trafficking by Magdalena Guillen and Robert Reyes for the Daily Titan", "2013-11-04", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Edward Royce", "R000487", "royce.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Back home in the Philippines, human trafficking victim Angela Guanzon was promised a good job in the United States, but was stripped of her passport before even arriving.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Back home in the Philippines, human trafficking victim Angela Guanzon was promised a good job in the United States, but was stripped of her passport before even arriving.\r\nShe was forced to work 18-hour days at a Los Angeles retirement home to pay off $12,000 that her traffickers demanded.\r\nShe slept outside in the hallways and was threatened with deportation by her traffickers.\r\nAmbassador Luis CdeBaca of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons estimates that between 21 and 28 million people, like Guanzon, become victims of human trafficking every year.\r\nMonday at the Titan Student Union, the chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton), held an unprecedented field hearing to analyze international human trafficking and the fight for it at the international, state and local levels.\r\nHuman trafficking is not limited to foreign domestic servitude. The phrase serves as the umbrella term for all conduct involved in reducing a person to, or holding a person in a state of compelled service, whether for sex or labor, CdeBaca said.\r\nTo combat the global problem of human trafficking, Royce recently introduced the Fraudulent Overseas Recruitment and Trafficking Elimination Act of 2013 (H.R. 3344).\r\nAt the \u201cRegional Perspectives in the Global Fight Against Human Trafficking,\u201d Royce said the act would help establish that foreign assistance will not contribute to trafficking and to ensure transparency in foreign recruiting.\r\nAlthough human trafficking is a global problem, more than two-thirds of the commercial sex victims in the United States are American citizens, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said.\r\nRackauckas said some of the most concerning cases are about children being sold for sex, where the average age of a child being trafficked in the United States is 12.\r\n\u201cIt is because of the expertise established by some of these criminal syndicates in the use, for example, of \u2018Romeos\u2019 to find underage girls, maybe 14 years old, convince them to leave their state, come to California, leave her ties with her family and then begin the process of moving in with them and before they know it they are being trafficked\u2014beaten and trafficked,\u201d Royce said.\r\nRackauckas said the Orange County District Attorney\u2019s office has implemented a new unit called Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) which not only attacks those who traffic humans, but also attacks those who solicit and pay for such services.\r\nCdeBaca said in order to fight human trafficking domestically, it is necessary to dispel the notion that it is exclusively the responsibility of the federal government to take on longer proactive investigations, and that local officials are only capable of passing those investigations off to federal officials.\r\nHowever, CdeBaca also acknowledged that there is a resource limitation.\r\n\u201cIf you take somebody off of working on drugs and biker gangs so you can go after the pimps, then your biker gang problem ends up getting out of control,\u201d CdeBaca said.\r\nCdeBaca recommended moving away from responsive law enforcement and toward a more proactive approach that empowers local detectives.\r\nA victim of human trafficking is more likely to come into contact with a patrol officer or prosecutor that specializes in domestic violence than an FBI agent or a federal prosecutor, CdeBaca said.\r\nThe stress on local and state laws reflects the fact that a majority of those coerced into the commercial sex trade are kidnapped or lured away from their own communities in America.\r\n\u201cCareer criminals and gang members have decided that exploiting humans is cheaper and safer than trafficking drugs and guns,\u201d Rackauckas said.\r\nWhile there are socioeconomic factors at play, one of the most common ingredients to pre-teen girls being abducted is being out on their own, without supervision and becoming lured in.\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s not usually a kidnapping on the street where somebody jumps out of the bushes and grabs a young girl and throws her in the car,\u201d Rackauckas said.\r\nCdeBaca said that the problem of human trafficking cannot be solved by government alone.\r\nThe President\u2019s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons has partnered with the survivor community, the public sector, the private sector, the faith community, civil society and academia in their fight, CdeBaca said.\r\nPart of the task force\u2019s strategy is to strengthen laws dealing with modern slavery which has become one of the most profitable criminal enterprises, second only to drug trafficking.\r\nIn California, the recent passage of Proposition 35 means longer prison sentences and higher fines for those convicted of human trafficking, helping to put some defendants into state prison with life terms.\r\nThe purpose of the law is to recognize trafficked individuals as victims as opposed to criminals.\r\nLike the Orange County District Attorney, the State Department is focusing more on spreading information and creating public awareness.\r\nCarissa Phelps, chief executive officer of Runaway Girl, FPC, an organization that reaches out to survivors of human trafficking, is a former victim herself.\r\nPhelps said the key protective factors that protects those who are vulnerable are information and education.\r\n\u201cAs my chief of staff can tell you, based on her volunteer work with trafficked girls in Cambodia and India, \u2018You don\u2019t see the harm of human trafficking most clearly in numbers or statistics. You see it in the eyes of the individual person whose life is being stolen and whose dignity is being assaulted, for the profit of someone else,\u2019\u201d said Royce.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140223025617/http://denham.house.gov/news/modesto-bee-denham-asks-ceres-supporters-urge-others-house-support-immigration-reform", "The Modesto Bee: Denham asks Ceres supporters to urge others in House to support immigration reform legislation", "2013-11-04", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Ceres \u2014 Rep. Jeff Denham told an audience of supporters in Ceres on Sunday that he has had some criticism from within his own district after recently becoming the first Republican to formally endorse a comprehensive immigration-reform bill introduced by House Democrats.\nBut a lot of criticism is coming in the form of phone calls to his office from people outside his district. So Denham wants those who support his stance on immigration to do the same.\nHe asked a few hundred people gathered at St. Jude\u2019s Catholic Church to call the offices of those in the House of Representatives who don\u2019t support comprehensive immigration reform and ask them why.\n\u201cIf we work together in this next month and a half, we can get it done,\u201d Denham told the audience.\nHis visit to Ceres was one of three stops in Stanislaus County on Sunday. He met with faith-based groups, discussing immigration reform and his support of the House bill.\nModesto-based Congregations Building Community organized the Ceres event. The organization has worked to galvanize support for a law that would provide an opportunity for U.S. citizenship for millions of immigrants who entered the country illegally.\nReps. David Valadao of Hanford and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida are the two other Republicans who have since joined Denham, publicly announcing their support of the bill. It is similar to a Senate bill passed in June.\nThe House bill includes a pathway to legal status and, potentially, U.S. citizenship for immigrants. It includes myriad other provisions, including border-security measures, an agricultural worker program and employment verification.\nDivisions within party\nSome California Republicans in Congress have said an overhaul of immigration laws is important to the state\u2019s economy and the GOP\u2019s future.\nBut others oppose what they consider \u201camnesty\u201d for lawbreakers, underscoring the difficulty of moving such a bill through the GOP-controlled House.\nRep. Dana Rohrabacher of Huntington Beach, the senior California Republican in Congress, said Friday that granting legal status to millions of immigrants in the country illegally would \u201cdestroy our party.\u201d\nDenham said in Ceres on Sunday that the proposed bill by no means makes it easy for immigrants to gain citizenship.\nHe said there is a 13-year process with application fees and tough background checks, ensuring that applicants have paid back taxes and have not been convicted of crimes, among other requirements.\n\u201cBut it\u2019s a workable process,\u201d Denham said. \u201cIt\u2019ll give hope to people. It will keep families together.\u201d\nOutside support\nJennifer Romero, 22, of Aurora, Colo., said she hopes the proposed bill will be passed and bring her family back together again.\n\u201cI haven\u2019t been able to see my mom in six years,\u201d she said.\nHer mother, Janice Romero, entered the country illegally. She hasn\u2019t been able to return to the U.S. after she visited her gravely ill parents in Guererro, Mexico.\n\u201cThey were really sick, and she wanted to see them again before they died,\u201d she said about her mother, who has since been denied twice for a visa to enter the U.S.\nRomero said her father lives in a lonely home without his wife, and her younger sisters, now 15 and 18, have grown up without their mom.\nShe and others from outside Denham\u2019s district traveled to Ceres to share their stories and show their support for the Republican from Turlock.\nThey hope to push representatives in their own congressional districts to join Denham in backing the House bill.\nMiguel Herrera is a 23-year-old Fresno State University political-science student from Tulare County. He told Denham about his friend Christian Jimenez.\nThey grew up together, going to some of the same schools. They spent their first year out of high school working in the area\u2019s peach orchards.\nHerrera said his friend was captured in an immigration raid in 2009 while walking out of a store after work in Orosi, a small town just north of Visalia. His friend was deported, and he hasn\u2019t seen him since.\n\u201cI have witnessed the struggle of undocumented people,\u201d Herrera told Denham. \u201cThat was a life ruined. He wanted a better future for himself.\u201d\nGloria Sanchez of Congregations Building Community stood up and thanked Denham for being the first Republican in the House to support the bill.\nShe asked the congressman to gather members of his party who told their constituents that they would support a pathway to citizenship.\n\u201cIn H.R. 15, there is a way to support a path to citizenship, and now is the time to support it,\u201d Sanchez said of the bill.\nDenham assured Sanchez that his office has held meetings with House members to galvanize support for comprehensive reform, and they have another meeting scheduled soon.\nHe said he and other members have walked around the House floor, looking for signatures to a letter asking Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, to schedule a vote soon.\nTiming is tricky\nDenham said the biggest challenge to pass the reform bill is timing. His fear is that the House will not schedule a vote before the end of the year, and that other issues such as the national debt ceiling and funding the federal government will push immigration reform to the back burner next year.\n\u201cWe need a vote on immigration reform, and we need it now,\u201d Denham said.\nHerrera said he fears that the reform bill will be pushed off much longer, so it can be used as an issue in the next presidential race.\nDenham said he has spoken to Republicans in the House and asked them what they don\u2019t like about the bill, hoping they can discuss their concerns and work together on passing the legislation.\n\u201cBut don\u2019t just say no\u201d is Denham\u2019s message to House Republicans. \u201cHelp us to get you to say yes.\u201d\nSource:\u00a0http://www.modbee.com/2013/11/03/3010263/denham-asks-ceres-supporters-to.html", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://royce.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=356106", "Royce and City of Buena Park to Host Paying for  College Seminar", "2013-11-03", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Edward Royce", "R000487", "royce.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      U.S. Representative Ed Royce will hold a \"Paying for College\" seminar in conjunction with the City of Buena Park. The event will take place on Sunday, November 3rd from 12pm \u2013 4pm at the Buena Park Community Center (6688 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park) and is free to attend.\r\nThe event will feature Keynote speaker Rebekah Bell whose opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal on how she graduated from college debt-free offered important advice to students on avoiding crushing student loan debt. Additionally, the seminar will provide information about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program as well as other federal and private student loans, grants, and other financing options.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://issa.house.gov/press-releases/2013/11/102-healthcare-gov-meeting-notes-6-enrollments-have-occurred-so-far/", "10/2 HealthCare.gov Meeting Notes: \u201c6 enrollments have occurred so far\u201d", "2013-11-01", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., today released new HealthCare.gov meeting notes stating that as of 10/2/2013, there were \u201c248 enrollments.\u201d According to meeting notes from the day before, \u201c6 enrollments have occurred so far with 5 different issuers.\u201d\n\nThe numbers come from notes taken during \u201cWar Room\u201d meetings at the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance (CCIIO), part of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) tasked with implementing ObamaCare. The meetings were comprised of Administration officials and contractors discussing the standing issues and problems with the disastrous launch of HealthCare.gov.\nThe first set of notes, taken the morning of October 2nd, states, \u201c6 enrollments have occurred so far with 5 different issuers\u2026 Issuers include BCBS NC, BCBS Kansas City, and CareSource. Healthcare Service Corporation had the 2 enrollments.\u201d\nAt the next meeting held the afternoon of October 2nd, the notes add that \u201c[a]pproximately 100 enrollments have happened as of this meeting.\u201d\nAt the morning meeting held October 3rd, the notes say that \u201c[as] of yesterday, there were 248 enrollments.\u201d\nThe Administration so far has not provided any official number of individuals who successfully enrolled in insurance plans through HealthCare.gov. The documents released today were produced in response to a Committee request sent to 11 of the top contractors involved in the HealthCare.gov roll out. Chairman Issa also today subpoenaed HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for documents related to HealthCare.gov, including the number of attempted and completed enrollments.\nYou can see the documents released today here:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nunes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=360133", "ObamaCare's wretched rollout", "2013-11-01", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Devin Nunes", "N000181", "nunes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Marilyn Tavenner, head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), testified to the Ways and Means Committee this week on the Obama administration\u2019s disastrous rollout of the ObamaCare exchanges and their malfunctioning website. Here are some examples of how her answers to my questions contradicted her previous statements:\u00a0 \n \n    Ms. Tavenner\u2019s conversation with Rep. Pitts during her August 1, 2013 testimony to Congress (Note that Rep. Pitts asked her about the ObamaCare exchanges, not the data hub):\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rep. Pitts: \u201cDo the contractors who HHS is paying to build these exchanges have certain targets or milestones that they have to meet?\u201d \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ms. Tavenner: \u201cAbsolutely.\u201d \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rep. Pitts: \u201cCan you tell us today that every contractor has met these targets and is on time?\u201d \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ms. Tavenner: \u201cYes sir, I can.\u201d\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ms. Tavenner\u2019s answer to my question about that conversation: \u201cIf I remember the questions correctly, what Congressman Pitts was asking me related to the hub, and the hub was progressing on time and on schedule, [it] still is.\u00a0 The\u00a0hub has actually operated pretty much flawlessly, and most of the questions were around the hub.\u201d\n \n    Ms. Tavenner\u2019s written testimony submitted for her October 29, 2013 appearance before the Ways and Means Committee: \u201cCMS has a track record of successfully overseeing the many contractors our programs depend on to function. Unfortunately, a subset of those contracts for HeathCare.gov have not met expectations.\u201d\n    \n    Ms. Tavenner\u2019s answer to my question about that testimony: \u201cI don\u2019t think I said that [the problem with HealthCare.gov] was due to a subset of contractors.\u201d\n \nTo sum up: Ms. Tavenner told Congress on August 1, 2013 \u2013 just two months before the exchanges became operational \u2013 that all the contractors creating the exchanges were meeting their targets and were on time. Then for her October 29 appearance before Congress, she submitted written testimony blaming the critical problems with the exchanges and the website on a subset of contractors. When I asked her about that, she denied having said it. Additionally, when asked by me and several other congressmen how many people have managed to get through all the HealthCare.gov glitches and actually enroll in the exchanges, Ms. Tavenner refused to answer, saying CMS would not release those numbers until mid-November.  \n\nJust for fun, let\u2019s end with one more quote, this one from President Obama himself:   \n\n\u201cThis is the most transparent administration in history.\u201d  \n\nFor more on Ms. Tavenner\u2019s testimony and the ObamaCare rollout, listen to my interview with John Batchelor here. And don\u2019t forget to check the Nunes Digest for your weekend reading here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131105033811/http://denham.house.gov:80/newsletter/weekly-update-rep-denham-november-1-2013", "Weekly Update from Rep. Denham - November 1, 2013", "2013-11-01", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend,\n\tLast Sunday I announced my decision to co-sponsor H.R. 15, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. I\u2019d like to explain a bit about what this bill does, as I\u2019ve seen a lot of misinformation over the last week about this legislation.\nI joined Rep. Joe Garcia for a Google hangout to discuss our individual perspectives on H.R. 15 this week. Click on the photo above to view the full hangout.\u00a0\nThe Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act includes a 13-year path to earned citizenship. It includes the ENLIST Act, a bill I introduced to allow otherwise qualified undocumented immigrants to earn citizenship through service in our armed forces. H.R. 15 also includes the text of the House border security bill sponsored by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), which passed the Committee on Homeland Security with bipartisan, unanimous support. The new border plan in this House bill makes securing the border a requirement, not a goal. It tasks the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with creating a border security plan that must be at least 90 percent effective at apprehending those crossing the border illegally. Furthermore, it requires that DHS\u2019s plan be verified by outside experts including the Government Accountability Office (GAO) before one dollar is spent on new resources. It sets distinct benchmarks and metrics to measure success and failure. I believe that if we fail to secure our border, any other reform will be rendered ineffective, so border security is my first priority in regards to immigration legislation. I also believe we must strengthen enforcement of our laws and that as we move forward with reform, we should institute a mandatory eVerify system.\n\tUnder H.R. 15, current undocumented immigrants become eligible to follow a three-step process to earned citizenship.\n Current undocumented immigrants could apply for temporary legal status called Registered Provisional Immigrant (RPI) status. Individuals must meet certain requirements, including having entered the country prior to December 31, 2011, passing background checks and demonstrating that they have not been convicted of crimes. Additionally, to apply for RPI status, undocumented immigrants must pay all of their back taxes, a $500 penalty, a form filing fee and the application processing fee.\n\t\t- After they become RPIs, they can reside legally for 6 years. After 6 years, they must apply for renewal of RPI status by proving that they are still employed in the United States, passing additional background checks and paying additional fees.\nAfter ten years, RPIs can apply for LPR (legal permanent resident) status. They must meet a new series of requirements, including paying a penalty, maintaining designated income levels, passing criminal and security background checks and demonstrating that they have been paying taxes while living with RPI status.\nAfter three years as LPRs, they could apply for citizenship by meeting the next set of requirement, matching the current set of citizenship requirements on the law books today: establishing continuous residence, being able to read, write and speak English and pass a civics course, and being physically present in the United States for 30 months out of the 5 years immediately preceding their application.\n I believe a system which has led to over 11 million people currently living in the country as undocumented immigrants is undeniably broken. The 1986 laws failed to secure our border and to address all aspects of reform. Current laws are lacking today\u2019s problems and we have an opportunity to find an American solution. This issue is a priority for me, and I welcome your feedback as we continue to debate this topic here in the House and across the country.\n\tThe Farm Bill conference committee met for the first time on Wednesday. As a farmer in the Central Valley, I know that this Farm Bill will set the stage for a thriving future for our state\u2019s 81,000 farms and ranches. California is number one in the nation in agricultural revenue, grossing nearly $45 billion annually, and there is something for every one of our state\u2019s 400 different commodities. I look forward to working with House and Senate colleagues to produce a bill that can be signed into law and give certainty to farmers across the country in the coming weeks.\n\tI met with Robert Ott, who traveled here from Modesto with his wife Sharon and toured some of the sights in D.C. I helped the Ott\u2019s book tours of the Supreme Court, Library of Congress, Kennedy Center and U.S. Capitol building.\nBob and Susan Ott visited my office in Washington on Wednesday.\u00a0\nI hope each of you had a wonderful and safe Halloween with family and friends, and I\u2019m looking forward to spending time with many of you while I\u2019m home next week!\n\tAs always, I welcome your thoughts, questions and concerns. The opportunity to represent you is an honor. To stay up to date with what I\u2019m doing in Washington, D.C., please be sure to follow me on Twitter and Facebook or visit my website. You can also share our weekly newsletter.\nJEFF DENHAM", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140223025700/http://denham.house.gov/news/buzzfeed-meet-republican-sticking-his-neck-out-immigration-reform", "Buzzfeed: Meet The Republican Sticking His Neck Out For Immigration Reform", "2013-11-01", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 On a normal day it\u2019s hard to miss Jeff Denham on Capitol Hill. The California congressman towers over most other members at 6\u20195\u201d, and when he attempts to speak quietly to reporters in the Speaker\u2019s Lobby, even the most casual eavesdropper would have no trouble hearing his extraordinarily loud voice.\nBut after recently becoming the first Republican to sign on to an immigration bill sponsored by 185 Democrats, Denham is being heard well outside the halls of Congress. He can be found on television almost daily explaining why he broke with his party to support a bill \u2014 championed by Nancy Pelosi, no less \u2014 that would provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.\n\u201cI\u2019m elected to be a leader. I needed to get out front on this issue and show not only my community but show the entire nation this is something that needs to get done,\u201d he said.\nIt\u2019s a calculated risk that could alienate him in the already polarized GOP conference, and one that could be seen as a blatant re-election move by his fellow Republicans. But there\u2019s at least one obvious reason Denham is breaking ranks with his party on this issue: Unlike most of his colleagues, he represents a significant number of Latino voters.\nDenham is a rare breed in the House of Representatives, where the vast majority of Republicans have isolated themselves from the demographic sea change taking place in America by occupying carefully drawn, and overwhelmingly white districts. Forty percent of his district is Latino, and is he one of the only Republicans to occupy a district won by President Obama.\nA perennial target of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), Denham is currently taking considerable heat back home for voting against the plan to reopen the government and raise the debt limit. His support for the immigration reform bill could help with his reelection, but he insists it has nothing to do with politics.\n\u201cI am not concerned about my re-election, I am concerned about doing the right thing,\u201d he said. \u201cI think if you are a leader and you focus on solutions, people will re-elect you. I\u2019ve taken some controversial positions and I\u2019ve had to go back and explain to my district why I did that.\u201d\nRather, Denham points to his own family\u2019s experiences with immigration as the impetus to take up the cause of comprehensive reform: His wife is a first-generation Mexican-American and he helped his father-in-law become a citizen.\n\u201cThis is something I\u2019ve been working on for years. I\u2019ve had life experiences that have helped me along,\u201d Denham said. \u201cI served with a lot of immigrants who gained their citizenship through the military, but working with my father-in-law was a different perspective \u2026 Seeing the process he went through was slow and cumbersome \u2014 as it should be \u2014 but it was very humbling to watch somebody that was in the later years of their lives and was proud to become a citizen struggling to take a citizenship test. I imagine there are members of Congress who would have a hard time taking a citizenship test.\u201d\nShortly after Denham signed on to the bill, Republicans Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and David Valadao joined him \u2014 giving immigration reform advocates new hope that the issue isn\u2019t quite dead yet. Denham\u2019s support earned a giant thank-you from America\u2019s Voice, a group pushing for comprehensive immigration reform, in the form of a banner flown over his hometown.\n\u201cIt shows a lot of foresight and courage, and it\u2019s really appreciated,\u201d said Rep. Joe Garcia, a Florida Democrat who is the lead co-sponsor of the bill.\nAfter the Senate passed its own version of comprehensive immigration reform back in June, the House approach has been to move very slowly, passing several piecemeal bills \u2014 none of which have made it to the floor. Congress has also been consumed by budget crises and a government shutdown that took much of the air out of a push for immigration reform.\n\u201cIf one of those issues comes up that sucks up all of our attention, we need to not put this on the back burner,\u201d Denham said in an interview. \u201cI want to elevate this issue as much as possible and make sure other members of Congress know this is something that needs to get done this year.\u201d\nThe DCCC has hammered Denham for some of his past statements on immigration, and they\u2019ve argued his current support is nothing more than a conversion that\u2019s a result of his political vulnerability. A brutal web advertisement released in September charged that Denham \u201csays he supports a pathway to citizenship but his extreme record says otherwise.\u201d\nAmong other things, they point to the fact that Denham had voted against California\u2019s version of the DREAM Act as a state senator and that he once said he \u201cfully supported\u201d Arizona\u2019s controversial immigration law.\nIn response to questions about his past positions, Denham said in an email that there has been \u201ca patchwork of varying state laws put into effect because of Washington\u2019s failure to address immigration reform over the last three decades. The federal government has the responsibility of resolving our broken immigration system now.\u201d\nDenham says that his goal now is to try to convince as many Republicans as he can to join him. He swears he has the word of House leadership that immigration will be taken up sometime before the end of the year, although House Speaker John Boehner has not committed to that publicly, saying only that he\u2019s \u201chopeful\u201d the House will be able to do something.\nAnd even if something were to come to the floor, it\u2019s unlikely that it would be a comprehensive bill like the one that Denham is pushing. A bloc of Republicans have said they\u2019ll oppose any bill that could lead the House to a conference with the Senate, and even more have said they won\u2019t consider any legalization without border security first.\nThat\u2019s not stopping Denham from trying to make his appeals, either publicly on television or privately during Republicans\u2019 weekly conference meetings.\n\u201cRight now we have a window,\u201d he said. \u201cMy concern is if it goes to January, we\u2019re going to have the CR and the debt ceiling and then it\u2019s going to be election season, and I think the American people deserve a full debate on this.\u201d\n\t\tDenham for now seems optimistic that his message is not falling on deaf ears. He said there are members who are so deeply opposed to any kind of comprehensive immigration reform he \u201cdoesn\u2019t bother talking to them,\u201d but for the most part, people he\u2019s spoken to have at least kept an open mind.\n\u201cI have a friendly relationship with the majority of members of my caucus. A few people have ribbed me a little bit,\u201d he said. \u201cI think most people understand not only why I\u2019ve done this and how important it is to me, but it\u2019s opening up a much greater dialogue.\u201d\nSource:\u00a0http://www.buzzfeed.com/katenocera/meet-the-republican-sticking-his-neck-out-for-immigration-re", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140223025742/http://denham.house.gov/news/c-spans-washington-journal-representative-jeff-denham-immigration-reform", "C-SPAN's Washington Journal: Representative Jeff Denham on Immigration Reform", "2013-11-01", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Representative Jeff Denham (R-CA) talked about bipartisan efforts in the House to achieve immigration reform.\u2002One month prior, Representative Denham had announced he would sign on as the first GOP member to join 185 Democrats in co-sponsoring a plan that would give unauthorized immigrants the chance to attain citizenship.\nSource:\u00a0http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/Denh", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cook.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-paul-cooks-veterans-measures-pass-house-of-representatives", "Rep. Paul Cook's Veterans Measures Pass House of Representatives", "2013-10-31", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Paul Cook", "C001094", "cook.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) today applauded the passage of two bills by the U.S. House of Representatives: H.R. 2189 and H.R. 2481. These two bills include provisions that Cook introduced and championed as standalone bills earlier this year.\u00a0 H.R. 2481 includes Cook\u2019s \u201cHomeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) Reauthorization Act,\u201d which reauthorizes a program that offers grants to organizations that assist veterans with job training and placement. The Government Accountability Office found that 63 percent of homeless veterans enrolled in HVRP programs were able to find employment. H.R. 2481 passed the House unanimously by voice vote. Said Cook, \u201cThe sad reality is that many of the men and women living on the streets are veterans. This bill will help veterans help themselves out of homelessness, and it\u2019s been doing so for decades. It makes simple economic sense to continue this program. Our veterans served us bravely, and we should give them a chance to get to a place where they can support themselves.\u201d\u00a0 Included in H.R. 2189 was Cook\u2019s \"Prioritizing Urgent Claims for Veterans Act.\" The act requires the Department of Veterans\u2019 Affairs to give priority status to those veterans who file claims and meet one of the following criteria: (1) Veterans of the age 70 or over; (2) Veterans who are terminally ill; (3) Veterans with life-threatening illnesses; (4) Homeless veterans; (5) Veterans who were awarded the Medal of Honor; (6) Veterans who are former prisoners of war; (7) Veterans whose claims are being reviewed regarding a previously denied claim relating to military sexual trauma; (8) Veterans the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines, on a case-by-case basis, are seriously or very seriously injured; and (9) Veterans the Secretary determines, on a case-by-case basis, should be given priority under this section. H.R. 2189 passed the House 404-1. Cook, \u201cThese veterans are our heroes, and the claims backlog at the VA is a terrible disservice to them. This bill makes sure that veterans in need get the care they deserve.\u201d A member of the House Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, and Foreign Affairs Committees, Cook is a former educator who served as an infantry officer and retired as a Colonel after 26 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal with valor device and two Purple Hearts for actions in combat.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=359952", "Valadao Works to Improve Healthcare for Native American Communities", "2013-10-31", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "CA", "David Valadao", "V000129", "valadao.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This week, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) introduced legislation to ensure the healthcare needs of Native American families are adequately met. H.R. 3391, the Indian Health Service Health Professions Tax Fairness Act, would improve healthcare for Native American communities by empowering the Indian Health Service (IHS) to recruit additional healthcare professionals to their facilities. \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Washington \u00e2\u0080\u0093 This week, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) introduced legislation to ensure the healthcare needs of Native American families are adequately met. H.R. 3391, the Indian Health Service Health Professions Tax Fairness Act, would improve healthcare for Native American communities by empowering the Indian Health Service (IHS) to recruit additional healthcare professionals to their facilities. American Indians and Alaska Natives currently have a life expectancy 4.1 years shorter than the average American population and are 1.4 times more likely to die from common ailments such as pneumonia or the flu or even from routine procedures such as child birth. While American Indian and Alaska Native communities continue to battle these significant health disparities, IHS is forced to spend nearly 30% of its Health Professions Account to pay taxes to the federal government instead of investing those dollars into community health professionals.  \u00e2\u0080\u009cAccording to the IHS, there are more than 10 IHS facilities located in and around my Congressional District that are in serious need of additional health professionals in order to adequately meet the needs of the community. My legislation will help recruit additional health professionals to serve at these facilities, and others, which provide critical healthcare services for families in the 21st Congressional District and across the entire country,\u00e2\u0080\u009d Congressman Valadao stated.  The legislation introduced by Congressman Valadao would amend the tax code to provide fairness for healthcare professionals who receive awards from the Indian Health Service (IHS) Health Professions programs by exempting those awards from federal income tax.  This same tax exempt status is currently provided for health professionals participating in similar National Health Service Corps (NHSC) programs.   H.R. 3391, the Indian Health Service Health Professions Tax Fairness Act of 2013, was introduced in the United States House of Representatives by Congressman David G. Valadao on Wednesday, October 30, 2013. Currently, 16 Members from both sides of the aisle have cosponsored the legislation, which is supported by the National Congress of American Indians, the National Council of Urban Indian Health, the National Indian Health Board, and the American Dental Association.  Congressman David G. Valadao represents the 21st Congressional District, which includes Kings County and portions of Fresno, Tulare, and Kern Counties.\r\n  \r\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://issa.house.gov/press-releases/2013/10/issa-cosponsors-bill-to-rein-in-nsa-surveillance-programs-increase-oversight-and-protect-individuals-privacy/", "Issa Cosponsors Bill to Rein in NSA Surveillance Programs, Increase Oversight and Protect Individuals\u2019 Privacy", "2013-10-30", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases           \r\n                    \r\n                                    \r\n          \r\n        \r\n        \r\n            \n    \r\n\r\n    \r\n  \r\n    \n  \n  \n    \n      \n  \n      \n  \n  \n     Issa Cosponsors Bill to Rein in NSA Surveillance Programs, Increase Oversight and Protect Individuals' Privacy \n  \n  \n  \n\n  \n      \n  \n  \n      \n  \n  \n\n  \n      \n  \n  \n    WASHINGTON. D.C. \u2013 Representative Darrell Issa (CA-49) continued his efforts to protect Americans\u2019 privacy rights by becoming a leading cosponsor of H.R. 3361, the USA FREEDOM (Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ending Eavesdropping, Dragnet Collection, and Online Monitoring) Act - a bipartisan, bicameral bill to end the bulk collection of Americans\u2019 communications records under the USA PATRIOT Act and reform the process through which the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court issues warrants.\n\u201cWe now know that the NSA and other intelligence agency officials have misled the Congress and the American people and that their actions are far more invasive with respect to communications of Americans than were previously known,\u201d said Rep. Issa.\n\n\u201cCongress has a duty to conduct vigorous oversight \u2013 especially when the civil liberties of American citizens are in jeopardy.\u00a0 This legislation builds on my past efforts to hold the Administration accountable for outright violations of individual privacy rights and to increase transparency of the NSA\u2019s surveillance programs.\u201d\nKey Components of the USA FREEDOM Act: \n \n\u00a0Ends the bulk metadata collection:\u00a0 Intelligence agencies will now be required to show a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) judge that they are seeking communications records relevant to either an agent of a foreign power who is the subject of a terrorism investigation or someone with a link to that agent.\u00a0 The bill will also require the government to more aggressively filter and discard information about Americans accidentally collected through surveillance programs.\n \n \nReforms the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC):\u00a0 The bill creates new and more robust reporting requirements to ensure that Congress and the American people are aware of actions by the FISC and intelligence community as a whole.\n \n \nIncreases transparency:\u00a0 The FISC will be required to publically explain and disclose all FISC decisions issued after July 10, 2003 that contain a significant construction or interpretation of the law.\u00a0 Public companies will now be permitted to report an estimate of the number of FISA orders and national security letters received and complied with \u2013 and the number of users or accounts that were subject to FISA orders.\n \nTo read the text of the bill, please click here.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lamalfa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lamalfa-supports-package-of-measures-to-support-veterans-end-backlog", "LaMalfa Supports Package of Measures to Support Veterans, End Backlog", "2013-10-30", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Doug LaMalfa", "L000578", "lamalfa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 \u00a0Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) voted in support of a package of bills this week to support much-needed reform within the Department of Veteran\u2019s Affairs, which currently has a backlog of hundreds of thousands of cases. Among the bills are measures to eliminate millions in bonuses to VA staff, ensure that veterans denied serviced are automatically offered appeals and assist homeless veterans. The bills will now be considered in the Senate.\n\u201cOur veterans deserve swift and fair consideration of their disability claims, and I know firsthand of many in our district who have had to wait far too long. The backlog that has formed in the last decade is unacceptable and unconscionable, and rewarding this backlog by spending $400 million a year on employee bonuses does not seem to be the answer to the problem,\u201d said LaMalfa. \u201cI\u2019m also pleased to support the creation of a task force to look outside of the box for ways to end the backlog at Veteran\u2019s Affairs. We need to see the veterans of this country treated with respect, and we\u2019ll keep working until this problem is resolved.\u201d\nThe measures passed on the House floor include the following:\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 HR 2189: Empowers a task force to evaluate the backlog of disability claims of the Department of Veterans Affairs and recommend solutions.\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 HR 248: Establishes the Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration (VEOA) to manage the GI Bill and veterans housing and employment programs. The measure also extends the $50 million Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program.\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 HR 1405: Ensures that veterans whose claims are denied have immediate access to information to submit an appeal, and cuts $55 million from the bonuses that the Department of Veterans Affairs can pay its federal employees.\n\u00a0Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California\u2019s First Congressional District including, Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=357100", "Falling behind on education by Ed Royce for the Orange County Register", "2013-10-30", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Edward Royce", "R000487", "royce.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Recent reports have revealed American students are increasingly falling behind in proficiency in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, or STEM \u2013 the areas of study in which our nation must excel in order to remain a leader.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      In the summer of 1969, America landed a man on the moon and secured a spot at the front of the international space race.\r\nIn the decades since, the United States has continued to lead the way in scientific and technological discovery, with many of the most important innovations in the last 50 years happening right here in California.\r\nHowever, recent reports have revealed American students are increasingly falling behind in proficiency in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, or STEM \u2013 the areas of study in which our nation must excel in order to remain a leader.\r\nThe jobs of the 21st century are jobs in STEM: whether it's a mechanical engineering position at Lockheed Martin here in Southern California or a job in information technologies for Exxon Mobile in Dubai. In fact, jobs in STEM fields are growing faster than any other industry except health care. By 2018, one in 20 global jobs, an estimated 2.8 million, will be STEM related.\r\nRead the full opinion piece here:\u00a0 http://www.ocregister.com/articles/stem-533586-students-science.html", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=359816", "Valadao Supports House Immigration Reform Legislation", "2013-10-30", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "CA", "David Valadao", "V000129", "valadao.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Wednesday, October 30, 2013, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) announced his support of H.R. 15, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, legislation aimed at reforming the United States Immigration system introduced by Congressman Joe Garcia (D-FL). \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Washington \u00e2\u0080\u0093 Today, Wednesday, October 30, 2013, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) announced his support of H.R. 15, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, legislation aimed at reforming the United States Immigration system introduced by Congressman Joe Garcia (D-FL).\u00a0\u00e2\u0080\u009cI have been working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find common ground on the issue of immigration reform. Recently, I have focused my efforts on joining with likeminded Republicans in organizing and demonstrating to Republican Leadership broad support within the Party to address immigration reform in the House by the end of the year,\u00e2\u0080\u009d stated Congressman Valadao. He continued, \u00e2\u0080\u009cBy supporting H.R. 15 I am strengthening my message: Addressing immigration reform in the House cannot wait. I am serious about making real progress and will remain committed to doing whatever it takes to repair our broken immigration system.\u00e2\u0080\u009d  \u00e2\u0080\u009cI appreciate Congressman Valadao\u00e2\u0080\u0099s willingness to work with both sides of the aisle on comprehensive immigration reform,\u00e2\u0080\u009d Congressman Garcia stated. \"With his support and help, I look forward to strengthening our nation\u00e2\u0080\u0099s immigration system.\u00e2\u0080\u009d  Congressman David G. Valadao represents the 21st Congressional District, which includes Kings County and portions of Fresno, Tulare, and Kern Counties.\r\n  \r\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140223025824/http://denham.house.gov/news/californian-denham-throws-support-behind-immigration-bill", "The Californian: Denham throws support behind immigration bill", "2013-10-30", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Central California Congressman Jeff Denham has partnered with a Florida Democrat to introduce a bipartisan immigration reform bill into the House in an attempt to break the logjam created by partisan squabbling.\nThe Turlock Republican announced Monday he is co-sponsoring HR-15, a comprehensive immigration bill introduced by Florida Democrat Joe Garcia. This bill contains much of the same language as the bipartisan Senate version passed this summer.\nDenham is the first Republican to co-sponsor the House bill.\nHR-15 includes a path to citizenship, a component the Tea Party wing of the House GOP has had conniption fits over. House Republicans have said they want to pursue an immigration overhaul in a step-by-step manner, addressing different aspects of the issue with smaller, individual bills. Some have indicated, for example, that they support granting citizenship for immigrants who were brought to America as small children and grew up here.\nBut the Senate bill and the new House bill is anything but easy on undocumented immigrants.\n\u201cWe can\u2019t afford any more delays,\u201d Denham said in a conference call with reporters Monday. \u201cI support an earned path to citizenship to allow those who want to become citizens to demonstrate a commitment to our country, learn English, pay fines and back taxes and pass background checks.\n\u201cThis is a common-sense solution to our broken system.\u201d\nDenham\u2019s support comes at the same time a large contingent of reform proponents traveled to Washington to advocate for a comprehensive bill. Among the lobbying coalition members are Rick Tomlinson, president of the Watsonville-based Strawberry Commission who is leading the California delegation, and state Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Salinas.\nThe Senate bill, sponsored by Republican and Democratic senators \u2013 the so-called \u201cGang of Eight\u201d \u2013 earned widespread support in the Salinas Valley. Growers here have been hard hit with labor shortages many ascribe to the failure of Congress to enact a functional immigration bill.\nAmong the bill\u2019s champions are organizations that in the past have been on opposite sides of policy debates but have come together over the immigration issue, including the Monterey County Farm Bureau, the United Farm Workers union and the Salinas-based Grower-Shipper Association of Central California.\n\u201cThis week\u2019s event brings together the broadest imaginable cross-section of America,\u201d said the Strawberry Commission\u2019s Tomlinson. \u201cFrom every state and every walk of life, our communities are saying we need immigration reform now.\u201d\nSource:\u00a0http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20131030/NEWS02/310300016/Denham-throws-support-behind-immigration-bill", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 579, "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": "Republican", "p1": "CA", "p2": "2013"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=CA&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 579, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=CA&year=2013", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=CA&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 579, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=CA&year=2013&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=CA&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "CA", "label": "CA", "count": 579, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2013", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=CA&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "2013", "label": "2013", "count": 579, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=CA", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2013-10-30,https~3A~2F~2Fweb~2Earchive~2Eorg~2Fweb~2F20140223025824~2Fhttp~3A~2F~2Fdenham~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fcalifornian-denham-throws-support-behind-immigration-bill", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=CA&year=2013&_next=2013-10-30%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fweb~2Earchive~2Eorg~2Fweb~2F20140223025824~2Fhttp~3A~2F~2Fdenham~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fcalifornian-denham-throws-support-behind-immigration-bill&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 1031.7339040338993, "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"}