{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"CA\" and year = 2017 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://hunter.house.gov/congressman-hunters-year-review", "Congressman Hunter's Year In Review", "2017-12-31", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Duncan Hunter", "H001048", "hunter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As the year comes to a close, I want to share with you some highlights of 2017.\nWith tax reform in the news right now, its easy to forget the other successes Congress has had this year. To date, Congress has sent President Trump more than 92 bills that have been signed into law, including 15 under the Congressional Review Act, aimed at specifically overturning Obama-era rules and regulations. This regulatory reform has resulted in over $60 billion in cost savings. I also remain committed to strengthening immigration enforcement, national defense, and rebuilding our nations infrastructure.\nBack at home, my team remains dedicated to delivering high-quality constituent services, working to helpresidents of the 50th Congressional District cut through red tape at the VA, or assist with Social Security and Medicare issues.\nThank you for giving me that honor in 2017, and I look forward to continuing to serve you in 2018.\nJobs & Tax Reform\nAmong my top priorities is promoting job creation and economic growth so all Americans can prosper. For the first time in over 30 years, Congress passed comprehensive tax reform which will unleash economic growth and put more money back in the pockets of taxpayers like you ~ who can better decide how to spend it.\nThe tax legislation lowers rates for both individuals and businesses and eliminates loopholes and complex deductions to simplify the code and encourage job creation and economic growth. With this bill, a family of four earning a median income of $73,000 will receive a tax cut of $2,059.\nThis once-in-a-generation legislation was sent to President Trumps desk to be signed into law. It makes our tax code internationally competitive and simple to understand.\nIm confident the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will provide direct benefits to the constituents of Californias 50th Congressional District.\nCalifornia Wildfires\nOver the past two weeks, devastating wildfires have affected our district and communities across California. I have been working withHouse Leadership andmy colleagues to bring resources toourstate. I ampleasedto report that tax benefits for disaster victims and funding for the recovery was included in the tax bill and a supplemental appropriations bill considered by the House this week.\nConcealed Carry Reciprocity\n\tEarlier this month, the House passed H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017. I proudly voted in favor of the bipartisan legislation, of which I am an original cosponsor. The long overdue legislation ensures that law-abiding citizens that have obtained a state-issued concealed carry license or permit for their firearm may carry a concealed handgun in any other state that allows concealed carry, as-long-as the individual is properly following the laws of that state.\nMilitary Readiness\nAs a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I was pleased to see President Donald Trump sign the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law earlier this month which reaffirms our nations commitment to a strong national defense. Specifically, this bipartisan legislation authorizes critical military programs and provides our warfighters with the tools they need to complete their mission and keep us safe at home.\nOther important provisions of the FY18 NDAA include:\n Increasing troop levels over FY17 levels of 15,700+ active duty personnel over the four services;\nEnhancing missile defense $4.4 billion over initial Presidential budget request;\nAuthorization for the first polar icebreaker to begin the recapitalization of the existing U.S. Coast Guard fleet;\nSupport for upgraded communication technology on the MV-22 Osprey, which has been called a game changer for our warfighters;\nEnsuring critical naval components are made by American workers and American businesses;\nSalary increase of 2.4% for service members.\n Enhancing Veteran Care\nCalifornia's 50th District is home to over 58,000 veterans and active duty service members. I am grateful and proud of their service. Earlier this month, the House passed S. 1266, the Enhancing Veteran Care Act, which authorizes the VA to contract with non-profits to investigate wrongdoing or substandard care practices. This bill would streamline the investigation process, ensuring that veterans get timely access to the quality care they deserve. Were almost there, next up: the presidents desk to be signed into law.\nCoast Guard and Homeland Security\nEarlier this year, the nation saw on full display what Ive already come to know as Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. The Coast Guard saved 11,000 lives in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands during Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. Crews have continued to provide relief to those affected by the hurricanes including the inspection of port facilities, transferring supplies such as food and water, and conducting search and rescues. I will continue to work with my colleagues on the subcommittee to ensure that the Coast Guard continues to look for ways to improve efficiency and improve maritime safety and security.\nThe Coast Guard also has an important role as the first line of defense in protecting our Maritime border. I strongly believe the first priority in immigration reform must be to strengthen border security and ensure verifiable enforcement. Without those two things being achieved, I will not support any immigration reform effort, including DACA, that does not address border enforcement and put national security first. Period. I have alsojoined several of my congressional colleagues in introducing two important pieces of legislation critical in the ongoing effort to curb illegal immigration; the Legal Workforce Act and the Immigration in the National Interest Act.\nEducation and the Workforce\nAs a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, I understand that we need to modernize the Higher Education Act to meet the specific needs of students. It is an essential step to rebuilding Americas middle class and providing a new era of opportunity for students. It is for this reasonI introduced bipartisan legislation, H.R. 4078, the Expanding Americas Workforce Act of 2017, whichwould establish various programs to ease the financial burden on workers who are seeking to further their education.I have also re-introduced the bipartisan Student Right to Know Before You Go Act, alongside a Senate version led by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) in November. With the cost of higher education rapidly rising, this bill would allow students and their families to have access to more data to base their decision on where to pursue a higher education.\nSocial Security\nFinally, I want to remind seniors that the monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will increase 2.0 percent in 2018. The 2.0 percent cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to Social Security beneficiaries in January 2018 and increased payments to SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 29, 2017. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits). For more information about how COLA is calculated please visitwww.socialsecurity.gov/cola. Information about Medicare changes for 2018 will be available atwww.medicare.gov.\nSocial Media\nIf you would like to stay up to date on my work in Congress, please subscribe to my newsletter by clickinghere, likingmy pageon Facebook, or following me on Twitter at@Rep_Hunter.\nLooking Ahead\nAs we enjoy the Christmas season, I hope you will join me in remembering the men and women who serve in our nation's military, especiallythe service members who are deployed abroad and unable to spend the holidays with their families. I am so grateful for them and their service.\nI look forward to returning to Congress in the New Year, and I am eager to work with my colleagues to advance policies that will help keep America strong and competitive. As House Republicans prepare to begin the second session of the 115th Congress, I will continue to focus my effortsto move our country forward. Your concerns remain my priority.\nAs always, I hope to hear from you throughout the course of the year as Congress does its legislative work, in addition to providing effective oversight.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398684", "Rep. Royce Op-Ed in the OC Register: After taking Backpage money, Nancy Pelosi needs to make things right", "2017-12-29", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Edward Royce", "R000487", "royce.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Representative Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, penned the following op-ed for the Orange County Register calling on House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to return campaign donations from a former owner of Backpage.com a website which knowingly facilitated prostitution and sex trafficking of children: \r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\nOrange County Register  \r\nAfter taking Backpage money, Nancy Pelosi needs to make things right  \r\nBy: House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce  \r\nDecember 28, 2017\r\nAt best, Nancy Pelosis October 2016 acceptance of a $10,000 check from James Larkin, a co-owner of Backpage.com, was extremely careless. At worst, she knew and didnt care. Either way, its time for Pelosi to do the right thing and finally wash her hands of this dirty money. Backpage.com has long been one of the most evil sites on the internet. For years, it knowingly facilitated prostitution and sex trafficking of children. Backpage was purposely filtering out certain words in web ads to help traffickers evade authorities. Now, as this has come to light, Backpage is facing increasing pressure from law enforcement agencies across the country. In fact, just one week before donating to Pelosis Super PAC, Larkin was charged in California on conspiracy to commit pimping. Larkin still faces counts of money laundering, and is surely hoping Backpages $200,000 in contributions to Democrats will give him political protection. Thats why Pelosis refusal to unequivocally renounce Backpage by donating or returning this money is so troubling. There are many California victims rights groups that could do a lot of good with $10,000. Because the truth is were still far from putting an end to this form of modern slavery. Despite some important progress, human trafficking is still considered the fastest-growing crime in the world. Tens of millions of lives have been devastated around the globe  including far too many right here in Southern California. As representative to Californias 39th District, Im proud to help lead the fight to protect our most vulnerable. In 2013, I launched a human trafficking advisory committee comprised of victims rights groups, local and federal law enforcement agencies, and community advocates to better share information and coordinate on solutions. Later that year, we held a field hearing at Cal State Fullerton for the public to hear directly from victims. And our work continues. Two months ago, we again hosted a training seminar for local hotel managers and owners to help them better prepare their staff to identify the signs of human trafficking and to report it. Of course, each of us can play a role too. At airports, hotels and other transit hubs, human trafficking victims might lack clothing to match weather conditions, appear distressed and significantly younger than the individual they are traveling with. If you suspect someone is being trafficked, do not hesitate to call 911. In the Capitol, Im leveraging my role as Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee to help empower our law enforcement agencies to stop these criminals cold in their tracks. Im an original co-sponsor of H.R. 1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017. This legislation, which recently moved one step closer to a vote on the House floor, provides prosecutors with new tools to bring online actors like Backpage who knowingly facilitate human and sex trafficking to justice. Additionally, my committee earlier this month passed legislation I authored targeting forced labor profits  estimated at $150 billion annually  that are being laundered far too easily in this digital age. H.R. 2219, the End Banking for Human Traffickers Act, provides law enforcement new tools to cut off human traffickers from our banking system, and joins a series of bills my committee has passed to combat these horrific crimes. Americans today are divided on many political issues. But human trafficking and sex trafficking shouldnt be one of them. We should all be able to agree that more needs to be done to help end human trafficking. And we should all be able to agree that keeping money from child sex traffickers is wrong. I hope Nancy Pelosi will choose to make things right.  \r\n  \r\nRep. Ed Royce, R-Yorba Linda, represents the 39th Congressional District.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walters.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/misleading-article-mimi-walters-letters", "Misleading article on Mimi Walters: Letters", "2017-12-27", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Mimi Walters", "W000820", "walters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By: Letters to the Editor\nhttps://www.ocregister.com/2017/12/27/misleading-article-on-mimi-walters-letters/\nRe: Voting for a tax plan that will hurt her constituents [Opinion, Dec. 26]: This article is very misleading. This UC Irvine law professor spends an entire paragraph talking about tax provisions in the original bill that would hurt UCI. He has a paragraph about the deduction that was removed for fire victims.\nThen he admits that the offensive items were removed in the final tax bill. Yet, he still uses this in his attack on Mimi Walters. There was no reason to discuss provisions that were not in the final version.\nMimi Walters voted for the final bill that removed these offensive items.\n James Haynes, Irvine\nNot the tax plans fault\nOf Professor Marians column decrying Rep. Mimi Walters vote on tax reform, the professor writes, UC Irvine is one of the biggest employers and one of the countys greatest institutions.\nGood grief. It is an agency of the state of California built and supported in large part by taxpayers. Only in recent years have exorbitant salaries and benefits throughout the UC system forced the cost of tuition skyward causing the particularly acute effect on UCI, the rest of the UC system, students, their families and taxpayers.\n Gerald Dyer, Trabuco Canyon\nTax plan helps me\nRe: Tax plan a lump of coal [Letters, Dec. 27]: Letter writer Elise Power is wrong when she writes that the tax plan is a lump of coal in Americans Christmas stocking. I just estimated my 2018 taxes and my taxes were reduced $800. Im retired and on a fixed income, this was a gold nugget in my stocking. Thank you, President Trump.\n David Warner, Dana Point", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walters.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/oc-register-op-ed-tax-relief-holidays", "OC Register Op-Ed: Tax relief for the holidays", "2017-12-26", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Mimi Walters", "W000820", "walters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By: Congresswoman Mimi Walters\nhttps://www.ocregister.com/2017/12/26/tax-relief-for-the-holidays/\nI was born and raised in California and have been lucky to call Orange County home for over 50 years. The Golden State is home to beautiful weather, great people and a rich history. Unfortunately, it is also the highest taxed state due to the California State Legislature, which irresponsibly raises taxes and spends beyond its means. From income to property to gasoline, there is nothing Sacramento will not tax.\nAfter witnessing the fiscal recklessness of the Democrat supermajority in Sacramento, I ran for the U.S. House of Representatives to ensure the federal government doesnt similarly abuse hard-working taxpayers. I previously expressed reservations about this bill, but after successfully negotiating the best deal for Orange County residents, I voted in favor of tax reform legislation that lowers federal tax rates for everyone, protects popular deductions, and puts America back on track to prosperity through economic growth.\nThe status quo was unacceptable. For too long, our tax code was broken  full of special interest loopholes and a tax structure that encouraged companies to ship jobs overseas. The Tax Reform and Jobs Act ends those perverse incentives and establishes rules that benefit American workers and businesses. This bill is the product of many years of hearings, debate, and discussion, and embodies the pro-growth tax reform principles that Republicans, including myself, have always supported.\nThese reforms provide relief for middle-class Americans. Rates are decreased across the board, and the standard deduction is nearly doubled, meaning that under the new tax code, the first $12,000 of income for individual filers and first $24,000 of income for joint filers, is tax-free. This means Americans keep more of their paychecks. Its the peoples money, not the governments.\nThis bill will also make more Americans secure in their retirement plans. A majority of the country invests in the stock market through 401(k) accounts, pension plans, and other means. The reforms contained in this bill will jumpstart the economy, helping to create future earnings for millions of Americans who will be able to enjoy a comfortable retirement.  \n\tAdditionally, rates for small businesses and job creators are significantly reduced. In an increasingly competitive global marketplace, U.S. companies need a business climate that allows them to create jobs and reinvest in our country, while increasing opportunities and wages for American workers.\nAs I mentioned, I had serious reservations about previous versions of this legislation. However, after a great deal of negotiation, I secured substantial improvements to the bill that will benefit Orange County taxpayers. First, the state and local tax deduction was preserved up to $10,000, which will help Californians offset some of the burden that comes from Sacramentos out of control fiscal policies. For Californias 45th congressional district, where the average income is just under $95,000 a year, people earning between $100,000 and $150,000 per year deduct an average of $6,600 in state and local taxes, according to the Internal Revenue Service.\nOrange County residents will also benefit from an increase in the mortgage interest deduction to $750,000 for new mortgages, up from $500,000 in the original bill. Existing mortgages are grandfathered under current law. According to 2016 Census Data, the median home price in Californias 45th congressional district is $685,800. This improvement helps the middle class attain the American Dream of homeownership.\nAdditional improvements will help families, students, and working adults. The childcare tax credit is doubled to $2,000, so families across the country will receive the tax relief they need to raise the next generation. Important deductions for medical expenses, charitable contributions, student loan interest, graduate school waivers, and school supplies purchased by teachers with their own money are preserved.\nMuch like when Californias own Ronald Reagan overhauled Americas tax code, defenders of the status quo are quick to spread misinformation and obstruct long overdue tax reform. In fact, in the three years after the John F. Kennedy era tax cuts, the country experienced over 6.5 percent annual economic growth. The Reagan tax cuts resulted in 4.6 percent annual economic growth. There is historical proof that tax cuts that let Americans keep more of their own money results in robust economic growth and strengthens our Nation.\nWhile those in Sacramento love to stick it to California taxpayers, I was sent to Washington, DC to improve the lives of Orange County residents. This bill will do just that. The American economy will flourish and, as the sixth largest economy in the world, California will benefit the most. I wish you all a very happy holiday season and a prosperous 2018.\nMimi Walters represents the 45th Congressional District.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://calvert.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397618", "Rep. Calvert Supports Emergency Funding for California Wildfires and Hurricane Disasters", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Ken Calvert", "C000059", "calvert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) joined a majority (251 to 169) of the House of Representatives to approve a disaster aid package to provide additional emergency assistance for recent hurricanes, wildfires in California, and related agriculture losses. The bill, H.R. 4667, totals $81 billion, and targets funds to programs to continue relief and recovery efforts in all of the affected communities, including in California, Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.\r\n\r\nCongress has delivered the help these affected regions desperately need, said Rep. Calvert. California has experienced some of the most devastating wildfires we have ever seen. I toured northern California with my colleague Rep. Mike Thompson and saw the scale of the damage first-hand. Im proud of the way our California delegation came together in a unified, bipartisan manner to secure the funding our state needs to recover. Our work is not done. We must continue to stand together with the communities in northern and southern California that have been scorched by wildfires and ensure they have the resources they need in the weeks and months ahead.\r\n\r\nIn addition to emergency funding, the bill approved by the House contained the legislative text of California Wildfire Disaster Tax Relief Act (H.R. 4397). Rep. Calvert is an original cosponsor of H.R. 4397, which would provide the same tax relief to victims of California wildfires as was provided to victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and Irma. Specifically, the bill allows a deduction for personal casualty losses and eliminates the current law requirements that personal casualty losses must exceed 10 percent of Adjusted Gross Income to qualify for deduction.\r\n\r\nHighlights of the Disaster Aid Package:\r\n(Provided by the House Appropriations Committee)\r\n\r\n \r\n    $81 billion in FY18 emergency funding for ongoing disaster recovery needs from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and wildfires.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n        Fulfills next phase of most immediate needs to help Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, California, and other states recover from recent disasters.\r\n        \r\n        \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    $28.6 billion for FEMA/Dept. of Homeland Security\r\n    \r\n    \r\n        Provides funding for the Disaster Relief Fund to cover disaster costs for hurricane and wildfire relief and recovery.\r\n        \r\n        \r\n        Provides up to 90% federal cost share for disasters declared in 2017 for wildfires.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    $541 million for watershed and flood prevention efforts.\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://calvert.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-calvert-supports-emergency-funding-california-wildfires-and-hurricane", "Rep. Calvert Supports Emergency Funding for California Wildfires and Hurricane Disasters", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Ken Calvert", "C000059", "calvert.house.gov", "calvert", "https://calvert.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) joined a majority (251 to 169) of the House of Representatives to approve a disaster aid package to provide additional emergency assistance for recent hurricanes, wildfires in California, and related agriculture losses. The bill, H.R. 4667, totals $81 billion, and targets funds to programs to continue relief and recovery efforts in all of the affected communities, including in California, Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.\n\n\"Congress has delivered the help these affected regions desperately need,\" said Rep. Calvert. \"California has experienced some of the most devastating wildfires we have ever seen. I toured northern California with my colleague Rep. Mike Thompson and saw the scale of the damage first-hand. I'm proud of the way our California delegation came together in a unified, bipartisan manner to secure the funding our state needs to recover. Our work is not done. We must continue to stand together with the communities in northern and southern California that have been scorched by wildfires and ensure they have the resources they need in the weeks and months ahead.\"\n\nIn addition to emergency funding, the bill approved by the House contained the legislative text of California Wildfire Disaster Tax Relief Act (H.R. 4397). Rep. Calvert is an original cosponsor of H.R. 4397, which would provide the same tax relief to victims of California wildfires as was provided to victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and Irma. Specifically, the bill allows a deduction for personal casualty losses and eliminates the current law requirements that personal casualty losses must exceed 10 percent of Adjusted Gross Income to qualify for deduction.\n\nHighlights of the Disaster Aid Package:\n\n(Provided by the House Appropriations Committee)\n\n$81 billion in FY18 emergency funding for ongoing disaster recovery needs from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and wildfires.\n\nFulfills next phase of most immediate needs to help Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, California, and other states recover from recent disasters.\n\n$28.6 billion for FEMA/Dept. of Homeland Security\n\nProvides funding for the Disaster Relief Fund to cover disaster costs for hurricane and wildfire relief and recovery.\n\nProvides up to 90% federal cost share for disasters declared in 2017 for wildfires.\n\n$541 million for watershed and flood prevention efforts.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["https://cook.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cook-statement-on-honduran-elections", "Cook Statement on Honduran Elections", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Paul Cook", "C001094", "cook.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.- Today, Congressman Paul Cook (R-CA-08), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on the Western Hempishere, issued the following statement on developments concerning November's elections in Honduras:\nChairman Cook: I believe calm and restraint are needed now more than ever following the announcement of a winner in last months presidential elections in Honduras. While I was disappointed in the irregularities experienced in the initial vote count, it is also critical to understand that a thorough and transparent recount of close to 5,000 voting ballots occurred under the presence of OAS and EU electoral observation missions. In the days ahead, I encourage all parties to present concerns or challenges through the available legal channels with adherence to the rule of law. Strong democratic institutions that respect the will of citizens to express their views peacefully is vital for Honduras prosperity. I will always stand with the rights of people to freely elect their leaders, and the United States is committed to supporting the Honduran people in achieving a peaceful and secure outcome.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://denham.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2191", "An IED that can \u201crip Humvees like a beer can with a shotgun\u201d: former Corporal Manuel Sandoval recounts his time in Iraq", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "denham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) today released a new Thank-a-Vet Thursday (#TVT) video featuring Iraq combat veteran former U.S. Army National Guard Corporal Manuel Sandoval, a Central Valley native.\r\nShared on Rep. DenhamsFacebook,TwitterandYouTubepages, this #TVT video is an excerpt from a longer interview for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.  \r\n\r\nFormer Corporal Sandoval enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard on Sept. 11, 2000, one year to the day before terrorist attacks shook the country from New York to the Pentagon. Sandoval served as a Forward Observer, or 13F, and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005 as part of the 1stBattalion 184thInfantry Regiment out of Modesto. While deployed, Sandoval served as part of a Personal Security Detail for his Battalion Commander. For his service, Sandoval was awarded the Combat Action Badge, national Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device and Army Service Ribbon.  \r\n\r\nSandovals story is shared as part of Rep. Denhams #TVT social media initiative to thank veterans for their service. Rep. Denham invites and encourages social media users to post photos and videos using #TVT to recognize Americas military veterans. All #TVT videos can be found on Rep. DenhamsYouTubechannel and officialFacebookpage.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://denham.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2192", "Rep. Denham adds FEMA reforms to emergency wildfire aid bill for California", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "denham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (CA-10) included his cost-saving FEMA reforms, initially introduced as the Supporting Mitigation Activities and Resiliency Targets for Rebuilding Act (SMART Rebuilding Act), in the emergency wildfire aid bill for California.\r\n\r\nThis is the third disaster recovery bill, now totaling almost $133 billion in resources passed in response to catastrophic wildfires and hurricanes in 2017, and the second influx of funding specific to California recovery totaling over $5 billion in aid. Until now, federal resources were spent rebuilding the same structures in the same disaster-prone places, said Rep. Denham. My policies will provide resources and incentives for communities to plan for the next event by mitigating future damages to save lives and taxpayer dollars. These are disaster prevention reforms that represent a wise investment.\r\n\r\nRep. Denham introduced the SMART Rebuilding Act on Nov. 21, 2017. The SMART Rebuilding Act provisions were included in the Disaster Recovery and Reform Act, which was incorporated in todays supplemental funding package. These provisions incentivize and enable states and communities to build more resiliently both before and after disaster strikes by increasing the federal cost share for communities that adopt mitigation measures, establishing a National Public Infrastructure Pre-disaster Mitigation Fund to allow states and communities the ability to improve infrastructure, and including building standard implementation and enforcement in the FEMA Public Assistance post disaster program.\r\n\r\nAccording to FEMA, every $1 invested in mitigation results in $4 in disaster cost savings for our taxpayers. This year alone we have seen mass destruction from large-scale wildfires, hurricane winds and flooding, costing the American taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars in disaster relief. This bill would save lives and money by building up our resiliency to natural disaster across the nation before trouble is at our door.\r\n\r\nRep. Denham has a proven legislative record with congressional disaster response. He authored the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 (SRIA), which was signed into law on Jan. 29, 2013 to address inefficiencies in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) programs that slow down and increase costs of recovery. The measures helped communities and tribes recovering from Hurricane Sandy but were written with future disasters in mind, such as the 2017 wildfires and hurricanes.\r\n\r\nSRIA was signed into law with the Disaster Supplemental under Rep. Denhams leadership as the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Emergency Management, and it established procedures where local governments can accept recovery grants based on fixed, capped estimates, with the flexibility to spend the money in the best way possible as determined by locals.\r\n\r\nWhile SRIA has been a huge success, the initial project limit of $120,000 has proven to be too low for major disasters. On March 27, 2017, the House passed H.R. 1214, the Disaster SAVE Act, which Rep. Denham co-sponsored, to increase the disaster assistance threshold to $500,000. With costs soaring in the billions, states would benefit from the red-tape reductions that this bill presents. The bill awaits action in the Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://denham.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2216", "Denham Announces January 2018 Mobile District Office Hours", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "denham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) today announced Mobile District Office (MDO) hours for the month of December 2017, where 10th district residents can get help with specific casework or ask questions.\r\n\r\nMDOs are hosted by staff and, when possible, by Rep. Denham. Staff members are available to assist 10th district residents with casework on matters including Medicare, Veterans Affairs, Social Security, the Internal Revenue\r\nService and other federal agencies.\r\n\r\nAdditional information is available through Rep. Denhams website, and the schedule for the month is provided below. Regular office hours are open to the public, and no appointment is necessary. Schedule is subject to change throughout the year; any alterations will be posted online. For more information, please contact Rep. Denhams Modesto office at (209) 579-5458.\r\n\r\nWednesday, Jan. 3 and 17  Tracy\r\n1-2 p.m.\r\nTracy City Hall\r\n333 Civic Center Plaza, Rm 216, Tracy, CA 95376\r\n\r\nFriday, Jan. 5 and 19  Manteca\r\n10-11 a.m.\r\nManteca Chamber of Commerce\r\n183 W. North Street #6, Manteca, CA 95336\r\n*Held in conjunction with Assemblyman Heath Floras office.\r\n\r\nFriday, Jan. 5  Waterford\r\n2-3 p.m.\r\nCity of Waterford\r\n101 E Street, Waterford, CA 95386\r\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Tom Berryhill & Assemblyman Heath Floras offices.\r\n\r\nFriday, Jan. 5  Oakdale\r\n3:30-4:30 p.m.\r\nState Senator Tom Berryhill's Office\r\n102 Grove Avenue, Suite B, Oakdale, CA 95361\r\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Tom Berryhill & Assemblyman Heath Floras offices.\r\n\r\nTuesday, Jan. 9  Escalon\r\n10-11 a.m.\r\nEscalon City Hall\r\n2060 McHenry Avenue, Escalon, CA 95320\r\n*Held in conjunction with Assemblyman Heath Floras office.\r\n\r\nWednesday, Jan. 10  Modesto\r\n2-3 p.m.\r\nHousing Authority of Stanislaus County\r\n1701 Robertson Road, Modesto, CA 95351\r\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Anthony Cannella & Assemblyman Adam Grays offices.\r\n\r\nThursday, Jan. 11  Hughson\r\n11 a.m.-12 p.m.\r\nCity of Hughson\r\n7018 Pine Street, Hughson, CA 95326\r\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Tom Berryhill & Assemblyman Heath Floras offices.\r\n\r\nThursday, Jan. 11  Turlock\r\n1:30-2:30 p.m.\r\nTurlock Chamber of Commerce Conference Room\r\n115 South Golden State Boulevard, Turlock, CA 95380\r\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Tom Berryhill & Assemblyman Heath Floras offices.\r\n\r\nFriday, Jan. 12  Newman\r\n9-10 a.m.\r\nCity of Newman\r\n938 Fresno Street, Newman, CA 95360\r\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Anthony Cannella & Assemblyman Adam Grays offices.\r\n\r\nFriday, Jan. 12  Patterson\r\n10:30-11:30 a.m.\r\nCity of Patterson\r\n1 Plaza, Patterson, CA 95363\r\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Anthony Cannella & Assemblyman Adam Grays offices.\r\nFriday, Jan. 19  Ceres\r\n10-1 a.m.\r\nState Senator Anthony Cannellas Office\r\n2561 Third Street, Suite A, Ceres, CA 95307\r\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Anthony Cannella & Assemblyman Adam Grays offices.\r\n\r\nTuesday, Jan. 23  Ripon\r\n1-2 p.m.\r\nRipon Chamber of Commerce\r\n104 South Stockton Ave, Ripon, CA 95366\r\n\r\nThursday, Jan. 25  Denair\r\n10:30-11:30 a.m.\r\nDenair Community Services District\r\n3850 North Gratton Road, Denair, CA 95316", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://issa.house.gov/news-room/press-releases/rep-issa-applauds-passage-california-wildfire-aid-and-disaster-relief", "Rep. Issa Applauds Passage of California Wildfire Aid and Disaster Relief", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "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     Rep. Issa Applauds Passage of California Wildfire Aid and Disaster Relief  \n  \n  \n  \n\n  \n      \n  \n  \n      \n  \n  \n\n  \n      \n  \n  \n    \n\t \n\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Vista) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives approved $81 billion in disaster relief, including aid for the victims of the wildfires in California this year.\n\t\t\n\t\tIm pleased that those in San Diego County affected by the recent Lilac Fire, and throughout California, will receive the help they need so that they can begin the process of restoring their lives and rebuilding all that was lost,said Congressman Darrell Issa.The package approved today comes at just the right time and will provide much-needed resources to help our area recover. I thank Congressman Calvert for his leadership in getting this funding quickly approved and encourage its swift signing into law. I remain committed to ensuring everyone impacted gets the assistance they need as they recover from the destruction these fires have brought to our community.\n\t\t\n\t\tEarlier this month, Congressman Issajoined all 53 membersof the California House delegation to write asking the appropriations committee to include relief for victims of Californias wildfires in emergency disaster legislation andwroteto Members of the Conference Committee on the tax reform bill, urging its members torestore the deduction for wildfire lossesto the final bill.\n\t\t\n\t\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kevinmccarthy.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/mccarthy-announces-appointment-of-local-students-to-service-academies", "McCarthy Announces Appointment of Local Students to Service Academies", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Kevin McCarthy", "M001165", "kevinmccarthy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Kevin McCarthy is pleased to announce his nominations to the United States Service Academies.Nominees were selected in a competitive process in which a number of highly qualified 23rd Congressional District high school students applied for consideration. Congressman McCarthy designated one principal nominee for each academy that will fill one of five slots afforded to him as a Member of Congress at each academy.He also nominated a slate of competing alternate nominations for each academy that will be ranked according to their competitiveness by the Academy Admission Board and selected for admission at the academys discretion. Some applicants received a nomination to more than one academy according to the rank preference listed on their application. The academies traditionally notify the alternates by April whether or not they will be offered an appointment.Principal nominees are notified in February or late March. I am proud to nominate students from my district who display the core values of honor and courage in their commitment to serve our country, said Congressman McCarthy. I congratulate each of them in their pursuit of becoming future leaders in our Armed Forces. Each candidate was interviewed by Congressman McCarthys Academy Interview Committee in November and the selections were submitted to the Congressman.The Academy Committee Members were: Cam Martin, External Affairs Director at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center, father to two USNA grads (Committee Chair); Lieutenant Tim Buehn, VX-9 detachment, Edwards Air Force Base, Test Pilot (USNA grad) Brenda Lewis, Ed.D., Associate Superintendent of Instruction, Kern High School District; Maureen Basham, Accounts Specialist and Safety Officer for Sequoia Parks Conservancy, retired Marine as Director of Manpower Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center; Dick Taylor, Director, Kern County Veterans Services Department, former Marine Corps active duty member and reservist.\nUnited States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO (USAFA)\nPrincipal:\n  Homin Key, 17, Ridgeview High School, Bakersfield, CA, son of Steve Key and Juhee Jung.\nIn addition to receiving a nomination to the Air Force Academy, he also received a competing alternate nomination to the Naval Academy.\n  Competing Alternates:\nNicholas Arias, Frontier High School, Bakersfield, CA (2017 graduate)\nAhmed Baameur, East Bakersfield High School, Bakersfield, CA\nLee Begin, Garces Memorial High School, Bakersfield, CA\nKami McCormick, Lancaster High School, Lancaster, CA\nIzdihar Mohamed, Centennial High School, Bakersfield, CA\nAlberto Moita, United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School, Colorado Springs, CO\nRoberto Moita, University Of Phoenix, Bakersfield, CA\nDerek Rodriguez, Liberty High School, Bakersfield, CA\nJacob Sibayan, Monache High School, Porterville, CA\nUnited States Military Academy, West Point, NY (USMA)\nPrincipal: Kobie Budak, 18, Frontier High School, Bakersfield, CA, son of Michael and Kristina Budak.\nIn addition to receiving a nomination to the Military Academy, he also received competing alternate nominations to the Naval and Merchant Marine Academies. Competing Alternates:\nKarla Guzman, Ridgeview High School, Bakersfield, CA\nDerek Rodriguez, Liberty High School, Bakersfield, CA\nJacob Sibayan, Monache High School, Porterville, CA\nGrant Vigneault, Sherman E. Burroughs High School, Ridgecrest, CA\n  United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD (USNA)\n  Principal: Grant Vigneault, 17, Sherman E. Burroughs High School, Ridgecrest, CA, son of David and Kyla Vigneault.\nIn addition to receiving a nomination to the Naval Academy, he also received a competing alternate nomination to the Military Academy.\n  Special Mention: Karla Guzman, 18, Ridgeview High School, Bakersfield, CA, daughter of Orlando and Patricia Guzman.\nIn addition to receiving a competing nomination to the Naval Academy, she also received a principal nomination to the Merchant Marine Academy and a competing alternate nomination to the Military Academy.\nKarla has received an early offer of admission for the Naval Academy and has chosen to accept that appointment.\nCompeting Alternates:\nNicholas Arias, Frontier High School, Bakersfield, CA (2017 graduate)\nAhmed Baameur, East Bakersfield High School, Bakersfield, CA\nLee Begin, Garces Memorial High School, Bakersfield, CA\nKobie Budak, Frontier High School, Bakersfield, CA\nHomin Key, Ridgeview High School, Bakersfield, CA\nDerek Rodriguez, Liberty High School, Bakersfield, CA\nJacob Sibayan, Monache High School, Porterville, CA\nMichael Stegeman, Frazier Mountain High School, Frazier Park, CA\n\nUnited States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY (USMMA)\nCompeting Alternates:\nKobie Budak, Frontier High School, Bakersfield, CA\nMichael Stegeman, Frazier Mountain High School, Frazier Park, CA", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://knight.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1470", "Knight Cosponsors Net Protection Bill", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Steve Knight", "K000387", "knight.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "One week after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to reverse the 2015 rule to reclassify broadband internet as a Title II Common Carrier service, Representative Steve Knight (R-CA) joined as an original cosponsor of H.R. 4682, the Open Internet Preservation Act. Led by Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), H.R. 4682 would amend Title I of the Communications Act to prohibit broadband internet providers from blocking or impairing any lawful internet content, application, or service.In addition, this bill would maintain transparency requirements adopted by the FCC and create a formal complaint procedure for the FCC to address allegations of violations in a timely fashion. \"An equal and open internet is vital to protect small business, foster innovation, and deliver the best quality products and services to consumers. If you pay for a specific internet speed, you should be able to use that data transfer rate how you best see fit.\" said Rep. Knight \"This bill will address many of the concerns I shared with Chairman Pai before last week's vote. I want to thank Congresswoman Blackburn for her leadership in introducing this bill and I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this into law.\" \"We must stop this this political ping pong of changing internet rules from one administration to the other.\" said Rep. Blackburn \"That is why I introduced the Open Internet Preservation Act. This bill will ensure there is no blocking and no throttling on the internet, and will make sure the internet is an open and fair marketplace. We need light-touch regulation, and stability for the internet.\" The Open Internet Preservation Act was introduced on December 19, 2017 and was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://knight.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1471", "Knight applauds fire loss deduction provisions in disaster relief package", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Steve Knight", "K000387", "knight.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On December 21, 2017 the House of Representatives approved of H.R. 4667, the Emergency Disaster Aid Package. Included in this bill are the provisions of H.R. 4397, the California Wildfire Disaster Tax Relief Act, introduced by Representative Mimi Walters (R-CA) and cosponsored by Representative Steve Knight (R-CA). These provisions would protect the ability of disaster victims to deduct the value of fire and earthquake losses from their federally taxable income.\"I'm relieved my colleagues and I were able to successfully put these provisions into this aid package.\" Said Rep. Knight \"Fire and earthquake loss deductions are vital to help families recover from these devastating disasters. The recent fires in my district and throughout Southern California are proof that this bipartisan policy is absolutely necessary.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lamalfa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-government-funding-and-disaster-relief-measures", "House Passes Government Funding and Disaster Relief Measures", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Doug LaMalfa", "L000578", "lamalfa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC)  Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after the House passed a Continuing Resolution to fund the government until January 19, 2018. Additionally, the House passed an $81 billion disaster aid package for areas affected by wildfires and hurricanes.\nLaMalfa said: This is a straight funding bill that will fund the government until January and keep important programs like CHIP and the Veterans Choice program running until we can reach a better, more accountable long term solution next year. Were also sending the largest-ever disaster aid package that will help those in California that have been impacted by this years wildfires  and expands the ability to deduct losses from 2017.I'm disappointed the process of getting through the Senate has led us to this point, but theres still a lot left on the table to accomplish in January  including properly funding our military. It is imperative that we fund these critical programs in the meantime and provide disaster victims with the assistance they need to recover. \nImportant Highlights of the spending bill:\n $2.85 billion to fund the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) until March 2018.\n\t$2.1 billion to fund the Veterans Choice program, which allows veterans to seek care outside the Department of Veterans Affairs system.\n\t$750 million for reauthorization of critical public health programs, including teaching health centers and community health centers.\n\t2017 wildfire losses were already deductible. This bill maintains and expands these deductions to include through the end of 2018.\n\tIncludes a waiver to prevent across the board mandatory spending cuts triggered by H.R. 1.\n Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing Californias 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"], ["https://walters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mimi-walters-wildfire-relief-bill-included-emergency-disaster-aid", "Rep. Mimi Walters Wildfire Relief Bill Included In Emergency Disaster Aid Package", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Mimi Walters", "W000820", "walters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 21, 2017 \n (202) 225-5611 \n Rep. Mimi Walters Wildfire Relief Bill Included In Emergency Disaster Aid Package \n\nWashington, DC  Congresswoman Mimi Walters (R-California) released the following statement regarding passage of H.R. 4667, the Emergency Disaster Aid Package. This disaster relief package will deliver additional funding and tax relief for ongoing recovery efforts in the wake of this years natural disasters, including the California wildfires. \nSpecifically, this legislation includes language previously introduced by Rep. Walters, the California Wildfire Disaster Relief Act of 2017, which will allow victims of the 2017 California wildfires declared a major disaster by the Administration to deduct property damage costs from their taxes. It will also allow victims to take penalty-free withdrawals from their retirement accounts, and encourage others to make charitable contributions to help those in need.\nSaid Rep. Walters, The 2017 wildfire season has ravaged California, displaced families, destroyed homes and businesses, and sadly, claimed lives. The need for relief and assistance is immediate. I am pleased that my bill, the California Wildfire Disaster Relief Act of 2017, is included in the Emergency Disaster Aid Package to help mitigate the financial burdens of these devastating wildfires. I am committed to continue working for the people of California to help our state rebuild and recover. \n\nClick the image above to watch Rep. Mimi Walters speak in favor of the Emergency Disaster Aid Package on the floor of the U.S. House\n\nWalters represents Californias 45th District and serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cook.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chairman-cook-meets-with-under-secretary-shannon", "Chairman Cook Meets with Under Secretary Shannon", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Paul Cook", "C001094", "cook.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Today, Rep. Paul Cook (CA-08), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committees Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, held a meeting with the U.S. State Departments Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Thomas Shannon, where they discussed U.S. policy priorities in the Western Hemisphere, including developments in Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia, and Honduras, the upcoming Summit of the Americas in Peru in April 2018, and how Congress can support advancing the release of U.S. citizen Joshua Holt from Venezuela. They also discussed the State Departments redesign effort.\nChairman Cook: The Western Hemisphere is facing very serious challenges that have a direct impact on the United States. We're seeing increasing evidence of drug production and trafficking, illegal migration, corruption, and political instability throughout the region. Countries like Venezuela and Cuba also continue to receive support from Russia, China, and Iran, enabling further repression and autocracy in the region. We must do more to address these challenges, secure the release of U.S. citizen Joshua Holt, who is being unjustly imprisoned in Venezuela, advance freedom for the Cuban and Venezuelan people, and support our democratic friends in Central America and the Caribbean. I believe next year provides a huge opportunity to increase U.S. engagement in these areas, as well as to consider ways to advance energy and trade partnerships, and I look forward to working with Under Secretary Shannon to ensure we advance policies that are in the best interests of the United States and that result in a more democratic, safe, and prosperous region.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cook.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cook-poe-and-ros-lehtinen-urge-more-action-on-hezbollah-in-western", "Cook, Poe, and Ros-Lehtinen Urge More Action on Hezbollah in Western Hemisphere", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Paul Cook", "C001094", "cook.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Today, Representatives Paul Cook (R-CA-08), Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Ted Poe (TX-02), Chairman of Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs sent a letter to President Trump urging stronger U.S. action on Hezbollahs drug trafficking activities in the Western Hemisphere. The letter urges the Administration to designate Hezbollah as a Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) and as a Designated Kingpin Entity (SDNTK) and to open an investigation into Hezbollah as a criminal enterprise under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act:\nChairman Cook: For far too long we have ignored the growing convergence of Iran-backed Hezbollah with transnational criminal networks in Latin America. While I applaud the Trump Administration for prioritizing the need to deter and disrupt Hezbollah in the Middle East and elsewhere, we need to do more to address Hezbollahs illicit activities closer to home in the Western Hemisphere. Hezbollah is a terrorist organization that also runs a criminal enterprise and traffics drugs from South America to fund its global terrorist operations. The U.S. and our regional partners have a vital interest in using every possible tool to prevent Hezbollahs ability to conduct terrorism, particularly given past attacks on Jewish targets in Argentina in the 1990s and an attempted attack in Washington, D.C. in 2011. President Trump has a huge opportunity now to strike a major blow to Hezbollahs ability to carry out its terror operations, and I look forward to supporting the Presidents efforts on this critical issue.\nChairman Poe: The U.S. government must use all resources at our disposal to go after Irans number one terrorist proxy: Hezbollah. Hezbollah leverages both traditional fundraising methods as well as illicit activities,such as drug trafficking and money laundering,to fund their murderous plots. Hezbollah is the poster-child for what has been called the terrorist-criminal nexus. There is absolutely no reason why they should not be designated by the United States as a Transnational Criminal Organization and a Designated Kingpin Entity. The decades-old terrorist designations on Hezbollah only go so far to address the size and scope of Hezbollahs global illicit activities. I call upon the Trump Administration to not repeat the mistakes of the past administration and make targeting Hezbollahs illicit activities a first order priority.\nChairman Ros-Lehtinen: Its no secret that, in its pursuit of the weak and dangerous nuclear deal, the Obama administration ignored Irans illicit activity and the threat the state sponsor of terror-regime posed to our national security and the security and stability of our allies. If recent reports of the size and scope of Hezbollahs operations in Latin America are true, we should all be alarmed as it puts the terror group right in our own hemisphere. We have no time to waste in addressing this threat and that is why I have joined Ted and Paul in writing to the administration and urging it to take immediate steps to disrupt Hezbollahs financial networks and to attempt to reverse the damaged already caused.\n\nThe text of the letter can be found below.\nDecember 19, 2017\nPresident Donald Trump\n\t1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW\n\tWashington, DC 20500\nDear President Trump:\nWe write to express our support for stronger U.S. action to address Hezbollahs drug trafficking activities in the Western Hemisphere. While Hezbollah is designated under several terrorism programs as well as Syria country sanctions, we do not believe that these actions are sufficient to address the size and scope of Hezbollahs illicit activities in the Americas. Therefore, we urge your Administration to advance a new focus on Hezbollahs drug trafficking efforts and connections to organized crime in the region by directing U.S. agencies to designate Hezbollah as a Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) under E.O. 13581 and as a Specially Designated Narcotics Trafficking Kingpin (SDNTK) entity pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. We also urge you to direct the U.S. Department of Justice to open an investigation into Hezbollah as a criminal enterprise under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. \nWe are concerned over press reports that the Obama Administration may have inhibited efforts by the U.S. Departments of Justice, Treasury, and State to target and prosecute key Hezbollah operatives engaged in terrorism, drug trafficking, and organized crime. Addressing Hezbollahs illicit activities in the Western Hemisphere has been a top U.S. Congressional priority for many years as demonstrated by multiple oversight hearings and visits to the region. These efforts, along with findings by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, have uncovered direct ties between Hezbollah and criminal groups in the region that have reportedly allowed Hezbollah to amass nearly $1 billion annually to support its global terrorist operations. \nWe believe the U.S. has failed to take sufficient action to disrupt Hezbollahs illicit financing, and this issue warrants immediate review given recent developments. When the report mandated by The Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act was submitted to Congress in 2013, the Government Accountability Offices 2014 review revealed that the report only addressed two of the 12 elements required by law. In June 2017, an individual with alleged ties to Hezbollah was indicted in Miami after being extradited to the U.S. by Paraguay, and one individual was arrested for attempting to provide support to Hezbollah in targeting U.S. and Israeli embassies in Panama. These events follow the 2014 arrest of a Hezbollah operative in Peru, the Iranian-linked assassination attempt on the Saudi Ambassador in 2011, and the terrorist attacks against two Jewish targets in Argentina in the 1990s as well as the assassination of former Special Prosecutor Alberto Nisman in 2015, who uncovered evidence of Iran and Hezbollahs role in these attacks. \nIn October 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3329, the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act, which included Section 105 mandating a U.S. strategy to address Iran and Hezbollahs illicit networks in the Western Hemisphere and requiring the alignment of U.S. actions on these issues and greater engagement with regional partners. We believe H.R. 3329 along with application of targeted drug trafficking designations are critical to address loopholes in the current U.S. approach to Hezbollahs illicit activities. We urge your support in addressing these matters and look forward to working with you to advance your new National Security Strategy in the days ahead.\n\nSincerely,\nCol. Paul Cook, Ret. (CA-08)    Ted Poe (TX-02) Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)\n\tChairman Chairman Chairman\n\tSubcommittee on the Western Subcommittee on Terrorism Subcommittee on the Middle\n\tHemisphere Nonproliferation, and Trade East and North Africa", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://denham.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2186", "Congress Passes Tax Cuts and Jobs Act", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "denham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congress Passes Tax Cuts and Jobs Act \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, 2017\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      Congress has passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, clearing the way for President Trump to sign into law the first comprehensive tax reform passed in over 30 years.\r\n\r\nCongress has delivered on our promise to lower taxes for the middle class by reducing rates while preserving the credits and deductions that matter most to the people I represent  like the now-doubled Child Tax Credit. The lowering of marginal tax rates means Americans will receive more money in their paychecks immediately, and at minimum, the first $12,000 to $24,000 of their paychecks will be tax-free. This is a win for the Valley and for everyone who will see an increase in their paychecks in 2018. But the biggest issue in the Valley has always been jobs. This bill will expand exports on the many things we grow in our community, which will allow our local agricultural businesses to be more globally competitive and hire more of our neighbors.\r\n\r\nWith the provisions in this bill, the average family of four making $90,000 a year in Californias 10th congressional district will see a savings of $1,279. Specific benefits include the following:\r\n\r\nFor individuals:\r\n \r\n    Lowers individual tax rates to 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% and 37% \r\n \r\n \r\n    \r\n        Down from 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, 35% and 39.6%\r\n    \r\n \r\n \r\n    Doubles the Standard Deduction from $6,350 to $12,000 for individuals and $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples\r\n    Expands the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $2,000 for each child and providing new credits of $500 each for other dependents.\r\n    Preserves the Adoption Tax Credit\r\n    Preserves the deduction for charitable contributions\r\n    Preserves the deduction for medical expenses \r\n    Preserves the home mortgage interest deduction for existing mortgages and maintains the home mortgage interest deduction for newly purchased homes for interest on up to $750,000 of mortgage principal\r\n    Continues to allow people to write off the cost of state and local taxes up to $10,000 for both property and income (or sales) taxes\r\n    Eliminates the ACA individual mandate penalty beginning Jan. 1, 2019\r\n \r\n\r\nFor businesses:\r\n \r\n    Lowers the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%\r\n    Provides a deduction of 20 percent of qualified pass-through income for small businesses\r\n    Allows businesses to immediately write off the full cost of purchases of new or used equipment\r\n    Protects the ability of small businesses to write off the interest on loans\r\n    Retains the tax-preferred status of private-activity bonds to encourage infrastructure investment\r\n    Modernizes our international tax system to prevent double taxation of American businesses\r\n    Returns income trapped overseas to encourage domestic investment\r\n    Includes provisions to prevent companies from hiding U.S. profits in offshore affiliates \r\n \r\n\r\nClick here to read an explanation of the bill as passed.\r\n\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://lamalfa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lamalfa-announces-rural-broadband-funding-for-butte-county", "LaMalfa Announces Rural Broadband Funding for Butte County", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Doug LaMalfa", "L000578", "lamalfa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC)  Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Commerces Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced a $493,695 grant will be awarded to California State University (CSU) Chico Research Foundation. The purpose of the grant is to development broadband framework, process, and strategy that supports entrepreneurship and job creation in the region.\nLaMalfa said: In rural areas like Northern California, our broadband infrastructure often lags far behind the rest of the country. This funding will help establish better broadband framework in our communities, which will encourage private investment and provide more reliable access for local economies.\nThis EDA investment funds the Northern California Broadband Planning Project, to collect and analyze business broadband data and to develop strategic broadband plans, including cost analysis and business models for Northern California communities.The project will provide reliable broadband service to the agriculture processing and health care industries, which will help attract private investments, boost businesses and grow jobs throughout the region.\nCongressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing Californias 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"], ["https://walters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mimi-walters-cosponsors-bill-improve-sober-living-facilities-and", "Rep. Mimi Walters Cosponsors Bill to Improve Sober Living Facilities and Protect Those Suffering from Addiction", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Mimi Walters", "W000820", "walters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 20, 2017 \n (202) 225-5611 \n Rep. Mimi Walters Cosponsors Bill to Improve Sober Living Facilities and Protect Those Suffering from Addiction \nWashington, DC  Congresswoman Mimi Walters (R-California) released the following statement regarding H.R. 4684, the Access to Quality Sober Living Act. Rep. Walters is an original cosponsor of this bill, which Rep. Judy Chu (D-California) introduced yesterday. The Access to Quality Sober Living Act would require the Department of Health and Human Services to establish best practices for operating recovery residences, or sober living facilities, to ensure patients receive high quality care. This legislation follows a December 12th Energy & Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing on patient brokering and other scams that plague sober living facilities and harm those in need of help. At the hearing, Rep. Walters questioned the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals about oversight of these facilities.\nSaid Rep. Walters, Opioid abuse is an epidemic in Orange County as addiction statistics continue to increase at an alarming rate. Since 2005, opioid-related emergency room visits are up by 140%. Drug overdose deaths due to accidental prescription drug overdoses rose 88% between 2000 and 2015. In 2015 alone, 1.7 million opioid prescriptions, totaling 122 million pills, were dispensed in Orange County.\nThe rapid rise in addiction has drawn attention to recovery housing centers in our community and the methods they use to help patients achieve sobriety, and rebuild their lives. Unfortunately, many sober living facilities have engaged in fraudulent behavior and unethical practices that hurt the people that need help the most. \nThe Access to Quality Sober Living Act will develop best practices for recovery facilities to ensure patients receive quality care that puts them on the road to recovery. I appreciate my colleagues joining together to address important issue. I will continue to work to end this growing epidemic.\nWalters represents Californias 45th District and serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://calvert.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397617", "Rep. Calvert Votes for Historic Tax Relief for American Taxpayers and Job Creators", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Ken Calvert", "C000059", "calvert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) voted along with a majority (227 to 203) of the House of Representatives to approve the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act conference report.\r\n\r\nWith the House passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act we are on the verge of enacting the most pro-growth tax policy our country has seen in decades, said Rep. Calvert. Lower taxes, more jobs, and higher wages are on the way. Congress listened to the concerns voiced about the original bill and we produced an even better bill. I am confident that our economy is now poised for tremendous growth thanks to the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As soon as next month, Americans will see and feel the impact of this bill by having more money in their paychecks.\"\r\n\r\nIt has been 31 years since President Ronald Reagan signed our last sweeping tax reform bill into law. Over time, the tax code once again became muddled with special interest deductions and credits. We have had time to evaluate the benefits of each provision wedded in to the code, and I believe the bill considered today is a monumental step forward in cleaning out the tax code and creating a more fair system that will achieve the growth our economy experienced after the Reagan tax reform.\"\r\n\r\nI was proud to support one of the most consequential pieces of legislation that I have had the opportunity to vote on in my career. This legislation provides a direct path to higher wages and more jobs. The reduction of the corporate tax rate will bring jobs back to America and unleash the untapped potential of our entrepreneurs.\r\n\r\nI look forward to the President signing this legislation before the end of the year, allowing constituents in my district to reap the benefits beginning January 1, 2018.\r\n\r\nAccording to the independent Tax Foundation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will lead to an estimated 1.7 percent increase in GDP over the long term, 1.5 percent higher wages, and an additional 339,000 full-time equivalent jobs throughout the nation.\r\n\r\nIt is estimated that 9 in 10 Americans will find it more beneficial to take the standard deduction, saving time and money on tax preparation and leaving more money in the pockets of Americans.\r\n\r\nThe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will provide tax relief to Americans by:\r\n \r\n    Lowering individual tax rates forall income levelsso people can keep more of their hard-earned money.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Nearly doubling the standard deduction to protect more of your annual earnings from being subject to taxation. The law increases the standard deduction for individuals from $6,500 to $12,000, and for married couples from $13,000 to $24,000.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Expanding the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $2,000. The tax credit is fully refundable up to $1,400 and the income threshold at which the tax credit begins to phase out has been raised which means more families will qualify.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Continuing to allow people to write off the cost of state and local taxes  up to $10,000. Gives individuals and families the ability to deduct property taxes and income, or sales, taxes whichever best fit their personal circumstances.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Preserving the mortgage interest deduction for current and future homeowners.\r\n    \r\n        For all homeowners with existing mortgages that were taken out to buy a home, there will be no change to the current mortgage interest deduction.\r\n        For homeowners with new mortgages on a first or second home, the home mortgage interest deduction will be available up to $750,000.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n \r\n\r\nThe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will provide a tremendous boost to our economy by:\r\n \r\n    Allowing businesses to immediately write-off the full cost of new equipment to improve operations and enhance the skills of their workers  unleashing growth of jobs, productivity, and paychecks.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Lowering the corporate tax rate, which today is the highest in the industrialized world, to a more globally competitive rate.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Delivering significant tax relief to Main Street job creators by offering a first-ever 20% tax deduction that applies to the first $315,000 of joint income earned by all businesses organized as S corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and sole proprietorships.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Modernizing our international tax system so Americas global businesses will no longer be held back by an outdated worldwide tax system that results in double taxation for many of our nations job creators.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Making it easier for American businesses to bring home foreign earnings to invest in growing jobs and paychecks in our local communities.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Preventing American jobs, headquarters, and research from moving overseas by eliminating incentives that now reward companies for shifting jobs, profits, and manufacturing plants abroad.\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nFor more information on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act please visitwww.fairandsimple.gop.\r\n\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398671", "Rep. Royce Helps Secure Wins for California in Final Version of Tax Reform Bill", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Edward Royce", "R000487", "royce.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Representative Ed Royce (CA-39) released the following statement in support of the Conference Report for H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the first major overhaul of our nations tax code since 1986:\r\nSince day one, Ive been fighting for provisions that allow struggling California families to keep more of their hard-earned money. Im pleased to see many of those provisions protected in the final Conference Report including a deduction for state and local taxes, the mortgage interest deduction, the student loan interest deduction, as well as the exclusion for graduate student tuition assistance. Combined with reducing tax rates for small businesses, the vast majority of California families will see their taxes reduced and simplified while keeping more of their paychecks. The final version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Actcreates a competitive, pro-growth tax code that will empower a new generation of American innovation and prosperity. The full text of Conference Report can be foundHERE.\r\n\r\nSummary of the Conference Report for H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:\r\n(Courtesy of the House GOP Conference)\r\n \r\n    Lowers individual taxes rates across the board so people can keep more of their hard-earned money.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Significantlyincreases the standard deductionto protect roughly double the amount of what you earn each year from taxes  from $6,500 and $13,000 under current law to $12,000 and $24,000 for individuals and married couples, respectively.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Continues to allow people to write off the cost of state and local taxes up to $10,000. Gives individuals and families the ability to deduct property taxes and income  or sales  taxes to best fit their unique circumstances.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Expands the Child Tax Creditfrom $1,000 to $2,000 for single filers and married couples to help parents with the cost of raising children. The tax credit is fully refundable up to $1,400 and begins to phase-out for families making over $400,000. Parents must provide a childs valid Social Security Number in order to receive this credit.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Preserves the mortgage interest deduction  providing tax relief to current and aspiring homeowners. For all homeowners with existing mortgages that were taken out to buy a home, there will be no change to the current mortgage interest deduction. For homeowners with new mortgages on a first or second home, the home mortgage interest deduction will be available up to $750,000.\r\n    Improves savings vehicles for education by allowing families to use 529 accounts to save for elementary, secondary and higher education.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Provides support for graduate students by continuing to exempt the value of reduced tuition from taxes.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Retains popular retirement savings options such as 401(k)s and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) so Americans can continue to save for their future.\r\n \r\nFor job creators of all sizes:\r\n \r\n    Offers a first-ever 20% tax deduction that applies to the first $315,000 of joint income earned by all businesses organized as S corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and sole proprietorships. For Main Street job creators with income above this level, the bill generally provides a deduction for up to 20% on business profits  reducing their effective marginal tax rate to no more than 29.6%.\r\n    Allows businesses to immediately write off the full cost of new equipment to improve operations and enhance the skills of their workers  unleashing growth of jobs, productivity, and paychecks. Protects the ability of small businesses to write off interest on loans, helping these Main Street entrepreneurs start or expand a business, hire workers, and increase paychecks\r\n \r\n \r\n    Retains the low-income housing tax credit that encourages businesses to invest in affordable housing so families, individuals, and seniors can find a safe and comfortable place to call home.\r\n    Modernizes our international tax system so Americas global businesses will no longer be held back by an outdated worldwide tax system that results in double taxation for many of our nations job creators.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Makes it easier for American businesses to bring home foreign earnings to invest in growing jobs and paychecks in our local communities.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Prevents American jobs, headquarters, and research from moving overseas by eliminating incentives that now reward companies for shifting jobs, profits, and manufacturing plants abroad.\r\n \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398484", "House Passes Tax Reform Conference Report", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "David Valadao", "V000129", "valadao.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Passes Tax Reform Conference Report\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Valadao Votes to Deliver Real Tax Relief to Central Valley Families\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        Washignton,\r\n        December 19, 2017 | \r\n      Anna R. Vetter\r\n      ((202) 815-1685) \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, UCongressman David G. Valadao voted in support of the Conference Report to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which passed in the United States House of Representatives. \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) voted in support of the Conference Report to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which passed in the United States House of Representatives. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, will create a fairer and less complex tax code for individuals, families, and job creators, delivering real tax relief to Americans across the country, especially those in Californias Central Valley.\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            U.S. Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) stated, My constituents have suffered under an outdated tax code for far too long and as a result, unemployment rests at 10.2%, the median household income barely reaches $40,000, and a staggering 27.2% of my constituents live in poverty. Reforming our tax code to make it simpler and fairer will create jobs, grow our economy, and increase the amount of money Central Valley workers take home to their families.\" \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\nLocal Impact\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                The typical CA-21 family will receive an annual tax cut between $1,300 and $1,900\r\n                The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will create 975,000 jobs throughout the United States, 111,108 of which will be located in California alone\r\n                More than 64,000 taxpayers in CA-21 will see a 100% increase from the Child Tax Credit which increases from $1,000 to $2,000 per child\r\n                25,731 taxpayers in CA-21 have small business income  The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will help these businesses grow and hire more workers\r\n                More than 90% of CA-21 residents will be able to file their taxes on a form the size of a post card\r\n                While only 17% of CA-21 residents currently itemize their tax returns, under the new policy, just 5% of residents will itemize their returns\r\n                The Median Household Income in CA-21 is $41,174. Under the new code, the average Californian will see an after-tax wage increase of $2,932\r\n            \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\nKey Provisions for Individuals and Families:\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Lowers individual tax rates so people can keep more of their hard-earned money\r\n                \r\n                    Zero, 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%\r\n                \r\n                \r\n                Doubles the standard deduction so that Americans can keep more of their paycheck\r\n                Expands the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $2,00 to help parents with the cost of raising children\r\n                Allows Californians to write off the cost of state and local taxes up to $10,000\r\n                Eliminates special interest deductions that increase rates and complicate Americans taxes  so an individual or family can file their taxes on a form as simple as a postcard\r\n                Preserves the Earned Income Tax Credit to provide important tax relief for low-income Americans working to build better lives for themselves\r\n                Preserves the home mortgage interest deduction ($750,000 cap) to help Americans achieve the dream of homeownership\r\n                Provides immediate relief from the Death Tax by doubling the exemption so family owned farms and businesses can remain in the family\r\n                Preserves the ability for individuals to deduct the interest on student loan debt\r\n            \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\nKey Provisions for Job Creators\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Allows small businesses, most of whom currently file at the individual level, to apply a 20% deduction on the first $315,000 of joint income earned\r\n                Lowers the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%\r\n                Allows businesses to immediately write off the cost of new equipment\r\n                Retains the low-income housing tax credit to encourage businesses to invest in affordable housing\r\n                Prevents American jobs, headquarters, and research from moving overseas by eliminating incentives that now reward companies for shifting jobs, profits, and manufacturing plants abroad\r\n            \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\nThe Conference Report to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 by a vote of 227 to 203. 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  \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://calvert.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-calvert-votes-historic-tax-relief-american-taxpayers-and-job-creators", "Rep. Calvert Votes for Historic Tax Relief for American Taxpayers and Job Creators", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Ken Calvert", "C000059", "calvert.house.gov", "calvert", "https://calvert.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) voted along with a majority (227 to 203) of the House of Representatives to approve the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act conference report.\n\n\"With the House passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act we are on the verge of enacting the most pro-growth tax policy our country has seen in decades,\" said Rep. Calvert. \"Lower taxes, more jobs, and higher wages are on the way. Congress listened to the concerns voiced about the original bill and we produced an even better bill. I am confident that our economy is now poised for tremendous growth thanks to the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As soon as next month, Americans will see and feel the impact of this bill by having more money in their paychecks.\"\n\n\"It has been 31 years since President Ronald Reagan signed our last sweeping tax reform bill into law. Over time, the tax code once again became muddled with special interest deductions and credits. We have had time to evaluate the benefits of each provision wedded in to the code, and I believe the bill considered today is a monumental step forward in cleaning out the tax code and creating a more fair system that will achieve the growth our economy experienced after the Reagan tax reform.\"\n\n\"I was proud to support one of the most consequential pieces of legislation that I have had the opportunity to vote on in my career. This legislation provides a direct path to higher wages and more jobs. The reduction of the corporate tax rate will bring jobs back to America and unleash the untapped potential of our entrepreneurs.\"\n\n\"I look forward to the President signing this legislation before the end of the year, allowing constituents in my district to reap the benefits beginning January 1, 2018.\"\n\nAccording to the independent Tax Foundation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will lead to an estimated 1.7 percent increase in GDP over the long term, 1.5 percent higher wages, and an additional 339,000 full-time equivalent jobs throughout the nation.\n\nIt is estimated that 9 in 10 Americans will find it more beneficial to take the standard deduction, saving time and money on tax preparation and leaving more money in the pockets of Americans.\n\nThe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will provide tax relief to Americans by:\n\nLowering individual tax rates for all income levels so people can keep more of their hard-earned money.\n\nNearly doubling the standard deduction to protect more of your annual earnings from being subject to taxation. The law increases the standard deduction for individuals from $6,500 to $12,000, and for married couples from $13,000 to $24,000.\n\nExpanding the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $2,000. The tax credit is fully refundable up to $1,400 and the income threshold at which the tax credit begins to phase out has been raised which means more families will qualify.\n\nContinuing to allow people to write off the cost of state and local taxes \u2013 up to $10,000. Gives individuals and families the ability to deduct property taxes and income, or sales, taxes whichever best fit their personal circumstances.\n\nPreserving the mortgage interest deduction for current and future homeowners.\n\nFor all homeowners with existing mortgages that were taken out to buy a home, there will be no change to the current mortgage interest deduction.\n\nFor homeowners with new mortgages on a first or second home, the home mortgage interest deduction will be available up to $750,000.\n\nThe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will provide a tremendous boost to our economy by:\n\nAllowing businesses to immediately write-off the full cost of new equipment to improve operations and enhance the skills of their workers \u2013 unleashing growth of jobs, productivity, and paychecks.\n\nLowering the corporate tax rate, which today is the highest in the industrialized world, to a more globally competitive rate.\n\nDelivering significant tax relief to Main Street job creators by offering a first-ever 20% tax deduction that applies to the first $315,000 of joint income earned by all businesses organized as S corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and sole proprietorships.\n\nModernizing our international tax system so America's global businesses will no longer be held back by an outdated \"worldwide\" tax system that results in double taxation for many of our nation's job creators.\n\nMaking it easier for American businesses to bring home foreign earnings to invest in growing jobs and paychecks in our local communities.\n\nPreventing American jobs, headquarters, and research from moving overseas by eliminating incentives that now reward companies for shifting jobs, profits, and manufacturing plants abroad.\n\nFor more information on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act please visitwww.fairandsimple.gop.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["https://cook.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-paul-cook-votes-for-final-version-of-tax-reform-bill", "Rep. Paul Cook Votes for Final Version of Tax Reform Bill", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Paul Cook", "C001094", "cook.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON- Rep. Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) today voted in favor of the final version of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which passed the House of Representatives by a margin of 227-203. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will provide the average family of four with approximately $2,059 annually- a 58% reduction in their taxes. Americans will see these savings on taxes collected next year and pay a reduced amount by April 2019.\nH.R. 1 lowers the income tax rate for all Americans, so people can keep more of their hard-earned money. Under H.R. 1, the standard deduction nearly doubles to $12,000 from $6,350 for individuals and to $24,000 from $12,700 for married couples. It allows individuals to continue to write off the cost of state and local income taxes up to $10,000. It expands the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $2,000 for children under 17 and provides a $500 credit for each non-child dependent. The legislation also preserves the mortgage interest deduction, covering interest on up to $750,000 in mortgage principal on first or second homes, and grandfathers existing mortgages. Additionally, the bill expands the medical expense deduction, eliminates the Obamacare individual mandate tax, and maintains the deduction for charitable giving.\nThe legislation also makes American businesses more competitive internationally. Currently, US tax rates for businesses are among the highest in the industrialized world. This bill gives American companies a level playing field on the world stage and incentivizes them to hire new workers in the U.S., while small businesses will receive relief in the form of simplified accounting rules, improved expensing rules, and protection of the deduction for interest on loans.\nRep. Cook said, This bill delivers crucial tax relief for middle-class and low-income Americans. Despite the misinformation being spread about this bill, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will provide more than 90 percent of taxpayers in my district with a tax break putting more money in their pockets. Money in their pockets means better retirement savings, a better shot at a down payment for a home, and more money in local economies rather than federal coffers. The bill also simplifies the tax code and provides important relief to small businesses and job creators. I look forward to the Senate passing it and the President signing the bill before the end of the year.\nA member of the House Natural Resources, Armed Services, 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://hunter.house.gov/press-release/hunter-supports-tax-reform-bill", "HUNTER SUPPORTS TAX REFORM BILL", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Duncan Hunter", "H001048", "hunter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC -- Congressman Duncan Hunter (CA-50) today voted in favor of the conference report for H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which passed the House by a margin of 227-203. The measure marks the first major reform of the tax code in over 30 years.\nThis is a historic day, said Congressman Hunter. This vote keeps an important promise to the American people that its elected representatives believe they deserve to keep more of their hard-earned money, that they deserve a tax code that more simple and fair, that they deserve an economy with the opportunity to grow and thrive without the burden and interference coming from Washington.\nI am very pleased that those working on the final product of this tax reform took into account and addressed many of the initial concerns that were raised as this debate took place, including ensuring provisions for wildfire disaster relief, maintaining the adoption tax credit, and protecting deductions for charitable giving, mortgage interest, state and local taxes and medical expenses. This tax bill is an investment in Americas future by bringing good-paying manufacturing jobs and investment dollars back to the U.S. from Mexico and overseas. This tax bill is an investment in the American people who know best how to care for their families and their future. This tax bill is an investment in which I am confident we are going to see immediate returns.\nThe House passed an earlier version of the tax reform measure in November, with the Senate passing its version on December 2. The conference report represents the final product after the House and Senate members compromised between different versions of the bill.\nCongressman Hunter worked directly with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and other members of the California congressional delegation to ensure that the final version of the bill maintained deductions for personal casualty losses resulting from natural disasters, as well as the incorporation of provisions that provided for early withdraw from qualified retirement plans for disaster response. Earlier versions of the tax reform bill did not contain these provisions and would have adversely affected thousands of California victims of the recent wildfires.\nHighlights of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act include:\nIndividuals:\n Lowering individual tax rates to 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% and 37%;\nRoughly doubling the Standard Deduction  from $6,350 to $12,000 for individuals and $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples;\nEstablishing a new Family Credit  which includes expanding the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $2,000 for each child and providing new credits of $500 each for other dependents.The credit is refundable up to $1400 provided a social security number is provided for each qualifying child;\nPreserving the Adoption Tax Credit;\nPreserving the deduction for charitable contributions;\nPreserving the deduction for medical expenses and temporarily lowers threshold to 7.5% of AGI from 10% of AGI;\nPreserving the home mortgage interest deduction for existing mortgages and maintaining the home mortgage interest deduction for newly purchased homes for interest on up to $750,000 of mortgage principal;\nAllowing taxpayers to write off the cost of state and local taxes up to $10,000 for both property and income (or sales) taxes;\nIncreasing AMT thresholds to $1 million for married couples and $500,000 for individuals;\nEliminating the Obamacare individual mandate penalty beginning January 1, 2019;\nProviding immediate relief from the Death Tax by doubling the exemption amount;\nProviding support for Graduate students by continuing to reduce the value of reduced tuition from taxes.\n Business:\n Lowering the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018;\nProviding a deduction of 20 percent of qualified pass-through income;\nIncluding both a capital test and/or a wage test to broaden the scope of businesses eligible for pass-through deduction;\nEstablishing safeguards to distinguish between individual wage income and pass through business income;\nAllowing businesses to immediately write off the full cost of purchases of new or used equipment;\nProtecting the ability of small businesses and any businesses with floor plan inventory financing to write off the interest on loans.\n The Senate is scheduled to consider the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as soon as tomorrow. When passed, the bill will be referred to President Trump who has indicated that he will sign the measure into public law. For additional information regarding the tax reform package, please visit Congressman Hunters website at www.hunter.house.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kevinmccarthy.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/a-future-of-hope", "House Passes Historic Tax Reform", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Kevin McCarthy", "M001165", "kevinmccarthy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. Congressman Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) spoke on the House floor today in favor agreeing to the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 1, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.\n\tToday we will take a vote that every member on this floor will rememberthe country will remember. And next year when people check their checks and realize they have more money, theyre going to remember who voted for status quo and who voted to make the American comeback. And I want to thank the [Ways and Means] Chairman Kevin Brady for that work.\n\tNow, Mr. Speaker, a month ago when the House passed an earlier version of this bill, I said that for all the jobless, for everyone who hasnt gotten a raise in years, for the parents, for the small business owners, and for anyone who ever dreamed of being that entrepreneur and a small business owner, we heard you. This bill is the start of your comeback. And when they win, well, thats the start of Americas comeback.\n\tOur country has faced some tough times. I dont have to tell you about that. And for too long, year after year, more and more Americans gave up hope. They were out of work, or maybe they had a job, but they could never see past the next month, or even the next week. They watched factories and businesses close up shop and move out, even moving out of the country.\n\tNobody wants to see their communities hollow out. Nobody wants to feel like they live in a nation in decline. Thats not who Americans are. Frankly, Mr. Speaker, we are not a country that gives up on hope.\n\tThis legislationand the Republican Partys entire economic plantheyre giving people hope. You can see it in the stock market. For every American who invests their retirement in a 401(k), 84 times its set a new record since last years election alone.\n\tYou can see it in the companies like Broadcom. You know Broadcom was a company created in America, but theyre not domiciled here today. They moved to Singapore simply over our tax code. So for those who want the status quo and want to keep Broadcom in another country, go ahead and vote no. For those who believe in the hope of this country even greater, looking at this bill, Broadcom said theyre coming back to America.\n\tMr. Speaker, you know what that means? Twenty billion dollars in revenue just a year. That means $3 billion every year invested in R&D, $6 billion ever year invested in manufacturing. Those are jobs we all dream about, and the action of this bill is making it happen.\n\tYou can see it in the faces of families who learn that next year, thousands of dollars that they earn wont go straight to Washington. Theyll actually stay right at home.\n\tAnd this is all in an environment of disinformation and fear mongering. I mean I have seen what has been said, and to me, its absurd.\n\tMr. Speaker, Leader Pelosi said that this bill was, and I quote, Armageddon and, quote, the end of the world. Now, Mr. Speaker, I have listened a great deal to what my counterpart on the other side, the minority leader, has said. And I have read when the Washington Post analyzed what she had said. Now, when you say something that could be a little off and dont have all the information, they have this rating for you. Shes had a rating on this. She did not get one Pinocchio. She did not even get two. She didnt even get the extreme of three. She got the most Pinocchios you can say when its totally false, four, for her conversation about this bill.\n\tMr. Speaker, in such times when the other side will say anything to win their political game, I recommend folks actually look at the bill. Doubling the standard deduction; lowering rates; simplifying the code so you dont spend weeks doing taxes, you spend minutes; doubling the child tax credit; ending the individual mandate; lowering taxes on small businesses to the lowest its been in 40 years; creating incentives for business to invest and hire; thats not the recipe for Armageddon. Thats a hope for a nation to come back.\n\tThe American people see through all this rhetoric, and theyre going to feel it next year when they check their paychecks and they see they keep more money because of the vote today. Theyre going to feel it next year and the years after when they get that raise theyve been waiting for. Theyre going to feel it when more and more companies announce theyre coming back home. Theyre bringing jobs right back to the U.S.A. Theyre going to feel it when we start looking to the future again not with fear, but hope.\n\tI wont accept the status quo. But there will be some in this body that vote for the status quo. I wont accept failure. Now, I do not believe anybody in this body was elected to preside over Americas decline.\n\tI recently was overseas, and I was sitting at a dinner table with some elected leaders from other countries, some Americans who were working in other countries, and I asked them, What is the impression of what is happening in America today? And I thought the reports I would get would be a little different. You know what they said to me?\n\tThey said America is back. You are now tackling big items again. Not only are you going to lead your own country, but you will help again lead the world. They were fearful of the competition of rising America one more time.\n\tSo dont vote for the status quo. Vote for a tax cut. Vote for reform. Dont vote because some leader whipped you and intimidated you. Vote for your constituents. Vote for your country. And Vote to raise the paychecks of America.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lamalfa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-approves-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act", "House Approves Tax Cuts and Jobs Act", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Doug LaMalfa", "L000578", "lamalfa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC)  Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The Senate will now vote on final passage of the bill.\nLaMalfa said: Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the vast majority of 1st District residents will save money on their taxes. That is a fact. Were giving a booster shot to the U.S. economy, which will enable businesses large and small to hire more workers and pay their employees more. This legislation will help put more Americans back to work and bring about the return of Made in America. It provides the tax relief that hard-working middle income families in my district deserve, and thats why I support it.\nDue to pressure from Congressman LaMalfa and many of his colleagues, $81 billion in disaster aid for wildfires and hurricanes will be included in the spending resolution set to be voted on later in the week, as well as a 5 year extension of the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP). \nTax Cuts in final version of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:\n \n\t\tIncreases the Standard Deduction from $6,350 to $12,000 for individuals and from $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples.\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tNearly 72% of CA01 taxpayers, including 79% of those making under $100,000 annually and 90% of CA01 those making under $50,000 annually, use the standard deduction and will receive a tax cut without changing the way they file.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\tCuts marginal tax rates at every income level.\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tIn CA01, where the median income is below $50,000 annually, most taxpayers would see rates decrease by 3%.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\tPreserves Home Mortgage Interest deduction up to $750,000.\n\t\n\t\n\t\tExpands the medical expense deduction by lowering the threshold to 7.5% of income for two year, helping seniors and others with high medical costs. \n\t\n\t\n\t\tChild Tax Credit increased from $1,000 to $2,000.\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tOver 45,000 North State families will save over $45 million annually thanks to expansion of the child tax credit.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t$1,400 of the Child Tax Credit is available to families even if they pay no federal income tax.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\tCorporate Tax rate lowered to 21%.\n\t\n\t\n\t\tSmall Business Tax Rate capped at 20%, down from 29.6%.\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tOver 24,000 small businesses and family farms in CA01 will see their taxes capped under this provision.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\tRepeals the Affordable Care Act Individual Health Insurance Mandate.\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tOver 15,000 CA01 residents will save an average of $470 thanks to the repeal of ACA fines on those who choose not to purchase insurance. \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\tBoosts exemption for the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) from $78,750 to $500,000.\n\t\n Protects Important Deductions and Credits\n Protects 6,620 North State teachers by preserving the $250 teacher expense tax deduction.\n\tHelps to encourage homeownership by protecting the mortgage interest deduction used by 71,000 North State residents.\n\tPreserves the student loan interest deduction, protecting an average deduction of $956 for over 18,000 CA01 residents.\n\tRetains the ability state and local taxes for the 21% of North State taxpayers who use the deduction.\n\tMaintains the property tax deduction for over 84,000 North State households.\n\tKeeps graduate school fee waivers and scholarships tax free.\n Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing Californias 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"], ["https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/speeches/morning-again-in-america", "Morning Again in America", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Tom McClintock", "M001177", "mcclintock.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman McClintock today delivered the following remarks on the House floor on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:\n  \n\tMorning Again in America  \n\tCongressman Tom McClintock  \n\tDecember 19, 2017\nMr. Speaker:\nI opposed the House version of the tax reform bill because the loss of broad-based deductions like state and local taxes would have caused significant tax increases on many of my middle-class constituents in the high-tax, high-cost state of California. It increased the marginal tax rate on high income earners and abolished life-line deductions such as casualty loss, medical expenses and student interest. I urged that we should leave no taxpayer behind.\nI want to thank Chairman Brady, the Republican Leadership and the conference committee for heeding these concerns. Their final product exceeds my expectations, and on behalf of California taxpayers I can now offer my enthusiastic support.\nThe new version leaves the casualty loss, medical expense and student interest deductions intact. No family needs to fear being ruined by taxes after a major declared disaster or illness, and graduates can continue to plan their lives knowing interest on their student loans will not be taxed. The new bill eases the proposed limit on mortgage interest deductions and allows up to $10,000 of state and local taxes to be deducted  all important improvements for Californians.\nMost importantly, the lower tax rates in this bill now more than compensate in almost every case for the remaining limits on state and local tax and mortgage interest deductions. Even taxpayers who lose tens of thousands of dollars of deductions will still pay lower taxes than they do today.\nFor example, a couple earning $60,000 with a $300,000 home and three adult dependents would have paid $200 more in taxes under the old bill  but under the new version they will SAVE $340. A couple earning $150,000 with a $750,000 home and one child would have paid $1,200 of additional taxes under the old House bill. In the new bill, that same family will SAVE $720. \nThe business tax provisions are especially important, because they will restore American workers to an internationally competitive position. According to economists ranging from Martin Feldstein to Arthur Laffer, these provisions alone will produce $5 trillion of new economic activity over the next decade  thats $40,000 per household -- including $2 trillion of new tax revenues to all levels of government.\nLast Friday I toured AMPAC, a local company making the active ingredient in several cancer and epilepsy drugs. Their product is then shipped to Ireland to make the actual medicine because the corporate tax in the United States is 35 percent and in Ireland its just 12  percent. Their CEO, Aslam Malik, told me that if they gave their product away for free, the final medicine could still not be competitively manufactured in the United States  solely because of our taxes. He expects their local company will grow dramatically because of this tax reform  employing hundreds more families both directly and indirectly as they expand everything from payroll to infrastructure.\nThats what the Marxists just dont understand. Businesses dont pay business taxes. Businesses collect business taxes from just three sources: from consumers through higher prices; from employees through lower wages, and from investors through lower earnings  usually pension plans and IRAs. We have the highest corporate tax in the industrialized world, and commerce and capital simply move around it  leaving our workers behind. Thats one of the reasons why we averaged 1  percentunder Obama  worse than any President since Herbert Hoover  and lost an entire decade of prosperity.\nThe Marxists tell us that this is just trickle-down economics and it has never worked. In fact, it has ALWAYS worked. It worked when Warren Harding did it in the 1920s; when John F. Kennedy did it in the 1960s, when Ronald Reagan did it in the 1980s and lest we forget, when Bill Clinton approved the biggest capital gains tax cut in American history.\nConcerns over the deficit are legitimate and must be addressed by spending reforms this coming year. We must always remember that both taxes and debt are driven by spending. \nThe proof of these policies will manifest itself over the coming year  and every American will be able to decide for themselves if this has made them better off. Thats probably why the left has pulled out all the stops to defeat it. Their arguments are the same economically illiterate attacks filled with class-envy that they made against Reagan. When the American people awakened one day to find it was morning again in America, the left was discredited for a generation.\nLet history repeat itself beginning today, with this vote.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rohrabacher.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rohrabacher-votes-no-on-tax-bill-conference-report", "Rohrabacher Votes No on Tax Bill Conference Report", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Dana Rohrabacher", "R000409", "rohrabacher.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher voted against the final version of the tax reform bill (H.R. 1) passed by the House of Representatives. He previously voted against the original House version of H.R. 1 on November 20. His statement follows:\nToday, I once again voted for the interests of my constituents. Our district in California is a major exception to the economic conditions in other states. The high value of homes as well as the high state and local tax rates in our district means that we are especially impacted by the slashing of deductions that we take. Although the impact of the conference version of H.R. 1 will not be as damaging as the original House version would have been, the final version still increases taxes on a substantial number of my constituents, and thus I could not join my fellow Republicans whose districts are different than mine in supporting H.R. 1.\nThe heavy burden imposed on California taxpayers by irresponsible and profligate Democrat taxing and spending causes great damage to the wellbeing of the people of our state. Tax reform at a national level, to be effective in all parts of our country, will have to take into consideration these kinds of state and local challenges.\n\n####################\nRichard T. (Rick) Dykema, rick.dykema@mail.house.gov", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mimi-walters-tax-relief-being-delivered-americans-time-holidays", "Rep. Mimi Walters: Tax Relief Being Delivered to Americans in Time for the Holidays", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Mimi Walters", "W000820", "walters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 19, 2017 \n  \n (202) 225-5611 \n Rep. Mimi Walters: Tax Relief Being Delivered to Americans in Time for the Holidays \n\nWashington, DC  Congresswoman Mimi Walters (R-California) released the following statement regarding the passage of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act Conference Report in the U.S. House of Representatives.\nSaid Rep. Walters, Today, the House passed a historic tax reform package that will allow hard-working Americans to keep more of their paychecks, create jobs, and increase wages. According to non-partisan estimates, the tax reform bill will provide benefits to individuals at all income levels and will generate significant economic growth. The bill nearly doubles the standard deduction, meaning the first $12,000 of an individuals income, or $24,000 of a joint households, is now tax-free. This bill will also lower rates for job creators in order to increase economic growth and create opportunities for all Americans.\nWhile I had reservations about previous versions of this legislation, I worked to secure meaningful changes that will benefit the taxpayers of Californias 45th district. After a great deal of negotiation and hard work, the following significant changes were made to earn my vote:\n The State and local tax deduction will be preserved up to $10,000, which ensures hard-working Californians do not have to absorb the full brunt of Sacramentos irresponsible tax and spend policies. \n The mortgage interest deduction cap will be increased to $750,000 for new mortgages, while existing mortgages remain under the current tax rules.\n The child care tax credit will double to $2,000, so families across the Nation will receive much needed tax relief as they raise future generations. \n Popular deductions for medical expenses, student loan interest, graduate school waivers, and school supplies purchased by teachers with their own money, will be preserved. \n Taxpayers will also be protected from an IRS tax penalty if they chose to forgo health insurance.\nMuch like when Californias own Ronald Reagan last undertook tax reform, defenders of the failing status quo have been quick to spread misinformation about this bill and stand in the way of long overdue reforms. When all is said and done, California taxpayers will benefit from this historic tax package and the American economy will flourish. I am confident my colleagues in the Senate will act quickly to deliver tax relief to American taxpayers this holiday season.\nWalters represents Californias 45th District and serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RepDevinNunes/~3/LQ_QXJ78yXE/honored-to-be-named-congressman-of-year.html", "Honored to be named Congressman of the Year", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Devin Nunes", "N000181", "feedproxy.google.com", null, null, "legacy", "skip to main  |\n      skip to sidebar\n\n\n\n\n          \n        \n          \n        \n\n\n \nHonored to be named Congressman of the Year\n \n\n  I'd like to thank Americans for Limited Government for naming me Congressman of the Year. To read their announcement, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kevinmccarthy.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-on-supplemental-disaster-appropriations-bill", "Statement on Supplemental Disaster Appropriations Bill", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Kevin McCarthy", "M001165", "kevinmccarthy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) released the following statement on the introduction of the supplemental disaster appropriations bill:\nFrom historic hurricanes to wildfires, this years natural disasters have taken a substantial toll on the lives and communities of those impacted. This hurricane season alone had three of the five most devastating and costly hurricanes in our countrys history. In California, the worst wildfire in our states history torched the northern part of our Golden State. As we sit here today, new wildfires have consumed hundreds of thousands of acres, and brave first responders across our state continue to fight the Thomas fire in southern California.\nThis emergency package reflects the commitment of the federal government to provide relief to our neighbors who have been affected by these extraordinary natural disasters and are working to rebuild. This package accommodates the request from Governor Brown and the entire California congressional delegation by allocating more funds for relief and recovery from this falls California wildfires. Additionally, it includes language spearheaded by Rep. Mimi Walters and Rep. Mike Thompson providing targeted tax relief to allow wildfire victims to deduct property damage costs, offer penalty-free withdrawals from retirement accounts, and encourage charitable giving to individuals and communities working to rebuild. Finally, as the cleanup continues, I am pleased that this bill ensures California receives additional help for debris removal by ramping up Federal payments for up to 90% of the eligible costs. As our country and state rebuild from Mother Natures worst, the federal government is committed to helping each neighborhood recover and rebuild.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://knight.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1448", "Women in Aerospace Education Act Passes in the House", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Steve Knight", "K000387", "knight.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On December 18, 2017 the House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 4254, the Women in Aerospace Education Act. Introduced by Representative Steve Knight (R-CA), this bill would encourage universities applying for Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship grants to incorporate aerospace engineering experiences at the National Laboratories and NASA Centers into their teacher training curriculum. This bill would also direct NASA to strengthen the promotion of NASA internship and fellowship programs towards women. This would not affect the selection process for these programs, but would instead focus the marketing and recruiting strategies to encourage more women to apply.\"For many years, the aerospace industry has been predominantly male, despite the fact that women have equally excelled in the STEM fields of study.\"said Rep. Knight\"By actively engaging this half of the workforce to enter the industry, this bill will help ensure the lasting dominance of American air and space innovation.\" \"I am very happy the House passed this bipartisan piece of legislation. I look forward to helping move this bill forward into law and am especially excited to set free the potential of our nation's brightest youth.\" The Women in Aerospace Education Act was passed in conjunction with several other science related bills during what has been called \"Science Day\" in the House of Representatives.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://issa.house.gov/news-room/press-releases/issa-vote-no-final-tax-bill", "Rep. Issa To Vote \"No\" on Final Tax Bill", "2017-12-16", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Vista) released the following statement on the final tax reform bill released today by the Conference Committee to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:\n\n\t\"While the bill agreed to in conference today makes some improvements, unfortunately, the changes do not go far enough to guarantee tax relief for constituents in my district. Californians need tax relief now more than ever, especially as the tax factory in our State Capitol continues looking for ever increasing ways to take more of our hard-earned paychecks. Yet I still fear that, even in the revised proposal, many in my area could face higher taxes under this plan. Californians have entrusted me to fight for them. I will not vote to make the incredible tax burden they already endure even worse.\"\n\nCongressman Issa has been leading the fight for California, earlier this weekurging tax conferees to restorethe full deductibility of the state and local income tax and to reverse changes to the deductions for victims of wildfires. Congressman Issavoted noon the tax bill when it first passed the House of Representatives, at the time, saying \"I didn't come to Washington to raise taxes on my constituents and I do not plan to start today.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://issa.house.gov/news-room/press-releases/chairman-goodlatte-rep-issa-urge-sec-carson-action-sober-homes", "Chairman Goodlatte, Rep Issa Urge Sec. Carson for Action on Sober Homes", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Following the increasing issues cities have faced with sober living homes around the nation, the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee joined Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Vista) in writing to Secretary Ben Carson, urging the agency to look into regulatory changes that can be made to give municipalities better authority to oversee these facilities.  \n\t  \n\tIn the last two Congresses, Darrell Issa hasintroduced sober living homes reform legislationthrough hisSafe Recovery and Community Empowerment Actand has been the leading voice for reform on this important issue. The letter sent this week comes as part of a dual-track approach, pursuing changes at both a regulatory and legislative level to help solves the issues that have arisen from the unregulated proliferation of sober living homes in communities nationwide.\nA signed copy of their letter can be viewed here\nDecember 13, 2017  \n\t\nThe Honorable Ben Carson  \n\tSecretary  \n\tU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 451 7th Street S.W.  \n\tWashington, DC 20410\nDear Secretary Carson:\nWe write to bring your attention to the issue of sober living homes and how their proliferation is impacting communities throughout the country. Sober living homes are group homes for individuals recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. The purpose of these facilities is to help addicts who have completed addiction treatment to transition back to residential life in a community environment, so that they can begin to assimilate into the community.\nIn recent years, the number of sober living homes has reportedly increased across the country, concentrating in certain cities and neighborhoods causing problems for sober home residents, neighbors, and local and state governments. The overconcentration of sober living homes is changing the character of residential communities and undermining the benefit of recovering addicts who are looking to live in a neighborhood community, rather than in an institutionalized environment, as these homes do not provide treatment. The rapid growth of this industry has also allowed predatory and unscrupulous operators to run facilities that fail to adequately serve their clients, harming those in recovery and often leading to further drug abuse, homelessness, and even death. This is especially troubling amid the current addiction crises our nation faces, such as the opioid epidemic. Individuals seeking safe housing for their recovery from opioid addiction are met with challenges to that recovery when they find themselves residing in sober living homes that are unregulated and threaten to further their addiction.\nState and local governments that have attempted to address this issue find that they are hamstrung by the current interpretation of federal law in this realm. The Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAA) and its accompanying regulations define \"disability\" to include alcoholism and drug addiction. The Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA) makes it unlawful for cities to pass and enforce housing laws on the basis of disability status, including addiction. Consequently, sober living home operators have been able to avoid state and local regulation of their properties and successfully fight regulations in court by hiding behind these federal laws.\nIn this Congress, H.R. 472, the Safe Recovery and Community Empowerment Act, has been introduced to address this problem for states and localities by amending the FHAA to specifically allow any state and local government body to enact and enforce a zoning ordinance or other regulation to limit the number of sober living homes within a particular neighborhood. These limitations can be made as the local entity sees appropriate to preserve the residential character of their communities and protect public safety.\nWhile this legislation has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, we respectfully request that HUD review these issues and consider a regulatory avenue in addressing this problem. Please let us know if it would be possible for HUD to develop a rule for notice and comment that would seek to achieve the goal of this legislation and allow localities to reasonably regulate the issues that have arisen from the unregulated proliferation of sober living homes in various communities across the country.\nWe appreciate your prompt attention to this important issue.\nSincerely,\n  \n\tChairman Bob Goodlatte  \n\tCongressman Darrell Issa\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://issa.house.gov/news-room/press-releases/rep-issa-applauds-historic-santa-margarita-river-water-use-agreement", "Rep. Issa Applauds Historic Santa Margarita River Water Use Agreement", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Vista) released the following statement after agreement was reached between the federal government and the Fallbrook Public Utilities District over water use rights for the Santa Margarita River.\n\"After working to help negotiate a path forward on this important project for years, Iam pleased the parties have reachedan agreementthat will facilitate access to a reliable, local source of water for generations to come,\"said Congressman Darrell Issa.\nIn 2009, Congressman Issa introducedand helpedsign into lawlegislationthat authorizedthe construction of a shared water project allowing Camp Pendleton and Fallbrook to both use water from the Santa Margarita River. Under the agreement reached this week, water will be pumped from aquifers allowing both Camp Pendleton and Fallbrooktouse the water resources available locally to meet their needs. No longer reliant on imported water, residents in the Fallbrook Public UtilitiesDistrictmaysave $1 million annually.\n\"I want to especially thank Darrell Issa for his hard work in getting this critical water supply project authorized within both houses of Congress, as well as making sure the funding for the Camp Pendleton side of the project got approved at every level,\" said Former Congressman Ron Packard, who previously represented the 49th District.\nFor years,Congressman Issa has worked with the Fallbrook Public Utilities District and the federal government in order to resolve this long-standing conflict and bring it to resolution.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lamalfa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-heads-to-house-and-senate-floor", "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Heads to House and Senate Floor", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Doug LaMalfa", "L000578", "lamalfa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC)  Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after the bicameral conference committee reached a consensus on H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The House and Senate will each vote on final passage of the bill next week.\nLaMalfa said: As my staff and I review this bill through the weekend, this appears to be a bill that will benefit Americas working families. Over 70% of residents in the 1st District already use the standard deduction  which will be nearly doubled  and will see an immediate tax break when this legislation goes into effect. Additionally, over 45,000 North State families with children will receive a tax credit of $2,000 per child under the expanded Child Tax Credit. Middle income families will be helped by corporate tax reform, which will create jobs. Finally, with Obamacares individual mandate repealed, taxpayers will no longer pay a penalty if they cant afford rapidly rising healthcare costs. Tax reform will spark our economy and greatly benefit the vast majority of filers in my district.\nHighlights of the final version of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:\n Increases the Standard Deduction from $6,350 to $12,000 for individuals and from $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples.\n\tCuts marginal tax rates at every income level.\n\tPreserves Home Mortgage Interest deduction up to $750,000.\n\tPreserves credits and deductions for adoption, medical expenses, teacher expenses, and student loan debt.\n\tChild Tax Credit increased from $1,000 to $2,000.\n\t$1,400 of the Child Tax Credit is available to families even if they pay no income tax.\n\tCorporate Tax rate lowered to 21%.\n\tSmall Business Tax Rate capped at 20%, down from 29.6%.\n\tRepeals the Obamacare Individual Health Insurance Mandate.\n\tBoosts exemption for the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) from $78,750 to $500,000.\n Repeal of ACA Individual Mandate Penalty (Health Care Individual Responsibility Payment):\nThis is the fine levied on individuals for failure to maintain health insurance coverage and is levied per month without insurance.\n Number of CA01 filers fined in 2015: 15,735.\n\tAverage fine in 2015/Average Savings under HR1: $468.82.\n\tTotal CA01 savings under H.R. 1: $7,377,000\n\tFor more information on ACA fine, click here.\n Debunking false claims about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:\nThe Washington Post: Senate Democrats falsely claim GOP tax plan will raise taxes for most working-class families\nThe Post gave this claim four Pinocchios, stating: In their haste to condemn the GOP tax plan, Democrats have spread far and wide the false claim that families making less than $86,100 on average will face a hefty tax hike. Actually, its the opposite. Most families in that income range would get a tax cut.\nThe Washington Post: Schumer's Claim That the GOP Is 'Kicking 13 Million People Off Health Insurance\nThe Post gave this claim two Pinocchios, stating: CBO, in estimating the impact of repealing the individual mandate, is mostly describing a voluntary action of people choosing not to buy health insurance. That's not the same as 'kicking off' 13 million people Senate Democrats need to more accurately describe the CBO report.\nThe nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimates that the federal government would see an increase in revenue of $458 billion over the next decade from the economic growth created under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, while growing the nations GDP on average by 0.8 percent.\nThomas Barthold, Chief of Staff for JCT said, In 2019, our projectionswould say that there is a tax benefit to all income categories as we measure them.\nThe nonpartisan Tax Foundation:Our results indicate a reduction in tax liability for every scenario we modeled, with some of the largest cuts accruing to moderate-income families with children and fixed-income retireesAll of our sample filers receive a tax cut, but the size of that reduction varies. The significantly higher standard deduction, combined with a more generous (and more broadly available) child tax credit, drives the reductions in tax liability for low- and middle-income filers.\nMany claimed this legislation would harm graduate students  this has been proven to be untrue, as H.R. 1 continues to exempt the value of reduced tuition from taxes.\n1st District Tax Facts:\nIn the 1st district, over 70% of taxpayers do not itemize and instead use the standard deduction. 79% of those using the standard deduction earn less than $100,000 annually. These people will see a direct and guaranteed tax cut. This component is aimed squarely at cutting working and middle class taxes.\nOver 45,000 North State families save over $27 million annually thanks to the increase in the Child Tax Credit, which grows 100% to $2,000 per child, and the bill keeps the important Adoption Tax Credit and Child & Dependent Care Tax Credits in place.\nCongressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing Californias 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"], ["https://denham.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2184", "Vietnam veteran and former U.S. Navy Boatswains Mate Harold \u201cAl\u201d Pound shares his story", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "denham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) today released a new Thank-a-Vet Thursday (#TVT) video featuring Vietnam veteran and former U.S. Navy Boatswains Mate Harold Al Pound of Modesto.\r\n\r\nShared on Rep. Denhams Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages, this #TVT video is an excerpt from a longer interview for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.\r\n\r\nPound served on the USS Eversole DD789 destroyer during the Vietnam War. For his service, Pound was awarded a National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal with Palm Ribbon. He serves the community in his work through the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) as well as volunteering this time every year with Toys for Tots.\r\n\r\nPounds story is shared as part of Rep. Denhams #TVT social media initiative to thank veterans for their service. Rep. Denham invites and encourages social media users to post photos and videos using #TVT to recognize Americas military veterans. All #TVT videos can be found on Rep. Denhams YouTube channel and official Facebook page.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://knight.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1447", "Knight working to protect Net Neutrality", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Steve Knight", "K000387", "knight.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On December 13, 2017 Representative Steve Knight (R-CA) called Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai to express his concern about the Commission's plan to reverse the 2015 classification of broadband internet as a Title II Common Carrier service under the Communications Act. Commonly known as \"Net Neutrality,\" this standard barred internet service providers from giving preferential or biased internet speeds to specific websites or online services. On December 14, the FCC voted 3 - 2 to proceed with this planned reversal.\"I'm disappointed in the FCC's decision.\" said Rep. Knight \"Data is data, and I believe if you pay for a specific bandwidth of internet speed, you should not be restricted from using that data stream as you best see fit.\"\"Net Neutrality protects small businesses from being placed on an uneven playing field when competing online against larger companies who may have stronger relationships with ISP's. Net Neutrality takes the politics out of the internet and fosters an environment in which the companies that succeed are the ones who provide the best services and product to consumers.\"Rep. Knight is now working with several of his colleagues to seek a legislative solution to protect consumers while simultaneously allowing innovation and investment to create a modern internet infrastructure.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lamalfa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lamalfa-votes-to-strengthen-financial-oversight-on-iran", "LaMalfa Votes to Strengthen Financial Oversight on Iran", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Doug LaMalfa", "L000578", "lamalfa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 4324, the Strengthening Oversight of Iran\u2019s Access to Finance Act. The bill would require the Secretary of the Treasury to report to Congress any transactions authorized for financial institutions in connection with exporting commercial aircraft to Iran.\nLaMalfa said: \u201cIt\u2019s no secret that Iran exploits the use of civilian planes for military purposes. Iran Air was sanctioned for transporting missiles to Syria in 2011, but the Obama Administration lifted these sanctions under the misguided Iran Nuclear Deal. What was the result? Weapon resupply routes using commercial aircraft resumed. Given Iran\u2019s status as a state-sponsor of terrorism, Congress and the American people have the right to know if any of the money from aircraft sales completed after the nuclear deal funded human rights abuses, terrorism, or weapon sales. That\u2019s exactly what this legislation accomplishes.\u201d\nIran\u2019s deployment of missiles, rockets, and other military cargo through the state-owned Iran Air on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran\u2019s Defense Ministry led to the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioning the carrier in 2011. It was discovered that Iran Air had also transported weapons to Syria \u2013 another state-sponsor of terrorism \u2013 where a civil conflict at the time claimed an estimated 400,000 lives. Research by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies shows that Iran Air has conducted at least 134 flights to Syria since 2016, including well-known weapon resupply routes.\nIn addition, the House also passed H.R. 1638, the Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act. This bill requires the Department of the Treasury \u2013 in order to prevent the financing of terrorism, money laundering, or related illicit finance and to make financial institutions' required compliance with remaining sanctions more easily understood \u2013 to submit within 270 days and annually thereafter for the next two years a report on the assets held by top political and military leaders in Iran.\nCongressman Doug 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"], ["https://rohrabacher.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rohrabacher-pays-tribute-to-endless-summer-maker-on-house-floor", "Rohrabacher Pays Tribute to Endless Summer Maker on House Floor", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Dana Rohrabacher", "R000409", "rohrabacher.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Marking the passing, at age 80, of Bruce Brown, the legendary documentarian of the surf culture, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher on Wednesday gave the following remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives:\nBruce Brown challenged a generation of Americans to follow our dream, to find our perfect wave. He reached out to introduce us to the magic experience of being propelled by the power of nature on an ocean wave. Adventure and a rush of excitement was as near as a local beach.\nBruce Brown made movies about surfing. \u201cEndless Summer\u201d was his best known. But his films were more than entertainment. He spoke to our soul and our spirit of adventure.\nMy first surfboard was a large, single fin, Velzy. Dale Velzy, who owned a surf shop in San Clemente, financed Bruce Brown\u2019s first surf film, Slippery When Wet. The surf culture Bruce Brown helped get born is still here. Outsiders are intrigued by it. You know when you\u2019re part of it. Bruce Brown showed us the way. A few days ago he passed away and is paddling into the distant sunset.\nHe followed his dream, he found his perfect wave, and rode it as far as it would take him.\n\u00a0\n#####################\nKenneth Grubbs, 202-225-2415\n\u00a0\nTo view Rep. Rohrabacher's floor speech, please visit this link.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://calvert.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397616", "California National Guard to Receive Upgraded Blackhawk Helicopters", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Ken Calvert", "C000059", "calvert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) and Congressman Ed Royce (CA-39) announced that the California National Guard will be receiving upgraded Blackhawk helicopters. Specifically, the Guard\u2019s old UH-60L/A Blackhawks will be replaced by with UH-60M Mike models.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe California National Guard deserves modern equipment to carry out its mission,\u201d said Rep. Calvert. \u201cProviding our Guard with these upgraded Blackhawks has been a high priority. In recent days, the Guard has utilized its Blackhawk fleet to help combat the California wildfires. With upgraded aircraft, the Guard will be in a better position to help California.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cInvesting in California\u2019s National Guard has proven to save countless lives when unexpected danger strikes,\u201d said Rep. Royce. \u201cIn Southern California, the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base (JFTB) is vitally important to federal and state contingency operations and is essential to keeping the public safe. The addition of the upgraded Blackhawk helicopters means that JFTB will be able to better serve Californians when we need them the most.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n\"The Cal Guard is the nation's most frequently deployed National Guard force, and our Black Hawk helicopters are pivotal to many of our missions. Whether it's battling wildfires at home or terror overseas, these cutting-edge aircraft enhance our ability to respond when California or the nation calls,\" said Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin, Adjutant General of the California National Guard. \"I'm grateful to Congressman Calvert and Congressman Royce for their ongoing dedication to our Guardsmen. They understand our soldiers need the best and latest tools to accomplish their mission.\"\r\n\u00a0\r\nRep. Calvert, Vice-Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and Rep. Royce, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, led the effort along with other California members to advocate for the Guard\u2019s Blackhawk upgrade through the Defense authorization and appropriations bills. The California National Guard currently has one of the oldest Blackhawk fleets while also having one of the highest utilization rates.\u00a0 \r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398589", "Reps. Royce, Maloney, Love, and Keating Applaud Unanimous Committee Passage of Bill to Combat Human Trafficking", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Edward Royce", "R000487", "royce.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Representatives Ed Royce (R-CA), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Mia Love (R-UT), and Bill Keating (D-MA) released the following statements after the House Financial Services Committee unanimously passed the End Banking for Human Traffickers Act (H.R. 2219) during a full committee markup: \u201cIn order to stop sex trafficking in our local communities and around the world, we must constantly strive to be one step ahead of the perpetrators who commit these horrible crimes,\u201d said Rep. Royce. \u201cThis abhorrent trade is increasingly carried out by sophisticated international criminals who pose a threat to U.S. national security interests. The End Banking for Human Traffickers Act will hit these criminals where it hurts the most: their bank accounts. I\u2019m pleased to see this bipartisan solution continue to gain support in order to proactively fight human trafficking before it occurs.\u201d\r\n                        \u201cHuman trafficking is happening in this day and age, in this country and all around the globe,\u201d said Rep. Maloney. \u201cIt is the fastest-growing criminal enterprise in the world, generating more than $150 billion in profits every year. Some of those funds are undoubtedly flowing through U.S. financial institutions \u2013 with or without their knowledge. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to make sure that financial institutions are actively monitoring for money laundering specifically related to human trafficking. This bill will help us crack down on this despicable industry and I am proud to join my friend Rep. Royce in this effort and thank him for his leadership.\u201d\r\n                        \u201cHuman trafficking, in all its destructive forms, earns criminals roughly $150 billion per year,\u201d said Rep. Love. \u201cIt is more profitable and sophisticated than ever. Therefore, we must ensure our response is cooperative and multifaceted in order to root out these activities wherever they are. The End Banking for Human Traffickers Act of 2017 represents a crucial step in our efforts to defeat these tragic crimes, and I\u2019m grateful for the efforts of Chairman Royce and the Committee to advance it.\u201d\r\n                        \u201cYesterday's markup underscores two important facts: that human trafficking continues to present a serious challenge for law enforcement that must be addressed, and that the most effective way to do so \u2013 as is true with most threats to human security \u2013 is in a bipartisan manner,\u201d said Rep. Keating. \u201cI am proud to be a sponsor of this common-sense bill with my colleagues Reps. Royce, Maloney, and Love, which will provide law enforcement and their partners with the tools necessary to prevent human trafficking and hold perpetrators responsible for their horrific crimes.\u201d\r\n                        \u00a0\r\n                        Background:\r\n                        The End Banking for Human Traffickers Act amends the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 to add the Secretary of the Treasury as a member of the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking. The task force must submit to Congress recommendations for the revision of anti-money laundering programs to specifically target money laundering related to human trafficking.\r\n                        The full bill text of H.R. 2219 can be found HERE. \r\n                        ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398622", "In Case You Missed It: California National Guard to Receive Upgraded Blackhawk Helicopters", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Edward Royce", "R000487", "royce.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In Case You Missed It: California National Guard to Receive Upgraded Blackhawk Helicopters \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 13, 2017\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n      \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      \r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                    \r\n                        \r\n                        \r\n                        \r\n                            \r\n                                \r\n                                    \r\n                                \r\n                            \r\n                        \r\n                        \r\n                        WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) and Congressman Ed Royce (CA-39) announced that the California National Guard will be receiving upgraded Blackhawk helicopters. Specifically, the Guard\u2019s old UH-60L/A Blackhawks will be replaced by with UH-60M Mike models. \r\n                        \u201cThe California National Guard deserves modern equipment to carry out its mission,\u201d said Rep. Calvert. \u201cProviding our Guard with these upgraded Blackhawks has been a high priority. In recent days, the Guard has utilized its Blackhawk fleet to help combat the California wildfires. With upgraded aircraft, the Guard will be in a better position to help California.\u201d\r\n                        \u201cInvesting in California\u2019s National Guard has proven to save countless lives when unexpected danger strikes,\u201d said Rep. Royce. \u201cIn Southern California, the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base (JFTB) is vitally important to federal and state contingency operations and is essential to keeping the public safe. The addition of the upgraded Blackhawk helicopters means that JFTB will be able to better serve Californians when we need them the most.\u201d\r\n                        \u201cThe Cal Guard is the nation's most frequently deployed National Guard force, and our Black Hawk helicopters are pivotal to many of our missions. Whether it's battling wildfires at home or terror overseas, these cutting-edge aircraft enhance our ability to respond when California or the nation calls,\u201d said Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin, Adjutant General of the California National Guard. \u201cI'm grateful to Congressman Calvert and Congressman Royce for their ongoing dedication to our Guardsmen. They understand our soldiers need the best and latest tools to accomplish their mission.\u201d\r\n                        Rep. Calvert, Vice-Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and Rep. Royce, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, led the effort along with other California members to advocate for the Guard\u2019s Blackhawk upgrade through the Defense authorization and appropriations bills. The California National Guard currently has one of the oldest Blackhawk fleets while also having one of the highest utilization rates.\r\n                        ###\r\n                        \r\n                    \r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://calvert.house.gov/media/press-releases/california-national-guard-receive-upgraded-blackhawk-helicopters", "California National Guard to Receive Upgraded Blackhawk Helicopters", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Ken Calvert", "C000059", "calvert.house.gov", "calvert", "https://calvert.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) and Congressman Ed Royce (CA-39) announced that the California National Guard will be receiving upgraded Blackhawk helicopters. Specifically, the Guard's old UH-60L/A Blackhawks will be replaced by with UH-60M Mike models.\n\n\"The California National Guard deserves modern equipment to carry out its mission,\" said Rep. Calvert. \"Providing our Guard with these upgraded Blackhawks has been a high priority. In recent days, the Guard has utilized its Blackhawk fleet to help combat the California wildfires. With upgraded aircraft, the Guard will be in a better position to help California.\"\n\n\"Investing in California's National Guard has proven to save countless lives when unexpected danger strikes,\" said Rep. Royce. \"In Southern California, the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base (JFTB) is vitally important to federal and state contingency operations and is essential to keeping the public safe. The addition of the upgraded Blackhawk helicopters means that JFTB will be able to better serve Californians when we need them the most.\"\n\n\"The Cal Guard is the nation's most frequently deployed National Guard force, and our Black Hawk helicopters are pivotal to many of our missions. Whether it's battling wildfires at home or terror overseas, these cutting-edge aircraft enhance our ability to respond when California or the nation calls,\" said Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin, Adjutant General of the California National Guard. \"I'm grateful to Congressman Calvert and Congressman Royce for their ongoing dedication to our Guardsmen. They understand our soldiers need the best and latest tools to accomplish their mission.\"\n\nRep. Calvert, Vice-Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and Rep. Royce, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, led the effort along with other California members to advocate for the Guard's Blackhawk upgrade through the Defense authorization and appropriations bills. The California National Guard currently has one of the oldest Blackhawk fleets while also having one of the highest utilization rates.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["https://cook.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-paul-cook-votes-to-publicize-and-combat-iranian-government", "Rep. Paul Cook Votes to Publicize and Combat Iranian Government Corruption", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Paul Cook", "C001094", "cook.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON-\u00a0\u00a0 Rep. Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) today voted for HR 1638, the Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act. The bill passed the House with bipartisan support.\nThe US State Department classifies Iran as the world\u2019s \u201cforemost state sponsor of terrorism\u201d and a country of \u201cprimary concern\u201d for money laundering. This legislation requires the Department of Treasury to provide a report on steps that can be taken to prevent the financing of terrorism, money laundering, or related illicit finance and to help clarify the ways that financial institutions and legitimate businesses can comply with existing sanctions. The report would detail assets under control of the Iranian regime\u2019s leadership, how the assets were acquired, and how they are being used by Iran\u2019s top military and political leaders. The report would be submitted to Congress and available on the Treasury\u2019s website in English as well as the three main languages used in Iran: Farsi, Arabic, and Azeri.\nMany members of Iran\u2019s senior political and military leadership have acquired significant personal wealth by using their positions to secure control of major portions of the Iranian national economy. This bill will provide public reporting on the sources and uses of concentrated wealth held by top Iranian leaders and will help businesses throughout the world avoid doing business with leaders who support terrorism.\nRep. Cook said, \u201cThis bill will help us to identify the assets of Iran\u2019s tyrannical leaders which have been used to support terrorism against the US and our allies. By identifying these\u00a0 assets, we can better combat Iranian money laundering schemes and will help us to revise US sanctions to make them more effective at preventing Iranian officials from using funds to support terror and develop ballistic missile technology.\u201d\nA member of the House Natural Resources, Armed Services, 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://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hr-1349-restoring-the-original-intent-of-the-wilderness-act-to-allow", "H.R. 1349 \u2013 Restoring the Original Intent of the Wilderness Act to Allow Bicycles in Wilderness Areas", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Tom McClintock", "M001177", "mcclintock.house.gov", "mcclintock", "https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "The House Natural Resources Committee today voted to pass H.R. 1349 by Congressman Tom McClintock. The bill would restore the original intent of the Wilderness Act to allow bicycles and other forms of human-powered locomotion in wilderness areas at the discretion of local land managers.\n\nBicycles were originally permitted in wilderness areas from the time Congress enacted the Wilderness Act until 1977 when federal bureaucrats began adopting blanket prohibitions against their use, closing Wilderness areas that are now equivalent to the entire land area of California.\n\nOne of the principal objectives McClintock has set as Chairman of the Sub-committee on Federal Lands is to restore public access to the public lands. The bill would restore to federal land managers the option to permit non-motorized mountain bikes, adaptive cycles, strollers and game-carts in Wilderness areas where their use is compatible with the environment, trail conditions and existing uses.\n\nThe measure is supported by the Sustainable Trails Coalition and was adopted by a vote of 22-18. It now goes to the House floor.\n\nCongressman McClintock delivered remarks in support of the legislation at the Natural Resources committee hearing:\n\nMr. Chairman:\n\nThank you for scheduling my bill, H.R. 1349 for markup. This bill was brought to me by the Sustainable Trails Coalition and advances one of the principal objectives of the Federal Lands Sub-Committee: to restore public access to our public lands.\n\nSpecifically, this bill will restore the original intent of the Wilderness Act to allow bicycles in wilderness areas. People who enjoy mountain biking have just as much right to use the public trails as those who enjoy hiking, packing or horseback riding, and our wilderness areas were never intended by Congress to prohibit human-powered mountain bikes.\n\nIn fact, a year after he signed the Wilderness Act of 1964, Lyndon Johnson said, \"The forgotten outdoorsmen of today are those who like to walk, hike, ride horseback or bicycle. For them we must have trails as well as highways.\"\n\nWhen the House considered the Wilderness Act in June of 1964, the record is clear that its framers intended that the term \"mechanical transport\" be applied to non-human-powered vehicles like motorcycles \u2013 not human-powered devices like bicycles. The Forest Service built this understanding into its original implementing regulations by explicitly allowing all forms of human-powered travel in Wilderness areas.\n\nBicycles were allowed in wilderness areas from the inception of the Act in 1964 until 1977, when the Forest Service reinterpreted the act to ban them. This met with a stern rebuke from Senator Frank Church, one of the key sponsors of the Wilderness Act, who protested that \"the agencies are applying provisions of the Wilderness Act too strictly and misconstruing the intent of Congress as to how these areas should be managed.\"\n\nIn 1980, Congress explicitly listed bicycling as a permissible use when it established the Rattlesnake Wilderness in Montana, and the Forest Service then rewrote its regulation for that area to allow bicycles unless the local forest manager banned them. In fact, Congress, which has sole constitutional authority over the public lands, has never voted to ban bicycle use in Wilderness areas, and its consistent precedent has been to allow them.\n\nMany scientific studies have concluded that mountain bikes cause no more environmental wear and tear than hiking or horseback riding. A 1994 study by Wilson and Seney at Montana State University found that tires caused less erosion than hiking and horseback riding. A study at the University of Tasmania, Australia made similar findings.\n\nBicycles peacefully co-exist with backpacking, hiking, horseback riding and packing on any other public lands \u2013 and they did for many years in Wilderness areas. It is ludicrous to suggest that they are only incompatible in Wilderness areas \u2013 and then only since 1977.\n\nA continuing maintenance problem in Wilderness areas is underutilized trails that disappear with disuse. Restoring bicycle access to our wilderness areas means that fewer trails will disappear over time.\n\nIn addition, trails maintenance is significantly hampered by the current ban on wheelbarrows \u2013 H.R. 1349 specifically allows them.\n\nThere has been a lot of misinformation over the effect of this bill. It only removes the current blanket prohibition against bicycles and other forms of human-powered locomotion established by bureaucratic regulation.\n\nLet me make this very clear: It in no way interferes with the discretion provided in other regulations and laws that gives land managers the ability to close or restrict the use of trails according to site-specific conditions. These agencies have always had authority for example, to prohibit access if a trail is damaged or is incompatible with other uses, and that authority is undisturbed by this law.\n\nWe set aside our public lands, in the words of the original Yosemite Charter, for \"public use, resort and recreation.\" This bill restores this principle for America's mountain bikers on our public lands.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398587", "Rep. Royce: Secret Taxpayer-Funded Settlements Betray the Trust of the American People", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Edward Royce", "R000487", "royce.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Royce: Secret Taxpayer-Funded Settlements Betray the Trust of the American People \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 12, 2017\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      \r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                    \r\n                        \r\n                        WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Representative Royce (R-CA) released the following statement after becoming a cosponsor of H.R. 4494, the Congressional Accountability and Hush Fund Elimination Act, legislation to inject accountability and transparency into the process for harassment claims paid out under the Congressional Accountability Act and ends the ability for Members of Congress to use taxpayer dollars to settle future sexual harassment or sexual assault claims:\u201cMembers of Congress are public servants of the people and should not be afforded a privileged status. There is absolutely no justification for Members of the House and Senate being able to use taxpayer dollars and forced non-disclosure agreements to cover up sexual harassment settlements. This not only betrays the trust of American taxpayers, it also creates incentives for bad behavior and produces a hostile work environment. This harmful practice must end now and I\u2019m pleased to see so many of my colleagues\u2014on both sides of the aisle\u2014support this common sense legislation.\u201d\r\n                        Background:\r\n                        \r\n                        (Courtesy of Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) \r\n                        The Congressional Accountability and Hush Fund Elimination Act will:\r\n                        \r\n                            Require disclosure within 30 calendar days of all settlement payments funded by taxpayers, the reason for the payment and the nature of the allegation, and the member of Congress or congressional staffer implicated in the matter.\r\n                            Prohibit the future use of taxpayer dollars to pay sexual harassment and sexual assault claims against members of Congress and staff.\r\n                            Prohibit members of Congress from using office budgets to camouflage payments.\r\n                            Require members of Congress and staff that have ever been named in a sexual harassment or sexual assault settlement paid for by taxpayers reimburse the U.S. Treasury with interest.\r\n                            Any individual who received an award may make public statements about the claims notwithstanding the terms of a nondisclosure agreement and nondisclosure agreements cannot be made a condition of any future settlements.\r\n                        \r\n                        The full text of H.R. 4494 can be found HERE.\r\n                        \r\n                    \r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://issa.house.gov/news-room/press-releases/issa-implores-tax-conference-committee-restore-salt-and-wildfire-tax", "Issa Implores Tax Conference Committee To Restore SALT and Wildfire Tax Deductions", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Vista) today sent a letter to members of the Conference Committee on tax reform, urging them to restore the state and local tax deduction (SALT) and deductions for the victims of wildfires to the final bill. In his message, Congressman Issa also enclosed letters he received from local officials in his district asking him to keep SALT in place, given its importance to California taxpayers.\u00a0\n\tDecember 12, 2017\n\t\u00a0\n\tDear Leader McConnell, Speaker Ryan, Leader Schumer, Leader Pelosi and Conferees,\n\t\u00a0\n\tI write to express serious concerns with the House and Senate passed tax reform proposals which, as written, could leave many constituents in my district facing significant tax increases. As the Conference Committee works toward a final package, I ask that changes be made to ensure that the final plan will bring relief for all of our nation\u2019s taxpayers \u2013 California residents\n\tincluded.\n\t\u00a0\n\tIt\u2019s been more than three decades since we\u2019ve overhauled our tax code. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver real reprieve from years of heavy-handed, misguided tax policy that has left millions paying more to their government and getting less in return. We must not squander this moment by passing a bill that does not allow all hard-working taxpayers to see\n\trelief.\n\t\u00a0\n\tDone correctly, tax reform has the potential to restore America\u2019s global competitiveness, generate widespread economic opportunity, unleash untold levels of job creation, and allow families to keep even more of their hard-earned paychecks. Done poorly, a tax bill would pick winners and losers, and unnecessarily punish some taxpayers to the benefit of others.\n\t\u00a0\n\tAs its written today, I fear the bill looks more like the latter than the former.\n\t\u00a0\n\tCalifornians already endure some of the highest housing costs, the highest state sales taxes, the highest state income taxes, and the highest gas prices in the nation. They\u2019ve been buried under the weight of high state tax and regulatory burdens which, together, have made it increasingly difficult to get ahead.\n\t\u00a0\n\tYes, the tax factory known as the California State Legislature is the root cause of the problem. But my constituents did not ask me \u2013 or any Republican for that matter \u2013 to vote to make their tax burden even worse.\n\t\u00a0\n\tThe House and Senate tax reform proposals do not guarantee relief for constituents in my district, and in fact, may result in a net increase in their financial liability to the federal government. Among the plan\u2019s deficiencies is the elimination of the State and Local Tax Deduction (SALT) which since the advent of our federal income tax has prevented the double taxation of Americans\u2019 income and allowed states to operate as laboratories of experiment as our founders intended. Eliminating this important deduction would be a mistake that would undo years of precedent that, in our federalist system, has said that the federal government may calculate its tax liability only after state and local taxes have first been deducted.\n\t\u00a0\n\tUnlike other states \u2013 Wisconsin and Kentucky, for example \u2013 California is a donor state, meaning it gets back less from the federal government than it pays in. Without changes to this plan, taxpayers in my state will continue being asked to pay even more only to subsidize benefits for citizens elsewhere.\n\t\u00a0\n\tFurthermore, as devastating wildfires continue to ravage our state, it would be unthinkable to do away with important and much-needed relief for constituents who\u2019ve lost their homes, property and livelihoods. We must ensure that those who\u2019ve already lost so much, won\u2019t be left without the important relief they need to rebuild and restore their lives. I know Majority Leader McCarthy and others are working diligently to address this concern by the end of the year, but we must ensure disaster relief is not weakened through this tax bill.\n\t\u00a0\n\tI implore the Conference Committee to include these proposals, as many of the cities I represent suggest in the enclosed letters. We have the opportunity to make the tax code work for all Americans. Now, let\u2019s get the details right.\n\t\u00a0\n\tSincerely,\n\t\u00a0\n\tCongressman Darrell Issa", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mimi-walters-fy18-ndaa-strengthens-our-military-cares-our-troops", "Rep. Mimi Walters: FY18 NDAA Strengthens Our Military & Cares for Our Troops", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Mimi Walters", "W000820", "walters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 12, 2017 \n (202) 225-5611 \n Rep. Mimi Walters: FY18 NDAA Strengthens Our Military & Cares for Our Troops \nWashington, DC \u2013 Representative Mimi Walters (R-California) released the following statement after the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (FY18 NDAA) was signed into law. \u00a0\nSaid Rep. Walters, \u201cThe United States faces a growing number of national security threats from terrorist organizations and rogue nations.\u00a0 To counter these threats our military must have the tools and resources to carry out their mission.\u00a0 The FY18 NDAA addresses these needs by improving readiness and capabilities of our troops. \n\u201cUnder this new law, increased investments in military equipment and capabilities will help deter and defeat overseas threats.\u00a0 Specifically, this law provides for improved missile defense systems that will help shield Orange County from North Korean aggression.\u00a0 The FY18 NDAA also supports our brave men and women in uniform, who will receive a 2.4% pay raise, the largest in eight years, and have expanded access to health care services.\u00a0 Additionally, the FY18 NDAA assists the families of the fallen by permanently preserving the allowance for surviving spouses. \n\u201cThe FY18 NDAA rebuilds our military after years of cuts and provides for troops protecting us around the globe.\u00a0 I am pleased that this new law will provide the Department of Defense the resources it needs to protect national security.\u201d\nWalters represents California\u2019s 45th District and serves on the House Energy and Commerce", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398480", "OPINION: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is Real Relief for Families", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "David Valadao", "V000129", "valadao.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The sprawling landscape of California\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Central Valley is home to some of the hardest workers in the nation; immigrants who came to America looking for a better life, farmers who have cultivated the land for generations, and parents who wished to raise their children in our small towns. However, rural communities face difficult challenges. This is especially evident in the Central Valley where unemployment levels are double the national average and far too many families live paycheck to paycheck. In my own congressional district, unemployment rests at 10.2 percent, the median household income barely reaches $40,000, and a staggering 27.2 percent of my constituents live in poverty. Our communities are resilient, but my constituents deserve relief. That\u00e2\u0080\u0099s why Congress has spent the last several months working to reform our tax system and we are closer than ever to delivering real tax relief to the American people. By creating a simpler and fairer tax code, we will create jobs, grow our economy, and increase the amount of money Central Valley workers take home. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will simplify our tax code by creating five tax brackets instead of seven \u00e2\u0080\u0093 making it easier and less time consuming for my constituents to file their taxes. In fact, nine out of 10 Americans will be able to file their taxes on a form the size of a postcard. Eighty-three percent of households in California\u00e2\u0080\u0099s 21st Congressional District do not itemize their taxes and instead, claim the standard deduction. One of the most critical reforms included in the tax reform package is the increase of the standard deduction. Our plan will DOUBLE the standard deduction from $12,700 to $24,000, so Americans can keep more of their paycheck. That means that the first $24,000 a family makes will be tax-free. With the growing cost of gas, groceries, and other every day household items, Central Valley families have learned how to stretch a dollar. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act increases the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $1,600 to help parents with the cost of raising children. The average home price in California\u00e2\u0080\u0099s 21st Congressional District is $168,000 and a mere 1 percent of new mortgages are over half a million dollars. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act preserves the mortgage interest deduction for individuals who have already purchased a home and will not impact future mortgages totaling less than $500,000. Our plan also preserves the property tax provisions of the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, to allow Californians to write off the cost of state and local property taxes up to $10,000. Altogether, under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the typical American family will receive an annual tax cut of $1,182 and the average American will see a wage increase of $4,000. As we get closer to passing comprehensive tax reform, some critics are claiming tax reform would lead to across-the- board spending cuts. Let me be clear: this will not happen. While there are numerous legislative methods Congress can utilize to protect the programs and resources Americans rely on every day, these claims fail to take into account the significant economic growth that will result from comprehensive reform. Economists predict the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will lead to more jobs, higher wages, and a better standard of living for all Americans. In fact, by reforming the way small businesses pay taxes and making American companies competitive globally, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is expected to create nearly 900,000 jobs throughout the United States, 111,108 of which will be in California alone. The Council of Economic Advisers predicts our tax plan will boost or Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 3 to 5 percent, bringing more investment and desperately needed jobs to America. As Congress begins to reconcile the differences between the Senate and House tax reform proposals, one thing remains clear: my constituents have struggled under our outdated tax system for far too long. Reforming our tax code to make it simpler and fairer will create jobs, grow our economy, and increase the amount of money Central Valley workers take home to their families. 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://issa.house.gov/news-room/press-releases/rep-issa-statement-wildfires-san-diego-county", "Rep. Issa Statement on Wildfires in San Diego County", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VISTA, Calif. -- Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Vista) released the following statement as the devastating Lilac wildfire continues to spread through the San Diego region:\n\u00a0\n\u201cMy heart is heavy today from the destruction of the latest wildfires in our community. I pray for the safety of everyone in our area, for the families who\u2019ve lost homes, property, and for the many more who\u2019ve been forced to flee as this devastating fire continues to spread.\n\u00a0\nMy office and I have been in touch with local officials on the ground and have offered our support and the assurance that we will make whatever resources they need available as they work to save lives, contain the blaze and eventually rebuild and restore what was lost. I appreciate the swift response from all of our emergency responders and volunteers as well as the call for, and prompt approval of, a federal emergency declaration that will allow assets at all levels of government to be fully deployed.\n\u00a0\nTo all those in our area: safety is our first concern. Please continue heeding public safety warnings, keep an eye on the news, stay alert and evacuate if necessary. Any constituent who needs help should contact my office to see how we can be of assistance.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://denham.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2171", "Rep. Denham Statement Observing National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "denham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Denham Statement Observing National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day \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 7, 2017\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      U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) issued the following statement observing National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day:\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cSeventy-six years ago, we were attacked at Pearl Harbor. While we recognize the battle that propelled the United States into World War II, we must also remember the selfless acts of our men and women in uniform as well as the many civilians that rescued survivors from the Pacific waters and the doctors, nurses and police officers who responded in the face of uncertain danger. Together they saved American lives. It is important we continue to recognize them for their call to duty and remember those that paid the ultimate price. On this Thank-a-Vet Thursday, I want to pay special tribute to the Greatest Generation.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0###\r\n\u00a0\r\nEditor\u2019s Note: U.S. Navy veteran Robert Allenby of Newman, Calif. joined the Navy in 1942 directly following U.S. entry into the war after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He shared his story with Rep. Denham\u2019s office as part of the Veterans History Project in October of this year. A preview of his full length interview can be found here, on Rep. Denham\u2019s YouTube page.\r\n\u00a0\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://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/speeches/hr-1349-restoring-the-original-intent-of-the-wilderness-act-to-allow-bicycles-in", "H.R. 1349: Restoring the Original Intent of the Wilderness Act to Allow Bicycles in Wilderness Areas", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Tom McClintock", "M001177", "mcclintock.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman McClintock has introduced H.R. 1349 to\u00a0restore the original intent of the Wilderness Act to allow bicycles in wilderness areas.\u00a0 The Congressman delivered the following remarks about\u00a0the legislation at a December 7, 2017 legislative hearing of\u00a0the House Federal Lands Subcommittee:\nHouse Committee on Natural Resources  \n\tSubcommittee on Federal Lands  \n\tDecember 7, 2017\nRemarks on H.R. 1349 by Congressman Tom McClintock:\nH.R. 1349 would restore the original intent of the Wilderness Act to allow bicycles in wilderness areas.\u00a0 People who enjoy mountain biking have just as much right to use the public trails as those who enjoy hiking or riding, and our wilderness areas were never intended by Congress to prohibit mountain bikes.\u00a0 A year after he signed the Wilderness Act of 1964, Lyndon Johnson said, \u201cThe forgotten outdoorsmen of today are those who like to walk, hike, ride horseback or bicycle.\u00a0 For them we must have trails as well as highways.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\nBicycles were allowed in wilderness areas from the inception of the Act in 1964 until 1977, when the forest service reinterpreted the act to ban them.\u00a0 This met with a stern rebuke from Senator Frank Church, one of the key sponsors of the wilderness act, who protested that \u201cthe agencies are applying provisions of the Wilderness Act too strictly and misconstruing the intent of Congress as to how these areas should be managed.\u201d\nIn 1980, Congress explicitly listed bicycling as a permissible use when it established the Rattlesnake Wilderness in Montana, and the Forest Service then rewrote its regulation to allow bicycles unless the local forest manager banned them.\u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tMany scientific studies have concluded that mountain bikes cause no more environmental wear and tear than hiking or horseback riding.\u00a0 A 1994 study by Wilson and Seney at Montana State University found that tires caused less erosion than hiking and horseback riding.\u00a0 A study at the University of Tasmania, Australia made similar findings.\nTrails maintenance is significantly hampered by the current ban on wheelbarrows \u2013 H.R. 1349 specifically allows them.\u00a0\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rohrabacher.house.gov/media-center/must-reads/rep-rohrabacher-comments-at-hearing-on-nasas-next-four-large-telescopes", "Rep. Rohrabacher Comments at Hearing on NASA's \"Next Four Large Telescopes\"", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Dana Rohrabacher", "R000409", "rohrabacher.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Representative Dana Rohrabacher asked questions of the witnesses at a hearing of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee regarding NASA's plans for its next four large telescopes. To view his comments and questions, please visit this the Science Committee's Youtube webpage.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-mimi-walters-announces-winner-congressional-app-challenge", "Congresswoman Mimi Walters Announces Winner of Congressional App Challenge", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Mimi Walters", "W000820", "walters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 7, 2017 \n (202) 225-5611 \n Congresswoman Mimi Walters Announces Winner of Congressional App Challenge \n\u00a0\nWashington, DC \u2013 Today, Rep. Mimi Walters (R-California) announced the winner of the 2017 Congressional App Challenge for California\u2019s 45th Congressional District. The Congressional App Challenge is an annual event to encourage high school students to pursue a career in STEM fields. The winners were selected by a panel of educators in Orange County who specialize in computer science and innovation.\u00a0\nSaid Rep. Walters, \u201cOrange County is home to some of the best and brightest students in our Nation. The Congressional App Challenge highlights the incredible strides that students in the 45th district have made in computer science and mobile technology. I am impressed year after year with the remarkable submissions my office receives.\n\u201cI am proud to announce that this year\u2019s winner is Sishir Giri from Tustin High School, and his app called \u2018Helpindesk.\u2019\u00a0 Shishir, who came in third place in 2016\u2019s Challenge, was able to successfully tackle a common problem for many students \u2013 access to quick and concise answers on subject matter while outside of the classroom.\u00a0\n\u201cI congratulate Shishir, and all who participated in this year\u2019s Challenge, for their incredible work and innovative apps!\u201d\n2017 Congressional App Challenge Winner, Sishir Giri\nSecond place in the 2017 Congressional App Challenge is awarded to Patrick Liu, from University High School in Irvine.\u00a0 His app, iCordisX, is a user-driven data-receiver for personalized cardiac monitoring.\u00a0\nThird place is awarded to the team of Steven Li, Brian Kim, and Michael Yu, of University High School in Irvine.\u00a0 Their app, Easy Planner, compiles numerous methods of mobile scheduling into one easy to use app.\n\u00a0\nWalters represents California\u2019s 45th District and serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cook.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-paul-cook-votes-to-protect-law-abiding-citizens-right-to-self", "Rep. Paul Cook Votes to Protect Law-Abiding Citizens Right to Self-Defense", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Paul Cook", "C001094", "cook.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON-\u00a0\u00a0 Rep. Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) today voted for HR 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017. Cook was an original co-sponsor of the bill, which passed in the House of Representatives today by a margin of 231-198.\nThe legislation ensures that law-abiding citizens\u2019 Second Amendment rights are protected when they cross state lines. It allows people with a state-issued concealed carry license or permit, or individuals who are citizens of states that do not require a permit to carry a concealed firearm, to carry a concealed handgun in any other state that allows concealed carry, as long as the individual follows the laws of that state.\nExisting state codes have created a confusing patchwork of reciprocity agreements for concealed\ncarry permit holders. Even the most careful and knowledgeable concealed carry permit holders find it difficult to navigate the current maze of state and local concealed carry laws. All 50 states already allow for some form of concealed carry, a policy that has been proven to increase public safety. A 2013 study in Applied Economic Letters found that between 1980 and 2009, \u201cstates with more restrictive concealed carry laws had gun-related murder rates that were 10 percent higher.\u201d Additionally, a 2013 survey of 15,000 current and retired police officers found that 90 percent of them support the concealed carry of guns by civilians.\nHR 38 also reauthorizes the National Instant Criminal Background Check Systems (NICS) Improvement Act and increases records submissions assistance for states. The Attorney General is required to report every two years on the improvements made to the NICS system, and law enforcement shall be notified when a prohibited person received a firearm in error. This will help ensure that criminals who have been barred from gun ownership remain unable to get their hands on firearms.\nRep. Cook said, \u201cThis important legislation will go a long way toward protecting our rights while making Americans safer. It clarifies current gun regulations, preserves the right of law-abiding citizens to right to carry a gun for self-defense, and maintains and improves safeguards to ensure we keep guns out of the hands of criminals. I urge the Senate to swiftly take up and pass this vital public safety legislation.\u201d\nA member of the House Natural Resources, Armed Services, 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://hunter.house.gov/press-release/house-passes-concealed-carry-reciprocity-act", "HOUSE PASSES CONCEALED CARRY  RECIPROCITY ACT", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Duncan Hunter", "H001048", "hunter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC --\u00a0 Congressman Duncan Hunter (CA-50) today proudly voted in favor of H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, when it passed the House by a margin of 231-198.\u00a0 This bipartisan legislation, of which Congressman Hunter is an original cosponsor, ensures that law-abiding citizens that have obtained a state-issued concealed carry license or permit for their firearm may carry a concealed handgun in any other state that allows concealed carry, as long as the individual is properly following the laws of that state.\n\u201cFor the past several years, House Republicans have successfully stopped legislative efforts attacking our 2nd Amendment.\u00a0 Today, we are being proactive by passing a common-sense measure that upholds and expands our constitutional right to bear arms while enhancing public safety at the same time,\u201d said Congressman Hunter.\u00a0 \u201cMany state laws, particularly here in California, unnecessarily restrict the ability of law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed firearm for which they are fully qualified.\u00a0 These individuals have passed background checks and have taken all the required training for knowing the laws and handling firearms.\u00a0 If we can travel from state-to-state with a driver\u2019s license, there is no good reason why we cannot do the same with concealed carry.\u201d\nStudies have shown that citizens that carry a concealed handgun are better prepared to act in their own self-defense and in the protection of others.\u00a0 Arbitrary state laws that restrict the ability of citizens to exercise their constitutional right of self-protection only benefits criminals those that seek to cause harm.\u00a0 Many states already allow for reciprocity of their license and permits, H.R. 38 would streamline regulation and make it universal across the nation while, at the same time, upholding the conditions states have in place to prevent criminals from carrying a concealed handgun.\nFollowing its passage, H.R. 38 will now be referred to the U.S. Senate for consideration where a similar bill, S.446, has already been introduced.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kevinmccarthy.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-defends-the-second-amendment", "House Defends the Second Amendment", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Kevin McCarthy", "M001165", "kevinmccarthy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. CongressmanKevin McCarthy released the following statement on House passage of H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act:\n \n\tAmerican citizens should not have their right to keep and bear arms restricted simply because they travel out of state. The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act protects every Americans Second Amendment rights by ensuring that those who are allowed to possess a concealed handgun in one state can carry in other states that permit concealed carry, as long as they observe all laws in the state that theyre in. If opponents of the Second Amendment want to take peoples rights away, they should do it the old fashioned way: convince a supermajority of the American people and amend the Constitution. Otherwise, we have a duty to defend the Constitution as it isall of it.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lamalfa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-concealed-carry-reciprocity-act", "House Passes Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Doug LaMalfa", "L000578", "lamalfa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. The bill would allow a qualified individual to possess a concealed handgun in another state that allows individuals to carry concealed firearms. Congressman LaMalfa is one of the original cosponsors of the bill.\nLaMalfa said: \u201cIf a law-abiding citizen is legally licensed to carry a gun in one state, they should be allowed to in every state. This is about uniformity and personal protection when travelling across state lines. A widely cited study by Northwestern University determined that legal firearms help to prevent around 2.1 million crimes per year. This legislation protects the constitutional rights of the millions of law-abiding gun owners in America that try to follow the rules.\u201d\nIn addition, the House also passed H.R. 4477, the Fix NICS Act. This bill strengthens the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) database by penalizing Federal Agencies who do not update the database and incentivizes State Agencies to update the database. The bill also requires Bureau of Justice Statistics to report on bump stocks.\nThe study from Northwestern University can be found here: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1144004?origin=crossref&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents\nCongressman Doug 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"], ["https://lamalfa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lamalfa-supports-declaration-of-jerusalem-as-israel-s-capital", "LaMalfa Supports Declaration of Jerusalem as Israels Capital", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Doug LaMalfa", "L000578", "lamalfa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after President Donald Trump declared that the United States will recognize Jerusalem as Israel\u2019s capital. The U.S. embassy in Israel will also be moved to Jerusalem.\nLaMalfa said: \u201cThe President\u2019s decision today to recognize Jerusalem as Israel\u2019s capital is one that I strongly support, and is simply recognizing what has long been reality. This sends a strong message that the U.S. is committed to achieving peace in the region and will not be bullied by terrorism or threats of violence. Both houses of Congress voted overwhelmingly to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in 1995, and this declaration is simply a long-overdue affirmation of that law. Recognizing the sovereignty of one of our strongest allies is a smart decision, and one that will ultimately allow for more stability in the region.\u201d\nIn 1995, Congress passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act, requiring the American Embassy to be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and calling for the undivided recognition of Jerusalem as Israel\u2019s capital. The law passed the Senate 93-5 and passed the House 374-37. Since Israel has been in control of Jerusalem, they have protected all religious sites and ensured access to them for all faiths, something that was not done previously.\u00a0\nCongressman Doug 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"], ["https://walters.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/congresswoman-mimi-walters-delivers-meals-homebound-seniors-laguna-woods", "Congresswoman Mimi Walters delivers meals to homebound seniors in Laguna Woods", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Mimi Walters", "W000820", "walters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By: Jennifer Karmarkar\nhttps://www.ocregister.com/2017/12/05/congresswoman-mimi-walters-delivers-meals-to-homebound-seniors-in-laguna-woods/\nRep. Mimi Walters, R-Laguna Beach, recently delivered Meals on Wheels to residents of Laguna Woods. The meals were picked up at the Florence Sylvester Memorial Senior Center in Laguna Hills and delivered on Nov. 21.\nOne of the meal recipients was Carolyn Peters, who later recounted, It was a 10 plus plus! It was an excellent experience. I appreciated the time that she took with me.\nWalters was accompanied by Age Well Senior Services Acting CEO Steve Moyer. Last year, through Meals on Wheels Age Well provided more than a half million meals to homebound seniors in south Orange County.\nAge Well Senior Services Acting CEO Steve Moyer, left, and Rep. Mimi Walters stand beside a Meals on Wheels delivery vehicle. (Courtesy of Age Well Senior Services)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398479", "Rep. David Valadao, House Republicans Urge  DACA Fix Before End of Year", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "David Valadao", "V000129", "valadao.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Congressman Valadao joined a group of thirty four lawmakers in sending a letter urging Speaker Paul Ryan to put a permanent solution for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) on the Floor of the House of Representatives before the end of the year.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      WASHINGTON \u00e2\u0080\u0093 Today, U.S. Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) joined a group of thirty four lawmakers in sending a letter urging Speaker of the House Paul Ryan to put a permanent solution for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives before the end of the year.\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            Congressman David G. Valadao stated, \u00e2\u0080\u009cThese young people met their obligation coming out of the shadows, passing background checks, paying necessary fees, and enrolling in school or obtaining employment. They deserve to have confidence in what their future holds.\" He continued, \"This is not a partisan issue and Congress must come together to provide a legislative solution so these individuals may continue to live in the only home they know: the United States.\"\r\n            \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\nThe DACA program is currently set to expire in March 2018, however, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) approximately 22,000 DACA individuals were unable to renew their status this year. Without a legislative solution, more than 700,000 young people face an uncertain future in the United States.The full text of the letter can be found here. BACKGROUND   \r\nThe Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program provides temporary protection from removal and work authorization to young students and veterans who grew up in the United States if they register with the federal government, pay a fee, and pass a criminal background check. More than 47,000 individuals impacted by the program reside in the four counties Congressman Valadao represents. Since being elected to Congress, Congressman Valadao has remained dedicated to repairing the broken immigration system of the United States. His personal connection to immigration, combined with the serious impact policy change will have on his constituents, have provided Valadao with a deep understanding of the issue, especially as it relates to agriculture and our guest worker program.  In 2013, Valadao was one of only three Republicans to support an immigration reform package, H.R. 15; the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. In 2015, he voted against a defense bill amendment which sought to block undocumented youth from serving in the military. Most recently, Valadao cosponsored H.R. 496, the Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy (BRIDGE) Act and H.R. 1468, the Recognizing America\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Children (RAC) Act which provides a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children. 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://cook.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-paul-cook-votes-to-cut-funding-for-palestinian-terrorists", "Rep. Paul Cook Votes to Cut Funding for Palestinian Terrorists", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Paul Cook", "C001094", "cook.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON-\u00a0\u00a0 Rep. Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) today voted for HR 1164, the Taylor Force Act. The bill, which passed the House of Representatives unanimously, would restrict US assistance to the Palestinian Authority until it stops subsidizing terrorists through \u201cpay to slay\u201d policies.\nThis legislation is in response to the Palestinian practice of rewarding terrorists with payments for committing violent acts of terror. The measure is named for U.S. Army veteran Taylor Force, who was brutally murdered by a Palestinian terrorist during an educational tour in Israel in March of 2016. Taylor was an Eagle Scout, West Point graduate, Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, and American citizen.\u00a0\nSpecifically H.R. 1164 would withhold nearly all economic aid to the West Bank and Gaza that directly benefits the Palestinian Authority (PA), unless the Secretary of State certifies that the PA: (1) is taking steps to end acts of violence against Israelis and Americans; (2) terminates payments for acts of\u00a0 terrorism against Israelis and Americans; (3) revokes or invalidates the laws authorizing or implementing compensation for acts of violence; and (4) is publicly condemning acts of violence and taking steps to investigate these acts. The legislation will not affect humanitarian aid to the region.\nRep. Cook said, \u201cWe must stop providing funding to the Palestinian Authority when they\u2019re financing and rewarding terrorism on a daily basis. Taylor Force is one of many innocent victims murdered as a result of this horrific practice. This critical legislation sends a clear message to the Palestinian Authority that it\u2019s time to stop subsidizing terrorists and murderers.\u201d\nA member of the House Natural Resources, Armed Services, 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://denham.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2169", "34 House Republicans Urge DACA Fix Before End of Year", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "denham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, 34 House Republicans, including several members of the Republican Main Street Caucus, sent a letter urging Speaker Paul Ryan to put a permanent solution for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives before the end of the year.\u00a0\r\n Although the current DACA program is set to expire in March, about 22,000 DACA individuals were unable to renew their status this year, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Without a replacement legislative solution, more than 700,000 young people face an uncertain future in the United States. The letter was led by Scott Taylor (R-Va.), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), and members of the Republican Main Street Caucus. Click here to view the letter.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cThis letter shows many Republicans are serious about finding a permanent solution to solving the DACA issue as President Trump has urged Congress to do,\u201d\u00a0said Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Chairman of the Republican Main Street Caucus.\u00a0\u201cHowever, we want to work with leadership to craft a solution that will pass, not play political games or hold government funding hostage like some of our Democrat counterparts. I appreciate the leadership of Main Street members Taylor, Newhouse, and Denham because it\u2019s important we address this issue now, rather than later.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cDreamers did what their government asked them to do. They came out of the shadows, paid a fee, passed a background check, and got a job or enrolled in school. They are making real contributions to the only country they have ever known to be home. Congress has an obligation to resolve this issue, and it needs to happen now,\u201d said Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.), Co-Chair of the Republican Main Street Caucus. \u201cFor thousands of DACA recipients across the nation, including 17,000 in my home state, every day without a legislative solution brings more uncertainty about their future,\u201d Newhouse said. \u201cDACA recipients should not be a political football. Rather than delaying until next year or pushing unrealistic partisan legislation that has no hope of being signed into law by the president, the right thing to do is for Congress to come together on a deal to give these young people certainty.\u201d \u201cNow is our time in Congress to lead with justice, mercy, and compassion for DACA recipients,\u201d said Taylor. \u201cWe need to create, negotiate, and pass a law protecting those in this stateless limbo which should also contain disincentives to future illegal immigration and increased border security measures. There are DACA recipients who are as American as myself. Americans do not punish children for their parents' sins.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kevinmccarthy.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/mccarthy-speaks-on-ca-wildfires-tax-cuts", "McCarthy Speaks on CA Wildfires, Tax Cuts", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Kevin McCarthy", "M001165", "kevinmccarthy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) delivered the following remarks at a leadership press conference today on the wildfires impacting Southern California and the latest on tax reform.\nRemarks are below or watch onlinehere.\nOn the raging wildfires in Southern California:\n \n\tThis is a devastating fire in Ventura that is just blocks away from the city hall. Weve already had one fatality. Not just our thoughts and prayers are with you, but any equipment or resources from the federal government, we will make sure its provided to work and create the synergy with those in the state and in the city. And to the first responders, we know how youve been called upon this year from the hurricanes to the fires, and we thank you for continuing to be there in the time of need.\n \nOn the positive economic impact of tax reform:\n \n\tTo the American public: Every time we get one step closer, the market goes up even higher. Were already beginning to see the benefits of really where America wants to go when it comes to the tax bill. For anyone that has a retirement account invested in a 401k, youve already seen a benefit continuing to rise with more than 58 times the market has set a new record.\n \nOn the House and Senate working together:\n \n\tI know were close but we have to finish the job. So in a short timeframe you will find the conferees will work together. I know the Senate and House will find common ground. At the end of the day well get this bill through, not for Congress but for the American people.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://knight.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1437", "Knight Requests State of Emergency for Rye Fire", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Steve Knight", "K000387", "knight.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On Tuesday, December 5, 2017, Representative Steve Knight (R-CA) reached out to Governor Jerry Brown's office to request a state of emergency be declared in Los Angeles County in response to the Rye Fire and Sylmar Fire. As of 4:30 PM Pacific time, the Rye Fire has grown to over 5,000 acres with only 5% containment. Governor Brown has declared a state of emergency in Ventura County in response to the Thomas Fire.\u00a0\"This is an extreme situation that must be responded to immediately. Unusually heavy Santa Ana winds have created extremely hazardous conditions that are causing fires to grow at an extremely fast rate. I applaud the Governor's decision to declare an emergency in Ventura County and urge him in the strongest possible manner to declare one in Los Angeles County.\" said Rep. Knight \"Emergency resources and personnel are needed in order to stop these fires as soon as possible and ensure the safety of our community.\" \"Thank you to the first responder who are actively fighting this fire and directing people to safety. To anyone in the region, it is imperative that you comply with evacuation orders and call 9-1-1 if you need immediate assistance.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://issa.house.gov/news-room/press-releases/issa-opposes-house-senate-tax-bills", "Issa Opposes House, Senate Tax Bills", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "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 Opposes House, Senate Tax Bills \n  \n  \n  \n\n  \n      \n  \n  \n      \n  \n  \n\n  \n      \n  \n  \n    Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Vista) released the following statement announcing his opposition to the Senate-passed tax reform bill which is expected to go to conference committee to be reconciled with the House bill which\u00a0he voted against\u00a0in November. \"When I voted against the House\u00a0tax reform\u00a0proposal, I\u00a0did so because I feared that many in my district could face higher taxes under its changes. The Senate bill doesn't do any better,\"\u00a0said Congressman Darrell Issa.\u00a0\"California families are already forced to endure some of\u00a0the highest state sales and income tax rates in the nation -- they deserve to see tax relief too. I oppose both proposals in their current form and I will continue to fight\u00a0for tax\u00a0relief that benefits ALL of our nation's taxpayers -- regardless of where they live. And if such a deal cannot be reached, the bill will not earn my support.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lamalfa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-heads-to-conference", "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Heads to Conference", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Doug LaMalfa", "L000578", "lamalfa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives voted to go to Conference with the Senate on H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Now that the House and Senate have each passed a version of tax reform legislation, members of both bodies can move forward in a conference committee to negotiate the differences between the two bills.\nLaMalfa said: \u201cMoving into conference on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is a big step forward for landmark tax reform. Between the doubled standard deduction, the increased Child Tax Credit, and the Family Flexibility Credit, Northern California residents will see a significant tax cut. When it\u2019s all said and done, this bill will simplify our tax code and save money for the vast majority of filers in the 1st district, and that\u2019s why I support it. This isn\u2019t about the government\u2019s money \u2013 this is about letting taxpayers keep more of their own hard-earned paychecks. I\u2019ll be working closely with the conference committee as they iron out the differences between the two bills, and I look forward to a final vote on the House floor soon.\u201d\nIn the 1st district, over 70% of taxpayers do not itemize and instead use the standard deduction. 79% of those using the standard deduction earn less than $100,000 annually. These people will see a direct and guaranteed tax cut. This component is aimed squarely at cutting working and middle class taxes.\nOver 45,000 North State families save over $27 million annually thanks to the increase in the Child Tax Credit, which grows 60% to $1,600 per child, and the bill keeps the important Adoption Tax Credit and Child & Dependent Care Tax Credits in place.\nCongressman Doug 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###\n\u00a0\nStatistics and data for California\u2019s 1st district courtesy of the IRS.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://calvert.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397615", "Rep. Calvert Statement on Kate Steinle Trial Verdict", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Ken Calvert", "C000059", "calvert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Calvert Statement on Kate Steinle Trial Verdict \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, D.C.,\r\n        November 30, 2017\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, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) issued the following statement in response to the verdict in the Kate Steinle murder trial:\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cKate Steinle\u2019s family has suffered an agonizing loss and now have been denied justice for the man who shot and killed her. If our immigration laws were enforced, Kate would be alive today. I defy anyone to defend that murderer\u2019s right to be on the San Francisco pier the night he took her life.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n ###  \r\n\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://calvert.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-calvert-statement-kate-steinle-trial-verdict", "Rep. Calvert Statement on Kate Steinle Trial Verdict", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Ken Calvert", "C000059", "calvert.house.gov", "calvert", "https://calvert.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) issued the following statement in response to the verdict in the Kate Steinle murder trial:\n\n\"Kate Steinle's family has suffered an agonizing loss and now have been denied justice for the man who shot and killed her. If our immigration laws were enforced, Kate would be alive today. I defy anyone to defend that murderer's right to be on the San Francisco pier the night he took her life.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:12:50Z"], ["https://denham.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2163", "Iraq and Afghanistan Marine Corps Vet Alexis Saavedra sets an example worth following", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "denham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) today released a new Thank-a-Vet Thursday (#TVT) video featuring Former Marine Corporal Alexis Saavedra of Salida.\r\nShared on Rep. Denham\u2019s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages, this #TVT video is an excerpt from a longer interview for the Library of Congress\u2019 Veterans History Project.\r\nFormer Corporal Alexis Saavedra joined the U.S. Marine Corps in January 2007, and she completed tours in Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom from 2007 until her retirement in 2011. A single mom, Saavedra is currently using her GI bill to attend California State University Stanislaus and is the first member of her family to attend a four-year university. Saavedra has inspired several of her family members to serve in the military or attend college. For her service, Saavedra was awarded a Letter of Appreciation, Certificate of Appreciation, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with one Service Star, three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one Service Star, NATO Medal \u2013 ISAF \u2013 Afghanistan, Expert Rifle Badge, and Marksman Pistol Badge.\r\nSaavedra\u2019s story is shared as part of Rep. Denham\u2019s #TVT social media initiative to thank veterans for their service. Rep. Denham invites and encourages social media users to post photos and videos using #TVT to recognize America\u2019s military veterans. All #TVT videos can be found on Rep. Denham\u2019s YouTube channel and official Facebook page.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hr-3607-yosemite-medical-clinic-passes-house-natural-resources-committee", "H.R. 3607 - Yosemite Medical Clinic Legislation Passes House Natural Resources Committee", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Tom McClintock", "M001177", "mcclintock.house.gov", "mcclintock", "https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 H.R. 3607 by Congressman McClintock to address continued operation of the Yosemite Medical Clinic passed the House Natural Resources Committee on November 30th.\n\nThe legislation addresses all national park medical clinics, assuring that funds generated by clinics be retained by those clinics.\n\nCongressman McClintock delivered remarks in support of the legislation at the Natural Resources committee hearing:\n\nMr. Chairman:\n\nThank you for scheduling H.R. 3607 for markup. This bill addresses a nagging problem at Yosemite National Park involving a medical clinic that has operated in the Valley since 1929. Like other medical clinics in our national parks, it serves the park and concessionaire employees, their families, and tens of thousands of daily park visitors.\n\nThe Yosemite Medical Clinic is a million-dollar-a-year operation, maintaining a full-time staff and sophisticated medical equipment to treat and stabilize any number of serious injuries and sudden illnesses that confront a population of a moderately sized town.\n\nBut here is the problem. Any other medical clinic would be able to use the fees it collects to finance its operations; to plan for amortizing equipment purchases and expansions, and to match its expenses to the revenues it generates.\n\nNot so our park medical clinics. Under current law, the fees collected by the medical clinic must go directly to the national treasury, and the park must then rely on annual appropriations to replace those funds \u2013 with no certainty they will return and no ability to plan long-term improvements.\n\nThis bill changes that.\n\nIt would establish a separate trust fund in the Treasury -- still under the control of Congress -- but dedicated to be returned to the clinics that generate these funds in the first place.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:12:50Z"], ["https://rohrabacher.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rohrabacher-blumenauer-urge-lawmakers-to-keep-medical-marijuana", "Rohrabacher, Blumenauer Urge Lawmakers to Keep Medical Marijuana Protections", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Dana Rohrabacher", "R000409", "rohrabacher.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Representatives Dana Rohrabacher, R-CA, and Earl Blumenauer, D-OR, led a bipartisan group of lawmakers urging House and Senate leadership to continue state medical marijuana protections in any legislation to fund the government beyond Dec. 8, 2017. The Rohrabacher-Blumenauer provision prevents the Department of Justice from interfering with state medical marijuana laws.\nIn a letter to Speaker Ryan, Leader McConnell, Leader Pelosi and Leader Schumer, the lawmakers wrote: \u201cThe provision, which first became law in December 2014, has successfully protected patients, providers, and businesses against federal prosecution, so long as they act within the confines of their state\u2019s medical marijuana laws. These protections extend to 46 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico, all of which allow some form of medical marijuana that is strictly prohibited by the federal government\u2014from CBD oils to the full plant.\u00a0The language is supported by a bipartisan majority of the House, last passing as a standalone provision by a vote of 242-186 in 2015.\u201d\nThe full text of the letter and signatories is below. Click here for an electronic copy.\n\u00a0\nNovember 28, 2017\n\u00a0\nThe Honorable Paul Ryan\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 The Honorable Mitch McConnell\nSpeaker\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Majority Leader\nU.S. House of Representatives\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 U.S. Senate\n1233 Longworth House Office Building\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 317 Russell Senate Office Building\nWashington, D.C.\u00a0 20515\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 Washington, D.C.\u00a0 20510\n\u00a0\nThe Honorable Nancy Pelosi\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 The Honorable Charles Schumer\nDemocratic Leader\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 Democratic Leader\nU.S. House of Representatives\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 U.S. Senate\n233 Cannon House Office building\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 322 Hart Senate Office Building\nWashington, D.C.\u00a0 20515\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 Washington, D.C.\u00a0 20510\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\nDear Speaker Ryan, Leader McConnell, Leader Pelosi, and Leader Schumer:\nAs you work with the Appropriations Committees to negotiate a fiscal year (FY) 2018 appropriations bill to fund the government beyond December 8, 2017, we write to express our support for the inclusion of a provision that provides protections from the federal government to states that have medical marijuana laws on the books.\nThe provision, which first became law in December 2014, has successfully protected patients, providers, and businesses against federal prosecution, so long as they act within the confines of their state\u2019s medical marijuana laws.\u00a0 These protections extend to 46 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico, all of which allow some form of medical marijuana that is strictly prohibited by the federal government\u2014from CBD oils to the full plant.\u00a0 The language is supported by a bipartisan majority of the House, last passing as a standalone provision by a vote of 242-186 in 2015.\nSpecifically, we urge you to include in any final negotiated package the language adopted by the Senate Appropriations Committee in July by voice vote during their markup of the FY \u201918 CJS appropriations bill:\u00a0\nNone of the funds made available under this Act to the Department of Justice may be used, with respect to any of the States of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, or with respect to the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico, to prevent any such State or jurisdiction from implementing a law that authorizes the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana. \nWe appreciate the difficult task before you.\u00a0 Thank you for your attention to this important matter.\n\u00a0\nSincerely,\n\u00a0\n###\n\u00a0\nKenneth Grubbs, 202-225-2415", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rohrabacher.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rohrabacher-calls-for-us-backing-of-kurdistan-against-terrorism", "Rohrabacher Calls for U.S. Backing of Kurdistan Against Terrorism", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Dana Rohrabacher", "R000409", "rohrabacher.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats, today released the following statement:\nIt has been reported that President Trump, in a telephone conversation with Turkey\u2019s President Erdogan, indicated a willingness to stop American arms shipments to Kurdish fighters. The United States has already backed away from Kurds in Iraq who are fighting Iranian-backed militias.\nIn fact, the Kurds for many years have been our most courageous allies in the struggle against radical Islam. Our policy should be to support friends, not betray them. The U.S. appears to be currying favor with an enemy by betraying a friend.\nMaking the situation even more indefensible, we are placating Erdogan, who is taking Turkey down the road to Islamic dictatorship, inevitably putting it in the ranks of the terrorists. The Kurds have been a major force against radical Islamic terrorism. It is unconscionable to abandon them. Compounding the immorality, we are abandoning those Kurds with whom we fought in common cause in Syria. \nThis will be sending exactly the wrong message.\n\u00a0\n####################\n\u00a0\nKenneth Grubbs, 202-225-2415", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mimi-walters-cosponsors-bill-prohibit-use-taxpayer-funds-sexual", "Rep. Mimi Walters Cosponsors Bill to Prohibit Use of Taxpayer Funds for Sexual Harassment Settlements", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Mimi Walters", "W000820", "walters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 30, 2017 \n (202) 225-5611 \n Rep. Mimi Walters Cosponsors Bill to Prohibit Use of Taxpayer Funds for Sexual Harassment Settlements \nWashington, DC \u2013 Representative Mimi Walters (R-California) released the following statement regarding her original cosponsorship of the Congressional Accountability and Hush Fund Elimination Act, which was introduced today.\u00a0 This legislation would prohibit the use of public funds to pay sexual harassment settlements or awards.\u00a0 Further, the bill would require all sexual harassment settlements made by the Office of Compliance (OCC) to be made public while prohibiting disclosure of a victim\u2019s identity.\u00a0 The bill would also prohibit the payment of such settlements in the future and require individuals who previously settled sexual assault claims through the OCC to reimburse taxpayers for the claims paid out on their behalf, with interest. \u00a0\nFurther, the use of nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) as a precondition to report sexual harassment claims with the OCC would be prohibited. \u00a0Victims who previously signed an NDA would have the right to make their allegations public, if they so choose.\u00a0 You can read the full text of the legislation here.\nSaid Rep. Walters, \u201cThe use of taxpayer funds to pay sexual harassment settlements is unacceptable and must end. \u00a0Members of Congress and staff serve the American people. \u00a0Inappropriate behavior conducted by public servants should not be covered up with secretive payments using public funds. \u00a0The victims, who are currently required to sign nondisclosure agreements, are silenced while their harassers can continue to serve under a cloak of secrecy.\u00a0 \n\u201cThe Congressional Accountability and Hush Fund Elimination Act will end this disturbing cycle and empower victims to share their stories.\u00a0 Under this bill, individuals who violated the public trust would be held financially responsible and publicly accountable. \u00a0These changes will result in work environment free from harassment and discrimination for all congressional members and staff.\u00a0 I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation and urge my colleagues to stand with victims and restore the public\u2019s trust by supporting this bill.\u201d\nWalters represents California\u2019s 45th District and serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398581", "Royce-Supported Bill to Remove Orientals from Federal Regulations Unanimously Passes the House", "2017-11-29", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Edward Royce", "R000487", "royce.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u00a0\u2013\u00a0This week, the House unanimously passed H.R. 995, the 21st Century Respect Act, legislation cosponsored by Rep. Royce which\u00a0requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to replace the term \u201cOriental\u201d with \u201cAsian American or Pacific Islander\u201d from all regulations.\u00a0 \u201cNobody, let alone the federal government, should use a hurtful term like \u2018Orientals\u2019 when referencing Americans of Asian descent,\u201d said Rep. Royce. Americans of all backgrounds deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Congress is responsible for updating our laws and regulations with the times. This should also be true for the terminology.\u00a0I\u2019m pleased to see my House colleagues unanimously support taking action to ensure that our laws and regulations will no longer refer\u00a0to Asian Americans in such an offensive way.\u201d\r\n  \r\n\r\nBackground: Rep. Royce has taken a lead role in removing offensive terminology from federal laws and regulations during the 114th and 115th sessions of Congress.\u00a0 In May of 2016, former President Obama signed legislation\u00a0first authored\u00a0by Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Royce to strike the term \u201cOriental\u201d from preexisting federal law and replace it with \u201cAsian American.\u201d That legislation,\u00a0H.R. 4238, also removes the terms \u201cNegroes,\u201d \u201cIndians,\u201d and \u201cEskimos\u201d from federal law. In December of 2015, Rep. Royce and Rep. Grace Meng successfully amended H.R. 8, the\u00a0North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015, to strike the term \u201cOriental\u201d from\u00a0Title 42 of the United States Code and replace it with \u201cAsian American.\u201d The\u00a0amendment\u00a0also removes the terms \u201cNegroes,\u201d \u201cIndians,\u201d and \u201cEskimos\u201d from the same law.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cook.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-paul-cooks-newsletter-november-28-2017", "Congressman Paul Cook's Newsletter: November 28, 2017", "2017-11-29", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Paul Cook", "C001094", "cook.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sequestration is Damaging Military Readiness\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn 2011, as the United States was removing the last of its troops from Iraq, few people in the West had ever heard of ISIS, North Korea didn\u2019t have advanced nuclear or missile technology, Putin wasn\u2019t the president of Russia, and former President Barack Obama signed the Budget Control Act (BCA) into law.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThis law, often referred to by its enforcement mechanism \u201csequestration,\u201d set the yearly defense spending caps for the next 10 years based more on budget than on strategic and military necessity. As a result, the 2018 defense spending top line is influenced more by domestic spending caps than by very real and credible threats: a nuclearized North Korea, the expansionist threat from Russia, the growing strength of China, or the persistent global threat of terrorism. While we must always be careful stewards of taxpayer dollars, disregarding global realities in favor of budgetary purity has left us vulnerable and less secure. The security, prosperity and military might of the United States was not built on this flawed philosophy, and we must work to end the BCA for military budgeting as soon as possible.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe damage of the BCA is most evident in military readiness. Military \u201creadiness\u201d measures our service members\u2019 abilities to operate at levels sufficient to counteract our enemy with the least risk to American lives. Since the BCA was enacted, military funding has remained at 2011 designated levels, with minor adjustments, while commitments around the world continued to increase, causing funding for training to be moved to other operational needs and subsequently leaving our service members undertrained. To date, the consequences have been most visible with high-profile accidents like ship collisions and aircraft accidents, but a large-scale conflict would reveal what many military leaders know: our low state of readiness will lead to lives lost unnecessarily and, potentially, catastrophe. \u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTo put the shortfall in perspective, look at the defense budget request for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018. The President asked for an increase in the defense budget to cover current military requirements, to invest in modernization to keep up with Russia and China, and to begin rebuilding our armed services\u2019 readiness to fight if necessary. After multiple briefings from the Armed Services and military experts, Congress agreed with a need to return readiness to acceptable levels, so we authorized a budget of $634 billion. If the current $549 billion BCA cap for FY 2018 isn\u2019t raised, we will be underfunding the military by $85 billion dollars. Since we cannot take funding away from current operations with troops in harm\u2019s way, a large portion of that money will be taken from training, which will truly break our countries readiness. \u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAfter years of watching military readiness decline under the BCA, we need to repeal this cheap and shortsighted political device before it has irreversible effects on our service men and women. Another option could be to keep the BCA but raise the funding caps, which could help stave off immediate disaster \u2013 though it would retain the flawed overall approach. Regardless, we are quickly approaching a deadline to fund our military at levels that our brave young women and men deserve, and our national security requires. We cannot in good conscience allow the BCA level for FY 2018 to jeopardize either.This editorial was published on November 21, 2017 on American Military News.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDealing with North Korea\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSo far this year, North Korea has conducted multiple nuclear weapon tests, a series of intercontinental ballistic missile tests, and has continued to prioritize the development of nuclear weapons over the well-being of its own citizens. North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un assumes that provoking the U.S., threatening our allies, and developing nuclear weapons will secure the future of his regime. He is wrong in this assumption. This threat is critical to the national security of the United States and for the safety of the world.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNorth Korea has disregarded almost every agreement and commitment it has made to the U.S. and our allies. The regime has also demonstrated a proclivity for breaking international law and undermining international oversight of nuclear development. It is imperative that as North Korea\u2019s nuclear capability increases, we continue to put pressure on Kim Jong Un and his regime.\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn response to North Korea\u2019s continued violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions and inflammatory rhetoric, the U.S. has worked with its allies to collectively implement stricter sanctions on North Korea. In August, the President signed into law a sanctions bill that expanded the tools at his disposal to punish North Korea. Additionally, the law required the President to determine whether North Korea should be classified as a state sponsor of terrorism. This designation would give us even more tools to pressure the North Korean regime, and I have urged the President to make this determination quickly. These sanctions are an attempt to bring North Korea to the negotiating table through peaceful means, which is my preference and that of nearly everyone outside of the North Korean regime.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKim Jong Un\u2019s most recent actions have underscored the seriousness of the danger North Korea poses to Japan, South Korea, and the U.S.. To counter this threat, the U.S. has taken steps to reaffirm our commitment to our allies while also enhancing our own military capabilities. Japan and South Korea are in the most danger of a missile attack due to their proximity to North Korea. Although the U.S. has developed systems capable of stopping an intercontinental ballistic missile attack, our allies are not as well equipped and face different types of threats due to closer proximity to North Korea. That is why we have increased the sales of sophisticated missile defense systems to South Korea and Japan. In the face of an erratic North Korea, it is vital that we take these steps to support our allies.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAs the threat from North Korea continues to grow, so does the urgency to defend ourselves and support other democratic nations. First and foremost, our military must be ready and prepared. This ensures that we can enter into negotiations from a position of strength, and should a conflict start, we will be able to defend against North Korean aggression. We must also continue to increase the pressure on this rogue state with sanctions. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to develop new sanctions against North Korea and bring them to the negotiating table. However, if negotiations fail, our military and those of our allies must be equipped to respond to the threat.This editorial was published on November 22, 2017 in RealClearDefense.com\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFAA Letter\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn October, I wrote a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta about the serious problem created by the FAA\u2019s new flight patterns. Last week, Administrator Huerta responded to my letter. In his response, he promised that the FAA is still evaluating the flight pattern issue, and that the agency is looking at adjustments that can address community concerns while still maintaining the effectiveness of the air traffic control system. While this letter does not fully address the concerns of community nor guarantee concrete action, it is an important step in the right direction for the FAA. I will continue to advocate on behalf of mountain residents as we move forward, to make sure that the FAA\u2019s words are translated into meaningful action.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tClick here to read FAA Administrator Huerta\u2019s full response.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWinter Light Parade\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJoin the Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce 20th Annual Winter Light Parade on Tuesday, December 5 at 6:45 p.m. in Veterans Park.\u00a0For more questions email info@29chamber.org or call (760) 367-3445.\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChristmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTown of Apple Valley:\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Town of Apple Valley will host their Tree Lighting Ceremony on Tuesday, December 5 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Civic Center Park located at 14955 Dale Evans Parkway.\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFor more information call (760) 240-7000.\u00a0City of Bishop:\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe City of Bishop will host their Christmas parade, tree lighting, and street of lights ceremony on Saturday, December 2. The parade begins at 4:30 p.m. at High Country Lumber and heads north on Main Street, ending at Bishop City Park for the official tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m.\u00a0City of Hesperia:\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Hesperia Recreation and Park District with the City of Hesperia invite residents to Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, December 7 from 4:30 p.m. at Hesperia Civic Plaza Park. The public can enjoy musical entertainment, refreshments, holiday craft, and food vendors.\u00a0City of Victorville:\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe City of Victorville will kick off the holiday season with its annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Festival of Lights on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Victorville\u00a0 City Hall located at 14343 Civic Dr.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe community will be treated to an evening of free entertainment including the lighting of the Christmas tree at City Hall and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.\u00a0 The Hi Country Harmonaires will set the mood with a selection of Christmas music. \u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOne and all are invited to come join in this celebration and enjoy the Christmas caroling, seasonal vendors and more. The Christmas tree will be lit at dusk, followed by from the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus. \u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFor information on participating as a vendor, please contact Hook Community Center at (760) 245-5551.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChristmas Treasure Hunt\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDesert Christ Park is hosting their 4th Annual Christmas Treasure hunt held on Saturday, December 2 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 56200 Sunnyslope Drive in Yucca Valley. Christmas treasures will be available for children to hunt such as ornaments and toys. Hot cocoa and cookies will be served.\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHoliday Fine Art and Craft Faire\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMy office is here to help you. If you or someone you know needs help with the Veterans' Administration please call my Apple Valley District Office at (760) 247-1815.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKnott's Berry Farm\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tClay Hunt 5k\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJoin the Clay Hunt 5K walk on Saturday, December 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the VA Loma Linda Ambulatory Care Center facility located at 26001 Redlands Blvd in Redlands.\u00a0For more information, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hunter.house.gov/press-release/bipartisan-education-bill-introduced-provide-increased-information-college-costs", "BIPARTISAN EDUCATION BILL INTRODUCED TO PROVIDE INCREASED INFORMATION ON COLLEGE COSTS", "2017-11-29", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Duncan Hunter", "H001048", "hunter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Andr\u00e9 Carson (D-IN), and Scott Peters (D-CA) introduced the Student Right to Know Before You Go Act of 2017, a bipartisan bill providing greater transparency in the cost of higher education.\u00a0 U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate at the same time.\n\u201cOne of the biggest decisions in a young person\u2019s life is deciding where to go to college,\u201d said Representative Hunter.\u00a0 \u201cWhile this is an exciting time, it can also be stressful.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the cost of higher education has increased exponentially in recent years, with little sign of slowing down.\u00a0 It is critical that students and their parents are provided with as much information as possible allowing them to make the best decisions for their family.\u00a0 Students should be able to easily access information from universities regarding earnings data for graduates, graduation rates for nontraditional students, transfer rates, frequency with which graduates go on to pursue higher levels of education, and debt levels.\u00a0 This bill provides these important informational tools.\u201d\nThe Student Right to Know Before You Go Act of 2017 establishes new metrics to be published by the Department of Education to focus on data that provides future students and their families with information post-graduation average annual earnings, rate/amount of federal loan debt, rates of remedial enrollment, credit accumulation, and graduation rates among other data sets.\u00a0 Specifically, the legislation will:\n\n\t\u2022Empower students and families with the tools needed for a more complete picture of the value of their education;\n\u2022Make accurate, easy to understand data available online for prospective students and their families;\n\u2022Authorize the release of information that currently exists, but not currently accessible;\n\u2022Match student records with employment and earnings data;\n\u2022Ensure results will be highly accurate and informative.\nA critical provision of the legislation is the requirement for the use of secure multi-party computation (MPC), an advanced encryption technique, to generate statistical data based on student information from colleges and universities as well as loan and income information from government agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Education. \u00a0The process ensures the protection of the underlying data, so no entity is forced to \u201cgive up\u201d sensitive information in a form that is accessible to others.\nA one-page summary and a chart of the bill\u2019s key provisions can be found by clicking here, alongside a section-by-section outline.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rohrabacher.house.gov/media-center/must-reads/rep-rohrabacher-leads-bipartisan-letter-urging-continuation-of-policy", "Rep. Rohrabacher Leads Bipartisan Letter Urging Continuation of Policy Protecting State Medical Marijuana Laws", "2017-11-29", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Dana Rohrabacher", "R000409", "rohrabacher.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Representatives Dana Rohrabacher (CA-48) and Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) spearheaded a letter, signed by 64\u00a0other members of the House of Representatives, urging House and Senate leadership to ensure the inclusion of medical marijuana protections in any appropriations bill that funds the government beyond December 8, 2017.\u00a0 The provision, previously known as \u201cRohrabacher-Farr,\u201d and now \u201cRohrabacher-Blumenauer,\u201d bars the Department of Justice from using appropriated funds to prosecute individuals who are acting in compliance with their state\u2019s medical marijuana laws.\u00a0 The provision was first signed into law in December 2014 as part of a larger spending package, and has been in force ever since.\n\u201cYou may view the letter here, and the list of signatories here.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mimi-walters-harassment-discrimination-have-no-place-congress", "Rep. Mimi Walters: Harassment & Discrimination Have No Place in Congress", "2017-11-29", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Mimi Walters", "W000820", "walters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 29, 2017 \n (202) 225-5611 \n Rep. Mimi Walters: Harassment & Discrimination Have No Place in Congress \nWashington, DC \u2013 Representative Mimi Walters (R-California) released the following statement regarding the House of Representatives passage of H.Res. 630, which mandates annual anti-harassment and anti-discrimination training by all members of Congress, as well as congressional staff, fellows, and interns.\u00a0 Congresswoman Walters cosponsored this legislation.\u00a0 You can read the full text of the bill here.\nSaid Rep. Walters, \u201cHarassment and discrimination have no place in society, especially not in the halls of Congress.\u00a0 As representatives of the American people, we are held to the highest standards by our constituents.\u00a0 Behavior that does not live up to those standards is unacceptable.\u00a0\n\u201cRecent reports of inappropriate conduct and allegations by those working in Congress are extremely troubling and cannot be tolerated.\u00a0 Everyone deserves a workplace that is free of harassment and unwanted advances, especially from their superiors and those in powerful positions.\u00a0 I applaud Representatives Comstock and Speier for their leadership to combat harassment and abuse in Congress, and am proud to stand with them as a cosponsor of this legislation.\u00a0 Requiring every congressional employee to take annual training will help ensure that staff and Members of Congress work in a safe environment free of harassment and discrimination.\u201d\nWalters represents California\u2019s 45th District and serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://denham.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2148", "Denham Announces December 2017 Mobile District Office Hours", "2017-11-27", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "denham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) today announced Mobile District Office (MDO) hours for the month of December 2017, where 10th district residents can get help with specific casework or ask questions.\r\nMDOs are hosted by staff and, when possible, by Rep. Denham. Staff members are available to assist 10th district residents with casework on matters including Medicare, Veteran\u2019s Affairs, Social Security, the Internal Revenue Service and other federal agencies.\r\nAdditional information is available through Rep. Denham\u2019s website, and the schedule for the month is provided below. Regular office hours are open to the public, and no appointment is necessary. Schedule is subject to change throughout the year; any alterations will be posted online. For more information, please contact Rep. Denham\u2019s Modesto office at (209) 579-5458.\r\nFriday, Dec. 1 and 15 \u2013 Manteca   \r\n10-11 a.m.  \r\nManteca Chamber of Commerce   \r\n183 W. North Street #6, Manteca, CA 95336   \r\n*Held in conjunction with Assemblyman Heath Flora\u2019s office.  Friday, Dec. 1 \u2013 Waterford   \r\n2-3 p.m.   \r\nCity of Waterford   \r\n101 E Street, Waterford, CA 95386   \r\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Tom Berryhill & Assemblyman Heath Flora\u2019s offices.  Friday, Dec. 1 \u2013 Oakdale   \r\n3:30-4:30 p.m.   \r\nState Senator Tom Berryhill's Office   \r\n102 Grove Avenue, Suite B, Oakdale, CA 95361   \r\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Tom Berryhill & Assemblyman Heath Flora\u2019s offices.   Wednesday, Dec. 6 \u2013 Tracy   \r\n1-2 p.m.   \r\nTracy City Hall   \r\n333 Civic Center Plaza, Rm 216, Tracy, CA 95376  Friday, Dec. 8 \u2013 Newman   \r\n9-10 a.m. City of Newman   \r\n938 Fresno Street, Newman, CA 95360   \r\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Anthony Cannella & Assemblyman Adam Gray\u2019s offices.   Friday, Dec. 8 \u2013 Patterson   \r\n10:30-11:30 a.m.   \r\nCity of Patterson   \r\n1 Plaza, Patterson, CA 95363   \r\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Anthony Cannella & Assemblyman Adam Gray\u2019s offices.   Tuesday, Dec. 12 \u2013 Escalon   \r\n10-11 a.m.   \r\nEscalon City Hall   \r\n2060 McHenry Avenue, Escalon, CA 95320   \r\n*Held in conjunction with Assemblyman Heath Flora\u2019s office.   Wednesday, Dec. 13 \u2013 Modesto   \r\n2-3 p.m.   \r\nHousing Authority of Stanislaus County   \r\n1701 Robertson Road, Modesto, CA 95351    \r\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Anthony Cannella & Assemblyman Adam Gray\u2019s offices.  Thursday, Dec. 14 \u2013 Hughson   \r\n11 a.m.-12 p.m.   \r\nCity of Hughson   \r\n7018 Pine Street, Hughson, CA 95326   \r\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Tom Berryhill & Assemblyman Heath Flora\u2019s offices.   Thursday, Dec. 14 \u2013 Turlock   \r\n1:30-2:30 p.m.   \r\nTurlock Chamber of Commerce Conference Room   \r\n115 South Golden State Boulevard, Turlock, CA 95380   \r\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Tom Berryhill & Assemblyman Heath Flora\u2019s offices.  Friday, Dec. 15 \u2013 Ceres   \r\n1-2 p.m.   \r\nState Senator Anthony Cannella\u2019s Office   \r\n2561 Third Street, Suite A, Ceres, CA 95307   \r\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Anthony Cannella & Assemblyman Adam Gray\u2019s offices.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398577", "From my family to yours... Happy Thanksgiving!", "2017-11-23", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Edward Royce", "R000487", "royce.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "From my family to yours, I\u2019d like to wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving.\r\nWe have so much to be thankful for, and this year I\u2019d like to share one person in particular that deserves our gratitude.\r\nEarlier this month, I was extremely proud to attend the ceremony held at the Pentagon for Yorba Linda resident Bridget Blehm as she was sworn in to serve as Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA).\r\nMilitary families throughout Orange County are very familiar with Bridget and the incredible work she has done serving as Executive Director of For Families of Active Military (FFAM). For more than a decade, Bridget has hosted an annual Thanksgiving dinner to provide hope and support to local military members and their families. As\u00a0a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, Bridget is the ideal candidate to support and advocate for U.S. Army soldiers, veterans, and families of Southern California.\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n        \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            Rep. Royce (pictured far right) attended the ceremony for Bridget Blehm (pictured center right) as she was sworn into be a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army.\r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\nBridget was one of five Californians to be selected to serve as a CASA, which comes with a 3-star general rank. Bridget\u2019s duties will include participating in advisory panels that will help create a better dialogue between the civilian and military communities in Southern California.\u00a0\r\nOur military men and women make countless sacrifices for us and many are away from their families during the holidays. Making sure they have a place to go and get a nice, warm, home cooked meal on Thanksgiving is incredibly important. We\u2019re so lucky to have such a dedicated hostess in our community.\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n        \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            Bridget Blehm (pictured center) is sworn in by the U.S. Secretary of the Army, Ryan McCarthy (pictured left), during a ceremony held at the Pentagon earlier this month.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://denham.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2146", "Rep. Jeff Denham introduces disaster mitigation bill", "2017-11-22", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "denham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) has introduced the Supporting Mitigation Activities and Resiliency Targets for Rebuilding Act, also known as the SMART Rebuilding Act, aimed at lowering the cost of natural disasters by helping states and communities plan ahead and rebuild smarter.\r\n\u201cEvery year, the federal government spends billions of dollars rebuilding the same structures in the same places with little consideration of the next storm,\u201d said Rep. Denham. \u201cIt\u2019s time to take action to save lives and taxpayer money by thinking ahead when we build our communities, instead of typical reactionary government policies.\u201d\r\n\u201cThis legislation will improve preparation for the next natural disaster by incentivizing states to better prepare and helping states replace disaster damaged structures with more resilient ones. This will ultimately save federal dollars,\u201d said Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.), original co-sponsor of the bill.\r\nThe SMART Rebuilding Act incentivizes and enables states and communities to build stronger both before and after disaster strikes by increasing the federal cost share for communities that adopt mitigation measures, establishing a National Public Infrastructure Pre-disaster Mitigation Fund to allow states and communities the ability to improve infrastructure, and including building standard implementation and enforcement in the Federal Emergency Management Agency\u2019s (FEMA) Public Assistance post disaster program.\r\n\u201cAs Americans across the nation work to recover from an unprecedented series of natural catastrophes, now is more important than ever to ensure our communities are prepared ahead of the next storm. We applaud Congressman Denham\u2019s leadership in introducing the SMART Rebuilding Act, which takes bold steps to protect homes, save lives and make smarter use of our taxpayer dollars in the face of a rising number of severe disasters,\u201d said Jimi Grande, senior vice president of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies.\r\n\u201cThe U.S. has already spent more than $50 billion on disaster recovery in recent months, and we will spend over $200 billion more on this year\u2019s storms. Congressman Denham\u2019s legislation will ensure that these funds are an investment in a stronger future that will save lives, property and taxpayer dollars and NOT continue spending on the same broken system that left America vulnerable in the first place,\u201d said Phil Anderson, executive director of the BuildStrong Coalition.\r\nAccording to FEMA, every $1 invested in mitigation results in $4 in disaster cost savings for our taxpayers. This year alone, the U.S. has seen mass destruction from large-scale wildfires to hurricane winds and flooding, costing the American taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars in disaster relief. This bill would save lives and money by mitigating natural disaster impacts across the nation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://denham.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2142", "Rep. Jeff Denham announces winner of CA-10 Congressional App Challenge", "2017-11-21", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "denham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) yesterday announced Haiying Zeng and Divya Katyal of Elizabeth Ustach Middle School in Modesto as the California 10th District winners of the Congressional App Challenge for their app \u201cHomeless Network.\u201d\r\nEighth graders Zeng and Katyal designed the app \u201cHomeless Network\u201d as a platform to pinpoint areas where help is needed the most through crowdsourcing. The app allows members of a community to place a dot on a map specifying an area of need. This then allows service providers and other citizens to more easily provide aid and relief to homeless by visiting marked areas. Their app will be featured on the U.S. House of Representatives\u2019 website (www.house.gov) and displayed in a U.S. Capitol exhibit.\r\n\u201cI admire these young students\u2019 attention to issues in our community and their desire to serve those less fortunate,\u201d said Denham. \u201cHomelessness is a serious issue, and here in the Central Valley we see far too much of it.\u201d\r\nRep. Denham last week sent a letter signed by 78 member of Congress to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations requesting a fix for expiring Transition Living Program (TLP) and Maternity Group Home (MGH) grants to prevent a funding gap that would harm homeless and runaway youth programs in communities nationwide, including the Center for Human Services shelter in Modesto. To see the full release on the letter, please click here.\r\nThe Congressional App Challenge, now on its third year, is a nationwide student coding competition hosted by members of the U.S. House of Representatives. It offers the chance for students to code their own original applications, or \u201capps,\u201d for mobile, tablet or computer devices on a platform of their choosing. Submissions are judged by a panel of local judges who work in the academic, software and entrepreneurial fields.\r\n\u00a0\r\nSince 2013 the CAC has given students the opportunity to further their education in STEM, coding and computer science through direct, hands-on experience. In the previous two years combined, the CAC has reached nearly 4,000 students across 30 states. For more information on the challenge, visit http://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398474", "Congressman Valadao Hosts CMS Administrator Verma for Health Care Roundtable", "2017-11-20", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "David Valadao", "V000129", "valadao.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, United States Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) hosted CMS Administrator Seema Verma in Coalinga, California for a hospital tour and roundtable discussion.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      COALINGA  Today, United States Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) hosted CMS Administrator Seema Verma in Coalinga, California for a hospital tour and roundtable discussion.During her visit, Seema Verma, Administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), visited Coalinga Regional Medical Center for a tour of the facility, led by XXXXX. Following the tour, she joined Congressman Valadao and local health care providers, industry leaders, and patients for a conversation on the health care challenges facing rural regions of the nation, particularly, the Central Valley. During the roundtable discussion, hospital administrators and medical professionals provided insight regarding the unique obstacles rural facilities face. Specifically, participants discussed Medicaid reimbursement rates, workforce shortages, and the need for additional support for teaching health centers. Patients from Californias Twenty First Congressional District shared their personal experiences accessing quality health care in the Central Valley.   \r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            Congressman Valadao stated, Economic factors, cultural and social differences, educational shortcomings, and the sheer isolation of living in remote areas, have all contributed to health care disparities between rural and urban regions. I look forward to working with Administrator Verma to ensure my constituents can access the quality care they deserve and live healthy lives.Administrator Seema Verma said, Representative Valadao has been a champion for not only rural Californians, but for making sure all Americans receive high quality health care that meets their unique needs. I look forward to continuing to work with him to create a health care system that works for all Americans.\r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\nParticipants in the roundtable included PARTICIPANT ONE, PARTICIPANT TWO, PARTICIPANT THREE, PARTICIPANT FOUR.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://denham.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2138", "Denham Hosts Senior Administration Official to Discuss Medicare and Medicaid in the Valley", "2017-11-20", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "denham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) today hosted senior U.S. Department of Health and Human Services official Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), to discuss the unique challenges that citizens in the Central Valley face when it comes to timely access to quality healthcare.\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s an honor to host the highest-ranking official on Medicare and Medicaid right here in Modesto,\u201d said Rep. Denham. \u201cI would like to thank Administrator Verma for making it her priority to visit the Central Valley to understand the crushing challenges we face with doctor shortages and California\u2019s low Medicaid reimbursement rates, coupled with the rising costs of healthcare.\u201d\r\n\u201cI am honored that Representative Denham invited me to come to his district to see first hand the challenges that many of his constituents face,\u201d said Administrator Verma. \u201cI look forward to continuing to work with him to ensure that not only his constituents, but all Americans have high quality, sustainable healthcare.\u201d\r\nDuring her visit, Administrator Verma visited Central Valley Specialty Hospital and participated in a Medicare Listening Session with AARP and community representatives that work on the Aging Commission and in the retirement community. She also participated in a Medicaid Roundtable with area doctors, healthcare professionals, and hospital administrators. The discussions provided critical information about what changes and support are needed from the federal level to effectively address residents\u2019 most pressing healthcare needs.\r\n\"As a Registered Nurse and Healthcare Executive, I feel very honored by Administrator Verma and Representative Denham\u2019s visit today,\u201d said Gia Smith, RN/MSN and Chief Executive Officer of American Specialty Management Group. \u201cTo be able to engage in an ongoing discussion regarding our nation\u2019s health policy reinforces my faith in the leaders that represent our industry and the people we serve. I deeply appreciate this opportunity.\u201d\r\nRep. Denham has championed several pieces of legislation this year to address the issue of healthcare access in the Valley. His ACCESS Act would put in place a program to field-test the best Medicaid reimbursement strategies. California ranks 48 out of 50 states for Medicaid reimbursement rates, creating a disincentive for physicians to take on more Medicaid patients or practice in areas with a higher prevalence of Medicaid enrollees, like California\u2019s Central Valley. This is especially significant for California due to Governor Jerry Brown\u2019s redirection into the general fund of $1.2 billion in Prop 56 dollars that were supposed to go toward improving reimbursement rates for physicians accepting Medi-Cal \u2013 only about half of which was eventually used as approved by California taxpayers.\r\nDenham also introduced the CARE Act, which was included in both the CHAMPION Act and the CHAMPIONING HEALTHY Kids Act, to further expand our nation\u2019s Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) programs. THCGME programs in rural areas are especially important, because doctors tend to stay and practice in the communities where they complete residency.\r\nFor more information about Congressman Denham\u2019s ongoing efforts to improve access to healthcare for Valley residents, visit www.Denham.house.gov/healthcare.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://denham.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2139", "Rep. Jeff Denham and CalGuard Commander General Baldwin recognize near closure of CalGuard Bonus Issue", "2017-11-20", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "denham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) this morning met with CalGuard Commander, Major General Baldwin, during a meet and greet at the Manteca VFW Hall to discuss and recognize the near end of the CalGuard bonus repayment ordeal and the favorable resolution of California\u2019s 10th district constituents\u2019 cases.\r\n\"The bureaucracy should never supersede the soldiers in the battlefield or veterans returning home,\" said Rep. Denham. \"The CalGuard's pay issue should have never taken so long to resolve. With a redefined mission and fraud in the system, the Department of Defense should have recognized and expedited all pay disputes.\"\r\nGeneral Baldwin offered an update on the Work for Warriors Program, a state and federal partnership, which Denham has supported in Congress. This program helps veterans find employment and has helped thousands of California veterans get a job through connecting with over 350 business partners throughout the state.\r\nDating back to 2006, certain California National Guard employees enticed thousands of soldiers to reenlist using fraudulent bonuses to help meet recruitment goals. Those who accepted the bonuses were unaware of the fraud until the Pentagon began demanding the money be returned. In October 2016, veteran and local teacher Chris Van Meter brought national attention to the issue, and since this time, nearly 17,000 veterans cases were reviewed and California soldiers were repaid the bonuses and student loans they earned in good faith. Today, despite many hardships to our veterans, General Baldwin and Rep. Denham were able to reflect on the favorable resolution of these cases.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://issa.house.gov/news-room/press-releases/rep-issa-op-ed-oc-register-californians-deserve-tax-cut-too", "Rep. Issa Op-ed for OC Register: \"Californians Deserve A Tax Cut Too\"", "2017-11-20", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Californians deserve a tax cut too  The Orange County Register  \n\t\tBy: Congressman Darrell Issa  http://bit.ly/2zTqblx\n\tFederal tax reform moved forward this past week in Washington. Good news for most of the country. Not so much for us here in California.\n\nDone right, it would have spurred economic growth, allowed Californians to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks, enabled Americans to better save for the future, and helped dig hard-working families out of the mountain of tax increases piled on them in recent years.\nUnfortunately, I fear that the plan as approved could actually make the incredible burden our state\u2019s taxpayers feel even worse. I voted no because my constituents don\u2019t deserve a tax increase.\nWhile the world thinks living is easy in the land of sand and sun, the Southern California families and small businesses I know are putting in long hours and making tough sacrifices to make each day work. Californians have stayed late, picked up second shifts and worked hard in an honest effort to make ends meet, only to find themselves with less and less to show for it.\nThe tax plan approved this week would have made some good steps forward \u2014 simplifying the tax code, changing the corporate tax rate from the world\u2019s highest to be more globally competitive, and bringing down the rates for individual taxpayers \u2014 but I worry that even under the reduced tax rates, many across our state could be forced to pay more, not less, and for me that is simply unacceptable.\n\n\tFor taxpayers in our district, being able to deduct their state and local income taxes from their federal return is the first line of defense against the tax increase factory the Democrats have built in Sacramento. Democrats in our state Capitol have worked around the clock for years, churning out tax increases by the dozen on everything from gasoline, everyday purchases, paychecks \u2014 even plastic bags at the grocery store. Taken together, our state lawmakers have put Californians\u2019 taxes at the top of the list \u2014 highest income taxes in the country, highest sales taxes nationwide and now, thanks to the latest 12-cent-a-gallon gas tax hike, the highest gas prices anywhere in the land.\n\tFor Americans with leaders in their state Capitol less greedy than our own, eliminating the deduction makes little difference. But for us, eliminating the ability of Californians to deduct their hefty state and local taxes significantly compounds the substantial burdens already imposed on the taxpayers by our state. Even worse, eliminating the state and local tax deduction would assure that almost all of the bill\u2019s tax cuts would be distributed to other states \u2014 leaving California with the bill.\n\tHard-working Californians deserve to see a tax cut too.\n\t\n\t\tSome say the state and local tax deduction allows other states to subsidize Sacramento\u2019s bad tax policy. I\u2019d remind them that the numbers show it\u2019s actually quite the opposite. For every dollar California taxpayers send to Washington, the state receives less than a dollar back. Put another way: It\u2019s actually California taxpayers who already support spending for other states, even with the state and local tax deduction in place.\n\t\tRepublicans are right as they work to reduce taxes, revitalize our economy, make America competitive on a global scale again and fix our broken tax code, but any plan must benefit all taxpayers \u2014 no matter where they live. Californians aren\u2019t asking for a special handout, they just deserve their fair shake at the table.\n\t\tWe can do better for California than the plan that was approved this past week. That\u2019s why it didn\u2019t earn my support. But the process of overhauling our tax code is far from complete. As the bill moves forward to the Senate, I will continue fighting for changes that will ensure this bill returns money to all of our nation\u2019s taxpayers \u2014 Californians included.\n\t\tTax reform remains imperative. Let\u2019s get the details right and get this country moving again. http://www.ocregister.com/2017/11/17/californians-dont-deserve-a-tax-increase/", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rohrabacher.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rohrabacher-explains-his-vote-against-republican-tax-bill", "Rohrabacher Explains His Vote Against Republican Tax Bill", "2017-11-20", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Dana Rohrabacher", "R000409", "rohrabacher.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today Rep. Dana Rohrabacher voted against the tax reform bill put forward in the House of Representatives. His statement follows:\nToday I voted for the interests of my constituents. I had promised them I would always oppose any effort to increase the tax burden they carry. Our district in California is a major exception to the economic conditions in other states. The high value of homes as well as high state and local tax rates must be taken under consideration. The House bill would have been a sizable tax increase for many of my constituents. In every election, I have run as the low-tax candidate looking out for the interests of my constituents. I had to walk away today from my fellow Republicans whose districts are different from mine to be true to that promise.\nThe heavy burden imposed on California taxpayers by irresponsible and profligate Democrat taxing and spending is already causing great damage to the wellbeing of the people of our state. Tax reform at a national level, to be effective in all parts of our country, will have to take into consideration these kinds of local and state challenges.\n\u00a0\n###############\nKenneth Grubbs, 202-225-2415", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://issa.house.gov/news-room/press-releases/share-your-thoughts-tax-reform-proposal", "Share Your Thoughts on The Tax Reform Proposal", "2017-11-17", "2017", "2017-11", "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     Share Your Thoughts on The Tax Reform Proposal \n  \n  \n  \n\n  \n      \n  \n  \n      \n  \n  \n\n  \n      \n  \n  \n    \n* By participating in this survey, you'll be automatically subscribed to receive email updates on this topic. You may unsubscribe at any time and your answers will remain confidential.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://calvert.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397614", "Rep. Calvert Votes for Tax Reform that Allows Taxpayers to Keep More of their Money and Grows Americas Economy", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Ken Calvert", "C000059", "calvert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) voted along with a majority (227 to 205) of the House of Representatives to approve the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, H.R. 1. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is the most significant overhaul of the U.S. tax code since the 1986 Tax Reform Act was signed into law by President Reagan.\r\n\u201cI voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act because it allows my constituents in the 42nd\u00a0District to keep more of the money they earn and will produce tremendous economic benefits that help working families,\u201d said Rep. Calvert. \u201cDespite the misinformed and misleading claims from tax-loving liberals, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act produces real tax relief \u2013 especially for low-income and middle-income households with children. That\u2019s not my opinion, that\u2019s math. This tax bill will allow a majority of my constituents to opt for the standard deduction and, on average, boost after-tax income for middle-class families in California by\u00a0$2,932.\u201d\r\nThe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act creates a simpler, fairer tax code that benefits working families by:\r\n \r\n    Doubling the standard deduction: The standard deduction for individual filers will go from $6,300 to $12,000. Married couples filing jointly will be able to deduct $24,000, as opposed to $12,600 in current law. That means the first $24,000 a family earns will be tax free and more families will have a smaller tax liability by taking the standard deduction rather than itemized deductions.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Lowering tax rates: Reduces the seven current income tax brackets to four brackets \u2013 12%, 25%, 35%, continues to maintain 39.6% for high-income Americans. That means more of the money earned in the\u00a0 lower and middle-income tax brackets will be taxed at a lower rate.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Increasing the Child Tax Credit: Raised from $1,000 to $1,600 per child, while lifting the income phase-out threshold so more families benefit. The bill also creates a new Family Credit, which provides a credit of $300 for each parent and non-child dependent.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Preserving the home mortgage interest deduction: Existing mortgages are grandfathered so that their tax treatment is unchanged. The bill maintains the home mortgage interest deduction for newly purchased homes up to the first $500,000 borrowed.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Preserving the property tax deduction: Continues to allow people to write off the cost of state and local property taxes up to $10,000.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Preserving the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit: The tax credit is unchanged.\r\n \r\n\u201cMy California delegation colleagues and I joined with other members from high-tax states to advocate for keeping the mortgage interest deduction and the property tax deduction. Modified versions of these deductions remain in the bill and I will continue to advocate for their inclusion in the final tax reform bill that is negotiated between the House and the Senate. I am confident we will continue to enhance the tax bill to deliver significant tax relief for California taxpayers.\u201d\r\nThe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will grow our economy, incentivize businesses to invest here in America, create jobs and spur wage growth by:  \r\n\r\n \r\n    Making America\u2019s tax code competitive in the global economy: The bill lowers tax rates on job creating businesses of all sizes, including reducing the tax rate on \u201cpass-through\u201d business income to no higher than 25% and lowering the corporate tax rate to 20%.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Encouraging investments now with full and immediate expense deductions: The full cost of new capital equipment and other expenses will be fully and immediately deductible.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Modernizing our international tax system: Ends our outdated \u201cworldwide\u201d tax system that results in double taxation for many of our nation\u2019s job creators, while making it easier and far less costly for American businesses to bring home foreign earnings.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Eliminating incentives for shifting jobs overseas: The bill ends existing tax code provisions that reward companies for shifting jobs, profits, and manufacturing plants abroad.\r\n \r\n\u201cWe know from history the tremendous economic impact of letting our job creators keep and invest their money rather than forfeiting it to the federal government. After the Reagan tax cuts the economy created nearly 15 million jobs over five years and, between 1982 and 1989, real per-capita-income rose by 18 percent. I have no doubt that we can further accelerate economic growth by incentivizing job creators to bring foreign profits back home to America and by allowing them to reinvest more in their workforce.\u201d  \r\n\r\n\u201cThe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act benefits 42nd\u00a0District taxpayers by allowing them to keep more of the money they earn, by fueling job and wage growth, and by fixing our broken tax code to create a fairer, simpler code.\u201d  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398575", "House Passes Pro-Growth Tax Reform Bill", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Edward Royce", "R000487", "royce.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u00a0\u2014 Today,\u00a0Representative Ed Royce (R-CA) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, legislation that will lead to new job-growth, more take-home pay, and a stronger American economy:\u201cIt\u2019s been 31 years since we last reformed our tax code. The current tax system is broken, burdensome, and continues to hurt job creation. In order to compete in a 21st century economy, California families and small businesses need tax relief\u2014not more of the status quo. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act focuses on boosting growth and helping people across the board keep more of what they earn. \u201cEnacting pro-growth tax policies will directly lead to more economic prosperity for every single American. While this bill is not perfect, it\u2019s a good start. I\u2019m committed to ensuring that the final product works for all Californians, especially for those who need it most.\u201d\r\n             Impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on California:\r\n            According to the analysis conducted by the non-partisan Tax Foundation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would lead to an increase of 111,108 new full time jobs in California over the next 10 years. Additionally, the median household in California would see a gain of $2,932 in after-tax income.\u00a0\r\n            Overview of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:\r\n            \u2022 Lowers individual tax rates for low- and middle-income Americans. Income from $24,000 to $90,000 will be taxed at 12%, income from $90,000 to $260,000 will be taxed at 25%, income from $260,000 to $1 million will be taxed at 35% and income above that is taxed at the current top rate of 39.6%.\u2022 Simplifies our increasingly confusing and complex tax code so an individual or family can file their taxes on a form as small as a postcard.\u2022 Significantly increases the standard deduction to protect roughly double the amount of what you earn each year from taxes \u2013 from $6,350 to $12,000 for individuals and $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples.\u2022 Establishes a new Family Credit, which includes expanding the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $1,600 to help parents with the cost of raising children, and providing a credit of $300 for each parent and non-child dependent to help all families with their everyday expenses.\u201d\u2022 Continues to allow people to write off the cost of state and local property taxes up to $10,000.A full overview of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act can be found HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398473", "House Passes Historic Tax Reform Legislation", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "David Valadao", "V000129", "valadao.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Passes Historic Tax Reform Legislation\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Valadao Votes to Deliver Real Tax Relief to Central Valley Families\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        Washignton,\r\n        November 16, 2017 | \r\n      Anna R. Vetter\r\n      ((202) 815-1685) \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n        Congressman David G. Valadao voted in support of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which passed in the United States House of Representatives. \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      WASHINGTON \u00e2\u0080\u0093 Today, U.S. Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) voted in support of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which passed in the United States House of Representatives. H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, will create a fairer and less complex tax code for individuals, families, and job creators, delivering real tax relief to Americans across the country, especially those in California\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Central Valley.\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            U.S. Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) stated, \u00e2\u0080\u009cOur tax code hasn\u00e2\u0080\u0099t been reformed in over thirty years and, as a result, middle class Americans throughout the nation are struggling. This is especially evident in the Central Valley, where, unemployment levels are double the national average, 27.2% of my constituents live in poverty, and far too many families live paycheck to paycheck. By creating a simpler and fairer tax code, we will create jobs, grow our economy, and increase the amount of money Central Valley workers take home.\u00e2\u0080\u009d\r\n            \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\nLocal Impact\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                H.R. 1 will create 975,000 jobs throughout the United States, 111,108 of which will be located in California alone\r\n                More than 64,000 taxpayers in CA-21 will see a 60% increase from the Child Tax Credit which increases from $1,000 to $1,600 per child\r\n                25,731 taxpayers in CA-21 have small business income \u00e2\u0080\u0093 H.R. 1 will help these businesses grow and hire more workers\r\n                The Median Household Income in CA-21 is $41,174. Under the new code, the average Californian will see an after-tax wage increase of $2,932\r\n                More than 90% of CA-21 residents will be able to file their taxes on a form the size of a post card\r\n                While only 17% of CA-21 residents currently itemize their tax returns, under the new policy, just 5% of residents will itemize their returns\r\n                The typical American family will receive an annual tax cut of $1,182\r\n            \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\nKey Provisions for Individuals and Families\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Creates a simpler, more fair tax code with five tax brackets instead of seven\r\n                \r\n                    Zero, 12%, 25%, 35%, and 39.6%\r\n                \r\n                \r\n                Doubles the standard deduction so that Americans can keep more of their paycheck\r\n                Expands the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $1,600 to help parents with the cost of raising children\r\n                Allows Californians to write off the cost of state and local property taxes up to $10,000\r\n                Eliminates special interest deductions that increase rates and complicate Americans\u00e2\u0080\u0099 taxes \u00e2\u0080\u0093 so an individual or family can file their taxes on a form as simple as a postcard\r\n                Preserves the Earned Income Tax Credit to provide important tax relief for low-income Americans working to build better lives for themselves\r\n                Preserves the home mortgage interest deduction ($500,000 cap) to help Americans achieve the dream of homeownership\r\n                Provides immediate relief from the Death Tax by doubling the exemption and repealing the Death Tax after six years so that family owned farms and businesses can remain in the family\r\n            \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\nKey Provisions for Job Creators\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Allows small businesses, most of whom currently file at the individual level, to receive the benefit of a lower 25% tax rate\r\n                Lowers the corporate tax rate from 35% to 20%\r\n                Allows businesses to immediately write off the cost of new equipment\r\n                Retains the low-income housing tax credit to encourage businesses to invest in affordable housing\r\n                Prevents American jobs, headquarters, and research from moving overseas by eliminating incentives that now reward companies for shifting jobs, profits, and manufacturing plants abroad\r\n            \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\nH.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 227 to 205. The full text of the legislation can be found here and additional resources can be found here. 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    \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://calvert.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-calvert-votes-tax-reform-allows-taxpayers-keep-more-their-money-and-grows", "Rep. Calvert Votes for Tax Reform that Allows Taxpayers to Keep More of their Money and Grows America\u2019s Economy", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Ken Calvert", "C000059", "calvert.house.gov", "calvert", "https://calvert.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) voted along with a majority (227 to 205) of the House of Representatives to approve the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, H.R. 1. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is the most significant overhaul of the U.S. tax code since the 1986 Tax Reform Act was signed into law by President Reagan.\n\n\"I voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act because it allows my constituents in the 42nd District to keep more of the money they earn and will produce tremendous economic benefits that help working families,\" said Rep. Calvert. \"Despite the misinformed and misleading claims from tax-loving liberals, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act produces real tax relief \u2013 especially for low-income and middle-income households with children. That's not my opinion, that's math. This tax bill will allow a majority of my constituents to opt for the standard deduction and, on average, boost after-tax income for middle-class families in California by $2,932.\"\n\nThe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act creates a simpler, fairer tax code that benefits working families by:\n\nDoubling the standard deduction: The standard deduction for individual filers will go from $6,300 to $12,000. Married couples filing jointly will be able to deduct $24,000, as opposed to $12,600 in current law. That means the first $24,000 a family earns will be tax free and more families will have a smaller tax liability by taking the standard deduction rather than itemized deductions.\n\nLowering tax rates: Reduces the seven current income tax brackets to four brackets \u2013 12%, 25%, 35%, continues to maintain 39.6% for high-income Americans. That means more of the money earned in the lower and middle-income tax brackets will be taxed at a lower rate.\n\nIncreasing the Child Tax Credit: Raised from $1,000 to $1,600 per child, while lifting the income phase-out threshold so more families benefit. The bill also creates a new Family Credit, which provides a credit of $300 for each parent and non-child dependent.\n\nPreserving the home mortgage interest deduction: Existing mortgages are grandfathered so that their tax treatment is unchanged. The bill maintains the home mortgage interest deduction for newly purchased homes up to the first $500,000 borrowed.\n\nPreserving the property tax deduction: Continues to allow people to write off the cost of state and local property taxes up to $10,000.\n\nPreserving the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit: The tax credit is unchanged.\n\n\"My California delegation colleagues and I joined with other members from high-tax states to advocate for keeping the mortgage interest deduction and the property tax deduction. Modified versions of these deductions remain in the bill and I will continue to advocate for their inclusion in the final tax reform bill that is negotiated between the House and the Senate. I am confident we will continue to enhance the tax bill to deliver significant tax relief for California taxpayers.\"\n\nThe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will grow our economy, incentivize businesses to invest here in America, create jobs and spur wage growth by:\n\nMaking America's tax code competitive in the global economy: The bill lowers tax rates on job creating businesses of all sizes, including reducing the tax rate on \"pass-through\" business income to no higher than 25% and lowering the corporate tax rate to 20%.\n\nEncouraging investments now with full and immediate expense deductions: The full cost of new capital equipment and other expenses will be fully and immediately deductible.\n\nModernizing our international tax system: Ends our outdated \"worldwide\" tax system that results in double taxation for many of our nation's job creators, while making it easier and far less costly for American businesses to bring home foreign earnings.\n\nEliminating incentives for shifting jobs overseas: The bill ends existing tax code provisions that reward companies for shifting jobs, profits, and manufacturing plants abroad.\n\n\"We know from history the tremendous economic impact of letting our job creators keep and invest their money rather than forfeiting it to the federal government. After the Reagan tax cuts the economy created nearly 15 million jobs over five years and, between 1982 and 1989, real per-capita-income rose by 18 percent. I have no doubt that we can further accelerate economic growth by incentivizing job creators to bring foreign profits back home to America and by allowing them to reinvest more in their workforce.\"\n\n\"The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act benefits 42nd District taxpayers by allowing them to keep more of the money they earn, by fueling job and wage growth, and by fixing our broken tax code to create a fairer, simpler code.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:12:50Z"], ["https://cook.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cook-votes-to-cut-taxes-and-create-jobs", "Rep. Cook Votes to Cut Taxes and Create Jobs", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Paul Cook", "C001094", "cook.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON-\u00a0\u00a0 Rep. Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) today voted in favor of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was approved by the House of Representatives on a 227-205 vote. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will provide the average family of four in Cook\u2019s district, California\u2019s 8th Congressional District, approximately $1,400 annually in savings. Americans will see these savings on taxes collected next year and pay a reduced amount by April 2019.\nRep. Cook said, \u201cDespite the misinformation being spread about this bill, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will protect property tax and mortgage interest deductions for the vast majority of my constituents. Twenty-five thousand additional families in my district will also become eligible for the child tax credit. Through these provisions, and most importantly, by doubling the standard deduction, Americans will be able to keep more of their money. Money in their pockets means better retirement savings, a better shot at a down payment for a home, and more money in local economies rather than federal coffers.\n\u201cThis bill also simplifies our tax code, significantly reducing the difficulties and costs involved in tax preparation. I urge the Senate to act swiftly to pass its own version of the tax legislation so we can get a bill to the President\u2019s desk and provide real tax relief to the American people.\u201d\nH.R. 1 lowers the income tax rate for all Americans other than the wealthiest, where the tax rate remains unchanged, demonstrating a commitment to middle and working class Americans. While H.R. 1 eliminates or reduces a number of tax deductions, the reduced income tax rates and doubled \u201cstandard deduction\u201d more than offset those changes for nearly all taxpayers in Cook\u2019s district. For example, currently 65 percent of Cook\u2019s constituents utilize the standard deduction when doing their taxes, rather than itemizing. Under H.R. 1, that standard deduction will double to $12,000 from $6,000 for individuals and to $24,000 from $12,000 for married couples. According to the Joint Committee on Taxation and the Tax Foundation, 91 percent of taxpayers in Cook\u2019s district will have a lower tax liability through the doubling of the standard deduction alone.\nThe legislation also makes American businesses more competitive internationally. Currently, US tax rates for businesses are among the highest in the industrialized world. Nationwide, this bill reduces taxes on American families and businesses by approximately $1.5 trillion over 10 years and simplifies the tax code to make it easier to file taxes.\nA member of the House Natural Resources, Armed Services, 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://denham.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2134", "Rep. Denham Statement on House Passage of Tax Reform Legislation", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "denham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Denham Statement on House Passage of Tax Reform Legislation \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 16, 2017\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      WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) today issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.\u201cPassage of the House bill is the first step toward significantly lowering the tax burden in the Central Valley. I look forward to working with the Senate to send a final bill to the President\u2019s desk that will benefit Valley families, create jobs and put more money in people\u2019s pockets.\u201d           \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://denham.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2137", "Vietnam Veteran Wardee \u201cGunner\u201d Bruce shares his story with the Veterans History Project", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "denham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) today released a new Thank-a-Vet Thursday (#TVT) video featuring retired U.S. Navy Chief Warrant Officer Wardee \u201cGunner\u201d Bruce Jr. of Turlock, who served seven tours in the Vietnam War and one tour in Operation Desert Storm.\r\n\u00a0\r\nShared on Rep. Denham\u2019s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages, this #TVT video is an excerpt from a longer interview for the Library of Congress\u2019 Veterans History Project.\r\n\u00a0\r\nBruce spent 30 years in the Navy from 1962 to 1992 where he served aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard, USS Orkisey, USS Ticonderoga, USS Enterprise, USS Coral Sea, and USS Nimitz in various jobs including Ordinance Handling Officer. For his service, Bruce was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, three Navy Unit Commendations, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy \u201cE\u201d Ribbon, three Navy Good Conduct Medals, two Navy Expeditionary Medals, National Defense Service Medal, two Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, seven Vietnam Service Medals, Southwest Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation, Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Enlisted Air Crew Member Pin, Expert Rifle Medal, and Expert Pistol Medal. Bruce currently serves as the American Legion Commander in Turlock.\r\n\u00a0\r\nBruce\u2019s story is shared as part of Rep. Denham\u2019s #TVT social media initiative to thank veterans for their service. Rep. Denham invites and encourages social media users to post photos and videos using #TVT to recognize America\u2019s military veterans. All #TVT videos can be found on Rep. 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