url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-says-hate-crime-against-fresno-sikh-man-inexcusable-and,Costa Strongly Condemns Hate Crime Against Fresno Sikh Man,2015-12-30,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Jim Costa,C001059,costa.house.gov,,,legacy,"Fresno, CA Rep. Jim Costa released the following statement strongly condemning the hate crime against Amrik Singh Bal, a Sikh man from Fresno, California. The hate crime that took place in Fresno on Saturday is both inexcusable and intolerable. Sadly, since September 11, 2001, the Sikh community has endured discrimination because of the lack of understanding about Sikhism, which is based on equality and love. As a nation of immigrants, we have the opportunity to learn and benefit from thousands of different cultures, and that is part of what makes the United States special. We must never forget that. Every American citizen regardless of race, creed, or gender has the right to live free of discrimination and fear. My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Singh and his family. I commend all of the agencies that are working diligently to find the two individuals who are responsible for the attack. In 2013, the U.S. Department of Justice added Sikh to the categories they track for hate crime offenses in the United States, and Rep. Costa applauded that decision. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://chu.house.gov/press-release/rep-chu-statement-japans-apology-comfort-women,"Rep. Chu Statement on Japan's Apology to ""Comfort Women""",2015-12-28,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Judy Chu,C001080,chu.house.gov,,,legacy,"PASADENA, CA - On Monday, Japan and South Korea announced an historic agreement regarding the issue of ""comfort women"" - women who were captured and used as sex slaves by the Japanese Army during World War II. Under the agreement, Japan will apologize to the Korean women for the physical and emotional pain and contribute approximately $8.3 million to a fund for the survivors. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) has repeatedly called on Japan to acknowledge this wrong, most recently during Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to Washington in April. Rep. Chu welcomed the agreement and released the following statement: ""This is an historic apology for an historic wrong by Japan. For the women who were forced into sex slavery by the Japanese Army during World War II, the wounds have stayed open for decades. Unfortunately for these women, Japan has often denied responsibility and blamed their suffering on war. This has made it difficult for the survivors to recover and offers a shield to those who would repeat these horrors in the future. We have a responsibility to close this painful chapter and help the survivors move forward. By acknowledging both Japan's role and remorse, and by contributing to a fund for the survivors, Japan is setting an example for the world that such crimes cannot be forgotten, ignored, or repeated. I hope that this will help the survivors and the people of Korea and Japan to move forward in peace.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-on-historic-comfort-women-agreement-between-south-korea-and,Pelosi Statement on Historic Comfort Women Agreement Between South Korea and Japan,2015-12-28,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Nancy Pelosi,P000197,pelosi.house.gov,,,legacy,"Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George,202-226-7616 San Francisco Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released this statement today following the agreement between South Korea and Japan that accepts the latter government's formal acknowledgment and apology for the Imperial Armed Forces' coercion of young women, known as 'comfort women', into sexual slavery during Japan's occupation of Asia and the Pacific Islands during the World War II era: Today, so-called comfort women who lived in terror during the Second World War have finally received the apology they have demanded for decades. This historic agreement between South Korea and Japan represents a victory for the survivors and a victory for global human rights. By formally acknowledging and apologizing for this World War II-era atrocity, Japan atones for its past and asserts that human dignity and liberty are universal human rights. May the hundreds of thousands of women forced by the Japanese Imperial Army into sexual slavery know that the world will forever remember their courage and determination to win justice. For the women who survive, may this agreement bring peace. For the South Korean and Japanese people, may this agreement signal the start of a new era of brotherhood. Following years of international efforts, including the Comfort Women Resolution passed by the House in 2007, the global community applauds this agreement. As we work together with our allies to transform a painful past into a brighter future, we commend the determined, bold leadership of South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. This agreement brings honor to both the South Korean and Japanese people and hope for a better, more harmonious future. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397861,These are the 10 most effective lawmakers in the U.S. Congress,2015-12-28,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Edward Royce,R000487,royce.house.gov,,,legacy,"Public approval of Congress is near historic lows. Journalists, scholars, and presidential candidates regularly express frustration with Congresss inability to get anything done. So which members of the U.S. House are skilled at overcoming gridlock and successfully making laws?Building on our existing research on legislative effectiveness in the United States Congress, we have updated our Legislative Effectiveness Scores (LES) to include those House members who served in the 113th Congress (2013-14). As described in our recently published book, the Legislative Effectiveness Score is constructed to measure how successful a given representative is at moving his or her own legislative agenda items (meaning, sponsored bills) through different stages of the legislative process, where each of those bills is also coded for its substantive significance. The specific formula for the LES can be found here. Drawing on these updated scores, the following tables identify the five most effective representatives from the Republican and Democratic Parties, respectively. Most Effective Republican Representatives (Name/State and District) Dave Camp (MI-4) Darrell Issa (CA-49) Ed Royce (CA-39) Doc Hastings (WA-4) Don Young (AK) Most Effective Democratic Representatives (Name/State and District) Earl Blumenauer (OR-3) Richard Nolan (MN-8) Elijah Cummings (MD-7) Kurt Schrader (OR-5) Derek Kilmer (WA-6) All of them except Camp and Hastings are now serving in the current 114th Congress. Our research suggests that effective lawmakers in one Congress are more likely to produce landmark laws in the next. Given the success of these representatives, should we be optimistic that the current Congress can tackle major issues? On the Republican side, we see that these most-effective representatives have introduced many bills (H.R.s) into the House. Despite an arguably contentious environment, they have had a good deal of success. Issa, for example, sponsored the FOIA Act (H.R. 653) and the First Responders Passport Act of 2015 (H.R. 3750), both of which were acted upon in committee (with hearings and amendments considered) and have been ordered to be reported from committee (moving toward a vote of the full House). Royce has seen nine of the 18 House bills that he sponsored treated substantively, with such actions as committee markups and hearings. His Global Anti-Poaching Act (H.R. 2494) passed the House and is currently being considered in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His Hizballah International Financing Prevention Act of 2015 (H.R. 2297) passed the House and also recently passed the Senate (with amendment). As he has in previous Congresses, Young continues to be a strong advocate for his home state of Alaska, the beneficiary of almost all of the more than 40 bills that he has introduced into the 114th Congress. Two of these bills, H.R. 336 and H.R. 1335, have already passed the House and have been referred to the relevant Senate committees for consideration. Several others have been the focus of various committee and subcommittee markups and hearings. Since the Democrats are in the minority, the five highly effective Democratic representatives have been less successful in moving bills forward. But even they have made headway. For example, the Tribal Coastal Resilience Act (H.R. 2719), sponsored by Kilmer, has been the subject of subcommittee hearings. More impressively, the Federal Employee Antidiscrimination Act of 2015 (H.R. 1557), sponsored by Cummings, unanimously passed the House and has been making progress in the Senate. In these bills, Congress is tackling important local, national, and international issues. Their success tells us that even in these contentious times, members of both parties can move bills forward, especially when they adopt the habits of highly effective lawmakers.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://hunter.house.gov/press-release/reps-hunter-kinzinger-commend-air-force-decision-miley-gate-controversy,Reps. Hunter & Kinzinger commend Air Force decision in Miley-Gate controversy,2015-12-23,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Duncan Hunter,H001048,hunter.house.gov,,,legacy,"Reps. Hunter & Kinzinger commend Air Force decision in Miley-Gate controversy Washington, DC--The Air Force today informed several of its instructor pilots involved in the Laughlin texting controversyreferred to as Miley-Gatethat their aeronautical orders will be immediately reinstated. U.S. Representatives Duncan Hunter (CA-50) and Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) intervened in the case, after learning that several instructor pilots were wrongfully accused and punished for illegal drug use due to suggestive personal text messages that were recovered during an unrelated investigation. It was determined, through a review process ordered by the Air Force Chief of Staff, that allegations of drug use are unsubstantiated. Representatives Hunter and Kinzinger made the following statement after their respective conversations with the Air Force Chief of Staff this morning: While its our belief that the initial action taken against the pilots by the Air Force was unjust, we have been impressed with the seriousness and speed by which these cases have been corrected. Overall, we are content with the outcome and commend the Air Force for doing the right thing. General Welsh demonstrated quality leadership and sound judgment throughout this processand we are grateful for his personal attention to these cases. We do remain concerned, however, with the parts of the military justice system that seem to permit the unjustified seizure and misrepresentation of personal text messagesand we intend to address this issue. Its important that this doesnt happen again. We wish the pilots all the best in their flying careers and thank them for their service.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://kevinmccarthy.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/mccathy-congress-leaders-tell-administration-to-follow-the-visa-waiver,"McCarthy, Congressional Leaders Tell Administration to Follow the Visa Waiver Program Law",2015-12-23,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Kevin McCarthy,M001165,kevinmccarthy.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Kevin McCarthy released the following statement on a letter sent by Congressional leaders urging the Administration to follow the new visa waiver program law in regards to Iran: As I have stated before, Secretary Kerrys concerning letter to Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif implying that the Administration could choose to exempt those who travel to and from Iran from the new visa waiver program requirements goes against Congresss express intent and the spirit of the law. ""The Administration was an active participant in discussions when Congress drafted the visa waiver program legislation and it knows full well that those who travel to and from Iran cannot be granted a blanket exception from the law. Several House chairmen and I sent a letter to Secretaries Kerry and Johnson underscoring the meaning of the law and Congresss concern over Secretary Kerrys letter. There is no ambiguity. The Administration should follow the law as written and agreed to. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://kevinmccarthy.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/editorial-tax-legislation-benefits-the-economy,Editorial: Tax legislation benefits the economy,2015-12-22,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Kevin McCarthy,M001165,kevinmccarthy.house.gov,,,legacy,"It is pleasing to see Congress approve federal tax legislation that gives people a break, especially those provisions which ensure taxpayers will get to keep more of their hard-earned dollars. Late last week, Congress passed the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, a bipartisan legislative package. The legislation makes more than 20 tax provisions permanent, prevents tax increases for millions of Americans, and provides tax relief for small businesses. The tax package is especially beneficial for farmers, noted California Farm Bureau Federation President Paul Wenger, who said: This legislation will bring relief to farms and ranches in two ways. It relieves farmers, ranchers and other small business owners from tax rules that discourage investment in upgraded equipment, and it relieves us of the year-to-year uncertainty about what tax rules we live under. The legislation was part of the $1.14 trillion government-wide spending measure to fund every Cabinet agency through next September, and a $680 billion tax package extending dozens of breaks touching all sectors of the economy, making several of them permanent and tossing the entire cost onto the deficit. The tax portion of the bill makes permanent several tax breaks that had to be renewed each year, taking uncertainty away from farmers. It also extends the time a small business can expense immediately rather than depreciate over time. It also ensured tax deductions for teachers who use their own money for classroom expenses. The bill also extended the Earned Income Tax Credit, American Opportunity Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. Hard-working Americans deserve a break and it is the tax burden that is sending many middle class Americans below the middle class line. This legislation should not only help those Americans, but also help the nations economy. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://desaulnier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/attorney-general-kamala-d-harris-launches-new-prescription-drug,"Attorney General Kamala D. Harris Launches New Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, CURES 2.0",2015-12-22,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Mark DeSaulnier,D000623,desaulnier.house.gov,,,legacy,"SACRAMENTO Attorney General Kamala D. Harris and the California Department of Consumer Affairs today announced the universal launch of the new Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES 2.0), a state-of-the-art overhaul of Californias prescription drug monitoring program that will allow health providers and pharmacists to more effectively flag at-risk patients and curb prescription drug abuse. This innovative prescription drug database ensures that California continues to lead the fight against our countrys prescription drug abuse epidemic, said Attorney General Harris. Through the use of new technology, CURES 2.0 will save lives and improve public health while also providing a vastly improved user experience for healthcare professionals, regulatory boards, and law enforcement. Starting January 8, 2016, current CURES users logging in with up-to-date and secure web browsers will be automatically redirected to the new 2.0 system. In anticipation of the launch, Attorney General Harris also sent a letter to members of the medical community urging them to only use secure software to access confidential and sensitive patient information. CURES 2.0 will give Californias healthcare professionals who prescribe and dispense potent prescription drugs a powerful tool to better access and utilize patient information to help them identify individuals who are abusing these drugs, said Awet Kidane, Director of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. It is a direct result of the hard work and collaboration between the Department of Justice, the Department of Consumer Affairs, and the regulatory boards funding this project. The online CURES database enables healthcare providers to review a patients medication history before prescribing new drugs, storing prescription records for all controlled substances classified as Schedule II, III, and IV. Over 5.5 million such requests have been processed so far in 2015 alone. In addition to providing users with faster and more reliable access to patient activity reports, the upgraded 2.0 system features cutting-edge analytics for flagging at-risk patients, allowing medical professionals to prescribe wisely and helping to prevent abuse or diversion of controlled medications such as opioids. CURES 2.0 is without a doubt the most effective tool for doctors and pharmacists to help curb prescription drug abuse. Many lives will be saved in California, said Bob Pack, a patient safety advocate. By law, all health practitioners licensed to prescribe or dispense scheduled medications are required to sign up for CURES by July 1, 2016. The launch of the new 2.0 system will also include the release of a new streamlined registration process, which will allow users to apply for access and verify their credentials entirely online using secure web browsers. CURES 2.0 was implemented through Senate Bill 809, legislation authored by former California State Senator Mark DeSaulnier and sponsored by Attorney General Harris in 2013. The U.S. claims less than 5% of the worlds population, but consumes roughly 80% of the worlds opioid supply. Each day, 44 people in the U.S. die from an overdose of prescription painkillers. By launching CURES 2.0 and requiring all prescribers and pharmacists to enroll, California will be on the cutting edge of addressing this crisis. I am proud to have authored this law in the memory of the countless sons and daughters who were lost to this epidemic. I thank Attorney General Harris and Governor Brown for their years of work to ensure the modernization of CURES is a success, said Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11). To learn more about CURES 2.0, visit https://oag.ca.gov/cures-pdmp. #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/rep-lee-responds-to-fda-policy-change-to-blood-donor-deferral-policy-for-msm,Rep. Lee Responds to FDA Policy Change to Blood Donor Deferral Policy for MSM,2015-12-22,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Barbara Lee,L000551,lee.house.gov,,,legacy,"12.22.15 Rep. Lee Responds to FDA Policy Change to Blood Donor Deferral Policy for MSM Oakland, CA Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement regarding the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) policy change of the blood donor deferral policy for men who have sex with men (MSM) from lifetime ban to one-year deferral: I applaud today's decision from the Food and Drug Administration to lift the discriminatory lifetime blood donation ban for members of the MSM community. However, the policy of one year deferral still maintains the long outdated policies concerning blood donations from the MSM community without scientific justification, said Congresswoman Lee. Blood and blood products are critical to the treatment of many medical conditions and blood supplies are chronically low, especially around the holidays. Our blood donation policies should be based on science, not fear. I have called and will continue to call for blood donation policies that are based on the best possible science, data and technical capacity to ensure public health. The previous lifetime ban on MSM donating blood was put in place during the rise of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980's, but is no longer scientifically justified with current blood screening technology. In 2010, the HHS Advisory Committee on Blood & Tissue Safety & Availability (ACBTSA) found the ban to be suboptimal and asked for re-evaluation of this policy. In response to a letter from legislators in 2013, HHS indicated that the Department will finish deliberations on a policy change to the blood ban by the end of 2014. In 2013, the American Medical Association (AMA) passed a resolution opposing the current lifetime ban as discriminatory and not based on sound science. Instead, the AMA supports new donation deferral policies that are based on an individual's level of risk. The blood banking community, including the American Red Cross and America's Blood Centers, has also long-supported a change in policy. ### Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip's Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity. Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://schiff.house.gov/news/press-releases/rep-schiff-announces-extension-of-lautenberg-amendment-for-iranian-religious-minorities-fleeing-persecution-included-in-omnibus,Rep. Schiff Announces Extension of Lautenberg Amendment for Iranian Religious Minorities Fleeing Persecution Included in Omnibus,2015-12-22,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Adam Schiff,S001150,schiff.house.gov,,,legacy,"12.22.15 Rep. Schiff Announces Extension of Lautenberg Amendment for Iranian Religious Minorities Fleeing Persecution Included in Omnibus Washington, D.C. Congress included a one-year extension of a program to assist Iranian religious minorities fleeing persecution in the FY 2016 omnibus spending bill as the result of a bipartisan effort led by Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Trent Franks (R-AZ). The bill was signed into law by President Obama this week. Commonly referred to as the Lautenberg Amendment, the provision extends a program established by the State Department and the government of Austria to provide a safe pathway to asylum for Iranian refugees at a critical time when the Iranian regime perpetuates campaigns that vilify Christians, deny the Holocaust and persecute Jews, and incarcerates Baha'i leaders who are put on trial for their beliefs. The provision today predominantly facilitates the resettlement of Iranian Jews, Christians, Bahais, as well as other historically persecuted religious minorities from the Former Soviet Union, Eastern Ukraine, and Crimea. The provision previously expired on September 30, 2015, and will now be extended through September 2016. The Lautenberg Amendment has served as a lifeline for over two decades to tens of thousands of Jewish, Christian, Bahai, and other religious minorities fleeing Iran and the FSU, Schiff said. Without it, there would be no recourse or refuge for many of these individuals. I am pleased that Congress supported my request for its extension, which will continue to provide a beacon of hope for those seeking safety from discrimination and abuse solely for their religious beliefs. Background: The Lautenberg Amendment was first enacted in 1990 at the request of former Senator Frank R. Lautenberg to provide expedited refugee processing and a presumption of eligibility for historically persecuted religious minority groups from the former Soviet Union and Southeast Asia. It was then expanded in 2004 to include minority groups from Iran and has since been reauthorized every year. The program does not provide access to the U.S. refugee resettlement program, but rather eases the burden of proof for the applicant only after the State Department has invited a particular group to apply for refugee status for reasons of humanitarian concern. In FY15, 4,180 cases were admitted to the U.S. using the Lautenberg mechanism this includes 2,362 from the former Soviet Union and 1,818 from Iran that were processed through Vienna. Renewal of the Lautenberg Amendment is needed because there is no U.S. embassy in Tehran where religious minorities can apply for refugee status. The provision, therefore, makes it possible for religious minorities to obtain transit visas to Austria where they can safely undergo processing for protection. Without enactment of this provision, the Austrian government can limit or refuse to grant transit visas for Iranians seeking refugee status, thus eliminating a safe way for these refugees to escape perilous conditions. Today, the programs beneficiaries are predominantly Iranian Jews, Christians including many Armenians, and Baha'is, as well as other religious minorities from the FSU, eastern Ukraine, and Crimea. All individuals who are admitted under the program enter the U.S. as refugees and are, therefore, subject to the annual numerical cap on refugee admissions. Entrants must also undergo the same criminal and security background checks and rigorous vetting prior to entering the United States. ### Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://bera.house.gov/media-center/amis-updates/email-update-grateful-to-serve-you,Email update: Grateful to serve you,2015-12-21,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Ami Bera,B001287,bera.house.gov,,,legacy,"I sent an email update on Monday about some of the new bipartisan successes of 2015. Join my email updates now so you don't miss any in the future! Happy Holidays! As we approach the end of 2015, I continue to be grateful for the privilege of serving you in Congress. And despite the name calling in Washington, I'm glad both parties came together and made crucial progress these past few weeks. For instance,last week both parties came together to pass a bipartisan government funding bill.This will keep our government open and makes critical investments in America's future. It includes permanent tax credits to help working families and small businesses, full funding for upgrades to Folsom Dam, and more support to fight prescription drug abuse. I was also pleased this bill includes my proposal to rollback a health insurance tax. This will save the average personmore than $200in insurance costs and seniors on Medicare Advantage plans willsave $350. In addition, earlier this monthI was proud to vote for a major bipartisan infrastructure bill.This is a long-term, five year bill that was widely supported by both parties. It will help ensure that we continue to rebuild our roads, bridges, and public transportation. Reinvesting in our infrastructure is critical to the economic growth of our area and creating good jobs. And as a former educator,Im pleased both parties passed a major education bill, the Every Student Succeeds Act.This new law eliminates the unworkable standards created by No Child Left Behind. It means more fairness and flexibility for both teachers and students while maintaining accountability. Instead of a one-size fits all approach, states and local school districts will be able to implement what they know works best. It also ensures funding goes to schools that need it and is targeted for at-risk students so all may realize the American dream.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://mcnerney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mcnerney-announces-funding-and-next-steps-for-french-camp-va-clinic,Rep. McNerney Announces Funding and Next Steps for French Camp VA Clinic,2015-12-21,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Jerry McNerney,M001166,mcnerney.house.gov,,,legacy,"French Camp, CA Building upon his long-standing commitment to our nations veterans, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09), today, joined with local veterans and community leaders to announce the planned construction of the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in French Camp, CA. Funding for the CBOC was included in the FY16 omnibus spending bill passed by Congress and signed by President Obama last week. Securing funding for the project is a critical step to move the clinic forward to the construction phase. With this funding, our veterans are virtually assured of having a facility in their community that will make it easier for them to access the health benefits they have earned. Construction on this clinic is long-overdue. Over the years, Rep. Jeff Denham and I fought tirelessly and took every measure possible to secure funding for the project in the budget. Im glad to see that Congress is finally making this important investment in the health and well-being of our veterans who will benefit once the project is completed, said Rep. McNerney. We cannot waiver on our commitment to the men and women whove served our country, and I will continue working with the VA and all of our partners and stakeholders to ensure that this facility provides them with the best health care services possible. The FY16 omnibus spending bill provides $1.24 billion for major VA construction projects. These funds are sufficient to start construction on the long-overdue $139 million CBOC in French Camp, CA, one of the projects included in the Administrations FY16 budget request for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Our veterans cannot and should not have to wait any longer to see the French Camp CBOC completed. I will not rest until I see this facility, which will serve thousands of Valley vets, built, said Rep. Jeff Denham (CA-10). The French Camp CBOC will serve 87,000 veterans across a wide geographic area that includes San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Amador Counties, among others. The French Camp site is a 52-acre, undeveloped parcel of farmland, located adjacent to I-5, the San Joaquin General Hospital and the existing Stockton CBOC. In 2005, the San Joaquin County community came together to advocate for this clinic to better serve our veterans. Ensuring that veterans are able to easily access the health care benefits theyve earned will improve their future, and it is an important way to honor all veterans and to remember those who have gone before us. While there is still much work to be done to make the clinic a reality, I want to thank all of the leaders who have helped push this project forward, said Tino Adame State Chairman of Veterans affairs and Rehabilitation for the American Legion. The 150,000 sq. ft. French Camp CBOC will include mental health, primary care, PT/OT, radiology, laboratory, pharmacy, audiology and speech pathology, dental, eye, prosthetics, and other specialty services on a telehealth basis such as podiatry, orthopedics, cardiology and rheumatology. The next steps for the French Camp CBOC is for the House and Senate Veterans Affairs committees to allocate the funds listed in the House-and Senate-passed spending bills in their project authorizations. The Army Corps of Engineers will be the project manager for this major construction project. The VA estimates that the French Camp clinic will break ground in 2017 and take two and a half to three years to complete. If the project stays on schedule, the French Camp CBOC should open late in the year in 2019 or early in 2020. Rep. McNerney has been a strong advocate for securing the authorization and funding for the French Camp clinic, repeatedly calling for the financial resources to complete the project. ### Rep. Jerry McNerney proudly serves the constituents of Californias 9th Congressional District that includes portions of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Sacramento Counties. For more information on Rep. McNerneys work, follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @RepMcNerney.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://roybal-allard.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397949,"Reps. Roybal-Allard, Boyle, Farr and Titus Lead Letter to National Institutes of Health Calling for Retirement of Monkeys from Government Laboratory",2015-12-21,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Lucille Roybal-Allard,R000486,roybal-allard.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-13), Congressman Sam Farr (CA-20), Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-1), and 24 additional members of Congress sent a letter to National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Francis Collins requesting that the agency make plans to transfer 300 monkeys from a shuttering federal laboratory in Maryland to reputable sanctuaries. The letter can be read here.The request follows NIHs announcement in early December that, after more than 30 years, it is ending controversial psychological experiments on baby monkeys and closing down the facility by September 30, 2018. Since 2014, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (Labor-HHS) has been leading efforts in Congress to end these experiments, including by sending letters to NIH and by successfully including report language in the FY 2016 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill calling for a critical review of the project. Having closely worked on this issue for more than a year, I applaud the NIH for making history by ending decades of traumatizing experiments on baby monkeys, said Congresswoman Roybal-Allard. I am pleased to join my congressional colleagues in urging Dr. Collins to now make arrangements to send these monkeys to sanctuaries, rather than sending them to other laboratories to be subjected to further experiments. NIH has done the right thing by ending its controversial and expensive psychological experiments on monkeys, said Congressman Boyle. The responsible next step is transferring these primates to reputable sanctuaries, as the agency has committed to doing with government-owned chimpanzees. This cruel monkey laboratory has been operating for more than 30 yearssince before I was elected to Congressand I am proud to be a part of efforts that have ensured it begins closing down before I leave office. Now I want to make sure that these monkeys get to retire by the time I do in 2017, said Congressman Farr. I am glad NIH will end testing on baby monkeys, and I am hopeful that the NIH will take the important next steps so these animals can live in peace, said Congresswoman Titus.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://scottpeters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-peters-awards-san-diego-veteran-overdue-bronze-star,Rep. Peters Awards San Diego Veteran Overdue Bronze Star,2015-12-21,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Scott Peters,P000608,scottpeters.house.gov,,,legacy,"SAN DIEGO Today at his San Diego office, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) awarded La Jolla resident and former Private First Class Donald Breitenberg a long overdue Bronze Star for his service in the U.S. Army during World War II. Breitenberg reached out to Peters San Diego office in October after learning that he was eligible to receive the Bronze Star because of his combat service as an infantryman in Europe. Breitenberg joined the U.S. Army on March 1st, 1942 at the age of seventeen and went on to earn a Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge. It was my honor to give Donald Breitenberg this long overdue recognition for his brave service, Peters said. Getting our San Diego World War Two veterans the recognition they have earned is the very least we can do to honor our greatest generation and the sacrifices they made for our nation. I am glad that my office and I were able to make this possible, and encourage other veterans and their families to reach out if they need help getting the benefits or recognition they earned through their service. After the ceremony, Breitenberg reflected on his service including jumping into France seven hours before the D-Day landings, fighting at the Battle of the Bulge, and liberating a German concentration camp. It just opens up a lot of doors and memories, Breitenberg said of receiving the Bronze Star. Rep. Peters pins the Bronze Star Medal on former Private First Class Donald Breitenberg. Soon after becoming the Chief of Staff of the Army in 1948, General Omar Bradley chose to recognize all World War II combat veterans by making them eligible to receive the Bronze Star Medal.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-waters-supports-omnibus-appropriations-bill-s-increased-0,Congresswoman Waters Supports Omnibus Appropriations Bill’s Increased Funding for Minority AIDS Initiative,2015-12-21,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Maxine Waters,W000187,waters.house.gov,waters,https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services, announced her support of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill's inclusion of robust funding the Minority AIDS Initiative. This bill funds this initiative for Fiscal Year 2016. Despite the fact that Congresswoman Waters did not agree with all of the allocations in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill, she is appreciative of the increased funding for the Minority AIDS Initiative that she led the efforts to establish. ""I have fought for funding for the Minority AIDS Initiative throughout the year. I am pleased that my colleagues in Congress have voted to ensure that the Minority AIDS Initiative is a top priority,"" said Congresswoman Waters. The Omnibus Appropriations Bill allocates $53.9 million for the Minority AIDS Initiative Secretary's Fund, one of the four Minority AIDS Initiative accounts. This is an increase of $1.9 million above the 2015 enacted level. Congresswoman Waters sent a letter to appropriators in March requesting $610 million for the Minority AIDS Initiative, and it was signed by 66 Members of Congress. The Congresswoman also sent a second letter to appropriators on December 9th requesting robust funding for the Minority AIDS Initiative, and it was signed by 48 Members of Congress. The Minority AIDS Initiative is needed to help minority communities combat disproportionate HIV/AIDS infection rates. African Americans account for 44% of new HIV infections, Latinos account for 21%, and Asian Americans account for about 2% of new HIV infections. Congresswoman Waters said, ""Racial and ethnic minorities continue to be severely and disproportionately impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States. Minorities represent the majority of new HIV infections, people living with HIV/AIDS, and deaths from AIDS. The Minority AIDS Initiative is a critical tool in the effort to combat these unacceptable disparities, and this funding will help continue the progress that has already been made."" Other Minority AIDS Initiative accounts were not specified in the bill but are expected to receive as much as or slightly more than last year, for a total of more than $425.2 million across all four accounts of the Minority AIDS Initiative in fiscal year 2016.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T20:33:33Z https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-waters-supports-omnibus-appropriations-bill-s-increased-2,Congresswoman Waters Supports Omnibus Appropriations Bill’s Increased Funding for Alzheimer’s Disease Research and Programs to Assist Caregivers,2015-12-21,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Maxine Waters,W000187,waters.house.gov,waters,https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services, announced her support of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill's inclusion of robust funding for Alzheimer's disease research, programs for Alzheimer's caregivers and the Minority AIDS Initiative. This bill funds these initiatives for Fiscal Year 2016. Despite the fact that Congresswoman Waters did not agree with all of the allocations in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill, she is appreciative of the additional funding for Alzheimer's disease initiatives due to the work she has done to obtain additional resources to help Alzheimer's patients and caregivers. ""I have fought for additional resources for the Alzheimer's disease research and caregivers throughout the year. I am pleased that my colleagues in Congress have voted to ensure that Alzheimer's disease initiatives are top priorities,"" said Congresswoman Waters. The omnibus bill allocates $936 million for Alzheimer's disease research at the National Institutes of Health in Fiscal Year 2016, an increase of $350 million over the Fiscal Year 2015 level. The Congresswoman has fiercely advocated for additional funding and resources for Alzheimer's disease research. Congresswoman Waters, Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4) and Congressman John Garamendi (CA-3) sent a letter to appropriators requesting a substantial increase in funding for Alzheimer's research, and it was signed by a total of 63 Members of Congress. The omnibus bill also includes funding for the Alzheimer's Disease Supportive Services Program (ADSPP), which aids families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer's disease. ADSSP funds competitive grants to states to expand evidence-based interventions and long-term services to help patients with dementia and their caregivers. Last March, Congresswoman Waters and Congressman Christopher Smith circulated a letter in support of this program, which was signed by 21 Members of Congress. ""I was pleased to learn that funding for this program was increased by more than 25 percent, from $3.8 million in fiscal year 2015 to $4.8 million in fiscal year 2016,"" said Congresswoman Waters. In addition, the omnibus bill appropriates $14.7 million for the Alzheimer's Disease Initiative - Specialized Supportive Services program. This initiative provides specialized, person-centered services that help caregivers and Alzheimer's patients to remain independent and safe in their communities. This initiative was launched in 2011 with a new website – alzheimers.gov – and a variety of outreach materials were developed. The initiative will continue to promote the new website to caregivers and associated organizations using materials already developed. Congresswoman Waters added, ""I am focused on ensuring that caregivers have the support they need. Caring for a person living with Alzheimer's is exhausting and draining, and this initiative will give families support as they deal with this debilitating disease.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T20:33:33Z http://calvert.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397477,Op-Ed: 'War on terror' comes to the Inland Empire,2015-12-19,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Ken Calvert,C000059,calvert.house.gov,,,legacy,"As Printed in The Press Enterprise share: f t The 9/11attacks seared many images into our collective memory. One of those unforgettable moments took place in the days after the attacks when President George W. Bush stood atop the rubble and addressed the firefighters digging through the still-smoldering debris from the World Trade Center. Through a bullhorn, President Bush told the firefighters, the country and the world, I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon. To our shock and horror, the barbaric and perverse interpretation of Islam that motivated 9/11recently manifested in the Inland Empire. Fourteen members of our community were taken from us and 22 others were injured by radical Islamic extremists. Inland Empire residents are left wondering: How did this happen, how did we get here, and how do we stop this from happening again? The rise of ISIS coincides with the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq in 2011. That withdrawal took place despite recommendations by Pentagon officials, including former Secretary of Defense Bob Gates, to keep between 10,000 and 16,000 troops in Iraq to train Iraqi soldiers and work with them on counterterrorism missions. The failure by President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to successfully negotiate a Status of Forces Agreement with the Iraqi government ultimately led to a power vacuum and an environment that invited Islamic extremists. Similarly, President Obamas toothless approach to the ongoing civil war in Syria has exacerbated the turmoil, the fleeing of refugees and again provided Islamic extremists another vulnerable region to exploit. The growing strength of Islamic extremists goes far beyond the territories controlled by ISIS. Boko Haram continues to secure territory throughout West Africa. Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula is making gains in southern Yemen. Al Shabab controls territory in Somalia. Secretary Clintons reckless war in Libya, combined with President Obamas feckless lead from behind approach, and a desire to whitewash the dreadful results of both provided our enemies with the clearest signal yet that we have a jayvee team running our foreign policy. As many experts have pointed out, the presidents claim that Islamic extremists have been contained is simply out of touch with what is really happening in the Middle East and throughout the world. Islamic extremists are united in their determination to establish the most significant caliphate since the Ottoman Empire. To establish a caliphate, Islamic extremists believe they must secure territory, which is then ruled by a caliph who is compelled to apply Shariah law to everyone who lives within its boundaries. Holding territory is critical to maintaining the caliphate Islamic extremists desire. The attacks on ISIS and other armed radical groups by Western countries threaten their ability to secure these areas, which is why the airstrikes must be increased in ferocity and tempo. President Obamas current strategy for defeating ISIS and other Islamic extremist organizations is failing. The attacks in Paris and in San Bernardino are the latest examples of that failure. Time and again, we have heard the president state he will not engage in another large ground war in the Middle East. Americans are smart enough to realize there are strategic options available other than a large ground war or stumbling along with the presidents failing strategy. Along with our coalition partners, our military should enforce a no-fly zone over Syria and help establish safe zones that would allow Syrians to remain in their country. American special operations forces can and should play a larger role in the fight without having our troops lead the fight. In addition, we must work with our coalition partners to provide those fighting on the ground and our allies in the region with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets, as well as appropriate weapons. The president needs to take a stronger and more active role building our coalition and, particularly, making it clear that moderate Muslim nations must take meaningful actions to curb the growth of extremists. Countries must choose a side in this global struggle for our civilization. We must also dry up their finances and effectively combat them in cyberspace. But make no mistake, the key to defeating ISIS is defeating ISIS on the ground until they hold no territory. The American people, the free world and the violent Islamic extremists around the globe need to see President Obama take a forceful, aggressive approach to winning this war. We need him to be able to name our enemy radical Islamic extremists. Its time for him to grab a bullhorn and make sure everyone hears us. Ken Calvert represents Californias 42nd Congressional District.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://kevinmccarthy.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/op-edcalifornians-need-genuine-drought-solution-from-congress,OP-ED:Californians need genuine drought solution from Congress,2015-12-19,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Kevin McCarthy,M001165,kevinmccarthy.house.gov,,,legacy,"Californians need genuine drought solution from Congress San Diego Union Tribune Kevin McCarthy 12/19/15 https://bit.ly/1TZNzOL Water policy has vexed lawmakers in Congress for years. I understand that as much as anyone. But as elected legislative leaders for Californians, we must rise to the occasion and give Californians policies that will offer genuine drought relief. The House passed a drought relief bill in late July and urged the Senate to act. And despite the Senate not passing its own bill, California Republicans and Democrats have still been negotiating water legislation in my conference room for months. More progress has been made this time than in years past. But with the calendar racing toward the rainy season, it is clear we are still a ways out from a long-term solution. Time is of the essence. Our neighbors have been suffering under epic drought conditions for years. So when Mother Nature presents an opportunity to ease this pain with El Nio storms, we must act. That is why California Republicans have done everything we could to get a short-term, emergency bill signed into law before the new year that achieves the very real goal of capturing the excess water from the coming storms. And this short-term, emergency bill reflects a compromise of different priorities from our negotiations, such as promoting desalination, water reuse and recycling, and the conservation of habitats, as well as offering relief for drought-stricken communities. These are all items reasonable-minded folks, including Sen. Dianne Feinstein, can agree to. This is why the response from Sens. Feinstein and Barbara Boxer to our plan is so disappointing. For members of a chamber known as the saucer to cool the hot cup, Feinstein and Boxer have instead turned a prudent approach into a poison pill. We know that legislative action is needed, which is why I tried to put drought relief in legislation that could pass Congress and be signed into law before the year ends. Because we need to get on with it. No more delays, no more moving the goalposts, no more prolonging the devastation in our states communities. Perhaps another four months of negotiating is needed before Sen. Feinstein and Sen. Boxer can give their blessing, although another four months would cause us to miss El Nios brief window of wetter weather. While I remain open to continued talks, with the legislative session ending, I believe we need to get on with it. We cannot continue to wait like years past and let partisanship once again stand in the way of progress especially when the stakes are so high for so many. McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, is House majority leader. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pelosi.house.gov/news/pelosi-updates/a-win-for-working-families,A Win for Working Families,2015-12-19,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Nancy Pelosi,P000197,pelosi.house.gov,,,legacy,"A Win for Working Families Ending the specter of another Government Shutdown, Congress today passeda bill to keep the government open, create jobs, invest in the future and grow the paychecks of hardworking families. While imperfect, the Omnibus bill is a bipartisan compromise that stands as a major victory for working families over the Republican Congresss special interest priorities. As always, House Republicans fought to put the special interests first insisting on giftwrapping a giveaway for Big Oil by lifting the 40-year old ban on crude oil exports. Yet thier desperate thirst to help Big Oil empoweredDemocrats to win sweeping victoriesfor working families throughout the bill: We won major new investments in clean and renewable energy, adding wind and solar tax credits that will eliminate close to ten times more carbon pollution than the exports of oil will add. We secured substantial increases in investments for research and development, education & early learning, medical research, infrastructure and law enforcement. We forced them to remove numerous toxic policy provisions known as riders that would have attacked womens health, weakened our oversight of big Wall Street banks, undermined the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, assaulted our climate, dismantled campaign finance reform, and hurt workers and children. We reauthorized the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, affirming our deep commitment to the heroes of September 11th, 2001 struggling from illnesses after their time at Ground Zero. With this bill, Congress has averted another disastrous Government Shutdown and we have taken bipartisan action to create jobs, strengthen the middle class and enhance our national security. Today, we secured an enormous win for working families, and for Americas future. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi delivers remarks on the floor of the House opposing the tax extenders bills. A Trojan Horse On Thursday,House Republicans passed legislationto lock into place hundreds of billions of dollars in permanent, unpaid-for special interest tax breaks. These massive giveaways to the special interests and big corporations are deeply destructive to our future, and they come at the expense of hard-working families. This Republican tax extender billis like a Trojan Horse: while it includes some positive measures to support working families pushed by Democrats such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, and the American Opportunity tax credit for higher education the bill is heavily weighted towards the special interests and big corporations. For example, it includes $86 billion in tax giveaways that will encourage big corporations and financial institutions to keep their income offshore and avoid paying their fair share of U.S. taxes. These permanent, unpaid-for tax measures explode the deficit by more than $600 billion in the next ten years alone. It is almost an immorality. We have a responsibility to pass legislation that grows the paychecks of hard-working families and invests in the future of our children. Their tax extender bill fails to meet that test. That is why I refused to place my name and the name of every hard-working San Franciscan next to this bill. In the New Year, House Democrats will continue to fight to ensure that we build an economy that works for everyone, not just the privileged few. My constituent recently had to reduce her work hours in order to care for her mother who suffered a stroke. As a result, my constituent, who receives a housing voucher to pay for rent, submitted a request for rent reduction to the San Francisco Housing Authority (SFHA) based on loss of income. However, SFHA did not take into account all of the documentation my constituent had provided, and after submitting multiple requests for the record to be corrected, my constituent contacted my office. My staff promptly contacted SFHA with the documentation provided by my constituent and highlighted the oversight. Shortly thereafter, SFHA re-reviewed the reduction and made the appropriate adjustments to her rent.Caseworkers in my San Francisco office work to address any problems or concerns you may have with a federal government agency. To submit a Casework Authorization Form, pleasevisitmy website.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-waters-delivers-good-news-alzheimer-s-disease-caregivers-0,Congresswoman Waters Delivers Good News to Alzheimer’s Disease Caregivers Support Group in Los Angeles,2015-12-19,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Maxine Waters,W000187,waters.house.gov,waters,https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services, delivered good news to attendees at the Actively Caring Through Sharing Support Group for Women and Men Caregivers Meeting (ACTS) on Saturday, December 19, 2015 in Los Angeles. As a longtime advocate for Alzheimer's disease caregivers, the Congresswoman educated the caregivers on the robust funding for Alzheimer's disease research and Alzheimer's caregivers programs included in the Fiscal Year 2016 budget that Congress passed last week. ""I am very pleased that this robust funding will help caregivers offer emotional, physical and financial support to their loved ones who are battling Alzheimer's disease. This additional funding will help provide caregivers with the resources that they need to provide the best care for their loved ones,"" stated Congresswoman Waters. The omnibus bill includes funding for the Alzheimer's Disease Supportive Services Program (ADSPP), which aids families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer's disease. ADSSP funds competitive grants to states to expand evidence-based interventions and long-term services to help patients with dementia and their caregivers. The funding for this program was increased by more than 25 percent, from $3.8 million in fiscal year 2015 to $4.8 million in fiscal year 2016. Last March, Congresswoman Waters and Congressman Christopher Smith (NJ-4) circulated a letter in support of this program, which was signed by 21 Members of Congress. In addition, the budget appropriates $14.7 million for the Alzheimer's disease Initiative - Specialized Supportive Services program. This initiative provides specialized, person-centered services that help caregivers and Alzheimer's patients to remain independent and safe in their communities. This initiative was launched in 2011 with a new website – alzheimers.gov – and a variety of outreach materials were developed. The initiative will continue to promote the new website to caregivers and associated organizations using materials already developed. ""This funding will make a tremendous difference in the lives of many caregivers, and I was pleased to provide the caregivers in ACTS information about what my fight to ensure programs that offer resources to them have the necessary funding to continue supporting their efforts,"" stated Congresswoman Waters. Congresswoman Waters has introduced legislation to help caregivers, such as Alzheimer's Action Now, a set of bills that together will help Alzheimer's patients and their families, promote public awareness, and encourage contributions to research efforts. Also included in Alzheimer's Action Now is the Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Act, which authorizes grants to public and non-profit organizations to expand training and support services for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T20:33:33Z http://bera.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bera-praises-omnibus-provision-to-lower-health-insurance-premiums,Bera Praises Omnibus Provision to Lower Health Insurance Premiums,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Ami Bera,B001287,bera.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. praised the passage of a one year pause of the Health Insurance Tax, highlighting how it will lower the cost of health care for seniors, families and small businesses. By delaying the tax, the average individual will save more than $200 on health insurance costs and seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans will save $350. I introduced the Small Business and Family Relief Act in 2013 to help make insurance more affordable for middle class Americans and am pleased to see a version was finally included in the spending package. We should not be imposing this financial burden on small businesses for doing the right thing and providing their workers with quality health care. The tax makes it more expensive to provide health insurance to employees, hinders job growth, and could force layoffs. We must continue to work to increase health care enrollment to help drive down health care prices, but in the meantime this delay will protect small businesses, seniors, and families from potentially harmful costs. River City Printers, a Rancho Cordova-based business that employs 31 people emphasized the benefit that this delay will have for the small business. Congressman Bera has been fighting toprovide relief for California small businesses from the Health Insurance Tax, saidKasey Cotulla, owner of River City Printersin Rancho Cordova, CA. We appreciate his leadership in securing a 1-year delay of the tax, which will allow small businesses like ours to re-invest those costs in our company and employees. We hope Congress will continue to fight for a long-term solution to this harmful tax on small businesses. Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. represents Sacramento County. Born and raised in California, Bera is a physician and the only Indian American currently serving in Congress. Hes fighting to rebuild an economy that works for middle class families and to reduce our countrys debt in a responsible way. One of Beras first acts in Congress was to help lead the effort to pass the No Budget No Pay Act, which says if members of Congress dont pass a budget, they dont get paid. As a leader of the No Labels' Problem Solvers, hes working with people from both parties to find bipartisan solutions to our nations challenges. He and his wife Janine live in Elk Grove with their daughter Sydra. For more updates on Rep. Bera follow@RepBeraon Twitter,like Congressman Bera on Facebook, or visithttps://www.bera.house.gov. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://bera.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bera-statement-on-government-funding-bill,Bera Statement on Government Funding Bill,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Ami Bera,B001287,bera.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. made the following statement after voting for the tax credit and government funding bills. This package represents a true compromise that will not only keep the government open, but for the first time in two years it will lift harmful spending caps and increase investment in programs that families and businesses rely on to get ahead. The package includes permanent tax credits that support working families, make college more affordable, and help small businesses grow. It also fully funds upgrades to Folsom Dam to increase safety and storage. The package encourages innovation by increasing funding for critical research into cures for some of our most pressing diseases at the National Institutes of Health. Im also happy my proposal to reduce health insurance premiums was included in the package. And, in the midst of a prescription drug epidemic, Im glad to see an increase in funding to address prescription drug abuse. Several important issues were left out of this package, including measures to address Californias drought. Im also disappointed that lawmakers did not take the opportunity to lift the ban on research into gun violence at the Centers for Disease Control. We must do more to keep our communities safe. At a time when too many families and businesses in my district are still struggling, this spending package includes multiple measures to help keeps millions out of poverty and grow our economy. Im glad members from both parties were able to come together and pass this bill to provide stability and support to hardworking Americans. Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. represents Sacramento County. Born and raised in California, Bera is a physician and the only Indian American currently serving in Congress. Hes fighting to rebuild an economy that works for middle class families and to reduce our countrys debt in a responsible way. One of Beras first acts in Congress was to help lead the effort to pass the No Budget No Pay Act, which says if members of Congress dont pass a budget, they dont get paid. As a leader of the No Labels' Problem Solvers, hes working with people from both parties to find bipartisan solutions to our nations challenges. He and his wife Janine live in Elk Grove with their daughter Sydra. For more updates on Rep. Bera follow@RepBeraon Twitter,like Congressman Bera on Facebook, or visithttps://www.bera.house.gov. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://calvert.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397475,Rep. Calvert Legislation Would Enhance Refugee Vetting Process,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Ken Calvert,C000059,calvert.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Calvert Legislation Would Enhance Refugee Vetting Process f t # e Washington, D.C, December 18, 2015 Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) introduced the Secure Accountability for Emigres and Refugees (SAFER) Act, H.R. 4291.The SAFER Act would add requirements to the Syrian and Iraqi refugee security vetting process. It has become all too clear to many Americans that our security screening processes for individuals wishing to enter our country are insufficient, said Rep. Calvert. Peaceful people who wish to come to our country with good intentions have nothing to fear with these additional measures.I believe these are responsible steps we must take to protect Americans. The SAFER Act builds upon the SAFE Act (HR 4038) which passed the House on November 19, 2015. The SAFE Act empowered our security agencies to set strict requirements for entry as refugees and halted admissions until such standards are set. The SAFER Act would define the requirements to fully vet Syrian and Iraqi refugees before they can be admitted into the United States: All Syrian and Iraqi refugees regardless of background or religious affiliation must pass a certified polygraph examination.A polygraph will be essential in determining whether a refugee is truly coming to the United States to escape oppression or if they are coming here with possibly violent intentions. It is also necessary since for many refugees we only have their word to rely on as to who they are, where they are from and why they are coming here.There are no corresponding government databases to verify their claims nor is there the ability to conduct a sufficient background check due to the conflicts in the region and displacement of entire communities. All Syrian and Iraqi refugees regardless of background or religious affiliation must agree to provide biometric data and have that data compared to known databases in order to validate they have no known history of terrorist activities. All Syrian and Iraqi refugees regardless of background or religious affiliation must agree to provide DNA samples and have those samples compared to known databases in order to validate they have no known history of terrorist activities. All Syrian and Iraqi refugees will be subject to a background check that includes an investigation of all online activity, including posts to social media. For more information, clickhere and to read the bill text click here. ### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://calvert.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397476,Rep. Calvert Votes to Fund Key Priorities,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Ken Calvert,C000059,calvert.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) voted along with a bipartisan majority (316 to 113) to approve the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act. The bill funds the federal discretionary budget for the remainder of the fiscal year. Rep. Calvert serves as the Chairman of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee. The funding priorities the House approved today will curb the Obama administrations dangerous bureaucracy while investing in programs that are essential to American families, said Rep. Calvert. Ive worked hard to protect our economy from the regulatory overreach at the EPA and in this bill we hold the EPA staffing to its lowest level since 1989. The funding the Appropriations Committee has provided for our military, veterans and for critical infrastructure investments is a significant achievement. The bill also lifts the 40-year-old ban on U.S. oil exports. According to studies, lifting the ban could create approximately one million jobs in the U.S. and add $170 billion annually to our GDP. Lifting the oil export ban is a big win for American consumers, workers, and our economy, said Rep. Calvert. The U.S. continues to have significant resources that can help strengthen our economy and provide our allies with an alternative to their long-standing reliance on Russian or Middle Eastern energy resources. KEY PROVISIONS Defense $613.9 million for four additional MQ-9 Reaper UAVs. March Air Reserve Base maintains a schoolhouse for training Reaper pilots and currently maintains a fleet of six Reapers. $635 million for additional Afloat Forward Staging Base vessels, which are utilized for mine countermeasure helicopters, special operations forces and U.S. Marines. The vessels are built in San Diego, CA. $1.5 billion for additional UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters for the Army National Guard. This is a priority for the California National Guard. $27.2 million for SPS-48 Radars, which are used as the primary air search sensor for anti-aircraft warships. $72.3 million for the mid-life retrofit of UC San Diego/Scripps Auxiliary General Purpose Oceanographic Research (AGOR) vessel. The vessel is used for a variety of ocean-based research projects funded by the UC system, the U.S. military, and other partners. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://chu.house.gov/press-release/rep-chu-statement-omnibus-spending-bill-0,Rep. Chu Statement on Omnibus Spending Bill,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Judy Chu,C001080,chu.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Today, the House voted 316-113 to pass a $1.1 trillion bill to fund the government through 2016. The omnibus spending bill provides appropriations for all government agencies at the higher levels agreed to in the Bipartisan Budget Agreement that replaced much of the Sequester and includes health coverage for 9/11 first responders, a two-year delay of the ACA Cadillac Tax, funding for environmental programs, and more. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), who voted for the omnibus, released the following statement: After long bipartisan negotiations, I am glad that we were able to do the right thing for our constituents and country and vote to keep the government open without the destructive and partisan policy riders that some wanted. The Production Tax Credit and the Solar Investment Tax Credit will help us move towards the clean energy commitments necessary to slow global warming. And the three year extension of Land and Water Conservation Fund will help ensure our stewardship of our environment. For California, this bill will mean an additional $1.2 billion in funding for Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund projects and $100 million for western drought response double the amount in last years bill. And I am particularly excited that the final omnibus included language from my bill, the CREED Act, that will extend the Small Business Administrations successful 504 loan refinancing program, allowing thousands of small business owners to free up more capital for growth and hiring. I am deeply disappointed that this package includes a provision to lift the crude oil export ban, a policy I strongly oppose and voted against this year. But while this bill was not perfect, it offers much needed assurance that we can keep our government functioning while also supporting a number of priorities that will help families, economy, and our environment. I applaud our leadership for their work and hope to continue this bipartisan cooperation in the year ahead. The FY 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill passed both the House and Senate chambers on December 18, 2015, and now awaits the Presidents signature.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://eshoo.house.gov/issues/economy/eshoo-votes-for-omnibus-legislation-against-unpaid-for-tax-breaks/,Eshoo Votes for Omnibus Legislation & Against Unpaid-For Tax Breaks,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Anna Eshoo,E000215,eshoo.house.gov,,,legacy,"Eshoo Votes for Omnibus Legislation & Against Unpaid-For Tax Breaks December 18th, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C.Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.) released the following statement regarding votes she cast this week on two bills: 1) an Omnibus bill to fund the entire federal government through October 2016, and 2) a bill to renew several tax extensions, some permanently. Eshoo voted in favor of the Omnibus funding bill and against the tax bill. Both bills passed the House with bipartisan approval. Unlike most bills passed by the House, an Omnibus covers funding for the entire federal government in one big bill. Without its passage the government would be unfunded and a shutdown could have occurred. Eshoo said of the Omnibus: This bill is far from perfect. With any legislation of this magnitude come many pluses and minuses. The bill makes significant progress in key national policy areas, including environmental protection, renewable energy, medical research, critical resources for veteran health care, disaster preparedness, and nuclear non-proliferation. Importantly, Democrats secured the exclusion of a number of harmful Republican policy riders that would have defunded Planned Parenthood; blocked Syrian refugees from entering the U.S.; dismantled net neutrality rules; and stopped implementation of the Presidents Clean Power Plan. The bill also averts a costly and disruptive government shutdown. I vigorously opposed the giveaway in the bill to Big Oil by eliminating the 40-year ban on crude oil exports, a measure I voted against in the Energy and Commerce Committee. I also opposed provisions that rollback protections for Americans from government surveillance online, as well as a measure that permits continued consolidation in media ownership, a setback to diversity of ideas and viewpoints over the public airwaves. After careful examination of the legislation, I concluded that attempting to block a giveaway to Big Oil should not come at the expense of the numerous benefits for my constituents and millions of Americans. Key benefits of the omnibus: Funds the federal government through October 2016 with $1.1 trillion. Extends for five years tax credits for solar and wind energy production, estimated to double renewable energy deployment and create 100,000 American jobs by 2023. Reauthorizes and increases funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund by $150 million. Over its 50 year history, a total of $18 billion has been diverted from the Fund and Republicans allowed its authorization to expire on September 30th. Includes $119 million in additional funding for the National Science Foundation. A $279 million increase in funding for the Department of Energys Office of Science. Increases funding for medical research at the National Institutes of Health by $2 billion. Increases funding for the Food and Drug Administration by $132 million. Increases funding for VA medical services by $4.7 billion and includes an additional $170 million to help reduce the disability claims backlog. Funds a critical health bill to ensure 9/11 cleanup workers are adequately compensated and their medical expenses covered. Keeps the Affordable Care Act intact and free of partisan policy riders, including a two-year delay of the so-called Cadillac tax and a one-year suspension of the Health Insurance Tax. Provides $351 million more in funding for BARDA, the nations leading agency for accelerating the development of medical countermeasures against biological threats. Provides $299 million more funding for nuclear non-proliferation. Requires the Federal Aviation Administration to update its community involvement manual and implement a plan to proactively address concerns with NextGen air traffic control. Eshoo said of the tax extenders bill: I have supported and helped create many of the tax extenders during my tenure in Congress, including making permanent those for middle class Americans, small businesses, and the research and development tax credit. However, my opposition rests on the cost of the bill$680 billion over a ten year period, and $2 trillion over 20 yearsall unpaid for and charged to the national debt. I view this as irresponsible and unfair, shortchanging our children and our collective future. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://garamendi.house.gov/press-release/congressman-garamendi-votes-bipartisan-omnibus-bill-fund-government-2016,Congressman Garamendi Votes for Bipartisan Omnibus Bill to Fund Government in 2016,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,John Garamendi,G000559,garamendi.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, Davis, Yuba City) voted for the year-end omnibus bill to fund the government through the 2016 fiscal year. The $1.1 trillion spending bill provides critical money for education, environmental policy, medical research and transportation safety while avoiding destructive riders on California water policy and womens health. Compromises like this bill are never perfect, but this one is definitely good enough to vote for, said Congressman Garamendi. This bill accomplishes many of the priorities I have been fighting for throughout my career: it will increase funding for Alzheimers research, renew much-needed environmental programs, and increase spending for education and veterans programs. I am also pleased that many of the more controversial provisions did not make their way through the negotiating process. Highlights of the omnibus bill include: Reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and a five-year extension of tax credits for solar and wind Increases funding for the Maritime Security Program to $210 million, a big victory for the domestic maritime industry $1.3 billion for water resources projects within the Department of Interior, with no controversial riders on the California drought Prohibitions on retirement or divestment of the RQ-4 Global Hawk and KC-10 extender Requirement that the Secretary of Transportation finalize a rule on response plans to oil train spills within one year $2.65 billion for Wildland Fire Management $936 million in NIH funding for Alzheimers Researchan increase of $350 million Over $71.4 billion in funding for veterans services, an increase of $6.5 billion of 2015 levels.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://garamendi.house.gov/video/krcr-news-garamendis-cosponsorship-football-concussion-legislation,KRCR News on Garamendi's cosponsorship of football concussion legislation,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,John Garamendi,G000559,garamendi.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Office 2438 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-1880 Fax: (202) 225-5914 Hours: M-F 9AM-5PM ET",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/huffman-casts-final-congressional-votes-of-2015-opposing-permanent,"Huffman Casts Final Congressional Votes Of 2015, Opposing Permanent Unfunded Tax Giveaways and Supporting Omnibus Funding Bill That Avoids Government Shutdown",2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Jared Huffman,H001068,huffman.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today issued a statement strongly opposing the package of permanent, unfunded tax expenditures that passed the House yesterday, and reluctantly supporting a government funding bill today that contains both good and bad policy riders: Yesterday, the House voted to pass a huge unfunded tax extender bill that will increase the deficit by $622 billion, undermine comprehensive tax reform, reward special interests and the wealthiest taxpayers, and put serious pressure on our domestic priorities. While Democratic negotiators won some victories in the bill such as permanent extension of the child tax credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and the American Opportunity Tax Credit the overall effect of this tax package leaves future Congresses with two choices to prevent our national debt from becoming unmanageable: we could try to overcome Republicans categorical opposition to tax increases; or we could continue slashing discretionary budget priorities that are under constant assault including nutrition, housing, education, infrastructure, research, and the environment. In every budget, Republicans target these vital programs for massive cuts in the name of deficit reduction, but now the double standard is revealed:when it comes to tax breaks for the mega-rich, congressional Republicans will happily spend like drunken sailors without concern for the deficit. Thats because they know future Congresses will probably have to pay for these tax giveaways by cutting social and environmental programs. I vehemently opposed this part of the budget deal because it is so shortsighted:it plays into the GOPs long game of lavishing tax favors on the wealthiest Americans and using deficits as justification to starve programs for families and the environment. The other final vote of the year, the Omnibus appropriations bill that funds the government through the fall of 2016, was a much closer call. When the bill was released Tuesday night and I saw that it included the controversial lifting of a 40-year ban on crude oil exports and no funding line item for the Green Climate Fund, my initial reaction was one of intense opposition.A policy concession to Big Oil that undermines efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption and address climate change should never have been part of the Omnibus.And coupling it with a zero allocation to the climate fund that is critical to the success of the Paris climate accord would be unfathomable. Ive spent the past three days fighting to try and rid the deal of the crude oil export provision, while also engaging in briefings and meetings regarding the environmental implications and technical details of the bill, and exploring additional assurances, safeguards, and strategies to address my concerns. These efforts have convinced me that on balance, I can support the Omnibus for the following reasons: First, because of agreements made by Senate and administration negotiators and the political reality in the House, securing a deal that excludes the oil export language was not possible. To be clear, I hate the oil export provision and am dismayed and disappointed that the Senate and administration allowed it to be part of the deal, but even if I voted no and persuaded House colleagues to join me, we could not secure a better outcome. The alternative would be a government shutdown or an Omnibus with even worse provisions. Second, my meetings with administration officials and others regarding technical details of the bill and strategies to mitigate the oil export provision have been productive. Despite the appearance of zero funding for the Green Climate Fund, the bill allows President Obama to shift $500 million from other accounts that have been strategically increased in order to fully meet the United States funding commitment in Paris, and that is what he will do. Full funding of the Green Climate Fund is a litmus test for my support and a major victory over climate deniers in Congress. So is the Presidents Clean Power Plan, which will move forward under the Omnibus, despite unsuccessful Republican efforts to stop it. In addition, increase funding for energy efficiency and clean energy research plus a 5-year extension and expansion of expiring clean energy tax credits for solar and wind will be a huge boost to the continued rapid growth of those industries, and Ive been assured of a bipartisan commitment to take action in early 2016 to broaden the renewable tax credits to include geothermal and other clean technologies. On balance, these provisions keep us on a path of progress and leadership on climate change and clean energy. Third, despite the unfortunate lifting of the crude oil export ban, Ive determined there are things we can do to address the negative impacts of that provision. In the days ahead, I will lead a congressional letter to President Obama outlining a 5-point plan that uses existing legal authorities to reduce pressure for more domestic oil drilling, require strict standards for the refinement and transporting of American crude oil, and help prevent increased greenhouse gas emissions from the exporting of crude oil. The final consideration in my support for the Omnibus bill is the many positive outcomes for my district and for issues I care deeply about, including important funding and policy provisions I fought to include in the bill. We were able to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund for three years at an increased funding level, allowing major conservation projects to move forward across the country and across California over the objection of the Republican committee leadership who sought to undermine the program. This puts me and others in a position of strength to continue fighting for a long-term reauthorization with mandatory funding. There is good news on infrastructure and dredging funding. The bill provides more than $1.2 billion from the harbor maintenance trust fund, in line with last years WRRDA legislation, which gives us a better chance of securing much-needed dredging money for critical needs in my district. And the $2.2 billion in transportation infrastructure funding for the New Starts and Small Starts programs is sufficient to support the $20 million in funding promised to the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) to extend rail service from San Rafael to Larkspur, connecting SMART to the Golden Gate Ferry system. On special education, I was very pleased that we secured a significant increase in funding for IDEA special education programs. I have helped lead a bipartisan coalition to increase IDEA funding since I was elected to Congress, and this bill shows that our efforts are paying off: there is $415 million in new funding for 2016 to help ensure that schools have the resources they need to provide a first-class education for every child. We won important provisions on GMO labeling and the FDAs approval of a genetically engineered salmon. Specifically, we kept the Dark Act rider off the bill which means states can move forward with GMO labeling laws, and the FDA is now required to publish labeling guidelines that disclose to consumers whether salmon is genetically engineered. This is a win for consumers and a win for wild salmon populations, and strengthens our hand as we continue the fight on these issues. And you may recall from this summer that I worked across the aisle to remove a decades-old zombie earmark from the defense spending bill which requires several U.S. military bases in Germany to buy anthracite coal from Pennsylvania. Well, at long last and thanks to our efforts, that earmark is finally gone and our German military bases can procure cleaner, cheaper energy sources, to the chagrin of the coal industry that fought us tooth and nail over this boondoggle. In addition to these and other positive outcomes, its important to note what is not in the Omnibus. Except for the oil export provision, none of the GOPs toxic policy riders survived in this bill. Republicans tried and thankfully failed to include riders to de-fund Planned Parenthood, to gut Dodd-Frank provisions that hold big Wall Street banks accountable, to undermine the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act, to block progress on climate change, and to undermine the rights of workers to form unions, among many others. The Omnibus bill is far from perfect, but it includes some very important victories and on balance was worthy of my support. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-huffman-announces-more-than-44-million-in-federal-grants-for-local,Rep. Huffman Announces More than $4.4 Million in Federal Grants for Local Health Centers,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Jared Huffman,H001068,huffman.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded more than $4.4 million in federal funds to four health centers in Huffmans 2nd Congressional District for 2016. With these federal grants, health centers in Humboldt, Marin, Mendocino, and Sonoma counties will be able to continue providing primary care to populations in need, including low-income and homeless populations, children and families, and medically-vulnerable individuals. Health centers provide critical services for their patients, many of whom have no other access to preventative and primary care. These funds will allow health centers across Californias North Coast to continue providing the excellent and essential services that my constituents depend on. said Huffman. Making sure these organizations have reliable federal support is vital not only to their operations, but to the well-being of thousands living in their communities. Alexander Valley Healthcare, which received $345,748 in discretionary funds, is the only safety net provider in its 561 square-mile rural section of Northern Sonoma County, and is the only area dental provider that accepts uninsured patients or patients with Medicare. Mendocino Community Health Clinic, which received more than $1.7 million, operates across three sites and serves approximately 60,000 people, primarily rural, low-income, and elderly individuals, and those diagnosed with chronic illnesses or dual diagnoses. Open Door Community Health Centers, which received over $2 million, serves populations in largely-rural Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. The target population at the Ritter Center, which received $342,175, includes the more than five thousand homeless or at-risk of homelessness individuals living in Marin County. The Health Center Program supports over 1,300 patient-directed organizations across the nation that provide primary and preventative care to medically underserved populations. Supplemental funds ensure continued access to comprehensive and quality health care for vulnerable individuals in areas served by health centers. Additional details about 2016 awards in Californias 2nd congressional district follow: Recipient: Mendocino Community Health Clinic, Inc. Location: Ukiah, CA Type of Grant Project: Health Center Cluster Type of Financial Assistance: Discretionary Award Amount: $1,743,227 Grant Budget Period: 01/01/2016 to 12/31/2016 Grant Project Period: 07/01/2002 to 12/31/2018 Recipient: Open Door Community Health Centers Location: Arcata, CA Type of Grant Project: Health Center Cluster Type of Financial Assistance: Discretionary Award Amount: $2,038,175 Grant Budget Period: 01/01/2016 to 12/31/2016 Grant Project Period: 01/01/2002 to 12/31/2016 Recipient: Alexander Valley Healthcare (Coppertower Family Medical Center Inc.) Location: Cloverdale, CA Type of Grant Project: Health Center Cluster Type of Financial Assistance: Discretionary Award Amount: $345,748 Grant Budget Period: 01/01/2016 to 12/31/2016 Grant Project Period: 11/01/2013 to 12/31/2018 Recipient: Ritter Center Location: San Rafael, CA Type of Grant Project: Health Center Cluster Type of Financial Assistance: Discretionary Award Amount: $342,175 Grant Budget Period: 01/01/2016 to 12/31/2016 Grant Project Period: 11/01/2013 to 12/31/2018 ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-huffman-reports-progress-toward-consensus-on-last-chance-grade,Rep. Huffman reports progress toward consensus on Last Chance Grade issues,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Jared Huffman,H001068,huffman.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Jared Huffman today announced the release of a white paper by the Last Chance Grade stakeholder group which outlines a number of points of consensus reached on the proposed project to date. Convened by Huffman this spring, the stakeholder group is made up of twenty representatives of diverse interests, including members of environmental groups, businesses, government and elected representatives, tribes and landowners. The group has been meeting to gather information about potential routes around Last Chance Grade and the implications of such a project on cultural and natural resources, as well as commerce and travel. The stakeholder groups efforts pave the way for a permanent solution to the troubled stretch of U.S. Highway 101 south of Crescent City, Rep. Huffman said. While there is still significant technical information that is needed for the group to reach agreement on specific routes, this paper represents a big step forward. Last Chance Grade is a landslide-prone stretch of highway between Crescent City and Klamath. CalTrans has spent millions of dollars to keep the roadway open over the past decade. A complete failure at Last Chance Grade is a serious threat to the travelling public and could cost the regional economy $130 million a year. At the same time, building a route around the slide area involves passing through or near old growth redwoods within Redwood National and State Parks. Huffman convened the stakeholders group to try to reach consensus on the major issues such a large project would raise. The mediator for the group, Joy Keller-Weidman, was recently hired by the federal Udall Foundation as senior program manager for its U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution. Keller-Weidman will continue her work with the stakeholders group over the coming months. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://issa.house.gov/press-releases/2015/12/issa-issues-statement-in-response-to-u-n-vote-on-syria/,Issa Issues Statement in Response to U.N. Vote on Syria,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Darrell Issa,I000056,issa.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC - In response to reports that the United Nations Security Council has passed a Resolution on the peace process for Syria, Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA), a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, released the following statement: I'm cautiously hopeful regarding the Resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council today outlining a peace process for Syria. It sets a timeline for elections to take place in 18 months, but makes no mention of whether or not Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will be allowed to participate in them. The transition away from Assad's rule is long past due. His ruthless, authoritarian regime has left hundreds of thousands of his own people dead in a brutal, multi-year civil war that has destabilized the region and created the conditions for ISIS to flourish. The new government must protect the rights of Syria's religious and ethnic minorities, as well as provide for the safe return home of large numbers of Syrians who have sought refuge elsewhere. The five Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council include the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, and Russia.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://juliabrownley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/brownley-supports-bipartisan-omnibus-appropriations-bill,BROWNLEY SUPPORTS BIPARTISAN OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Julia Brownley,B001285,juliabrownley.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The bipartisan bill was approved in a vote of 316 to 113. Today, I voted for the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act. Not only does the Omnibus prevent another government shutdown, but it also makes critical investments in key Ventura County priorities, like our veterans, Naval Base Ventura County, our local schools, local law enforcement, and agriculture programs, said Congresswoman Brownley. While the bill is not perfect, it is overall a big win for Ventura Countys families and for our country. I am especially pleased with the increased funding for VA healthcare, including additional funds that will allow facilities like the VA-run Oxnard community clinic to move forward. As Ranking Member of the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health, I have been working with the VA to improve healthcare for veterans in Ventura County and increase the availability of specialty care in our local community. The bills investments in priorities include the following: National Defense: Provides an increase for defense programs that will improve military readiness, increase health research for TBI, invest in military housing and schools, and provides a 1.3% pay increase for our troops. Veterans: Provides a robust increase in funds for veterans programs to improve VA health care and medical services. Increases funds for the Caregiver Program, for mobile Vet Centers, and medical and prosthetics research. Homeland Security: Increases funds for Customs and Border Protection, the Coast Guard, and other critical homeland security priorities, and provides $50 million in new funds to help state and local law enforcement counter violent extremism and prepare for and respond to terrorist attacks. Renewable Energy: Provides a major boost to renewable energy by extending the wind Production Tax Credit for five years (through 2019), and extending the solar Investment Tax Credit for five years (through 2021), while phasing both credits down somewhat over time. Extending the solar tax credit is estimated to create 61,000 jobs in 2017 alone. It is also estimated that the wind industry will grow to over 100,000 jobs over four years with the renewed wind tax credit. Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy R&D: Provides an 8 percent increase over 2015 for R&D activities in the pursuit of new clean energy and energy efficiency technologies. Education: The bill restores the $2.5 billion cut in education that the GOP had proposed and also makes critical additional investments of $1.4 billion above 2015, in such areas as Title I that serves 24 million at-risk students. Early Learning: Investing in Head Start produces results and this bill invests nearly $400 million more than the House GOP bill and nearly $600 million more than 2015 in this vital initiative. The bill also provides $250 million for Preschool Development Grants, assisting 18 states across the country. Medical Research: Medical research at NIH has been underfunded for the last several years. This bill provides $900 million more than the House GOP bill and $2 billion more than 2015 for this life-saving research. Infrastructure: The popular TIGER grants are being used across the country to repair infrastructure and contribute to economic growth. The House GOP bill had slashed TIGER grants by 80 percent, killing jobs, but this bill restores the funding to the 2015 level of $500 million. Law Enforcement: The bill provides $187 million for COPS hiring grants, $7 million above the 2015 level and $187 million above the House GOP bill, which had eliminated the hiring grants. The bill also provides $80 million for the Community Policing Initiative, including $22.5 million for body-worn cameras and $15 million for Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation grants, an increase over the House bill. Agriculture: Provides increased funding for pest and disease research programs, as well as for food and nutrition programs. The measure also does not include many divisive riders that would have had damaging impacts on Americas women, consumers, workers, and children. The damaging poison pill riders that were removed from the final bill include: Riders that would have limited womens access to the full range of comprehensive health care services, including by defunding Planned Parenthood. Riders that would have gutted the Dodd-Frank provisions that hold big Wall Street banks accountable. Riders that would have undermined the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act, jeopardizing the health of our children and working families. Riders that would have blocked moving forward on addressing climate change and reducing damaging carbon emissions. Riders that would have blocked protections that allow workers to form unions and help them save for retirement. Finally, the Omnibus includes several other important provisions: Reauthorizes the key James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, making the Health Program permanent and reauthorizing the Victims Compensation Fund for five years; Delays the so-called Cadillac tax, a tax on employer-provided health plans worth over a certain threshold, for two years from 2018 to 2020; and Reauthorizes the Land and Conservation Fund, which is one of our countrys most successful outdoor recreation and conservation programs and which expired on September 30th. ### Julia Brownley represents Californias 26th Congressional District, which includes most of Ventura County, and Westlake Village in Los Angeles County. She serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and as the Ranking Member on the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://kevinmccarthy.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bakersfield-observed-lifting-the-ban-on-exporting-oil-allows-producers,BAKERSFIELD OBSERVED: Lifting the ban on exporting oil allows producers to search for new markets,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Kevin McCarthy,M001165,kevinmccarthy.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Majority Lifting the ban on exporting oil allows producers to search for new markets Bakersfield Observed Kevin McCarthy 12/18/15 https://www.bakersfieldobserved.com/2015_12_13_archive.html ""Over forty years ago, the United States responded to an oil supply crisis driven by Iran and theMiddle East by instituting a ban on American exports of crude oil. The reasoning was simple: given the conventional wisdom that oil was a resource of limited supply, any discovery of it in the U.S. should be kept within our borders for the use and benefit of our economy. With this acknowledgment we were essentially bracing for a world without oil. ""But like so many other instances, American ingenuity rejected this belief. The advent of innovative techniques and technologies that uncovered and extracted newly found oil and gas has reshaped Americas energy future into a world leader. A game changer. ""A focal point of this influence continues to be right here in Kern County. Our ties to the black gold that powers our way of life run deep. This is why my commitment to a strong American oil and gas portfolio is steadfast. I believe that greater times of prosperity in this country can only be achieved if we have the energy to achieve it. ""So while the U.S. has flexed its energy muscle to the world (and quite impressively so) the economics have been a boon to consumers but is placing our producers and the communities they support in perilous times. Unfortunately, our community is not exempt from these conditions. ""Given the economic situation, the domestic abundance, and the reentry of Iran to global marketplace thanks to Obamas dangerous nuclear pact, the most obvious policy response was to lift the relic that is the ban on crude exports. In doing so our producers can search for new markets while offering our allies a reliable trading partner and limiting the influence the Iranian regime can impose on the world. ""This week, Congress successfully lifted the ban on oil exports, which the President is expected to sign into law. This decision signals to the world and our communities that Congress ready to do all that it can to support a strong energy future and stronger communities. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://kevinmccarthy.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-will-vote-to-repeal-obamacare-defund-planned-parenthood,"House Will Vote to Repeal Obamacare, Defund Planned Parenthood",2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Kevin McCarthy,M001165,kevinmccarthy.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. CongressmanKevin McCarthyreleased the following statement announcing a House vote on reconciliation in January: As one of our first actions next year, the House will vote on a budget reconciliation bill sending two Republican priorities to the Presidents desk. The bill will repeal Obamacare, setting America up for a new patient-centered health care system. It will also stop taxpayer dollars from going to abortion providers, like Planned Parenthood, as we continue to investigate allegations of the horrific harvesting of childrens organs and the handling of infant lives. Obamacare is a failure, and the videos of grisly Planned Parenthood practices are a stain on our nations conscience. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://lamalfa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lamalfa-opposes-11-trillion-omnibus-spending-bill,Rep. LaMalfa Opposes $1.1 Trillion Omnibus Spending Bill,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Doug LaMalfa,L000578,lamalfa.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Rep. LaMalfa today released the following statement regarding his vote against the $1.1 trillion spending package to fund the government through September 2016. We knew going in that Speaker Ryan was working to make the best of the bad hand he was dealt when he was chosen to lead the House. However, I could not support the final product of negotiations. This bill contains some very positive components. It increases pay for our troops, closes loopholes in our Visa Waiver Program so we know who is entering our country, and funds health benefits for 9/11 first responders. It accelerates approval of Sites Reservoir, completing the decades-long study of a project that Californians so clearly need. The measure also frees up millions in federal funds provided to North State transportation projects that were never built, allowing more highway and road improvements without spending new funds. However, the bill increases spending at a time when the federal debt has reached astounding levels and leaves a number of issues on the table. The administrations Waters of the United States power grab, already rejected by two federal courts, remains in place, as does the Presidents immigration plan. Ultimately, the growing deficit and the likelihood of interest rate increases indicate that debt service will be an increasingly larger responsibility for Congress, a problem this bill makes worse. In order to truly reform the government, we must look beyond the third of federal spending in this bill and address the autopilot programs that run the nation farther into the red every year. I am committed to working with the Speaker to put our nation back on sound footing by simplifying our tax code, reforming autopilot spending, and replacing Obamacare. 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. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/vote-notes/house-amendment-1-to-hr-2029-omnibus-spending-act-no,House Amendment 1 to HR 2029 Omnibus Spending Act: NO,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Tom McClintock,M001177,mcclintock.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Amendment 1 to HR 2029 Omnibus Spending Act: NO. This is the 2,000-plus page $1.15 trillion spending act to fund the government through September 30, 2016. A bill of this complexity always has good and bad provisions, and the question comes down to whether in balance it moves the government in the right direction. On the plus side: It stops bailouts of insurance companies required by Obamacare. It ends the oil-export ban on American petroleum. (Although it should be noted that the president has the authority to do so on his own, and in 13 months we are likely to have a president who will anyway). It blocks the proposed IRS rule that would formalize the harassment of Americans because of their political views. It extends the victims compensation fund for 9/11 responders. It provides major increases in defense spending. It requires all travelers entering the United States who recently visited such rogue states as Syria and Iran to obtain visas, notwithstanding the Visa Waiver Program. These features have to be balanced against some decidedly negative features including: It increases taxpayer support of the International Monetary Fund which bails out irresponsible foreign governments like Greece. It funds a wide variety of highly objectionable Obama policies, including the EPAs Waters of the U.S. initiative that asserts EPA control over all waters in the United States; the illegal Obama executive orders on amnesty; the terrorist-friendly admission of poorly vetted Syrian refugees and support of Planned Parenthoods barbaric practices. It QUADRUPLES the H-2B visas for foreign workers from 66,000 to 250,000, taking American jobs and depressing American wages. It funds the administrations war on coal, making it virtually impossible for coal-generated electricity to continue. It reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is used to increase federal land holdings. It provides for massive increases in solar and wind tax subsidies. It delays the Obamacare Cadillac Tax, which primarily benefits labor unions reducing Obamacare revenues without reducing Obamacare costs and in essence shifting funding of the program from the unions to the taxpayers. But for me, the real issue involves the damage the Omnibus does to the overall spending trajectory of the federal budget. The Congressional Budget Office projects that within eight years, interest on the federal debt will exceed the entire defense budget. At that point, the ability of the federal government to meet its basic functions comes into grave doubt. Shortly thereafter, Medicare (in 2030) and then Social Security (in 2033) collapses. In May, after many years of trying, Congress finally enacted a budget that changes that trajectory to one that balances within ten years. But instead of following through on that plan, in October Congress replaced it with one that restores the disastrous spending trajectory that will bankrupt this country within the decade. The Omnibus fulfills that bleak destiny. It increases overall federal spending by $50 billion from the May budget in the first year alone (or about $400 for an average family). In fact, this bill puts spending perilously above the trajectory set in the budget adopted by Congress in May. It takes us that much farther down a steadily more dangerous road that leads toward a steadily darkening future.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/thompson-announces-launch-of-second-annual-student-app-challenge,THOMPSON ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF SECOND ANNUAL STUDENT APP CHALLENGE,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Mike Thompson,T000460,mikethompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) announced today the launch of the second annual Congressional App Challenge for the 5th Congressional District. Established by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013, this nationwide competition invites high school students from all participating congressional districts to compete by creating and exhibiting their software application, or app, for mobile, tablet, or computer devices. It is designed to promote innovation and engagement in the STEM education fields. The Congressional App Challenge is a great opportunity for students to get involved in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, said Thompson. Over the next ten years, nearly 9 million STEM jobs are expected to be created. However, we also face a shortage of STEM graduates. The Congressional App Challenge will help build interest and encourage our students to pursue an education in STEM fields. The Congressional App Challenge is open to all high school students who live in or are eligible to attend public high schools located in the 5th Congressional District. In order to participate in the competition, students must submit their apps source code online by midnight on January 15, 2016 EST, as well as provide a video demo explaining their app and what they learned through this competition process. More details on submitting a contest entry, the rules of the competition, and helpful programming resources can be found at www.congressionalappchallenge.us Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent Californias 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/thompson-votes-for-federal-spending-bill,THOMPSON VOTES FOR FEDERAL SPENDING BILL,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Mike Thompson,T000460,mikethompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) voted today to pass H.R. 2029, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill. This measure funds the government for FY 2016. This bill is far from perfect but it averts a disastrous government shutdown, makes investments that help working people, and will benefit communities in our district, said Thompson. Next year we need to build on this compromise and avoid governing from crisis-to-crisis and cliff-to-cliff. The legislation includes these important measures: Infrastructure: Maintains the funding for the popular TIGER Grants at the 2015 level of $500 million, and provides $353 million for proposed small starts projects. The Small Starts program provides grants for capital costs associated with new fixed guideway systems, extensions, and bus corridor improvements such as Sonoma Countys SMART Train. Fire Management: Invests $4.2 billion for wildland fire management. Solar energy: Extends the solar investment tax credit through 2021 much as Thompsons New Energy for America Act (H.R.2412) would do. National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS): Provides $73 million to strengthen our background check system to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, domestic abusers and the dangerously mentally ill. Housing Assistance: Provides $17.7 billion for Section 8 housing assistance, which is a $195 million increase from 2015. Conservation: Includes a three year reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation fund which has contributed nearly $10 million dollars to Californias 5th District since the program started. Additionally, the bill reauthorizes the Pittman-Robertson funding for North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants. Salmon: Provides $91.5 million for salmon management, including funding for threatened and endangered Pacific salmon species. Crude by Rail: Provides Crude oil training program for first responders. This was part of Rep. Mike Thompsons Crude-By-Rail Safety Act (HR 1804). National Guard: Provides $125 million increase in funding for the National Guard Counter-Drug Program. Law Enforcement: Provides $212 million for the federal COPS program, of which $187 million is for hiring. Additional it provides $347.1 million for Byrne-JAG program, which is a $14.4 million increase from 2015. County of Origin Labeling (COOL): Repeals COOL, which will avoid tariff retaliation on California wine, after The World Trade Organization determined earlier this year that such labeling violates our trade commitments by treating imported livestock less favorably than domestic livestock. Postal service: Provides for the continuation of six-day and rural mail delivery and states that none of the funds provided by this bill may be used to close or consolidate small or rural post offices. Education: The bill restores $2.5 billion in education funding and also makes additional investments of $1.4 billion above 2015, in such areas as Title I that serves 24 million at-risk students. Early Learning:Invests $600 million more than 2015 in Head Start. Medical Research: Provides $2 billion more than 2015 for this life-saving research. The legislation also does not include a number of ideological riders such as measures to defund Planned Parenthood or family planning services, prohibit Department of Justice (DOJ) funds from being used to defend immigration reform policies in court, or blocked efforts to combat climate change. H.R. 2029 passed by a vote of 316-113. Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent Californias 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-introduces-puerto-rico-emergency-financial-stability-act,Pelosi Introduces Puerto Rico Emergency Financial Stability Act,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Nancy Pelosi,P000197,pelosi.house.gov,,,legacy,"Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George,202-226-7616 Washington, D.C. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement after introducing H.R. 4290, the Puerto Rico Emergency Financial Stability Act, legislation to provide Puerto Rico a short-term stay of legal actions by certain creditors while Congress considers debt restructuring legislation for the territory over the coming months: It is profoundly disappointing that debt restructuring authority for Puerto Rico was not included in the Omnibus. Puerto Rico faces a dire economic crisis, and we have a moral responsibility to help our fellow Americans. The Puerto Rico Emergency Financial Stability Act would protect the 3.5 million Americans who call Puerto Rico home from economic catastrophe while Congress advances a more comprehensive solution to the Commonwealths financial emergency. The bill would give Puerto Rico temporary but essential breathing room from creditor lawsuits until Congress can act. It is a common sense proposal based on existing legal standards and short-term legal protections that were enacted during the Great Depression to protect hard-pressed homeowners from arbitrary and sudden foreclosures. The moratorium on legal action it provides would expire on March 31 the same date by which Speaker Ryan has promised Congress will complete meaningful debt restructuring legislation. With the outstanding leadership of Congresswoman Nydia Velzquez, Resident Commissioner PedroPierluisi, Congressmen Jos Serrano and Luis Gutirrez, and Puerto Rico's many friends in the Congress, we will continue to demand action for our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico as soon as possible. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://roybal-allard.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397947,Rep. Roybal-Allard Issues Statement on Omnibus Appropriations Bill,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Lucille Roybal-Allard,R000486,roybal-allard.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) voted for the omnibus appropriations bill to fund the government through September 2016. She issued the following statement about the bill:As the ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I can attest that Division F of the bill before us today, which provides funds for the Department of Homeland Security, is the result of careful consideration, intense scrutiny, and bipartisan collaboration. I want to thank Chairman Carter for his leadership and his partnership in crafting our portion of the bill. The bill provides significant resources for critical priorities, including funding to recapitalize the Coast Guard air and marine fleets; to fully fund FEMAs disaster relief activities, including wildfire management assistance grants, and to significantly enhance support for flood mapping and pre-disaster mitigation; to maintain funding for FEMA terrorism preparedness grants, including $50 million in new funding to help communities counter violent extremism and prepare for complex, coordinated terrorist attacks; to allow the Secret Service to continue implementing the recommendations of the Protective Mission Panel; and to enhance cybersecurity across the federal government, along with significant additional funds to help protect DHSs own cyber systems. I am pleased that the bill does not include the harmful immigration policy riders that were adopted during committee consideration of the House bill. I am also pleased that the omnibus incorporates a number of amendments and priorities I fought for during the Appropriations Committee markups. These include my amendment with Congresswoman Lee which creates and funds a comprehensive, non-partisan child poverty study, and my amendment to defund the licensing or relicensing of Class B animal dealers who sell random source dogs and cats for use in research. It is also important to note that my colleagues and I were successful in preserving funding for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Corporation for National and Community Service. This funding bill is not entirely what I had hoped for. Many of my colleagues feel the same way, and I share many of their concerns. I was extremely disappointed that provisions to help our U.S. citizen Puerto Rican brothers and sisters manage the fiscal crisis in Puerto Rico were not included in the bill. The residents of Puerto Rico are suffering, and we have a responsibility to provide them with the tools they need to rebuild their economy. I was also disappointed that on the heels of a historic climate change agreement, the bill includes a giveaway to Big Oil by ending the 40-year prohibition on the exportation of crude oil. This prohibition was set in place to help our country achieve energy independence and to protect national security and economic interests. Lifting this ban will only hinder our goals and harm American refinery jobs, all for the sake of a handout to Big Oil. However, without this omnibus bill, my home state of California and communities across the country would be faced with the uncertain funding level of a continuing resolution, or, in the worst case, the effects of a government shutdown. We cannot risk another government shutdown or another year of flat funding for the critical programs our communities need. On balance, I believe this bill should move forward. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://scottpeters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-peters-help-pass-bipartisan-spending-bill-to-boost-investments,Rep. Peters Helps Pass Bipartisan Spending Bill to Boost Investments Critical to San Diego & National Security,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Scott Peters,P000608,scottpeters.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) helped pass a federal spending plan that boosts investment in areas critical to the San Diego priorities Peters has fought for since being elected to Congress. It increases investment in science, provides tax credits and incentives for private sector investment in clean energy, and responsibly funds wildfire prevention. This spending plan supports several critical San Diego priorities Ive been fighting for since coming to Congress, Peters said. Ive argued that if Congress cant do its job and pass a budget, then Congress shouldnt get a paycheck. Today, Congress did its job and passed a bipartisan spending bill that delivers for San Diego. We also added $21 billion to our defense budget which is essential to defeating terrorism and keeping Americans safe both home and abroad, Peters continued. In San Diego, where the military represents about a quarter of our economy, its also important to our prosperity, and to the livelihoods of the thousands of active duty military that live here. The Omnibus Appropriations Act, which appropriates Federal spending for the 2016 fiscal year, passed by a broad bipartisan vote of 316 to 113. The package includes $32.1 billion in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), $2 billion more than last year. Peters was recognized as the local biotech industrys legislator of the year in 2014 and 2015, in part, for his effective advocacy for increased NIH investment. Earlier this year, Peters helped pass the 21st Century Cures Act which would increase NIH funds by an additional $8 billion if it passes in the Senate next year. San Diegos universities and research institutions, which rely heavily on NIH funds, generate $4.6 billion to the regions economy, and support more than 37,000 jobs. San Diego is the top metro area in the country for NIH research funding, receiving more than $768 million in funding in 2015, which benefits a number of institutions including the University of California San Diego, the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, and Scripps Health. The spending plan also goes a long way toward fulfilling Peters commitment to fix the federal governments lack of attention to preventing wildfires, the natural disasters of the west that have devastated San Diego over the past decade. It directly funds 100% of the ten-year average the nation spends on fighting wildfires, and provides more than $600 million to help communities better prepare for, prevent and recover from wildfires. Earlier this year, Peters took Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewel on a tour of the district to make the case that better investment in prevention would save lives, homes, and money spent on suppression. This bill does not eliminate the underlying problem of borrowing from prevention funding to fund suppression, but it does make significant strides towards giving communities the resources they need to prevent and fight wildfires. Last year, Peters led the effort in Congress to raise attention to and force a vote on wildfire prevention investment. Peters praised, too, a $17 million increase in Impact Aid, for a total of $1.8 billion. Impact Aid supports public schools that serve large numbers of military children. This is of particular importance to San Diego where nearly 11 percent of students are children of active duty parents. Coronado Unified School District is one of the largest beneficiaries of Impact Aid; it received $1.5 million last year. Other Highlights Increases National Security: Appropriates $514.1 billion in defense spending, a $21.2 billion increase over last year, giving our military leaders the resources and certainty to increase our readiness and keep our nation safe. Military personnel will receive a 1.3% pay raise, and the Department of Defense will continue to be able to pursue alternative energy sources, a priority for both San Diegos military and clean technology sector. Invests in Renewable Energy and the Environment: Promotes Education: Increases funding for Head Start by $570 million over last year to a total of $9.2 billion. Provides $22.5 billion for Pell Grants to help students pay for college and increases the maximum possible award to $5,915, a $140 increase over last year. Invests in Infrastructure: Provides funding to the General Services Administration to be used at the San Diego Courthouse to make security upgrades and consolidate the child care center onto Federal land. Reforms the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): Requires the FAA to update its community involvement manual and implementation plan to take a more proactive role in engaging communities impacted by new departure and arrival procedures. Congressman Peters and his staff have led the fight against the FAAs proposed flight path changes from San Diego Airport, and Peters has criticized the FAAs outreach to the communities that would be affected by increased noise and traffic. Blocked bad policy provisions: Equally important, the bill excluded harmful riders that would have rolled back campaign finance laws; diverted San Diego water to the Central Valley; undermined the United States leadership in reducing emissions and keeping our air and water clean; and cut funding to Planned Parenthood.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398102,House Passes FY2016 Omnibus Appropriations Bill,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,David Valadao,V000129,valadao.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Passes FY2016 Omnibus Appropriations Bill f t # e Washington, December 18, 2015 | Anna R. Vetter ((202) 815-1685) U.S. Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) and the entire House of Representatives voted on the fiscal year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill, legislation that will provide discretionary funding for the federal government for the current fiscal year. share: f t WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) and the entire House of Representatives voted on the fiscal year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill, legislation that will provide discretionary funding for the federal government for the current fiscal year. The bill includes full Appropriations legislation and funding for the twelve annual Appropriations bills through the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2016. This level reflects the increased domestic discretionary funding provided by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. In addition, the legislation includes a myriad of important policy items to stop waste and abuse, increase transparency and accountability, and halt administrative overreach. The package also contains emergency Global War on Terror (GWOT) and Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding to conduct successful military operations and maintain a well-equipped and prepared military force. This funding will be especially useful in combatting increased threats from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and other U.S. enemies. In addition to the twelve Appropriations bills, the package contains additional provisions such as Visa Waiver program reforms and lifts the ban on U.S. oil exports. Following passage of the bill, Congressman David G. Valadao, Member of the House Committee on Appropriations made the following statement: Our nation faces tough challenges that require difficult decision making. However, this bill provides responsible funding for nearly all aspects of the federal government. While this agreement is not perfect, it will help grow our economy and create jobs. While a large scale spending package is not the ideal way to provide funding for the federal government, it will enable Congress to responsibly fund the government, avoiding a shutdown. It is also important to remember that this legislation is the result of hundreds of hours of work from the House Committee on Appropriations. My colleagues and I on the Committee have held more than 100 hearings and approved each individual funding bill through an open process, ensuring our constituents needs are represented.In addition to many national achievements, the bill also includes provisions that will greatly benefit the Central Valley such as more than $86 million in funding for NAS Lemoore, $1.4 billion in funding for law enforcement programs that will benefit our local law enforcement agencies, and $9 billion for Head Start programs. The bill also provides no federal funding for California High Speed Rail. Highlights of the bill include: Funding Level The bill abides by all the terms set by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, which was enacted on November 2. The legislation provides a total of $1.149 trillion in base and Global War on Terror (GWOT)/Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding for the operations of the federal government, meeting the $548 billion defense and $518 billion non-defense base budget caps.The bill includes $73.7 billion GWOT/OCO funding to provide needed resources and training for our troops in the field, to combat the threat of ISIL and other enemies around the world, to support U.S. allies, and to support diplomatic missions. Timing The funding included in the bill will extend to the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2016. Policy Items The legislation includes many policy items to help rein in bureaucratic and regulatory overreach, to protect the rights of Americans, and to encourage economic growth and job creation. For details of these items, please see the summaries below. The Omnibus spending package passed in the U.S. house of Representatives with a bipartisan vote of 316 - 113 on Friday, December 18, 2015. Congressman David G. Valadao represents the 21st Congressional District, which includes Kings County and portions of Fresno, Tulare, and Kern Counties.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://vargas.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-vargas-highlights-funding-for-programs-in-the-district-included-in,Rep. Vargas Highlights Funding for Programs in the District Included in the FY2016 Omnibus,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Juan Vargas,V000130,vargas.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC (December 18, 2015) - Representative Juan Vargas (CA-51) voted in favor of the $1.15 trillion government spending bill voted on and approved by the House of Representatives today. Over 100 programs supported by Rep. Vargas were included in the bill. Rep. Vargas issued the following statement after voting on the Fiscal Year 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act: This bill is the result of long hours of hard work and compromise through a bipartisan effort. Although not everything I wanted to see funded was included in this spending bill, I was pleased to see that it tackles issues that go beyond party lines, said Rep. Vargas. The omnibus spending bill includes significant funding for programs that benefit our District. The following is a list of some of the programs Rep. Vargas worked on with his colleagues in Congress to secure funding for the FY16 budget: Department of Defenses Operations and Maintenance, Navy: Funded at $39.6 million U.S. Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program: Funded at $10 million Veterans Treatment Courts: Funded at $6 million Bureau of Reclamations Salton Sea Research Project: Funded at $300,000 Alfalfa and Forage Research: Funded at $2 million ($1 million less than the original request) Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF): Funded at $450 million Head Start: Funded at $9,168 billion National Institutes of Health: Funded at $32 billion Refugee and Entrant Assistant Program: Funded at $1,674 billion The bill provides $32 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an incredible $2 billion above the enacted 2015 level. The funding will provide a general increase to all NIH Institutes and Centers, for the continuation of critical biomedical research that leads to the discovery of new cures. Vargas represents Californias 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and Californias entire US/Mexico border. Vargas was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and is currently serving his second term in Congress. He represented the 40th California State Senate District from 2010-2012, the 79th California State Assembly District from 2000 2006 and served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 2000.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4F44B6DB-FCCD-4E87-87B5-BA2A328809CF,Feinstein Bill Would Ensure California VA Construction Projects Proceed,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Dianne Feinstein,F000062,www.feinstein.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WashingtonSenator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today introduced a bill to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to advance critical seismic safety and construction projects at VA facilities in San Francisco, Long Beach, Alameda Point, Fremont, French Camp and Los Angeles. The omnibus bill passed by the House and Senate includes $563 million for California projects: $161 million for Long Beach, $158 million for Fort Miley in San Francisco, $70 million for Alameda Point; $139 million for Fremont and French Camp, and $35 million for West Los Angeles. The bill also includes $75 million for Louisville, KY; $11 million for American Lake, WA; $90.1 million for medical facility improvements and expansions in St. Louis, MO; and $83.7 million for new community living center in Perry Point, MD. However, VA will not be able to spend the money appropriated by Congress due to a technical requirement that the projects also be approved by the Veterans Affairs Committees. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that California suffers a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake every 6.3 years, on average. It also reports that Californias risk of being struck by a magnitude 8.0 or greater earthquake has increased by nearly 50 percent since the agency completed its last estimate in 2008. ""The next California earthquake is a question of when, not if. The seismic safety upgrades planned at some of our largest VA facilities are critical to ensure the safety of veterans, health care providers and staff, said Senator Feinstein. These projects are also critical to meeting health care and housing needs for veterans throughout California. Feinsteins bill would provide for the authorization of the seismic upgrades and construction projects, allowing them to quickly move forward. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6DB9487C-9AE2-42FE-9DAE-F848F0D02C0B,Feinstein Statement on Omnibus Spending Bill,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Dianne Feinstein,F000062,www.feinstein.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Legislation includes Feinstein priorities, vital California projects WashingtonSenator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, today announced her support for the omnibus spending bill that funds the federal government through fiscal year 2016. I voted for the omnibus and tax extenders because I think our nation is best served by fiscal certainty, Feinstein said. Stability and predictability in our tax code will help promote economic growth. Additional legislation Senator Feinstein also supports the omnibus because it includes several key pieces of legislation she has worked on. These include: The intelligence authorization bill; The cybersecurity information sharing bill; Tightening the visa waiver program; and Strengthening school accreditation standards for the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. I am pleased these bills have been added to the omnibus, Feinstein said. This will be the seventh consecutive intelligence authorization bill after a period of five years without any bill. Its critical to authorize funding and enact oversight provisions for the intelligence community. After working on legislation that addresses the cyber threat for more than five years, this cyber bill will be the first legislative effort to promote information sharing between companies and between companies and the government. The bill provides strong liability protections and strict privacy safeguards. I support including provisions to strengthen the Visa Waiver Program, as this is a national security priority for me. Importantly, the House version of the bill includes a requirement to obtain a traditional visa if you have been to Iraq or Syria recently. Im disappointed that provisions I proposed on biometrics were not included and I intend to remedy that by continuing to push to require biometric submissions for first time visa waiver travelers before they enter the United States. We also need additional information sharing for program countries, such as agreements to exchange foreign fighter databases and on the use of our federal air marshals. Im thrilled to see there will be new accreditation requirements for schools participating in the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. This will ensure that only high-performing schools are eligible to participate. Energy and Water As ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee for Energy and Water Development, Im proud that Senator Alexander and I worked together on a strong bipartisan bill. Our subcommittee has a history of bipartisanship, which is critical for funding the Department of Energy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation. This bill significantly increases funding to the Army Corps for flood protection, enhances research and development at the Department of Energy and boosts our ability to maintain our nuclear arsenal and nuclear nonproliferation efforts abroad. It also provides much-needed funds to address the historic drought facing California and other western states. However, Im once again deeply disappointed that a pilot nuclear waste storage program was not included. We continue to face risks by having nuclear waste wait indefinitely at power plants throughout the country. Funding for California: California is benefitted by the omnibus spending bill, as seen by the numerous projects and priorities listed below. Key projects: $100 million for the Bureau of Reclamation to address the drought in California and other western states, through direct, immediate actions to extend limited water supplies, within existing authorization. $761 million for nine major public transit projects: $100 million for Los Angeles Purple Line Subway, for the first of a three phase expansion to connect Union Station to Westwood and the West Los Angeles VA campus. $100 million for Los Angeles Regional Connector, a two-mile underground project connecting the Gold and Blue subway lines. $150 million for San Franciscos Third Street Light Rail/Central Subway, a project to connect Bayshore in the south to Chinatown in the north. $150 million for the BART extension to Silicon Valley, a 10-mile project to extend BART from Fremont to Berryessa Road in San Jose. $200 million for the second phase of Los Angeles Purple Line Subway and San Diegos Mid-Coast Corridor Light Rail project that would connect downtown San Diego to University City. $20 million for the Sonoma-Marin Area Rapid Transits San Rafael to Larkspur light rail project. $30 million for San Franciscos Bus Rapid Transit along Van Ness Avenue. $11 million for the Fresno Blackstone/Kings Canyon Bus Rapid Transit project. $563 million for Veterans Affairs construction projects in California: West Los Angeles: $35 million for the seismic retrofit and renovation of Building 208 to support homeless housing. San Francisco: $158 million for seismic retrofits of three buildings, replacement of Building 12 and demolition of three buildings. Long Beach: $161 million to demolish two seismically deficient buildings and construct a new Mental Health Facility, parking structure and utility plant. Livermore: $139 million to purchase land and construct a new outpatient clinic in Fremont, as well as a new outpatient clinic in Stockton/French Camp. Alameda: $70 million to construct a new outpatient clinic and administrative offices. $8.2 million to develop a West Coast earthquake early warning system. This initiative will help save lives, reduce property damage and protect critical infrastructure. A one-year extension of a temporary judgeship in Los Angeles to ensure that Californians have timely access to the judicial system in Californias Central District, the tenth-busiest in the nation. Additional priorities for California Repeal of mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements for beef and pork. This language should prevent retaliatory tariffs from Canada and Mexico on U.S. and California products that could have devastated the California agriculture industry. $210 million for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP), which reimburses states for the cost of housing undocumented immigrants in state and county jails and prisons. Last year, California received more than one-third of total SCAAP funding. $452 million for Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), a program that compensates counties for non-taxable public lands, such as national parks or other protected lands. California is the largest recipient of funds from this program; it received more than $45 million from the program last year. $40 million to begin to address youth homelessness through pilot programs. These funds will also provide support and guidance to service providers so they can better help homeless youth. Legislative provisions are also included that would make it easier for homeless youth to access the services for which they are eligible. Language directing the Federal Bureau of Investigation to provide increased support to local field offices to enhance efforts to combat human and sex trafficking, particularly around large sporting events. Next years NFL Super Bowl will be held in the San Francisco Bay area. $109.5 million in new funding for the Food and Drug Administration to implement the Food Safety Modernization Act, which was the most sweeping reform of the federal food safety system in decades. $160 million in new funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. Key provisions Feinstein successfully opposed: A House-backed policy rider that would have prevented the Fish and Wildlife Service from issuing new regulations to crack down on the illegal ivory trade. House-backed policy riders that would have prevented resettlement of Syrian refugees in the United States. A proposed mandate forcing states to allow twin 33-foot trailer trucks on their roads without a comprehensive safety study. House-backed policy riders that would have crippled Californias High Speed Rail project. House-backed policy riders that would have further weakened enforcement of federal gun laws, particularly along the Mexican border. House-backed policy riders that would have significantly impeded federal regulation of carbon emissions from power plants. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://calvert.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-calvert-legislation-would-enhance-refugee-vetting-process,Rep. Calvert Legislation Would Enhance Refugee Vetting Process,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Ken Calvert,C000059,calvert.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) introduced the Secure Accountability for Emigres and Refugees (SAFER) Act, H.R. 4291.The SAFER Act would add requirements to the Syrian and Iraqi refugee security vetting process. ""It has become all too clear to many Americans that our security screening processes for individuals wishing to enter our country are insufficient,"" said Rep. Calvert. ""Peaceful people who wish to come to our country with good intentions have nothing to fear with these additional measures.I believe these are responsible steps we must take to protect Americans."" The SAFER Act builds upon the SAFE Act (HR 4038) which passed the House on November 19, 2015. The SAFE Act empowered our security agencies to set strict requirements for entry as refugees and halted admissions until such standards are set. The SAFER Act would define the requirements to fully vet Syrian and Iraqi refugees before they can be admitted into the United States: All Syrian and Iraqi refugees regardless of background or religious affiliation must pass a certified polygraph examination.A polygraph will be essential in determining whether a refugee is truly coming to the United States to escape oppression or if they are coming here with possibly violent intentions. It is also necessary since for many refugees we only have their word to rely on as to who they are, where they are from and why they are coming here.There are no corresponding government databases to verify their claims nor is there the ability to conduct a sufficient background check due to the conflicts in the region and displacement of entire communities. All Syrian and Iraqi refugees regardless of background or religious affiliation must agree to provide biometric data and have that data compared to known databases in order to validate they have no known history of terrorist activities. All Syrian and Iraqi refugees regardless of background or religious affiliation must agree to provide DNA samples and have those samples compared to known databases in order to validate they have no known history of terrorist activities. All Syrian and Iraqi refugees will be subject to a background check that includes an investigation of all online activity, including posts to social media. For more information, clickhere and to read the bill text click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://calvert.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-calvert-votes-fund-key-priorities,Rep. Calvert Votes to Fund Key Priorities,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Ken Calvert,C000059,calvert.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) voted along with a bipartisan majority (316 to 113) to approve the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act. The bill funds the federal discretionary budget for the remainder of the fiscal year. Rep. Calvert serves as the Chairman of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee. ""The funding priorities the House approved today will curb the Obama administration's dangerous bureaucracy while investing in programs that are essential to American families,"" said Rep. Calvert. ""I've worked hard to protect our economy from the regulatory overreach at the EPA and in this bill we hold the EPA staffing to its lowest level since 1989. The funding the Appropriations Committee has provided for our military, veterans and for critical infrastructure investments is a significant achievement."" The bill also lifts the 40-year-old ban on U.S. oil exports. According to studies, lifting the ban could create approximately one million jobs in the U.S. and add $170 billion annually to our GDP. ""Lifting the oil export ban is a big win for American consumers, workers, and our economy,"" said Rep. Calvert. ""The U.S. continues to have significant resources that can help strengthen our economy and provide our allies with an alternative to their long-standing reliance on Russian or Middle Eastern energy resources."" KEY PROVISIONS Defense $613.9 million for four additional MQ-9 Reaper UAVs. March Air Reserve Base maintains a schoolhouse for training Reaper pilots and currently maintains a fleet of six Reapers. $635 million for additional Afloat Forward Staging Base vessels, which are utilized for mine countermeasure helicopters, special operations forces and U.S. Marines. The vessels are built in San Diego, CA. $1.5 billion for additional UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters for the Army National Guard. This is a priority for the California National Guard. $27.2 million for SPS-48 Radars, which are used as the primary air search sensor for anti-aircraft warships. $72.3 million for the mid-life retrofit of UC San Diego/Scripps' Auxiliary General Purpose Oceanographic Research (AGOR) vessel. The vessel is used for a variety of ocean-based research projects funded by the UC system, the U.S. military, and other partners. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-supports-bipartisan-spending-bill,Costa Supports Bipartisan Spending Bill,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Jim Costa,C001059,costa.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, Representative Jim Costa (CA-16) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed a spending bill that will keep government funded for the current fiscal year. From repealing the Country-of-Origin-Labeling requirement for pork and beef to making over $3 billion in non-tax payer money available to crime victims, the spending bill passed today by the House has several wins for Californias San Joaquin Valley, said Rep. Costa. Responsible governance requires compromise, and this legislation is the result of Democrats and Republicans working together for the greater good of our country. Costa continued saying, I am pleased that provisions in the Dams Accountability, Maintenance, and Safety (DAMS) Act, legislation introduced by Congressman Valadao and me, are part of the spending bill passed today. The measure will authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to update and modernize our nations federal dams when critical safety work is being performed, and increase storage capacity of San Luis Reservoir. While long-term solutions like the DAMS Act are necessary to fixing Californias broken water system, we desperately need to pass legislation that will help in the short-term. My hope was to get language in the spending bill that would provide short-term solutions, and unfortunately, that did not happen. I am optimistic that the House and Senate will come together and pass California water legislation at the beginning of the new year. Failing to do so would be a disservice to all Californians, and is both unacceptable and avoidable. The spending legislation includes the following provisions: $100 million for drought relief. Funding for early learning, primary, and secondary education. Funding for medical research at National Institute of Health. $500 million for TIGER grants which are used across the country to repair infrastructure and contribute to economic growth. Funding for law enforcement, including $187 million COPS hiring grants, $80 million for the Community Policing Initiative, including $22.5 million for body-worn cameras and $15 million for Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation grants. Funding for specialty crop pest detections. Funding for critical nutrition programs, including SNAP and WIC. Repeal of Country-of-Origin-Labeling (COOL) for pork and beef. If Congress did not pass a measure to repeal COOL, the U.S would have faced over $1 billion in harsh trade retaliations by Canada and Mexico. Preventing the implementation of these retaliatory tariffs was imperative to ensure that irreparable damage was not done to the agriculture and manufacturing industries and to the overall economy. Language from the Dams Accountability, Maintenance, and Safety (DAMS) Act. Over $3 billion for services and compensation for crime victims. Repeal of the ban on crude oil exports. New technologies have provided the United States with an abundance of domestic crude oil production and expanding our export opportunities to include crude oil, in addition to gasoline and natural gas products, will further stimulate our economy and create jobs. Three year reauthorization of Land and Water Conservation Fund. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-supports-bipartisan-omnibus-appropriations-bill/,Brownley Supports Bipartisan Omnibus Appropriations Bill,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Julia Brownley,B001285,juliabrownley.house.gov,juliabrownley,https://juliabrownley.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The bipartisan bill was approved in a vote of 316 to 113. “Today, I voted for the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act. Not only does the Omnibus prevent another government shutdown, but it also makes critical investments in key Ventura County priorities, like our veterans, Naval Base Ventura County, our local schools, local law enforcement, and agriculture programs,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “While the bill is not perfect, it is overall a big win for Ventura County’s families and for our country.” “I am especially pleased with the increased funding for VA healthcare, including additional funds that will allow facilities like the VA-run Oxnard community clinic to move forward. As Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, I have been working with the VA to improve healthcare for veterans in Ventura County and increase the availability of specialty care in our local community.” The bill’s investments in priorities include the following: National Defense: Provides an increase for defense programs that will improve military readiness, increase health research for TBI, invest in military housing and schools, and provides a 1.3% pay increase for our troops. Veterans: Provides a robust increase in funds for veterans programs to improve VA health care and medical services. Increases funds for the Caregiver Program, for mobile Vet Centers, and medical and prosthetics research. Homeland Security: Increases funds for Customs and Border Protection, the Coast Guard, and other critical homeland security priorities, and provides $50 million in new funds to help state and local law enforcement counter violent extremism and prepare for and respond to terrorist attacks. Renewable Energy: Provides a major boost to renewable energy by extending the wind Production Tax Credit for five years (through 2019), and extending the solar Investment Tax Credit for five years (through 2021), while phasing both credits down somewhat over time. Extending the solar tax credit is estimated to create 61,000 jobs in 2017 alone. It is also estimated that the wind industry will grow to over 100,000 jobs over four years with the renewed wind tax credit. Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy R&D: Provides an 8 percent increase over 2015 for R&D activities in the pursuit of new clean energy and energy efficiency technologies. Education: The bill restores the $2.5 billion cut in education that the GOP had proposed and also makes critical additional investments of $1.4 billion above 2015, in such areas as Title I that serves 24 million at-risk students. Early Learning: Investing in Head Start produces results – and this bill invests nearly $400 million more than the House GOP bill and nearly $600 million more than 2015 in this vital initiative. The bill also provides $250 million for Preschool Development Grants, assisting 18 states across the country. Medical Research: Medical research at NIH has been underfunded for the last several years. This bill provides $900 million more than the House GOP bill and $2 billion more than 2015 for this life-saving research. Infrastructure: The popular TIGER grants are being used across the country to repair infrastructure and contribute to economic growth. The House GOP bill had slashed TIGER grants by 80 percent, killing jobs, but this bill restores the funding to the 2015 level of $500 million. Law Enforcement: The bill provides $187 million for COPS hiring grants, $7 million above the 2015 level and $187 million above the House GOP bill, which had eliminated the hiring grants. The bill also provides $80 million for the Community Policing Initiative, including $22.5 million for body-worn cameras and $15 million for Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation grants, an increase over the House bill. Agriculture: Provides increased funding for pest and disease research programs, as well as for food and nutrition programs. The measure also does not include many divisive riders that would have had damaging impacts on America’s women, consumers, workers, and children. The damaging “poison pill” riders that were removed from the final bill include: Riders that would have limited women’s access to the full range of comprehensive health care services, including by defunding Planned Parenthood. Riders that would have gutted the Dodd-Frank provisions that hold big Wall Street banks accountable. Riders that would have undermined the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act, jeopardizing the health of our children and working families. Riders that would have blocked moving forward on addressing climate change and reducing damaging carbon emissions. Riders that would have blocked protections that allow workers to form unions and help them save for retirement. Finally, the Omnibus includes several other important provisions: Reauthorizes the key James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, making the Health Program permanent and reauthorizing the Victims Compensation Fund for five years; Delays the so-called “Cadillac” tax, a tax on employer-provided health plans worth over a certain threshold, for two years – from 2018 to 2020; and Reauthorizes the Land and Conservation Fund, which is one of our country’s most successful outdoor recreation and conservation programs and which expired on September 30th. Issues: 114th Congress, Budget, Veterans' Affairs",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T20:33:33Z https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-lieu-ecstatic-over-fda-s-proposed-ban-tanning-beds-minors,CONGRESSMAN LIEU ECSTATIC OVER FDAS PROPOSED BAN ON TANNING BEDS FOR MINORS,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Ted Lieu,L000582,lieu.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON - Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) has issued the following statement in light of the Food and Drug Administrations proposed rules regulating tanning beds. I am thrilled the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released their proposed rule to ban tanning-bed use for those under the age of 18. This past June, I led a letter, signed by 18 members of Congress, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) asking that they release FDAs proposed tanning bed regulations, General and Plastic Surgery Devices: Restriction of Sunlamp Products (RIN 0910-AH14), for public comment as soon as possible. For many years, I have led the fight to regulate and restrict ultraviolet tanning bed use, such as authoring the first state law in the nation to ban tanning bed use by minors. Skin cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in the United States and costs $8.1 billion to treat annually. UV tanning beds cause skin cancer. The new rules released by FDA today are critical in the fight to eradicate skin cancer, and I look forward to the rules becoming final. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lofgren.house.gov/media/press-releases/lofgren-statement-omnibus-appropriations-bill,Lofgren Statement on Omnibus Appropriations Bill,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Zoe Lofgren,L000397,lofgren.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) issued the following statement today after voting against the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act: ""I was unable to vote for the Omnibus spending bill today because it included an extraneous provision purported to facilitate cybersecurity information sharing that in effect will function as a surveillance tool. ""Congress has debated cybersecurity for the past year. I voted for a bill passed by the House that addressed cybersecurity while also protecting the private digital information of Americans. This bill received substantially more support than any other cybersecurity bill considered by either chamber. ""Information sharing requires measures to protect Americans' privacy. It should also be debated in regular order. But this so-called ""cybersecurity legislation"" was inserted into a must-pass Omnibus at the 11th hour, without debate. The protective measures that such a bill should have including those I believe the Constitution requires were removed. While the Omnibus had both pros and cons, my obligation to protect constitutional rights isn't negotiable. I made clear to House Leadership and the White House that I could not support the Omnibus with this cyber surveillance measure included. I have enclosed several letters crafted in the last two days outlining my concerns related to the bill."" # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lofgren.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398042,Lofgren Statement on Omnibus Appropriations Bill,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Zoe Lofgren,L000397,lofgren.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) issued the following statement today after voting against the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act: I was unable to vote for the Omnibus spending bill today because it included an extraneous provision purported to facilitate cybersecurity information sharing that in effect will function as a surveillance tool. Congress has debated cybersecurity for the past year. I voted for a bill passed by the House that addressed cybersecurity while also protecting the private digital information of Americans. This bill received substantially more support than any other cybersecurity bill considered by either chamber. Information sharing requires measures to protect Americans privacy. It should also be debated in regular order. But this so-called cybersecurity legislation was inserted into a must-pass Omnibus at the 11th hour, without debate. The protective measures that such a bill should have including those I believe the Constitution requires were removed. While the Omnibus had both pros and cons, my obligation to protect constitutional rights isnt negotiable. I made clear to House Leadership and the White House that I could not support the Omnibus with this cyber surveillance measure included. I have enclosed several letters crafted in the last two days outlining my concerns related to the bill. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mcnerney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/media-advisory-rep-mcnerney-to-host-press-conference-to-announce-funding,"MEDIA ADVISORY: Rep. McNerney to Host Press Conference to Announce Funding, Next Steps for French Camp VA Clinic",2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Jerry McNerney,M001166,mcnerney.house.gov,,,legacy,"French Camp, CA Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) will host a press conference with veterans and community leaders to announce funding and next steps for the construction of the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in French Camp, CA. Funding for the CBOC was included in the FY16 omnibus spending bill passed by Congress today. What: Press Conference Rep. McNerney will host a press conference to announce funding and next steps for the construction of the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic in French, Camp, CA. When: Monday, December 21, 2015 12:30 p.m. PST Where: Health Plan of San Joaquin First Floor Conference Room 7751 S. Manthey Road French Camp, CA The French Camp CBOC will serve 87,000 veterans across a wide geographic area that includes San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Amador Counties, among others. Rep. McNerney has been a strong advocate for securing the authorization and funding for the French Camp clinic, repeatedly calling for the financial resources to complete the project. ### Rep. Jerry McNerney proudly serves the constituents of California's 9th Congressional District that includes portions of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Sacramento Counties. For more information on Rep. McNerney's work, follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @RepMcNerney.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mcnerney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mcnerney-applauds-funding-for-french-camp-va-clinic-in-omnibus-bill,Rep. McNerney Applauds Funding for French Camp VA Clinic in Omnibus Bill Passed by the House,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Jerry McNerney,M001166,mcnerney.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington Today, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) issued the following statement applauding the House passage of the FY16 omnibus spending bill that includes the funding needed to construct the French Camp Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC): The omnibus spending bill my colleagues and I passed in the House is a necessary compromise that will fund the government for the next year. While the bill reflects some tough choices, it also provides funding for critical programs that support job creation, health care for families and children, investments in renewable energy production, environmental protection, small business loans, and VA construction. The omnibus is a tremendous victory for thousands of our veterans who will have better access to health care because it includes funding to build the long-overdue Community Based Outpatient Clinic in French Camp, California. Veterans across my district and throughout the San Joaquin and Central Valleys have waited more than a decade for this clinic so they can gain access to state-of-the-art medical care and services that they deserve. Many veterans have difficultly accessing the health care benefits they've earned serving our country due to a lack in quality clinics and services in their region. This places an unnecessary and unfair burden on veterans who have to travel significant distances for simple medical appointments and check-ups. I have worked in a bipartisan manner for years to get funding for the French Camp clinic, a project that has been construction ready' for some time. This facility will serve nearly 87,000 veterans, and I am glad to finally see Congress commit the proper resources so this project can break ground in the near future. The FY16 omnibus appropriations package provides $1.24 billion for major VA construction projects. These funds are sufficient to fund the VA's top FY16 major construction projects, including the long-overdue project at French Camp. The French Camp CBOC will serve 87,000 veterans across a wide geographic area that includes San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Amador Counties, among others. Rep. McNerney has been a strong advocate for securing the authorization and funding for the French Camp clinic, repeatedly calling for the financial resources to complete the project. ### Rep. Jerry McNerney proudly serves the constituents of California's 9th Congressional District that includes portions of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Sacramento Counties. For more information on Rep. McNerney's work, follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @RepMcNerney.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/posey-sherman-policyholder-protection-act-passes-house-senate,Posey-Sherman Policyholder Protection Act Passes House & Senate,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Brad Sherman,S000344,sherman.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington DC The Policyholder Protection Act introduced by Congressman Bill Posey (R-FL) and Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) passed the House and Senate today and is expected to be signed into law as part of the Omnibus spending bill. The bipartisan passage of this legislation proves that there is still room for common sense legislation that protects consumers, said Congressman Sherman. It is unfair to policy holders at risk, because of the actions of some Wall Street firm. That is why the assets of an insurance company should be walled off from the risky practices of their affiliated financial institutions. The assets of an insurance company are needed to pay claims of their policyholders, and those dollars should not be jeopardized by complex bets, risk taking, or poor management elsewhere within a large financial firm. I want to thank Congressman Posey for his great work and leadership on this bill. The Policyholder Protection Act affirms that resources from an insurance company may not be used to bail out an affiliated financial institution from liquidation under Title II of Dodd-Frank unless the state insurance commissioner consents. This bill clarifies Dodd-Frank to ensure that resources set aside to satisfy insurance policyholder claims cannot be used to satisfy non-insurance liabilities within a holding company system. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sherman-royce-bill-successfully-pushes-183-billion-arms-sale-to-taiwan,Sherman-Royce Bill Successfully Pushes $1.83 Billion Arms Sale to Taiwan,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Brad Sherman,S000344,sherman.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington DC Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), the Ranking Member of the Asia Subcommittee, praised the Administration's decision to sell $1.83 billion in arms to Taiwan, including two Navy Perry-class frigates. Last week, Congressman Sherman and House Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) introduced The Taiwan Naval Support Act, legislation designed to cause this action. The bill, which unanimously passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee, would have required the President to submit a timeframe for the sale of arms to Taiwan, including two surplus U.S. naval vessels. The transfer was initially authorized by the Naval Vessel Transfer Act, but no action had been taken for over a year. The purpose of the bill was to prod the Administration to transfer these important warships. I'm pleased the Administration has done just that. As I said in Committee, after all these delays, it was time to transfer the friggin frigates. The fact that China is responding with bluster and threats shows how important this transfer is. The more bellicose China's rhetoric, the more clear it is we need to provide Taiwan with the tools it needs for its defense. If China takes any action against any American company involved in the arms transfer, we must impose tariffs on Chinese goods equal to at least ten times the effect of Chinese sanctions, said Congressman Sherman. Chairman Royce has been a forceful and tireless advocate for transferring the frigates and other defense items to Taiwan, Sherman added. The Sherman-Royce legislation was introduced with the support of Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY), the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and Congressman Matt Salmon (R-AZ), the Chairman of the Asia Subcommittee. Watch Congressman Sherman speech in the House Foreign Affairs Committee from last week here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUU0wT5ZYsY -30",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://susandavis.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-susan-davis-supports-investment-priorities-for-san-diego-s-middle,Rep. Susan Davis Supports Investment Priorities for San Diegos Middle Class Families,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Susan Davis,D000598,susandavis.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) cast a vote in favor of the bipartisan Omnibus Appropriations bill that included a number of investment priorities for San Diego, and avoids a government shutdown. Throughout the appropriations process Davis pushed to ensure local priorities were included in the bill. Many San Diego priorities focusing on the middle class are included in this bipartisan omnibus spending bill, said Rep. Davis. While not perfect by any means, this bill has critical investments for medical research, innovation, education, infrastructure, and supports many jobs in our region. Just as importantly it avoids an economically damaging government shutdown. As we head into the new year, Congress should resolve pass funding measures on time and avoid past practices of stopgap spending bills that only cause economic uncertainty. The Omnibus Appropriations bill includes: Health Care: Davis led an effort to set funding for the NIH at $32 billion. The Omnibus contains funding of $32 billion for medical research funded by the NIH. The San Diego region gets a significant portion of NIH funding, around $800 million yearly. Education: Increases funding for Impact Aid for schools in close proximity of federally owned land (military installations) by $17 million. Davis joined a letter advocating for an increase. $250 million for Preschool Development Grants, which is the same as the FY2015 enacted level. Davis pushed to keep the funding from being eliminated. Defense: Omnibus bill contains up to $25 million to recruit, integrate, retain, and train women in the Afghan National Security Forces, as well encourage participation in elections. Davis included a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act that authorized this funding to ensure Afghan women play an increasing role in the rebuilding of their country. Shipbuilding: Contains funding to accelerate NASSCO's next Navy ship, the third Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB) ship, supporting 4000 plus jobs in the San Diego region. Renewable Energy: Provides a major boost to renewable energy by extending the Wind Production Tax Credit for five years (through 2019), and extending the Solar Investment Tax Credit for five years (through 2021). Extending the solar tax credit is estimated to create 61,000 jobs nationwide in 2017 alone. San Diego is a leader in the growth of solar energy industry. Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy R&D: Provides an 8 percent increase over 2015 for R&D activities in the pursuit of new clean energy and energy efficiency technologies. Transportation: The popular TIGER grants are being used across the country to repair infrastructure and contribute to economic growth, including improvements at the San Diego port. This bill avoids cuts attempted by the Majority and restores the funding to the 2015 level of $500 million. Working Families: Increases Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding by $86 million. Davis led a letter with the California delegation for this funding increase. Law Enforcement: The bill provides $187 million for COPS hiring grants, which is $7 million above the 2015 level. The Omnibus also reauthorizes financial and health care assistance for the 9/11 first responders under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, making the Health Program permanent and reauthorizing the Victims Compensation Fund for five years. Davis is a cosponsor of the bill. The House passed the Omnibus bill by a vote of 316-133.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://susandavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=392494,Rep. Susan Davis Supports Investment Priorities for San Diegos Middle Class Families,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Susan Davis,D000598,susandavis.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) cast a vote in favor of the bipartisan Omnibus Appropriations bill that included a number of investment priorities for San Diego, and avoids a government shutdown. Throughout the appropriations process Davis pushed to ensure local priorities were included in the bill. Many San Diego priorities focusing on the middle class are included in this bipartisan omnibus spending bill, said Rep. Davis. While not perfect by any means, this bill has critical investments for medical research, innovation, education, infrastructure, and supports many jobs in our region. Just as importantly it avoids an economically damaging government shutdown. As we head into the new year, Congress should resolve pass funding measures on time and avoid past practices of stopgap spending bills that only cause economic uncertainty. The Omnibus Appropriations bill includes: Health Care: Davis led an effort to set funding for the NIH at $32 billion. The Omnibus contains funding of $32 billion for medical research funded by the NIH. The San Diego region gets a significant portion of NIH funding, around $800 million yearly. Education: Increases funding for Impact Aid for schools in close proximity of federally owned land (military installations) by $17 million. Davis joined a letter advocating for an increase. $250 million for Preschool Development Grants, which is the same as the FY2015 enacted level. Davis pushed to keep the funding from being eliminated. Defense: Omnibus bill contains up to $25 million to recruit, integrate, retain, and train women in the Afghan National Security Forces, as well encourage participation in elections. Davis included a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act that authorized this funding to ensure Afghan women play an increasing role in the rebuilding of their country. Shipbuilding: Contains funding to accelerate NASSCO's next Navy ship, the third Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB) ship, supporting 4000 plus jobs in the San Diego region. Renewable Energy: Provides a major boost to renewable energy by extending the Wind Production Tax Credit for five years (through 2019), and extending the Solar Investment Tax Credit for five years (through 2021). Extending the solar tax credit is estimated to create 61,000 jobs nationwide in 2017 alone. San Diego is a leader in the growth of solar energy industry. Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy R&D: Provides an 8 percent increase over 2015 for R&D activities in the pursuit of new clean energy and energy efficiency technologies. Transportation: The popular TIGER grants are being used across the country to repair infrastructure and contribute to economic growth, including improvements at the San Diego port. This bill avoids cuts attempted by the Majority and restores the funding to the 2015 level of $500 million. Working Families: Increases Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding by $86 million. Davis led a letter with the California delegation for this funding increase. Law Enforcement: The bill provides $187 million for COPS hiring grants, which is $7 million above the 2015 level. The Omnibus also reauthorizes financial and health care assistance for the 9/11 first responders under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, making the Health Program permanent and reauthorizing the Victims Compensation Fund for five years. Davis is a cosponsor of the bill. The House passed the Omnibus bill by a vote of 316-133.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://swalwell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/swalwell-votes-yes-bipartisan-government-funding-bill-keep-government,Swalwell Votes YES on Bipartisan Government Funding Bill to Keep the Government Open and Strengthen Homeland Security,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Eric Swalwell,S001193,swalwell.house.gov,swalwell,https://swalwell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15), released the following statement after voting YES on the bipartisan $1.1 trillion omnibus funding bill that will keep the government open and funded: ""This bipartisan compromise funding deal keeps the government open, and protects programs that help working families. The compromise deal does not include extremely partisan anti-environmental or anti-refugee provisions, and it is a compromise I am able to support. Importantly, the funding bill rightly re-authorizes the long-stalled Zadroga Act, which ensures our 9/11 heroes receive long-term care and support. ""In addition, as a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I am grateful that the funding bill includes key intelligence bills that address the growing cyber threat facing our nation, while adequately safeguarding civil liberties. I'm particularly pleased the funding bill also contains a provision I authored in the Intelligence Authorization Act to ensure Department of Energy National Labs like Lawrence Livermore and Sandia are clearly available to work with recipients of federal homeland security grants such as state and local governments. ""I am hopeful in the New Year we can build upon the bipartisan nature of this funding bill and continue to invest in hardworking Americans and our national security.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T20:33:33Z https://vargas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-vargas-highlights-funding-for-programs-in-the-district-included-in-the-fy2016-omnibus,Rep. Vargas Highlights Funding for Programs in the District Included in the FY2016 Omnibus,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Juan Vargas,V000130,vargas.house.gov,vargas,https://vargas.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC (December 18, 2015) - Representative Juan Vargas (CA-51) voted in favor of the $1.15 trillion government spending bill voted on and approved by the House of Representatives today. Over 100 programs supported by Rep. Vargas were included in the bill. Rep. Vargas issued the following statement after voting on the Fiscal Year 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act: ""This bill is the result of long hours of hard work and compromise through a bipartisan effort. Although not everything I wanted to see funded was included in this spending bill, I was pleased to see that it tackles issues that go beyond party lines,"" said Rep. Vargas. ""The omnibus spending bill includes significant funding for programs that benefit our District."" The following is a list of some of the programs Rep. Vargas worked on with his colleagues in Congress to secure funding for the FY16 budget: Department of Defense's Operations and Maintenance, Navy: Funded at $39.6 million U.S. Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program: Funded at $10 million Veterans Treatment Courts: Funded at $6 million Bureau of Reclamation's Salton Sea Research Project: Funded at $300,000 Alfalfa and Forage Research: Funded at $2 million ($1 million less than the original request) Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF): Funded at $450 million Head Start: Funded at $9,168 billion National Institutes of Health: Funded at $32 billion Refugee and Entrant Assistant Program: Funded at $1,674 billion ""The bill provides $32 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an incredible $2 billion above the enacted 2015 level. The funding will provide a general increase to all NIH Institutes and Centers, for the continuation of critical biomedical research that leads to the discovery of new cures. "" Vargas represents California's 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California's entire US/Mexico border. Vargas was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and is currently serving his second term in Congress. He represented the 40th California State Senate District from 2010-2012, the 79th California State Assembly District from 2000 – 2006 and served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 – 2000.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T20:33:33Z https://walters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mimi-walters-one-year-spending-bill,Rep. Mimi Walters on One-Year Spending Bill,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Mimi Walters,W000820,walters.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. U.S. Representative Mimi Walters (CA-45) today released the following statement after voting in support of H.R. 2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act, the fiscal year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill that funds the federal government through September 30, 2016. Said Rep. Mimi Walters, While this bill is not perfect, it contains responsible funding levels that keep our government open and operating and includes several Republican priorities that will, boost national security and improve our economy. This legislation represents conservative values,by providing: a significant boost in defense funding to protect national security; a repeal of the antiquated 40-year ban on crude oil exports, which will support economic growth and help our allies; a prohibition on funds for certain Obamacare programs, putting us on the path towards dismantling this ineffective law; and provisions that will protect the U.S. from terrorists seeking to exploit our Visa Waiver Program. Im hopeful that the Senate will act quickly in passing this long-term spending bill so we can avoid a shutdown and Congress can fulfill its Constitutional duty to appropriate funds for the federal government. Walters represents Californias 45th District and sits on the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Judiciary Committees. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-waters-supports-los-angeles-unified-school-district-s-0,Congresswoman Waters Supports Los Angeles Unified School District’s Decision to Close All Schools after Receiving Electronic Threat,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Maxine Waters,W000187,waters.house.gov,waters,https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking member of the Committee on Financial Services, released the following statement after the Los Angeles Unified School District closed 900 schools after receiving a threat via email on Tuesday. Congresswoman Waters' statement follows: ""I fully support the Los Angeles Unified School District's (LAUSD) decision to close all schools on Tuesday after receiving an electronic threat. After thorough investigation by officials, the electronic threat against LAUSD on was determined not to be credible. ""While it is unsettling and disturbing that someone would engage in a hoax of this nature and magnitude, I am grateful that the students and citizens of Los Angeles are safe, and I remain committed to ensuring that the more than 660,000 students in the District are protected and potential dangers are thwarted. ""Although the threat was ultimately determined not to be credible, I believe that LAUSD officials carefully considered the threat and took appropriate and timely actions in the best interest of thousands of students, teachers and staff. ""Therefore, I commend the efforts of the LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines, LAUSD Police Chief Steve Zipperman, LAUSD President Steve Zimmer and the other School Board members, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Council members, and Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck for working collaboratively to be proactive, intentional and deliberate. ""I also commend the cooperation of the entire Los Angeles community, including parents, students and businesses that were gracious in allowing flexible work hours to accommodate parents picking up their children. Safety is the main priority, and I am committed to working with LAUSD officials and other city leaders to evaluate emergency protocol and plans when these types of threats are issued.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T20:33:33Z http://calvert.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397472,Rep. Calvert Votes to Stop Tax Increases,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Ken Calvert,C000059,calvert.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Calvert Votes to Stop Tax Increases f t # e Washington, D.C, December 17, 2015 Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) voted along with a bipartisan majority (318 to 109) of the House to approve the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act.The bill extends a number of expiring tax provisions. I am happy to support this bill and protect American families and job creators from tax increases they simply cant afford, said Rep. Calvert.Im pleased that the House has been able to permanently codify a number of these expiring tax provisions and provided some much needed certainty in our tax code. Highlights of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act (Provided by the House Ways and Means Committee) Delivers Certainty to American Taxpayers By making a number of temporary tax provisions permanent, this legislation delivers predictability, clarity, and certainty for individuals, families and job creators. Americans will no longer have to worry each December if Congress will take action to extend certain tax relief policies. Prevents Tax Increases The provisions in this bill will prevent a significant immediate tax increase on millions of Americans. And in years to come, individual Americans and U.S. businesses will no longer have to worry if Congress will take action to extend important tax relief policies like: Allowing State sales tax deductions; Providing small business tax relief, including increased small business expensing; and; Offering incentives for innovation, including the research and development tax credit. Grows our Economy By delivering permanent tax relief to Americas job creators, this legislation will make it easier for employers to plan ahead, hire new workers, grow their businesses, and invest in their communities. Serves as a Bridge to Comprehensive Tax Reform This bill lays the groundwork for historic reforms that will fix our broken tax code. Instead of spending months each year debating temporary tax extensions, Congress will be able to focus on the comprehensive tax reform we all agree our country needs. Americans deserve a simpler, fairer and flatter tax code thats built for growth, and this bill will help make that possible. Prevents Fraud and Abuse This legislation includes a number of provisions designed to strengthen the integrity of tax credit programs that today have high rates of improper payments, fraud, and abuse.While these provisions are significant, they are only a small down payment on Republican efforts to make these tax credit programs more accountable. In the new year, Congress will take more actions to ensure the right amount of tax credits are paid out and that people cant take advantage of the current broken tax system. Reins in the IRS This bill includes a series of reforms that have previously passed the House designed to rein in the power of the IRS and better protect taxpayers, such as: oFiring IRS employees who take politically motivated actions against taxpayers; oRequiring IRS employees to respect the taxpayer bill of rights; and oProhibiting IRS employees from using personal e-mail accounts for official business. ### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://garamendi.house.gov/press-release/former-cal-bears-lineman-garamendi-cosponsors-sports-concussion-legislation,Former Cal Bears Lineman Garamendi Cosponsors Sports Concussion Legislation,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,John Garamendi,G000559,garamendi.house.gov,,,legacy,"DAVIS, CA - Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, Davis, Yuba City, CA), a former offensive and defensive lineman for the Cal Bears and NFL prospect before deciding to pursue a career in public service, is helping lead the fight in Congress to raise awareness about the need for improved safety in high school sports by cosponsoring H.R. 3986, the High School Football Safety Study Act of 2015. The bill directs the Centers for Disease Control, in consultation with the Department of Education and the Presidents Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, to conduct a study on the causes of deaths in high school football and to develop recommendations to prevent death and serious injury in the future, including innovative ways of harnessing technology and data analytics to keep student-athletes healthy. High school and college sports helped keep me fit and taught me the importance of self-discipline and cooperation at an early age. Looking back on it, I also realize I was one of the lucky ones. Many people in my situation walked away with brain injuries that stuck with them for life, Congressman Garamendi said. I helped make high school football safer with state legislation in the 1970s, and were long overdue for science-driven reforms on the federal level too. The High School Football Safety Study Act is an important step forward to better protect many of our nations brightest and most driven student athletes from injuries that could hold them back or lead to death. In 1976, Garamendi, then a state legislator, authored legislation to ensure that helmets worn by high school football players gave them better protection. Since then, there have been major advances in our understanding of concussion-related injuries. The forthcoming movie Concussion, starring Will Smith, centers around the pioneering research by Dr. Bennet Omalu about the prevalence of brain injuries in football.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://hunter.house.gov/hunter-make-no-mistake-fbi-and-army-retaliated-against-hero,Hunter: Make no mistake - the FBI and Army retaliated against a hero,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Duncan Hunter,H001048,hunter.house.gov,,,legacy,"When I first met Jason Amerine, it was hard not to be impressed. Hes got the right stuff. His resume flush with the type of things that would make a Hollywood movie producer drool isnt too bad either. In politics, trust is important and often what a person has done says a lot about who they truly are. In this case, Amerine is a war hero. Its a characterization he loathes and will never attribute to himself, but I will. So of course I was on board to help save American lives when he came to me to talk about the problems with our countrys policy on hostages. I committed to giving my best effort to change the U.S. governments approach to recovering Americans civilian and military held captive in warzones. Amerine was first tasked by Gen. John Campbell who is now leading the ground war in Afghanistan to develop plans to recover Bowe Bergdahl. Nobody in their right mind thought the State Department-induced and -led five-for-one prisoner exchange was a good idea. Amerine quickly determined that not only could he recover Bergdahl, but he could also secure the release of other American captives without firing a shot. He also spotted inherent dysfunction and conflict within government. Our response was quick. I wrote to former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel twice. He called me to say he agreed that these problems needed to be solved. He told me what he planned to do and who he would task to do it. In that same span of time, Jason was getting close to making something happen, but it was the Federal Bureau of Investigation that first took offense to his efforts. Not the Army. The FBI argued that hostage recovery in a warzone or not was entirely under their purview even if the agents in charge of certain cases never stepped foot in Afghanistan. And forget that Jason had personal relationships at the highest levels of the Afghan government as well as other close and well-placed friends in the region. None of it mattered to the FBI. So what did the FBI do? They informally suggested to the Army that it look at Amerine for sharing classified information. They needed Amerine back in his lane, and the quickest and easiest way to do that was to sideline him through an investigation. I dont necessarily have a problem with that, honestly, because this type of stuff happens every day in government. People are always trying to protect their turf at the expense of others. What I had a problem with is what the Army chose to do once a complaint of sorts was made. They could have talked to Amerine, who had the full support of his immediate leadership, which in turn had full visibility into what he was doing. Internally, there was a disagreement on whether to investigate Amerine, but one Army general who has a personal beef with me couldnt let it go and insisted that an investigation was warranted. So Army leaders folded. An investigation started. I appealed to everyone in the Army that I could and so did other members of Congress. Former Army Secretary John McHugh wouldnt even return a phone call. Soon after, Jason filed a complaint with the Inspector General. In his complaint, he laid out the entire situation, from our work together, to his work behind the scenes. The Inspector Generals office, doing as they should, relayed the document for a determination on the classification of its contents. The Joint Staff determined that nothing in the document was classified. Even with that determination in hand, the Army refused to budge. So they began looking anywhere else they could. Soon, investigators were several steps removed from the original allegation. They wanted to find something. They had to find something. Meanwhile, the White House was motivated by the facts to change hostage policy. And during that time, I successfully led an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, now law, which requires the creation of an interagency hostage coordinator. This is thanks to Jason Amerine. The Army didnt care. There was also a certain level of gamesmanship that began. One of Amerines lawyers was left in the dark for far too long. Amerines pay was halted. He was called in for fingerprinting and criminal processing. Should we pretend the halted payment was a clerical error? And should we pretend the fingerprinting was necessary? No way. Through it all, Amerine came out the way he went in, with his honor and reputation intact. And a recent report from the House Armed Services Committee provides even more validation of all of Jasons great work. With one foot out the door, Jason was even awarded the Legion of Merit, a fitting capstone to a long and distinguished career. Recently, I read an article on War on the Rocks by a former Army lawyer who tried to tamp down any criticism of the way the Army handled things. He argued that certain Army leaders are being unfairly demonized. This left me unswayed. If you want to play politics where politics shouldnt be played, youre going to need a thicker skin. Stand by your judgment to investigate, thats fine, but dont try to convince me or the rest of the audience that the investigation into Amerine warranted a year of the Armys time, attention, and resources or that the investigation was warranted in the first place.The Army needs to be smarter about investigating the complaints it receives. After digging into this, I can assure you that they should have known from the start that what the FBI sent them about Amerine did not pass the smell test. There was also intervention by POGO and Senators Ron Johnson and Chuck Grassley. Thank goodness for their collective efforts. They too saw exactly what I did a system that was leveraged by an outside force to retaliate against an honorable soldier and war hero. That same system, instead of protecting Jason, was then mishandled from within. Whether it was all due to a problem with me or with Amerine, thats now irrelevant. This could have been settled with a simple conversation. Isnt that what someone like Jason Amerine deserves? For all his service, for all his sacrifice, an investigation that lasted almost a year was viewed as suitable treatment for someone who did the right thing every step of the way. So while some officials are worrying about demonizing certain Army leaders, what they should really start thinking about is how not to demonize brave soldiers who are the backbone of our military.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://issa.house.gov/press-releases/2015/12/issa-applauds-passage-of-first-responders-passport-act-of-2015/,Issa Applauds Passage of First Responders Passport Act of 2015,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Darrell Issa,I000056,issa.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-49), a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, released the following statement after the House passage of the bipartisan H.R. 3750, First Responders Passport Act of 2015: America is one of the most generous countries on earth. Following natural disasters, our first responders often travel to assist foreign communities in the aftermath of hurricanes, earthquakes, and other catastrophes. This legislation will remove one small hurdle in their journey to assist by waiving passport fees for these first responders to ensure they are always ready to render life-saving aid to those in need. Issa joined with Representative Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania on the legislation, whichHouse Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce and Ranking Member Eliot Engel cosponsored along with 24 other members. The House Committee on Foreign Affairs approved the First Responders Passport Act unanimously on November 4, 2015.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://juliabrownley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/brownley-applauds-passage-of-bipartisan-tax-relief-for-working-families,BROWNLEY APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF BIPARTISAN TAX RELIEF FOR WORKING FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Julia Brownley,B001285,juliabrownley.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Earlier today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) voted to support passage of the tax extenders package. The bipartisan legislation was approved in a vote of 318 to 109. I supported the tax extenders package because it includes important relief for working families and the middle-class, by improving the child and earned income tax credits, which are critical to keeping children out of poverty, stated Congresswoman Brownley. The legislation would also provide certainty for individuals and businesses to invest, create jobs, and further improve Ventura Countys economy. Im especially proud of the provisions I championed to make the research and development tax credit permanent while giving start-ups the ability to use the tax credit when they need it most. Congresswoman Brownley previously authored and championed the Innovation, Research, and Manufacturing Act (H.R. 1536), legislation to permanently extend the research and development tax credit and to permit start-ups to utilize the credit as a refundable credit. The legislation approved by the House today includes those provisions. The House-approved tax measure also includes individual income tax provisions to improve and make permanent the child tax credit, the American Opportunity Credit, the earned income tax credit (EITC), the deduction for elementary and secondary school teachers, incentives for charitable giving, and the deduction of state and local taxes. The bill also extends certain business and energy tax credits. ### Julia Brownley represents Californias 26th Congressional District, which includes most of Ventura County, and Westlake Village in Los Angeles County. She serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and as the Ranking Member on the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://kevinmccarthy.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-tax-certainty-to-give-americans-the-stability-needed-for,House Passes Tax Certainty to Give Americans the Stability Needed for Success,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Kevin McCarthy,M001165,kevinmccarthy.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Kevin McCarthy released the following statement on House passage of H.R. 2029, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act: The end of each year is traditionally met with anticipation for a new year ahead. But when it comes to planning, ad hoc tax policies have made it more difficult for individuals and businesses to prepare for the year ahead and make next year better than the last. This uncertainty is not only stressful, but it also prevents us from doing what we do bestinvesting in people to create opportunity and earn success. If people dont actually know how much they will have to pay in taxes, they hold off spending their hard-earned money to improve their lives or grow their businesses. To give people stability and certainty on tax rates, the House passed a bill to make many temporary tax provisions permanent and extend others for several more years. The bill also increases taxpayer protections to prevent the IRS from targeting Americans based on their political beliefs. Our tax system should be certain, simple, and, above all, fair. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://lamalfa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lamalfa-supports-passage-of-major-tax-credit-measure-for-families,"Rep. LaMalfa Supports Passage of Major Tax Credit Measure for Families, Small Businesses & Farms",2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Doug LaMalfa,L000578,lamalfa.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Rep. LaMalfa today supported a measure that extends a wide array of tax credits for American families, students, farms and employers, creating more certainty and decreasing costs for taxpayers. The bill ends a cycle of last minute, retroactive extensions that have inhibited investment and prevented economic growth. Passed on a 318-109 vote, the proposal will now be considered by the Senate. This package will not only decrease taxes for families across the nation, it will spur more investment and growth by small businesses and farms in Northern California. Its simply unconscionable that Americans have had to wait until the last days of each year to find out under which laws theyll be taxed. Today we ended that vicious cycle, and Americans can finally make financial decisions with greater stability to plan for the future. This package supports education through tax credits for students and teachers, and increases protections to rein in the IRS, said LaMalfa. Particularly important components for the First District are provisions that allow farmers and ranchers to make informed decisions about how new tractors and other equipment will be taxed. Tax credits for families, students and teachers include the following: Permanent extension of the child tax credit of up to $3,000 to help working families meet their needs. Permanent extension of the K-12 teacher classroom expenses credit of up to $250 to offset the out-of-pocket expenses many teachers incur. A two-year extension of the tax deduction of up to $4,000 for tuition and related expenses for higher education. Permanent extension of higher education tax credit up to $2,500 for qualified tuition and related postsecondary education expenses. An expanded definition of qualified higher education expenses for which tax-preferred distributions from 529 accounts are eligible to include computer equipment and technology. Pro-business tax credits aimed at creating economic growth and certainly for employers include the following: The bill makes permanent the Section 179 small business expensing of up to $500,000 for investment in equipment, software, property and other capital expenses. A permanent extension of the research and development (R&D) tax credit and an expansion of the credit for more small businesses. A five-year extension of the 50-percent accelerated depreciation for property. Obamacare taxes rolled back by the bill include the following: A two-year moratorium on the medical device tax of 2.3% on devices like pacemakers, MRI machines, and artificial heart valves. A two-year moratorium on the Cadillac Tax, which imposes an arbitrary 40% tax on high cost health plans. 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. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://lowenthal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398709,Congressman Lowenthal Denounces Arrest Of Human Rights Lawyer Nguyen Van Dai By Vietnamese Government,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Alan Lowenthal,L000579,lowenthal.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Alan Lowenthal today issued the following statement on the arrest yesterday in Vietnam of human rights lawyer Nguyen Van Dai on charges of propaganda against the state: I am, along with the Vietnamese-American community and many in the international community, shocked and outraged about the arrest of Nguyen Van Dai for doing nothing more than standing up for freedom and human rights in his country. Sadly this is just the latest example of the failed human rights record of the Hanoi government and casts a stark spotlight on the fact that cases of human rights abuse and repression are the government-sponsored norm in Vietnam, not the exception. Today, I have asked Secretary of State John Kerry to press the Vietnamese government to immediately release Dai and drop all charges against him. Moreover, I calling on the Vietnamese government to unequivocally put an end to attacks on human rights activists. When I visited Vietnam earlier this year as part of a congressional delegation, I had the pleasure of meeting Dai in person. It saddens me to think that Dai and other activists must live in fear for their own safety simply for exercising their most basic human rights--the freedom of speech, the freedom of assembly, and the freedom of religion. A stronger relationship with Vietnam would benefit our nation and the people of Vietnam. But the possibility of a stronger relationship remains soured by the government of Vietnams continuing record of attacks and abuses against the freedoms of its own people.To view the letter, please click here: /UploadedFiles/12-17-15-Lowenthal-letter-Dai-arrest.pdf",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/vote-notes/house-amendment-2-to-hr-2029-tax-extenders-act-yes,House Amendment 2 to HR 2029 Tax Extenders Act: YES,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Tom McClintock,M001177,mcclintock.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Amendment 2 to HR 2029 Tax Extenders Act: YES. Called the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act this 233-page bill provides a complex list of changes to the tax code. Once again, there is both good and bad. It makes a variety of temporary business tax deductions, most notably the Research and Development Tax Credit and a provision that allows businesses to deduct the cost of many major equipment purchases in the year they are made. Permanency of these business tax deductions is essential if they are to serve their purpose of promoting growth and investment policies. On the negative side, the bill also makes permanent the failed stimulus package as it affects welfare programs such as the Earned Income Tax Credit. These are not true tax credits, solely deducted from actual tax liability, but rather are welfare payments administered through the tax code. The three biggest of these programs, (EITC, Earned American Opportunity Credit and Enhanced Child Tax Credit) amount to $198 billion over the next ten years one third of the projected cost of the bill. This doesnt include a wide variety of additional tax credits that fund the administrations Green energy initiative and an array of other special interest sops. Which brings us to the $622 billion gorilla in the room the ten-year increase in the nations debt that the Joint Committee on Taxation projects as a result of this measure. It is important to understand exactly how this figure is calculated. First, two-thirds of the cost is associated with extending or making permanent the various business tax provisions discussed above. These are defined as tax cuts therefore reductions in revenue -- but this is true only in theory and not reality. The reality is that current taxes will not be cut as a result of this measure they are simply not going to be increased. Without this bill, struggling job creators would be hit with massive tax increases over what they are currently paying, with severe economic consequences. Second, it increases the debt on paper but not in practice. In practice, these tax provisions are routinely extended and are already accounted for in the CBOs alternative forecast model, which projects actual anticipated spending. These changes would simply bring the alternative forecast (what we actually spend) in line with the baseline forecast (what we theoretically spend), providing for more honest accounting of a deficit that is already there but not acknowledged in the baseline forecast. Third, because the extensions are routinely done late in the year, they do not provide the economic incentive necessary to maximize their impact. Making investments based on the possibility of later tax benefits rather than the certainty -- introduces a significant element of risk that reduces their effect on behavior. Fourth, these provisions have a positive dynamic effect that will partially offset their paper cost with new revenues produced by resulting economic growth. It is impossible to accurately quantify that effect, but it could be significant and cant be ignored. This is not the case with the extensions of stimulus policy that use the tax code to administer welfare payments. These provisions actually require additional outlays of real money to provide these refundable credits. The theory is that this money will be spent by non-taxpaying families to create additional economic activity, but ignores the fact that it reduces the amount available for taxpaying families to spend by the same amount. For me, the issue boils down to this: does the imperative of preventing a scheduled major tax increase on job creators in the seventh year of the Obama economic malaise outweigh the damage done by roughly $200 billion of new spending over the next ten years? I think it does, although I doubt it will generate enough new revenue to offset the actual costs of the bill. In this respect, it will widen the actual deficit at a time when the national debt poses the greatest single threat to our nations security and welfare. Because of this, concomitant cuts in spending are all the more imperative, something The Omnibus spending bill (adopted as Amendment 1 to HR 2029) spectacularly fails to do.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/thompson-votes-against-unpaid-for-tax-package,THOMPSON VOTES AGAINST UNPAID FOR TAX PACKAGE,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Mike Thompson,T000460,mikethompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today voted against H.R. 2029, legislation that extends or makes permanent numerous tax provisions but isnt paid for and would add upwards of $680 billion to the national debt. Those tax provisions made permanent include conservation easements, the research and development tax credit, Section 179 capital expensing for small businesses, and expanded versions of the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit and the American Opportunity Tax Credit for college expenses. This bill contains a number of polices that I have long supported, and it even includes a conservation provision that Ive championed since coming to Congress, said Thompson. The fact that Im voting against todays bill, speaks volumes to just how fiscally reckless this legislation is. We should enact polices like conservation easements and the R&D Tax Credit. Theyre good for our country. But we cant do it by forcing our kids and grandkids to foot a nearly $700 billion bill. The legislation passed the House by a vote of 318-109. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/transcript-of-pelosi-press-conference-today-94,Transcript of Pelosi Press Conference Today,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Nancy Pelosi,P000197,pelosi.house.gov,,,legacy,"Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George,202-226-7616 Washington, D.C. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi held her weekly press conference today. Below is a transcript of the press conference. Leader Pelosi. Good afternoon. Since last we met here in this room, a great thing happened for the world and for the future. The world came together in Paris for a historic agreement to confront the climate crisis. The success of the Paris climate summit is truly a monumental moment in the history of the world. Nearly 200 countries participated. Nearly 150 heads of state attended and participated personally there, adding to the seriousness of the discussion. I congratulate President Obama, Secretary Kerry, Secretary Moniz for their great leadership and others, and their negotiators, Brian Deese and others, in the negotiations. They really were essential in securing a solid, bold, global commitment to act on climate. As you know, His Holiness spoke about this to the Congress when he was here. Pope Francis wrote his encyclical, ""Laudato Si,"" about protecting the environment. I feel particularly close to that because ""Laudato Si"" he is praising St. Francis, who was one of the earliest environmentalists, and he is our patron saint in the city of San Francisco. It just comes down to only the Republicans in the Congress of the United States continue to cling to their denial on the subject. Before all of you were born, there was a play called ""Stop the World I Want to Get Off."" And I think that could be their slogan. As you know, today the House will vote on a permanent, unpaidfor Republican tax extender bill that will give hundreds of billions of dollars to special interests at the expense of hard-working Americans. My problem with most of it is that it is unpaid for. Many of the initiatives in the bill have Democratic origins issues that relate to the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, American Opportunity Act for education. 179, an initiative to help small businesses, came from us. The issue of R&D tax credit is something we have all worked on. Coming from the Bay Area, of course, the R&D tax credits have been important to us, and we have always talked about modernizing them and making them permanent. But the issue of having all of that unpaid for, in my view, is unconscionable. And I say that because we have a responsibility not just in terms of the provisions of a particular bill but how it affects our responsibilities to be architects of our children's futures. The idea that this future is built on the quicksand of tax breaks, making the deficit even larger, in the out years, threatening the stability of Social Security, is just plain wrong. But it fits comfortably in a plan that they have had since President Bush became President tax cuts for the wealthy; let it trickle down, if it will. This now deepens the deficit. At some point, they will have to borrow more from the Social Security Trust Fund, undermining that. Certainly it is an obstacle to having comprehensive revenue reform, how we have tax reform to lower the corporate rate, to promote growth, and to keep America number one. It also dampens the opportunities we have to invest in discretionary investments in our children's education and their future. It's just plain wrong, and I intend to vote ""no."" I did speak on the floor at but nobody said it better than the House Progressive Caucus. Perhaps you read their letter, but in case you didn't, I will just read you this paragraph. ""We are concerned that the current agreement is weighted too heavily toward corporate America, furthers the longterm Republican goal of creating separate fiscal responsibility standards for tax cuts and investments, and will open the door to further attacks on discretionary investment and our social safety net programs."" Now, what is really important here is again, many of these initiatives are of our own invention, and some of them we want to be made permanent, but the unpaid for, it just is a Trojan Horse. And they are using it to put stuff on there for benefits to corporations that shift jobs overseas. It's appalling, and I will not it does not have fiscal soundness. It does not have growth in the way that we need so that many more Americans can participate in the prosperity of our country. And it does not have my support. As you know, we have the Omnibus tomorrow. Hopefully, then we can go home. But we shall see. Many of our Democrats still have some concerns about what is in the Omnibus and what isn't in the Omnibus, and particularly what isn't, and that is what we wanted of the opportunity for Puerto Rico to do restructuring, to declare bankruptcy. It doesn't cost the American people one single penny, not one thin dime. What are some of the others? Not one red cent? Whatever it is, it doesn't cost us any of that. But, instead, they resisted putting it in the bill. Now, I am encouraged that the Speaker has said that we will come together after the first of the year and by March31, 2016, we will have resolved this issue. And we certainly will look forward to working together to accomplish that. He wants it to go through the regular order, through the committee. I think we have done enough research; we know what the problem is. There have been hearings, there have been meetings, all the rest. We can just get moving on it, starting now. But, again, the fact that it is not in the bill again, not costing anything and the fact that it didn't go through committee. I understand that concern the Speaker has, but there are other things in the bill that didn't go through committee either. And then we have concerns about oil and lifting the ban on crude oil being exported. That was probably the biggest obstacle I have to overcome to support what is before us today and tomorrow. This exporting of oil is the timing of it is so incredible, that right when the rest of the world is saying we are going to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, we are going to reduce emissions, we are taking an action that is going to increase emissions. Certainly, what else is in the bill offsets some of the emissions that Big Oil is putting out there. And you know what it is. I mean, the price of oil on the world market. The Brent [crude] oil price is higher than the West Texas price here. So they want to leave the instead of selling the oil here and helping to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and have it refined in our refineries in here, with goodpaying jobs for American workers, they are taking the oil off to sea, and our jobs with it, leaving us the price tag of billions of dollars to pay to mitigate for the damage they have done to American refineries here, especially the small ones, the ones that meet the needs of independent companies. So that was my big torment. Some of you that I ran into, I said, ""I just don't know."" But the fact that the Republicans wanted Big Oil so desperately really argues for voting for the bill, because they were willing to concede so much. This was their raison d'etre. ""We are here to export crude oil at the expense of American jobs, and so we're willing to give up so much."" So we are pleased that the legislation is rid of its poisonpill riders, that what is in the bill is positivein terms of well, let's talk about what they didn't it eliminated riders to dismantle women's health. They tried to eliminate the clean power plant. They tried to weaken DoddFrank and our oversight of Wall Street. They tried to sabotage campaign finance reform, and they failed on that, what they call, Colorado 2 resolution. And they, of course, had to take out their provisions to destroy ACA. We blocked 10 riders in the bill that would have seriously hurt organized labor in our country. Really stunning how they have targeted, whether it's women's health and Planned Parenthood, the environment, workers' rights to organize. It's a plan. But I am pleased that at last we are renewing the 9/11 health and compensation bill. I was proud to pass it when I was Speaker, over their objections, and now they have come around. But think of it: They are giving over $600 billion in unpaidfor tax cuts, many of them to corporate America, unpaid for, while we had to offset the cost of 9/11, of our first responders. Really, emergency spending? Wouldn't you think 9/11 was an emergency? And we do not usually have to offset emergency spending. But I am so glad that that is in the bill. And it is really an obligation we have to our first responders, and I hope that it brightens their holiday season. Any questions? Chad? Where is Chad? He is not here. If he is not here the Warriors won. *** Q: Leader Pelosi, if history is any indication Boehner was only able to get 80 Republican votes for this type of legislation, Ryan obviously thinks he can get 100 and wants that. But this largely falls on the backs of House Democrats many who Ive spoken to have real concern on this bill. Are you confident that you can provide the votes necessary to get this over the finish line? Leader Pelosi. No. Were talking it through. There was concern about how this all came together. We never really met. It was done at the staff level and thank God for our magnificent staff. Im particularly proud of Richard Meltzer of our staff who especially on this Omnibus side of it. But no, I dont. Members are reviewing it. There are people who have very serious concerns about what this does to working families in this country, what it does to our investments for the future. And we are showing them in the bill the good work that was done in a bipartisan way, subcommittee by subcommittee. And the fact that we had such a victory actually a bipartisan victory on the budget bill enabled us to have tens of billions of dollars more in there for our investments. So, theres many good things that appropriators negotiated in a bipartisan way that are in the bill. People have concerns about the export see, before the export of oil came along, we were on a path. And that ingredient was very harmful. I mean ingredient, that assault on the discussions was a real assault. But on the other hand, it enabled us to get many more things. Is it worth it? And thats what some Members who are particularly concerned about the climate issue and the environment and health issues that are related to air pollution are studying right now. And well be continuing those conversations this afternoon. I feel that what we did in the bill more than ten times offsets the damage that exporting crude oil does. And again, there are some other issues that Members I think when they see the bill theyll have a better understanding, but they still may decide they dont want to be a party to something that enables the export of oil or the tax breaks for corporate America that are unpaid for and permanent. Again, we can debate each of them and their merits even to make them permanent, but unpaid for: unconscionable. Q: But just to clarify: I mean your whip counting operation is unparalleled here. You never lose. Are you whipping this? Leader Pelosi. Its up to them to have the votes. They have the majority. They have the majority. They have the legislation. We have some serious objections which we have made well known all along. So, well see. Well see. I cant really say right now because our Members are studying the issue. And I said from the start, as I said on all the things: review it and then tell me what you think. Q: Leader Pelosi, what needs to happen? You say youre in talks right now. Do you have a counter proposal? What needs to happen for you to Leader Pelosi. Theres no counter proposal. The counter proposal is a CR. Q: What needs to happen to give you confidence that there will be enough Dems Leader Pelosi. Well, I dont know. What do we need? How many do they have? This is deadly serious. This is deadly serious. And they knew full well when they injected oil into the debate that this was a disruptor of a serious magnitude. But it wouldnt have cost them a penny for them to do Puerto Rico. So that youre saying those two issues. No. That aggravates all of the other concerns that they have of things that are not in the bill. But its a compromise. And I say: vote for whats in it rather than what you didnt get into it but also recognize what we kept out of it. So again, I have told them how I came down on this because I was really you know, the first stage was anger, oil. Now we go to: what are the next stages of all of this? Now lets get more information and well see. And I respect the thoughtfulness with which Members are bringing to the process. I share their values. I know what their concerns are but I do want them to know the good work that our appropriators under the leadership of Nita Lowey did on this and appreciate that and well see where they come down. But youre asking me how many will they have, will we have enough? What do they have? What do they have they who go the big bonanza of increasing emissions, sending jobs overseas and getting more profits for Big Oil at the expense of American workers and costing the taxpayer probably eight billion dollars to mitigate for the damage theyve done to the local refineries. Yes, sir? Q: Madam Leader, you cited both the R&D tax credit and the small businesses accelerated depreciation as ideas that your party come up with. Leader Pelosi. No, that weve shared in a bipartisan way. 179, yes. R&D has been bipartisan. Q: Would you make them permanent and how would you pay for it? Those are the two biggest expenses. Leader Pelosi. Right. And well, the fact is: is that the other objection here is what you need to do is to have comprehensive revenue reform, tax reform so that you can see. All along when we were doing the budget with Speaker Boehner he said: before I can give you a top line on what the budget is I want to see what the outlays are the offsets are. So with this, you have a comprehensive tax reform, you see what revenue you need. You lower the corporate rate. You, perhaps, repatriate but with some commitment in job creation. And you try to increase your opportunities in terms of investments. But you dont say: we all agree in modernizing and making R&D permanent; therefore, were going to spend $100 billion to enable businesses to send jobs overseas in the same package. No, thats why I call it a Trojan Horse. But thats something you sit down and you discuss them: what is the duration and what is the nature of it? What is the modernization of it? So that it truly is creating growth which brings more revenue into the Treasury. And nothing brings more money into the Treasury than education of the American people: early childhood, K through 12, higher ed, post-grad, lifetime learning for our workers. So, lets put these things together. And when we did our Innovation Agenda, starting almost 10 years ago modernizing and making R&D permanent it was one of our key elements. Also, heavily investing in K through 12 was of the same value there. So lets have a weighing of equites. But, not one instead of the other. And I heard one of my colleagues say: Well, in our area, we have more R&D. No. In our area is where most of it started, so we know R&D. And thats why I support modernizing and making it permanent but not at the expense, not in the way that theyre doing it, and not using it as a hook to drag out all the kinds of dogs and cats that they want to bring out that will not necessarily be stimulative to the economy, but just for the benefit of the special interests. Yes, maam? Q: Madam Leader, are you definitely going to vote for the Omnibus? Leader Pelosi. Yes, I am. Q: You are? Leader Pelosi. Yes. Q: I just wanted to be clear about that. Leader Pelosi. In other words I think I told you once, the Dalai Lama, when I was criticizing China for its human rights violations in China and Tibet, he said: Weve got to rid you of your negative attitude. And Im like: Wait a minute, I thought I was speaking for you. So Ive tried to rid myself of my negative attitude on the Big Oil so that it did not prevent me from recognizing what else is in the bill. Q: But just to follow up, it doesnt sound like you are going to Im not sure youre pushing your Members very hard to vote for it. Leader Pelosi. Well you dont know that, do you now? [Laughter] Q: Well, are you? Leader Pelosi. I want to tell you something, because perhaps you dont know this about our Members: we build consensus. Its not about pushing. You know, sometimes you say: Oh, are you going to let them vote their conscience? They always vote their conscience. We just want to make sure they have all the information that they need to make the judgment that is consistent with their view of the Constitution, their representation of their constituents and their conscience. We call it the Three Cs. The Caucus the fourth is the least; it isnt even a factor. But we do want to build, again, another C, consensus here, and thats what we do. And thats how we stay unified. We dont stay unified because we herd them. We stay unified because we have shared values, and how they see those values in this, weighing the equity. As I say, I have my own problem with it, because of what I knew the exportation of oil. The other thing about oil that I want to tell you, just for this moment: the reason it is also harmful is the difference between the Brent Oil Price and the West Texas Oil Price you know, the price of oil in the U.S. and the price of oil in the world market was always kind of the same, until fracking. And then theres a disparity now. Its about three dollars a barrel, but it was 20 at one point. So this encourages them to do more fracking and all of that in order to get more oil to ship overseas. And this is why we have serious numbers as to how it would add to emissions. So it has almost nothing going for it, except its what the Republicans want. And I want to show my colleagues what they were willing to yield, and then well see where they come down. But you dont understand our Caucus if you dont know that its about our shared values, and a respectful debate, and then we see where we come. Okay, well, what are we going to do here? I have time for, like, one question. Q: Well, the White House, as you know, also supports this package maybe grudgingly. But its not just Republicans. So wouldnt you be opening a rift or doing a disservice to the President if you cant get this over the finish line tomorrow? Leader Pelosi. I dont know who opens the rift? Our Members are going to do what our Members are going to do. And Im respectful of other peoples views, of course. But this theyre separate votes; Members see them as: We vote for the Omnibus, were enabling them to do the other side of it. You know theyre going to do that anyway. Because, tax breaks for special interests? Make my day, say the Republican. Theyll vote for those in droves, regardless of what it does to the deficit. Where did all the deficit hawks go? Probably part of the endangered species. I dont know. But in any case, were going to do what we do. You know, everybody does what they do. We have a very different caucus. Our Caucus is magnificently diverse over 50 percent of it is women, minorities and LGBT-community people. Were very close to our constituents, and we represent them. Our job title and our responsibilities are the same: representative. So they have a little bit of a different perspective than maybe those in the Senate. Although weve worked very closely with them and are respectful of our colleagues in the Senate and the White House, we may have a different view on this. Q: Are you holding out for some Leader Pelosi. Were not holding out. We have serious unease in our Caucus. I dont think the Speakers going to reopen the bill. Hes made that pretty clear. But I think that its really important that the commitment on Puerto Rico be very, very well, be followed up with right away. But again thats where it is. And theres no shortcut here. People have to go through it all, and well see where they come down, and well see what the Republicans come up with. In the meantime, well be talking about Big Oil versus what we did for renewables, which is quite remarkable in the package. Well be viewing what the investments were that the appropriators were able to do in a bipartisan way. And I feel sorry for the appropriators, because they did such good work, on top of the work that was done on the budget before, to bring us to a place where we had gotten rid of sequestration for this two year period, and had more opportunity for investments in our future. So that was good. And then, again, along came Big Oil. So, thank you all very much. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397859,Royce Applauds FHFA on 2016 Scorecard Goals,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Edward Royce,R000487,royce.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Representative Ed Royce (R-Calif.), a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee and leading proponent of housing finance reform, released the following statement on today's release of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) 2016 Scorecard: The FHFA should be commended for further laying the 'building blocks' of comprehensive housing finance reform. Ramping up risk sharing with the private sector reduces the burden on taxpayers and opening up the Common Securitization Platform will bring more private sector capital into the system. The Agency alludes to improving its underwriting criteria; an excellent start would be the GSEs evaluating multiple credit scoring models."" Rep. Royce recently introduced legislation that requires the FHFA to develop new underwriting guidelines for Fannie and Freddie, allowing consideration of alternative credit scoring models the GSEs currently don't examine. On November 25, the President signed legislation modeled on H.R. 2243, the Equity in Government Compensation Act of 2015, as introduced by Rep. Royce. The bill, which reversed a FHFA directive and capped the salaries of the CEOs of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, was the first major standalone legislation enacted that dealt with the GSEs since they were placed into conservatorship.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397860,Rep. Royce Supports Permanent Tax Relief for California Families and Businesses,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Edward Royce,R000487,royce.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, U.S. Representative Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) voted for the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, a $629 billiontax relief package:""The more you tax something, the less of it you get. That's why lowering taxes on economic productivity and Americans' take-home pay is so critical. California's businesses and families should be able to keep more of what they earn, it's as simple as that,"" said Rep. Royce. ""Today's legislation makes certain temporary tax breaks permanent, encourages more investments in research and development, and lays the groundwork for comprehensive tax reform. The PATH Act includes a number of provisions to lower the tax burden on individuals and small businesses. Included in the legislation are: Research and development (R&D) credits Allows a company to deduct from their tax liability the amount of their R&D expenditures. Section 179 - Allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and/or software purchased or financed during the tax year. Employer wage credit for employees on active duty - Employers receive a tax credit of 20% on wages paid, up to $20,000 for a maximum credit of $4,000, for the time the employee is on active duty. Deduction for teacher classroom expenses Allows a teacher to deduct from his or her income tax liability any classroom supplies he or she personally purchased. 100% exclusion on gains from the sale of small business stock Money earned from the sale of small business stocks is exempted from federal income taxes. Food inventory deduction Allows individuals to deduct the cost of food purchased and donated to food banks. IRA charitable rollover - Allows individuals to deduct charitable donations from their IRA Program Integrity Requirements. Section 174 - Imposes a two-year moratorium (through calendar year 2017) of the 2.3% medical device excise tax enacted by the Affordable Care Act. Rep. Royce represents California's 39th Congressional District, which encompasses parts of Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties. He is Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://scottpeters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-peters-helps-pass-tax-cuts-for-hardworking-students-and-families,Rep. Peters Helps Pass Tax Cuts for Hardworking Students and Families,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Scott Peters,P000608,scottpeters.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) voted in favor of a large tax policy package that reduces the tax burden of tens of millions of Americans. The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 makes permanent a number of credits that lower Federal Income Tax bills for working families, including the Child Tax Credit, the American Opportunity Tax Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Increasing opportunity for hardworking Americans means making it easier for them to provide for their families, pay off their mortgages, and afford college for their children. Rep. Peters said. Federal Income Taxes should not be a barrier to families working hard toward the American dream, and this bipartisan legislation will keep thousands of dollars in the pockets of parents, students, and working people. The Child Tax Credit allows families to save $1,000 on their Federal Income Taxes for every dependent they claim. The American Opportunity Tax Credit credits students up to $2,500 on their taxes for tuition and college-related expenses. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) reduces the tax burden for working and middle class Americans, and is adjusted based on income and number of dependents. In 2012, 3.2 million Californians claimed an average of $2,271 in returns via the EITC. Rep. Peters continued by highlighting provisions that benefit San Diegos innovation and research economy, including a permanent extension of the Research and Development Tax Credit, and a delay of the implementation of the medical device tax. For research and development, we have had the worst of both worlds we would give a last minute extension whenever it was about to expire, but we never extended the incentive far enough in advance to actually spur investment. Now, with the credit made permanent, innovators know they can rely on this tax incentive to invest in their ideas, Peters said, adding, Since coming to Congress, I was in repeated contact with both the White House and Congressional leadership to make clear the importance of repealing the medical device tax. We should be making it easier for entrepreneurs to start their ventures and create jobs, but the medical device tax has penalized innovators in the San Diego region and the over 11,000 workers they support. This two-year delay is an important victory for San Diegos innovation economy, and I will continue to work to permanently repeal the medical device tax. Between San Diego, Imperial, Orange, and Riverside Counties there are nearly 250 medical device companies directly employing 11,100 workers, according to BIOCOM. The medical device industry supports nearly $10 billion in economic activity each year in the region and 48,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs. AdvaMed appreciates the tireless efforts of Rep. Peters and his staff since his election to Congress to address the medical device tax. Working with research advocates, patient groups, medical technology companies and others, a broad bipartisan legislative effort to suspend the tax has finally come to fruition. Suspending this tax is a win for medical progress and continued research and development, said JC Scott, senior executive vice president, AdvaMed. Congressman Peters concluded, This legislation is not perfect, and it once again highlights the pressing need for comprehensive tax and budget reform. However, todays vote will give families and businesses certainty for next year as we continue to work to grow the economy and create jobs.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://speier.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1815:congresswoman-speier-s-statement-on-the-pentagon-s-decision-to-select-a-single-variant-of-the-littoral-combat-ship-lcs-and-reduce-the-number-purchased&catid=20&Itemid=14,Congresswoman Speiers Statement on the Pentagons Decision to Select a Single Variant of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Reduce the Number Purchased,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Jackie Speier,S001175,speier.house.gov,,,legacy,"About Jackie Jackie Speier (pronounced SPEAR) represents Californias 14th Congressional District, which stretches from the southern portion of San Francisco through San Mateo County to East Palo Alto. She is a recognized champion of womens rights, privacy, and consumer safetyas well as an avowed opponent of government inefficiency and waste. In 2012, she was named to Newsweeks list of 150 ""Fearless Women"" in the world.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://speier.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1815:congresswoman-speier-s-statement-on-the-pentagon-s-decision-to-select-a-single-variant-of-the-littoral-combat-ship-lcs-and-reduce-the-number-purchased&catid=20&Itemid=7,Congresswoman Speiers Statement on the Pentagons Decision to Select a Single Variant of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Reduce the Number Purchased,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Jackie Speier,S001175,speier.house.gov,,,legacy,"About Jackie Jackie Speier (pronounced SPEAR) represents California’s 14th Congressional District, which stretches from the southern portion of San Francisco through San Mateo County to East Palo Alto. She is a recognized champion of women’s rights, privacy, and consumer safety—as well as an avowed opponent of government inefficiency and waste. In 2012, she was named to Newsweek’s list of 150 ""Fearless Women"" in the world.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398101,House Passes Tax Extenders,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,David Valadao,V000129,valadao.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Thursday, December 17, 2015, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on a legislative package to help American taxpayers. share: f t Washington Today, Thursday, December 17, 2015, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on a legislative package to help American taxpayers.The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, is bipartisan legislation that aims to ensure American taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned dollars while simultaneously growing our economy. The legislation makes more than twenty tax provisions permanent, prevents tax increases for millions of Americans, and provides tax relief for small businesses. After voting in support of the legislation, U.S. Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) released the following statement: By making these tax provisions permanent, we are providing certainty to Americans and simplifying the tax process. I believe Americans should get to keep more of their hard-earned dollars, and that is exactly what this bill does, stated Congressman Valadao. Since coming to Congress, I have supported legislation to ensure tax deductions for teachers who use their own money for classroom expenses, a provision included in the package today. These are common sense reforms. He continued, The package passed in the House today is just the beginning. The PATH Act is the first step in overhauling our entire tax code. Under the bill, the following tax credits will be be made permanent: Deduction for Teacher Classroom Expenses Earned Income Tax Credit American Opportunity Tax Credit Child Tax Credit Section 179 Expensing Further more, the legislation temporarily extends the Charitable Donations to Agricultural Research Organizations tax credit. The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act passed in the United States House of Representatives on Thursday, December 17, 2015 by a vote of 318-109. Congressman David G. Valadao represents the 21st Congressional District, which includes Kings County and portions of Fresno, Tulare, and Kern Counties.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=9DEE19DE-AAF8-4972-B7EA-FE07245BB94A,Chiefs of Police Support Bill to Prevent Terrorists from Buying Weapons,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Dianne Feinstein,F000062,www.feinstein.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WashingtonSenator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today announced leading chiefs of police from across the country support legislation to prevent known or suspected terrorists from buying firearms or explosives. Under current law, there are nine categories of prohibited purchasers under the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Feinsteins legislation would add a 10th: those determined by the attorney general to be known or suspected terrorists who may use a weapon in connection with terrorism. Local law enforcement officers are the first to respond in the event of a terrorist attack. In fact, law enforcement and military personnel are often targeted by terrorist suspects. Law enforcement personnel know full well the dire threat posed by known and suspected terrorists with easy access to weapons, said Senator Feinstein. The fact that we cannot stop individuals on terrorist watch lists from purchasing guns and explosives in the United States makes it harder for our countrys law enforcement officers to do their jobs to keep us safe. Chiefs of police in support of the bill include: William Bratton, New York Police Department Charlie Beck, Los Angeles Police Department Cathy Lanier, Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia Charles Ramsey, Philadelphia Police Department Greg Suhr, San Francisco Police Department Shelley Zimmerman, San Diego Police Department Art Acevedo, Austin Police Department Ray Kelly, former commissioner, New York Police Department Ed Davis, former commissioner, Boston Police Department Chief Bratton: The purpose of the police is to prevent crime and disorder, and, in todays world, terrorism. As Police Commissioner of the City of New York, a place terrorists have struck before and a place they wish to strike again, I and the New York City Police Department do everything in our power to keep the cityand, by extension, the nationsafe. New York Citys residents, workers, and visitors deserve no less. It is my fervent belief, however, that public safety is a shared responsibility. Accordingly, I urge that Congress approve the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act. Chief Beck: I fully support the Senate's efforts to keep firearms and explosives out of the hands of terrorists. Recent events in Paris and San Bernardino, California, underscore the importance of this critical legislation. Commissioner Ramsey: I stand with law enforcement officials in support of this legislation to bar purchase of guns by terrorists. This is a critical step to close a dangerous loophole in the current federal system. We are grateful to Senator Feinstein for her leadership on this issue. Chief Suhr: This needed legislation corrects a flaw in the current background check system. We must do everything to stop terrorists from buying guns and we commend Senator Feinstein for her efforts to get this bill passed. Chief Zimmerman: I strongly support this long overdue legislation to deny firearms to potential terrorists. The purpose of the current system is to stop guns from getting into the wrong hands and Senator Feinstein should be commended for this needed measure. Chief Acevedo: The current federal system to check backgrounds must be strengthened and this measure is an important step to close a loophole which allows terrorists to buy guns. We must support this legislation and get it passed to stop guns from getting into the wrong hands. Former Commissioner Kelly: Recent terror attacks in Paris, Mali, Beirut and the Sinai remind us that we need to remain vigilant. While an armed terror attack on American soil is a very real concern, legal loopholes exist that allow individuals on our terror watch list to purchase weapons and munitions. We need to close the terror gap and help law enforcement prevent terrorists from accessing firearms. It is common sense to close those loopholes and help secure and protect our country. I strongly support the critical legislation sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Peter King prohibiting those on our do not fly terror watch lists from purchasing firearms and explosives. Former Commissioner Davis: I strongly support the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act. It is a well-reasoned, common sense approach to a critical, global issue we face as a nation every day. The legislation provides an important tool in our efforts to defeat terrorism by permitting the Attorney General to deny transfer of firearms to the issuance of firearms and explosives licenses to known or suspected dangerous terrorists. The Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act would: Allow the attorney general to deny the purchase or transfer of a firearm or explosive to a known or suspected terrorist if the prospective recipient may use the firearm or explosive in connection with terrorism. Maintain protections in current law that allow a person who believes he has been mistakenly prevented from buying a firearm to learn of the reason for the denial, and then to challenge the denial, first administratively with the Department of Justice, and then through a lawsuit against the Justice Department. Allow the Justice Department, in any administrative or court proceeding challenging the accuracy of a denied firearm or explosive transfer under the bill, to protect information that, if disclosed, would compromise national security. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://calvert.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-calvert-votes-stop-tax-increases,Rep. Calvert Votes to Stop Tax Increases,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Ken Calvert,C000059,calvert.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) voted along with a bipartisan majority (318 to 109) of the House to approve the ""Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes"" Act.The bill extends a number of expiring tax provisions. ""I am happy to support this bill and protect American families and job creators from tax increases they simply can't afford,"" said Rep. Calvert.""I'm pleased that the House has been able to permanently codify a number of these expiring tax provisions and provided some much needed certainty in our tax code."" Highlights of the ""Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes"" Act (Provided by the House Ways and Means Committee) Delivers Certainty to American Taxpayers By making a number of temporary tax provisions permanent, this legislation delivers predictability, clarity, and certainty for individuals, families and job creators. Americans will no longer have to worry each December if Congress will take action to extend certain tax relief policies. Prevents Tax Increases The provisions in this bill will prevent a significant immediate tax increase on millions of Americans. And in years to come, individual Americans and U.S. businesses will no longer have to worry if Congress will take action to extend important tax relief policies like: Allowing State sales tax deductions; Providing small business tax relief, including increased small business expensing; and; Offering incentives for innovation, including the research and development tax credit. Grows our Economy By delivering permanent tax relief to America's job creators, this legislation will make it easier for employers to plan ahead, hire new workers, grow their businesses, and invest in their communities. Serves as a Bridge to Comprehensive Tax Reform This bill lays the groundwork for historic reforms that will fix our broken tax code. Instead of spending months each year debating temporary tax extensions, Congress will be able to focus on the comprehensive tax reform we all agree our country needs. Americans deserve a simpler, fairer and flatter tax code that's built for growth, and this bill will help make that possible. Prevents Fraud and Abuse This legislation includes a number of provisions designed to strengthen the integrity of tax credit programs that today have high rates of improper payments, fraud, and abuse.While these provisions are significant, they are only a small down payment on Republican efforts to make these tax credit programs more accountable. In the new year, Congress will take more actions to ensure the right amount of tax credits are paid out and that people can't take advantage of the current broken tax system. Reins in the IRS This bill includes a series of reforms that have previously passed the House designed to rein in the power of the IRS and better protect taxpayers, such as: oFiring IRS employees who take politically motivated actions against taxpayers; oRequiring IRS employees to respect the taxpayer bill of rights; and oProhibiting IRS employees from using personal e-mail accounts for official business. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costa-votes-support-valley-families-and-businesses,Costa Votes to Support Valley Families and Businesses,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Jim Costa,C001059,costa.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, Representative Jim Costa (CA-16) voted in support of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015. This legislation includes tax credits for working families, businesses, and research and development. Many of the tax extenders that passed today in the House will directly benefit individuals, businesses, and communities in the San Joaquin Valley, said Rep. Costa. Furthermore, the tax credits for research and development will help the United States continue as the global leader in research advancements, and that is vital for moving this country forward. Costa continued saying, Getting a comprehensive tax reform bill passed and signed into law is what this country needs, but the unfortunate reality of today is that the political differences in this Congress are too strong for real tax reform. It is my hope that the legislation passed today is a first step in Congress coming together to craft a robust tax reform package that will allow our economy to grow and provide more certainty for families and businesses in the Valley. The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 makes about 50 tax provisions permanent, including: The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which benefits low- and middle-income working families. The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) helps individuals pay down college debt. The Small Business Expensing credit allows for small businesses that have less than $2 million in assets to expense as much as $500,000 in property. And the R&D Credit benefits a broad range of industries, including defense, health care, and technology. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-applauds-passage-of-bipartisan-tax-relief-for-working-families/,Brownley Applauds Passage of Bipartisan Tax Relief for Working Families and Businesses,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Julia Brownley,B001285,juliabrownley.house.gov,juliabrownley,https://juliabrownley.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Earlier today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) voted to support passage of the tax extenders package. The bipartisan legislation was approved in a vote of 318 to 109. “I supported the tax extenders package because it includes important relief for working families and the middle-class, by improving the child and earned income tax credits, which are critical to keeping children out of poverty,” stated Congresswoman Brownley. “The legislation would also provide certainty for individuals and businesses to invest, create jobs, and further improve Ventura County’s economy. I’m especially proud of the provisions I championed to make the research and development tax credit permanent while giving start-ups the ability to use the tax credit when they need it most.” Congresswoman Brownley previously authored and championed the Innovation, Research, and Manufacturing Act (H.R. 1536), legislation to permanently extend the research and development tax credit and to permit start-ups to utilize the credit as a refundable credit. The legislation approved by the House today includes those provisions. The House-approved tax measure also includes individual income tax provisions to improve and make permanent the child tax credit, the American Opportunity Credit, the earned income tax credit (EITC), the deduction for elementary and secondary school teachers, incentives for charitable giving, and the deduction of state and local taxes. The bill also extends certain business and energy tax credits.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T20:33:33Z https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-announces-27m-federal-grant-to-support-job-training-and-affordable-housing,Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces $2.7M Federal Grant to Support Job Training and Affordable Housing,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Barbara Lee,L000551,lee.house.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.15 Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces $2.7M Federal Grant to Support Job Training and Affordable Housing Oakland, CA Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee announced that the Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) was awarded a $2.7 million Job Plus grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide employment and educational opportunities that improves the quality of life for West Oakland's public housing residents. I am pleased that the Oakland Housing Authority has been selected to receive this highly competitive funding and I am proud to have supported their grant application, said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Federal investments, such as this one, are critical to decreasing Oakland's unemployment rates and helping families build pathways out of poverty. The Jobs Plus Pilot grant program was created to develop locally-based, job-driven approaches to increase earnings and advance employment outcomes through work readiness, employer linkages, job placement, educational advancement technology skills and financial literacy for residents of public housing. With this funding, the Oakland Housing Authority will implement West Oakland Works (WOW), a place-based program targeting unemployed and underemployed West Oakland public housing residents. In partnership with the Private Industry Council, OHA designed Skilled Training Employment Pathways (STEP) academies to provide job readiness training, wrap around services and certifications and skills-development options through partnerships with the Peralta Community College system. Linking public housing residents to these critical workforce services empowers them to take control of their lives and prepares them to succeed along with the rest of the East Bay, said Congresswoman Lee. I am pleased to know this great work is happening in our community and I will continue working to bring federal resources back to the East Bay to support this and other vital programs. ### Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip's Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity. Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/rep-lee-celebrates-one-year-of-renewed-relations-with-cuba,Rep. Lee Celebrates One Year of Renewed Relations with Cuba,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Barbara Lee,L000551,lee.house.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.15 Rep. Lee Celebrates One Year of Renewed Relations with Cuba Washington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, a member of the bipartisan Congressional Cuba Working Group's Steering Committee, released this statement marking the first anniversary of President Obama's historic announcement of renewed relations between the U.S. and Cuba: One year ago, I joined many of my colleagues and the vast majority of the American people in applauding President Obama's bold action to end more than five decades of failed policy toward Cuba. The President's announcement was a historic step and renewed relations between our two nations have and will continue to benefit both the Cuban and American people. Over the past year, we have made significant progress toward fully normalizing relations between the U.S. and Cuba with expanded travel, technology transfers and formalized relations. Earlier this year, I was honored to attend the re-opening of the Cuban Embassy in Washington D.C. and the re-opening of the American Embassy in Havana. By re-establishing formal relations, our countries have laid the groundwork to continue addressing areas of shared interest. These rapid changes have been remarkable but more work remains and Congress must join these efforts. It's past time for Congress to stop clinging to more than fifty years of failed policy and instead help chart a new path for relations between our two nations. Yesterday, I joined eleven of my colleagues in launching the bipartisan Cuba Working Group and I look forward to working with my colleagues to repeal the failed embargo, lift the travel ban and modernize our relations with Cuba. As we mark the anniversary of President Obama's historic announcement, let us recommit to once and for all ending more than five decades of failed policy toward Cuba. BACKGROUND Congresswoman Lee has been working on U.S.-Cuba policy since 1977 and has traveled to the island more than 20 times, leading several Congressional delegations. Congresswoman Lee is proudly co-sponsoring the bipartisan Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act (H.R. 664) to lift the travel ban and the Free Trade with Cuba Act (H.R. 403) to end the embargo. Learn more about the Congresswoman's work by reading her nationally syndicated OpEd. ### Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip's Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity. Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-lieu-tim-robbins-take-part-white-house-event-arts-innovation,"CONGRESSMAN LIEU & TIM ROBBINS TO TAKE PART IN WHITE HOUSE EVENT ON ARTS, INNOVATION & PRISON REFORM",2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Ted Lieu,L000582,lieu.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON - Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County)has issued the following statement in advance of todays White House event: Arts & Innovation - Prison Reform & Reentry in the 21st Century. The event will be a unique opportunity to discuss innovative ways to transform the prison experience, criminal justice system, and the reentry process through arts-based initiatives. The event will focus on implementing creative programs in prisons across the country that create meaningful experiences and reduce rates of recidivism. The event will feature actor, director and advocate Tim Robbins, a tireless champion for the arts and prison reform. This past September, Congressman Lieu, along with 19 fellow House Democrats, sent a letter to the Bureau of Prisons encouraging that they expand arts education and engagement in their prisons. I am very excited to join with actor Tim Robbins and the Actors Gang to take part in the White Houses event on Arts & Innovation: Prison Reform & Reentry in the 21st Century. Americas criminal justice system is at a critical juncture with over 2.2 million adults incarcerated in our prison system. Arts education in prisons has a history of proven success.Data shows that arts education in prison can result in improved behavior among inmates, fewer disciplinary actions, cost savings, and reduced recidivism.Despite these impressive results, there are too few of these programs in our prison system. I hope that as Congress looks at criminal justice reform, arts education will remain a fundamental part of the conversation. Mr. Tim Robbins, Founder of the Actors Gang and Academy Award honored actor and director, also made comment. We at the Actors Gang are grateful for Congressman Ted Lieus continued support and look forward to seeing him at our Arts and Innovation event at the White House. Ted has been to see our work at the California Institute for Women and understands firsthand the transformative effect the arts can have in rehabilitation. I look forward to working with Ted to expand the availability of arts programs in correctional institutions and also, importantly and preemptively, within the California public school system. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lieu-calls-dhs-reverse-policy-not-reviewing-social-media-foreigner-0,REP. LIEU CALLS ON DHS TO REVERSE POLICY OF NOT REVIEWING SOCIAL MEDIA OF FOREIGNERS AND TO APOLOGIZE FOR MISLEADING CONGRESS,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Ted Lieu,L000582,lieu.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) issued the following statement in light of todays House Oversight Committee hearing on vetting terrorist travel for national security concerns. As a Member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, I find it outrageous that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rejected a secret policy to review social media of foreigners seeking entry to the US through the visa program. Based on an USCIS memo recently released by MSNBC and reporting by multiple media organizations, I am deeply troubled that US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Leon Rodriguez apparently misled the Committee today during his testimony when he repeatedly denied any such secret policy. I am proud to be an American because being a citizen of the greatest country in the world comes with it many benefits, including the critical fact that the US Constitution applies to US citizens. But the US Constitution does not apply to a foreign national seeking entry to the US. Yet DHS apparently believes foreign nationals seeking entry to the United States have more rights than US citizens when it comes to social media. In America, if a US citizen applies for a job in the private or public sector, their social media postings can certainly be reviewed. The federal government also apparently reviews social media as a factor in determining whether persons, including US citizens, should be placed on the Terrorist Watch List. In a perversion of the US Constitution, DHS apparently believes foreigners seeking entry to the US have some sort of reasonable expectation of privacy under the Constitution. They do not have those rights. This is an urgent matter of national security and the DHS' current policy makes no sense. DHS needs to have a department-wide policy of reviewing social media of foreign nationals seeking a visa, and they need to change their policy NOW. DHS also needs to apologize for the misleading testimony they gave under oath today to the Oversight Committee. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lofgren.house.gov/media/press-releases/lofgren-and-franks-introduce-bipartisan-wireless-tax-fairness-act,Lofgren and Franks Introduce Bipartisan Wireless Tax Fairness Act,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Zoe Lofgren,L000397,lofgren.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Today, U.S. Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) introduced the Wireless Tax Fairness Act, a bipartisan, consumer-friendly bill to place a 5-year moratorium on new taxes and fees for wireless services. On average, wireless customers pay nearly 18% in taxes and fees, largely imposed on state and municipal levels. These wireless taxes effect a growing number of consumers and fall disproportionately on younger, lower-income, and working Americans who tend to rely more exclusively on wireless devices for telephone and Internet access and therefore pay a greater percentage of their income in wireless taxes. With wireless broadband access rapidly becoming a key platform for innovation, the Wireless Tax Fairness Act will help foster greater access and investment in this key market by halting discriminatory and increasingly onerous tax treatment. ""Wireless connectivity is one of the simplest and easiest routes to the Internet, but rather than encouraging wireless growth, we've burdened it with taxes,"" said Lofgren. ""It's time to hit the pause button on any further discriminatory taxes. This will help boost job growth and innovation, and allow customers to choose wireless services based on merit and need."" ""Access to wireless networks represents a key component of millions of Americans' livelihoods, providing the efficient communications capabilities -- whether phone, broadband internet, or otherwise -- necessary to run a successful business,"" said Franks. ""Exorbitant taxes on wireless customers are discriminatory, adding costly impediments to the success of so many American businesses and affecting low-income and senior Americans who frequently rely on wireless service as their sole means of telephone and internet access."" The nearly 18% in taxes and fees wireless customers pay today is more than twice the 7.5% average rate on goods and services. In many localities, this cumulative tax burden is even higher. For example, the wireless tax rates are as high as: 36% in Chicago 29.9% in Baltimore 26% in Omaha 22.4% in Tallahassee 26.9% in New York City TheWireless Tax Fairness Actwould impose a temporary, five-year freeze on new taxes levied solely on wireless services. The legislation does not reduce or remove any existing revenue from state or local governments, it simply pauses taxes and fees at the current rate. It does not prohibit additional taxes on wireless access provided that the same tax rate is applied to other goods and services. The legislation was introduced with 49 bipartisan cosponsors. Similar legislation introduced in previous Congresses has enjoyed support from a majority of House members, and was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in November, 2011. Full bill text of the Wireless Tax Fairness Act can be found here. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lofgren.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398041,Lofgren and Franks Introduce Bipartisan Wireless Tax Fairness Act,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Zoe Lofgren,L000397,lofgren.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Today, U.S. Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) introduced the Wireless Tax Fairness Act, a bipartisan, consumer-friendly bill to place a 5-year moratorium on new taxes and fees for wireless services. On average, wireless customers pay nearly 18% in taxes and fees, largely imposed on state and municipal levels. These wireless taxes effect a growing number of consumers and fall disproportionately on younger, lower-income, and working Americans who tend to rely more exclusively on wireless devices for telephone and Internet access and therefore pay a greater percentage of their income in wireless taxes. With wireless broadband access rapidly becoming a key platform for innovation, the Wireless Tax Fairness Act will help foster greater access and investment in this key market by halting discriminatory and increasingly onerous tax treatment. ""Wireless connectivity is one of the simplest and easiest routes to the Internet, but rather than encouraging wireless growth, we've burdened it with taxes,"" said Lofgren. ""Its time to hit the pause button on any further discriminatory taxes. This will help boost job growth and innovation, and allow customers to choose wireless services based on merit and need."" ""Access to wireless networks represents a key component of millions of Americans' livelihoods, providing the efficient communications capabilities -- whether phone, broadband internet, or otherwise -- necessary to run a successful business, said Franks. Exorbitant taxes on wireless customers are discriminatory, adding costly impediments to the success of so many American businesses and affecting low-income and senior Americans who frequently rely on wireless service as their sole means of telephone and internet access."" The nearly 18% in taxes and fees wireless customers pay today is more than twice the 7.5% average rate on goods and services. In many localities, this cumulative tax burden is even higher. For example, the wireless tax rates are as high as: 36% in Chicago 29.9% in Baltimore 26% in Omaha 22.4% in Tallahassee 26.9% in New York City TheWireless Tax Fairness Actwould impose a temporary, five-year freeze on new taxes levied solely on wireless services. The legislation does not reduce or remove any existing revenue from state or local governments, it simply pauses taxes and fees at the current rate. It does not prohibit additional taxes on wireless access provided that the same tax rate is applied to other goods and services. The legislation was introduced with 49 bipartisan cosponsors. Similar legislation introduced in previous Congresses has enjoyed support from a majority of House members, and was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in November, 2011. Full bill text of the Wireless Tax Fairness Act can be found here. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://matsui.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=174,Congresswoman Matsui Announces HUD Grant to Support Pathways to Employment in Sacramento Region,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Doris Matsui,M001163,matsui.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, December 17, 2015 CONTACT: LAUREN DART(202) 225-7163 Congresswoman Matsui Announces HUD Grant to Support Pathways to Employment in Sacramento Region $2.7 Million Jobs Plus Grant Will Advance Employment Outcomes for Residents of Public Housing Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will award the Housing Authority of the City of Sacramento $2,700,000 in grant funding for the Jobs Plus Pilot program. The locally-based program aims to increase earnings and advance employment outcomes for residents of public housing through work readiness programs, employer linkages, job placement, and financial literacy. The Jobs Plus Grant builds on Sacramento's Promise Zone designation and Choice Neighborhoods planning grant, equipping public housing residents with the resources they need to feel empowered in their job search, said Congresswoman Matsui. The Jobs Plus Pilot Program will connect low-income residents with employment opportunities, which is ultimately foundational to Sacramento families' long-term prosperity, and our region's continued growth. I am thankful to Secretary Castro and SHRA for their work in securing this critical grant. ""SHRA is proud to be selected to receive a $2.7 million Jobs Plus award which will greatly enhance our efforts to break down barriers to employment for residents at our Marina Vista and Alder Grove public housing communities where over 50 percent of the residents age 18 - 64 are able to work yet are unemployed,"" said La Shelle Dozier, Executive Director for Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency. ""We are grateful to Congresswoman Doris Matsui for her tireless efforts to benefit Sacramento residents. This award will significantly enhance our capacity to build on our Choice Neighborhoods workforce strategy with support from over 40 partners to create pathways to self-sufficiency."" The grant will benefit Marina Vista and Alder Grove, two public housing communities in Sacramento that are close in proximity to employment and education opportunities in Downtown Sacramento. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mcnerney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mcnerney-introduces-consumers-rebate-legislation-to-reduce-emissions,Rep. McNerney Introduces Consumers REBATE Legislation to Reduce Emissions,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Jerry McNerney,M001166,mcnerney.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington On the heels of the successful United Nations Climate Conference in Paris where nearly 200 nations agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) is showing his leadership on the issue by introducing the Consumers REBATE (Rebate to ban Emissions and Boost AlTernative Energy) Act. This new climate legislation is aimed at reducing emissions, boosting the economy, and promoting cleaner air and healthier communities. Combating the dangerous effects of a changing climate begins with growing the economy in a way that reduces carbon emissions from polluters and fossil fuels that dirty our air, harm the health of our families and communities, and hinder our country's long-term energy independence. My Consumers REBATE Act takes the revenue generated from pricing carbon over time and puts it in the hands of consumers to empower individuals to become more efficient in their energy choices, said Rep. McNerney. We must look at climate change, one of the great challenges facing future generations, as an opportunity for America to be the leader of a new clean energy economy. Now is the time to build on the innovative technologies and investments we've already made with market-based approaches that will further drive renewable energy production, promote job creation and produce a cleaner environment. The Consumers REBATE Act puts a price on carbon extracted from coal, oil, and natural gas and returns that revenue back to the consumer. Under the legislation, the applicable price for taxable carbon is $15/per ton of carbon emission. The price is paid by the producer, miner, or importer of the oil, coal or natural gas. The U.S. Treasury is instructed to make quarterly payments or reinvestments back to all eligible consumers. The Consumers REBATE Act is built to increase American innovation and leadership in manufacturing and energy production by including a tariff on goods imported from countries that do not have carbon markets or pricing. A recent study from Regional Economic Modeling, Inc., released by the Citizens' Climate Lobby, shows that the benefits of a carbon fee and dividend approach include: a 33 percent decline in carbon emissions after 10 years, 52 percent after 20 years; an increase in employment of 2.1 million jobs after 10 years; 13,000 lives saved annually after year 10; and a nearly $80 billion increase in GDP from 2020 forward. The world took a great step forward in Paris to bring climate change under control, and the next step needed to ensure success is to put a price on carbon, said Marti Roach, leader of the Contra Costa Chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby. Congressman McNerney's bill does that in a way that protects families and helps our economy. Congress can provide leadership for the rest of the world by enacting a market-based solution like this. During the recent international climate negotiations, three former cabinet secretaries George Shultz, Robert Reich and Steven Chu and four Nobel Economics Laureates also made the argument for taxing carbon emissions. Furthermore, a recent World Bank report highlighted pricing carbon as one step in reducing emissions in a way that results in investments and maintains a strong economy. Countries representing a quarter of the world's economy are establishing carbon markets. These efforts illustrate that countries can reduce emissions, promote a cleaner environment and boost the economy at the same time. After California announced a cap on carbon in 2006, more than $12 billion in clean energy venture capital has flown into the state, more than all other states combined, according to information from the Environmental Defense Fund. Scientists have warned that without taking action to curb the effects of climate change, we will continue to see more severe droughts, storms, and increasingly rising sea levels. Reports have also shown that the effects of climate change will disproportionately affect lower-income communities. I am concerned about how communities in my district will feel the effects of climate change. In particular, rising sea levels and stronger storms will greatly increase the risk of flooding in many low-lying towns in Contra Costa and San Joaquin Counties. The Consumers REBATE Act will not only curb emissions to help slow the effects of a changing climate, it will also provide critical economic benefit to low-income families and individuals while improving the health of our communities, added Rep. McNerney. A former wind engineer, Rep. McNerney is an expert in renewable energy and a strong advocate for policies that will reduce carbon emissions, curb the effects of climate change, and spur a growing clean energy economy. Rep. McNerney is a trained scientist and one of only two members of Congress with a technical Ph.D., his in mathematics. ### Rep. Jerry McNerney proudly serves the constituents of California's 9th Congressional District that includes portions of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Sacramento Counties. For more information on Rep. McNerney's work, follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @RepMcNerney.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://schiff.house.gov/news/press-releases/rep-adam-schiff-announces-major-funding-increase-for-west-coast-earthquake-early-warning-system-of-82-million,Rep. Adam Schiff Announces Major Funding Increase for West Coast Earthquake Early Warning System of $8.2 Million,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Adam Schiff,S001150,schiff.house.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.15 Rep. Adam Schiff Announces Major Funding Increase for West Coast Earthquake Early Warning System of $8.2 Million Washington, DCToday, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Burbank, CA) announced that Congress has included $8.2 million in the FY 2016 funding bill specifically designated for a West Coast Earthquake Early Warning System. The $8.2 million is a substantial increase over what the President requested in his budget and is a great victory for California and the West Coast. Congress included funds allocated for the system in a spending bill for the first time last year at $5 million. The Earthquake Early WarningSystem is currently being developed by Caltech, UC-Berkeley,the University of Washington, and the University of Oregonin conjunction with the U.S. Geological Survey(USGS). It can provide users with seconds to even a minute or more of warning before shaking hits, depending on the distance to the epicenter. A limited system already been deployed for test users has proved that the early warning technology is sound. It will cost an estimated $38.2 million to build out a full system for the west coast, with annual operating and maintenance costs of $16.1 million. By increasing the funding for the West Coast Earthquake Early Warning System, Congress is sending a message to the western states that it supports this life saving system. But the federal government cannot do it alone and will need local stakeholders, both public and private, to get behind the effort with their own resources, said Rep. Adam Schiff. This year, Congress allocated an additional eight million dollars, a very substantial sum in these budget constrained times, and I thank Chairman Calvert for his support.The Early Warning System will give us critical time for trains to be slowed and surgeries to be stopped beforeshakinghits saving lives and protecting infrastructure. This Early Warning System is an investmentwe need to make now, not after the big one hits. Earlier this year, Schiff led a group of 35 Members of Congress primarily from California, Washington, and Oregon to requestthat the Appropriations Committee fund an Earthquake Early Warning System for the West Coast. The final FY16 budget funds the Early Warning System at a higher level than the $5 million originally included in the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill. The funding level in the FY16 budget also exceeds the Presidents $5 million budget request earlier this year. Senator Feinstein, Rep. Schiff and 35 other Members of Congresssent a letterto the Presidentlast October, asking him to include funding for the West Coast Early Warning Systemfor FY2016. In December 2014, Congresspassed a funding billfor FY2015 which included an additional $5 million specifically for the Earthquake Early WarningSystem, bringing the total funding for the system for FY2015 to $6.5 million. This was the first time Congress included funds specifically allocated for the system in a spending bill. That $5 million in funding allowed those developing the statewide system to begin purchasing and installing additional sensors, build new stations, speed up the ShakeAlert system, and come closer to deploying comprehensive early earthquake warning coverage throughout earthquake prone regions of the West Coast. The explanatory language for the funding bill reads: Natural Hazards.-Fundingfor the Natural Hazards program includes $60,503,000 for earthquake hazards, of which $8,200,000 is provided to transition the earthquake early warning demonstration project into an operational capability for the West Coast. ### Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://speier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-speier-s-statement-pentagon-s-decision-select-single,Congresswoman Speiers Statement on the Pentagons Decision to Select a Single Variant of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Reduce the Number Purchased,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Jackie Speier,S001175,speier.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) released the following statement today about reports that Defense Secretary Ash Carter has directed the Navy to reduce the planned LCS/FF procurement from 52 to 40 and then downselect to one variant by FY 2019. I applaud Secretary Carter's decision to downselect to one LCS variant and reduce the number of ships purchased. Common sense is finally catching up with the Littoral Combat Ship, and we know that a plan to keep purchasing two LCS variants indefinitely is not survivable in such an encounter. The LCS program has long been hobbled by hazy conceptual justifications and serious acquisition malpractice. We must be good stewards of taxpayer money and direct it to programs that will be the most effective at keeping our servicemembers safe and defending the American people. The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), future versions of which will use the Navy designation FF because it has been reclassified as a frigate, has had a troubled design and procurement history. In 2010, the Pentagon completed a competition between two proposed LCS variants, but decided not to select a winner and instead to continue producing both models. The LCS has also been plagued by concerns about mission suitability, design flaws and corrosion issues, crew workload, weight restrictions, and survivability in a combat environment. The Pentagon's decision to downselect would finally limit purchases to a single version of the LCS/FF and reduce the amount purchased from 52 to 40 so that taxpayer money can be used on other defense priorities. ##",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://walters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mimi-walters-demands-answers-doj-va-misconduct,Rep. Mimi Walters Demands Answers from DOJ on VA Misconduct,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Mimi Walters,W000820,walters.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Mimi Walters Demands Answers from DOJ on VA Misconduct Washington, D.C. U.S. Representative Mimi Walters (CA-45) today sent the following letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, demanding answers regarding the Department of Justices (DOJ) investigations into the various scandals plaguing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). On November 17th, 2015, Rep. Walters questioned AG Lynch during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on the DOJs investigations into the VA. AG Lynch was unable to provide answers, but insisted that the DOJs Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA) would be able to provide information to Rep. Walters office. Yesterday, on December 16th, 2015, OLA broke that promise by refusing to answer the questions posed by Rep. Walters at the November 17th hearing and failed to provide any information related to the DOJs investigations. In response to this egregious stonewalling by the DOJ, Rep. Walters sent a letter to AG Lynch requesting an in-person meeting with an appropriate DOJ official who can provide answers to the questions asked, as promised during the hearing. Click the picture above to see the November 17th interaction between Rep. Walters and Attorney General Lynch Said Rep. Mimi Walters, Like most Americans, I am horrified by the scandals that took place at the VA our veterans risked life and limb to serve our nation, and they deserve the utmost quality care. As my interaction with Attorney General Loretta Lynch shows the DOJ has failed to provide answers regarding their investigations, effectively blocking Congress ability to address the problems in the VA for the betterment of our veterans. I am appalled by DOJs obstruction of legitimate congressional oversight and I will not stand by while our veterans continue to suffer as the VA and DOJ play political games. I will continue to fight for justice and ensure our veterans get the answers and care they earned. Walters represents Californias 45th District and sits on the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Judiciary Committees. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://walters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mimi-walters-protecting-americans-tax-hikes-act,Rep. Mimi Walters on the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Mimi Walters,W000820,walters.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. U.S. Representative Mimi Walters (CA-45) today released the following statement after voting in support of H.R. 2029, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015. This legislation would make permanent over 20 tax relief provisions, extend several tax provisions, and place a 2-year moratorium on Obamacares medical device tax. H.R. 2029 passed the U.S. House by a vote of 318-109 and now awaits consideration by the U.S. Senate. Said Rep. Mimi Walters, This important piece of legislation will provide certainty and relief to the American people by making several tax provisions permanent. Imagine the yearly frustration businesses and individuals across the country are faced with when Congress cannot resolve their differences on temporary tax provisions. Providing permanent tax relief will give businesses the confidence to hire new employees and allow Americans to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks - which will result in a more robust and dynamic economy. Furthermore, this legislation puts a moratorium on one of Obamacares most harmful taxes - the medical device tax. Im pleased that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle were able to come together and put forward this common-sense, pro-growth bill that will pave the way for comprehensive tax reform. I urge the Senate to act swiftly in sending this bill to the Presidents desk. Walters represents Californias 45th District and sits on the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Judiciary Committees.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cook.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-paul-cook-votes-to-combat-terrorist-use-of-social-media,Rep. Paul Cook Votes to Combat Terrorist Use of Social Media,2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Paul Cook,C001094,cook.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Rep. Paul Cook (R Apple Valley) voted for H.R. 3654, the Combat Terrorist Use of Social Media Act of 2015. This bipartisan legislation requires President Obama to lay out a strategy to counter terrorist use of social media. This bill also requires the President to come up with a policy to enhance the exchange of information and dialogue between the federal government and social media companies. Cook said, Its become normal for terrorists to use social media to fundraise, indoctrinate, and recruit future members. This bipartisan legislation will require the President to come up with a strategy to stop terrorists from using social media to advance their message of hate.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://lamalfa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lamalfa-announces-nominees-to-the-united-states-service-academies-0,Rep. LaMalfa Announces Nominees to the United States Service Academies,2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,CA,Doug LaMalfa,L000578,lamalfa.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington DC- Representative Doug LaMalfa today announced the eleven individuals he has nominated as candidates to the United States Service Academies. The U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marines Academy each require a Congressional nomination in order to attend. To say that I am proud of each of these impressive individuals is an understatement. These candidates have excelled, both in the classroom and in their service to our community and our nation, stated Rep. LaMalfa. Not only have they undergone a highly competitive application process, each has an earnest desire to serve and defend their country. I am pleased to offer them as nominees for nationwide Service Academy Appointments. Representative LaMalfas nominees were recommended by a committee of North State community leaders and veterans from various branches of the military. The committee recommended a slate of nominees after interviewing and carefully considering the files of North State students who applied for the nomination. Having been nominated, the students must now compete with other nominees for an appointment to the academies. Academy officials will begin announcing appointments in January. California First Congressional District Service Academy Nominations: Trent Foster- Nevada City U.S. Naval Academy Christiana Jackman- Redding U.S. Air Force Academy Nicholas Katz- Chico U.S. Military Academy Anna Lewis- Lakehead U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Garret Reader- Nevada City U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Mason Royse- Redding U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy Kody Rulofson- Cottonwood U.S. Naval Academy Bradley Salyer- Redding U.S. Military Academy David Shattuck- Redding U.S. Naval Academy Rory Sprague Chico U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Military Academy Wyatt Wyckoff- Magalia U.S. Military Academy Rep. LaMalfa announced and congratulated these nominees on the House Floor. To view his remarks, please click here: https://youtu.be/RLSjJDw4wHY Any student with a strong desire to serve our nation as an officer in the United States Armed Forces is invited to contact Congressman LaMalfa in the spring of their junior year. Please visit his website www.lamalfa.house.gov for his nomination application and instructions. You may also call his Oroville District office and speak with his U.S. Service Academy Advisor at (530)534-7100. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/chairman-thompson-statement-on-gun-violence-research-ban-in-omnibus,CHAIRMAN THOMPSON STATEMENT ON GUN VIOLENCE RESEARCH BAN IN OMNIBUS,2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Mike Thompson,T000460,mikethompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5), Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, released the following statement on the Dickey Amendments, which bans gun violence research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), inclusion omnibus bill: The inclusion of this rider is outrageous. 30-plus people are being killed every day by someone using a gun, and House Republicans refuse to even take the most basic steps to help lesson this loss of life. Heres how you know the Dickey Amendment needs to be thrown out: medical professionals say so, scientific researches say so, and Jay Dickey himself says so. No one can offer one good reason to keep this ban in place. This rider has prohibited experts at the CDC from researching the causes and best ways to prevent gun violence for nearly 20 years. The omnibus bill gave us a chance to fix that, but once again Republicans refused to simply get out of the way and let our experts do what they do best conduct research that will save some lives. On December 1st, former Republican U.S. Rep. Jay Dickey sent a letter to Thompson in which he called for the Dickey Amendment to be repealed, and for federal research to be conducted on the causes of gun violence, provided that nothing is done to infringe the rights of gun ownership. In his letter Dickey writes, Research could have been continued on gun violence without infringing on the rights of gun owners, in the same fashion that the highway industry continued its research without eliminating the automobile it is my position that somehow or someway we should slowly but methodically fund such research until a solution is reached. Doing nothing is no longer an acceptable solution. The Dickey Amendment, authored in 1996, effectively blocked the CDC from carrying out the necessary research to better understand how to prevent gun violence The full text of Dickeys letter is below. GUN VIOLENCE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH NEEDED December 1, 2015 Many years ago the highway industry took on studying from a scientific viewpoint how head on collisions could be reduced. They didnt include in their scope of study the elimination of the automobile, which would have been a simple solution, but what came out of this were three or four foot barricades that are placed in between lanes of traffic in our interstate highway system. We have all seen these fences, but what isnt generally known is how overwhelmingly successful this project has become. Back in 1998, I took part in cutting off gun violence research dollars at the federal level because of what was considered a misapplication of the dollars by the CDC. I have recently expressed my regrets that we didnt continue that research with the provision that nothing shall be done in this project to infringe the rights of gun ownership as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution in the Second Amendment. Research could have been continued on gun violence without infringing on the rights of gun owners, in the same fashion that the highway industry continued its research without eliminating the automobile. There is no ready answer to the question How are we going to accomplish the desired result of reducing gun violence under these circumstances? For sure the same dilemma faced the scientists in the highway industry some years ago. The highway industry answered the question of how to reduce traffic fatalities through scientific research. In the same way, scientific research should help answer how we can best reduce gun violence. Even though my opinion and the opinion of my colleague, Dr. Mark Rosenberg, have been spread to media outlets all over our country, there has been only one member of Congress who has expressed any support for this endeavor. I can tell that member that though there is no groundswell of agreement, at least I have not been tarred and feathered and run out of townyet. To sum this up, it is my position that somehow or someway we should slowly but methodically fund such research until a solution is reached. Doing nothing is no longer an acceptable solution. Jay Dickey Member of Congress, 1993-2000 Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent Californias 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-on-omnibus-and-tax-extenders-legislation,Pelosi Statement on Omnibus and Tax Extenders Legislation,2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,CA,Nancy Pelosi,P000197,pelosi.house.gov,,,legacy,"Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George,202-226-7616 Washington, D.C. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on the Omnibus and tax extenders bills: Republicans have filed their tax extender and omnibus legislation. On the Omnibus bill to keep government open, while I commend our Ranking Member Nita Lowey and the Democratic appropriators for their strong, principled leadership for Americas hard-working families during these tough negotiations, a number of concerns have arisen. House Democrats are now reviewing the Omnibus bill language. Republicans tax extender bill provides hundreds of billions of dollars in special interest tax breaks that are permanent and unpaid for. These massive giveaways to the special interests and big corporations are deeply destructive to our future. We have a responsibility to pass legislation that grows the paychecks of hard-working families and invests in the future of our children. The tax extender bill fails to meet that test. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z