FAQ

The following frequently asked questions and answers can help you to determine if my office is the best resource to assist you:

Do you reside in the 9th Congressional District of the State of California?

Congressional courtesy and ethics dictate that each Member of Congress has the honor and responsibility of serving his or her own constituents. If you do not know which district you reside in, please visit this page. All you need is your zip code.

Is your situation a legal dispute?

As a member of the Legislative Branch, I am not able to become involved in legal matters or court cases. This restriction is due to the Separation of Powers as outlined in the Constitution applies to both civil and criminal matters.

Is your case proceeding within the agency’s normal processing time?

It is rare that a case can be “sped up” for any reason other than extreme hardship. If you believe your situation is taking too long or merits faster processing, please contact my District Office in Oakland. My staff will discuss your situation and help you determine the proper strategy.

Once you have answered these questions and determined that your case is something I can assist you with, please feel free to contact my office via telephone, fax, US postal mail, or in person. If I can assist you, you must complete a privacy release so that my District Office can initiate an agency inquiry on your behalf.

Does your case involve a Federal agency?

As a Federal representative, I am able to make inquiries of federal agencies. If your issue concerns a state or local agency I am happy to refer you to the appropriate government representative.  If your issue involves state, county, or local government, your public school district or other public agencies, please visit http://www.acgov.org/  for contact information on your elected representative. For your convenience, a list of many state, local and community based organizations is available at the bottom of my Help With A Federal Agency Page.