Recent Past

Majority Party Blocks Energy Vote
I believe Speaker Nancy Pelosi chose to ignore the will of the majority of Californians and the American people when she refused to hold a vote on legislation that would increase U.S. energy supply prior to Congress's adjournment for the August district work period.  However, the Speaker's adjournment did not stop House Republicans, including myself, from taking to the floor to continue debate on the subject and demand that the House reconvene and hold a vote on legislation that would bring long-term relief at the pump.  Despite the Speaker having shut off the lights and microphones in the Chamber, we remained on the House Floor to continue calling for action to address high gasoline prices and lessen our dependence on foreign oil. According to recent polls, fifty-one percent of Californians and three-quarters of the general population support increasing domestic energy production through offshore drilling. While Speaker Pelosi is ignoring the wishes of the American people, House Minority Leader John Boehner has introduced legislation, The American Energy Act, of which I am a cosponsor. This bill would bring billions of barrels of domestic oil and natural gas into production, as well as provide incentives for the development of renewable energy and other advanced energy technologies.  While there is no overnight solution to high gas prices, I believe taking steps today to increase supplies of American made energy is a critical step toward improving our energy situation for the long term.  Share your thoughts

Suicide Prevention Gets Lift from D.C. Visit
This month I met with Mike and Mary Gonzales of Red Bluff.  They are the parents of Suzy Gonzales, whose tragic death was the impetus for a bill I sponsored that would make it a federal crime to use the internet to help someone commit suicide.  In 2003, Suzy Gonzales became a victim of an online discussion group that promotes suicide as a personal choice and a "civil right."  The group encouraged Suzy to commit suicide and gave her step-by-step instructions on how to do it.   The Gonzales' traveled to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness for the bill and help gain the support of members of Congress.  Mike and Mary Gonzales have shown amazing resilience and character in the face of tragedy.  I am deeply touched by their ability to rise above their own personal heartbreak so that other families will never have to experience something like this.  People suffering from depression need help and treatment, not fringe internet groups that glorify and assist with suicide.  Those who facilitate this irreversible and tragic decision must be held accountable. Share your thoughts

Trade Will Grow Our Economy
Recently I took part in a trade event as part of the Consumer Electronic Association's (CEA) seven-week "America Wins with Trade" bus tour.  The CEA includes over 2,200 companies, including Microsoft, Google, and Apple, as well as hundreds of small businesses.  The event was held to highlight the importance of trade agreements and the benefits they provide to American workers.  U.S. businesses have an important opportunity to educate their workers about how important international trade is to their jobs.  Over 40% of our workforce - 57 million American jobs - is supported by trade and without it these jobs would be at risk.  Because of this, we simply can not afford to isolate ourselves from the international market.  And more to the point, free trade agreements work.  They can reverse negative economic trends by opening up new export markets to U.S. farmers, manufacturers, and high-tech industries.  The pending agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea offer similar opportunities to open up new markets and grow our economy.  Northern California farmers and workers stand to gain significantly from a sound trade policy.  Currently our agricultural products face stiff tariffs abroad and we need to level the playing field.  Millions of hardworking men and women across America deserve the opportunity to sell their goods and services abroad with the same access other nations enjoy in the United States. Share your thoughts

Right Now

My Request for Quicker Post-Fire Restoration
Recently, I led an effort, joined by 18 members of the California Congressional delegation, to urge the Secretary of Agriculture, Ed Schaefer, and the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), James L. Connaughton, to utilize the emergency provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to allow for expedited post-fire restoration and fuel reduction work.  Over 1 million acres have burned in California during the 2008 fire season, and much of that acreage will require substantial rehabilitation, restoration and reforestation work to protect the public and the environment.  An emergency provision exists in the NEPA implementing regulations whereby, if requested, CEQ can declare an emergency and allow federal activities such as salvage and post-fire rehabilitation and restoration work to be done under expedited NEPA procedures to avoid bureaucratic delays.  I strongly support taking steps to salvage and restore the fire-affected territory expeditiously to limit the threat to public safety and lands in the future. Share your thoughts

Protecting Seniors from Identity Theft
On July 24, I joined 40 Members of the House of Representatives in introducing H.R. 6600, the Medicare Identity Theft Prevention Act.  This bill would prohibit the display of Social Security numbers (SSNs) on cards issued to Medicare beneficiaries.  The widespread use of SSNs for identification purposes creates a serious risk of identity theft.  By placing SSNs on Medicare cards, the federal government itself is contributing to this risk for our most vulnerable citizens.  In fact, the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration has recommended an immediate halt to this practice.  While I believe Congress should also consider broader legislation to protect the integrity of Social Security numbers, I hope that this narrowly targeted, bipartisan bill can be quickly passed and signed into law.  Share your thoughts

Coming Up Soon

DC evades Supreme Court ruling
I wanted to update you on my efforts to uphold Second Amendment rights after the Supreme Court rejected the ban on handguns in our nation's capital, Washington, D.C. In spite of the Supreme Court's decision overturning the unconstitutional D.C. gun ban, the D.C. City Council decided to reaffirm many of the components of the original ban. One egregious example requires that hand guns kept inside the home for self defense be stored unloaded unless the homeowner is aware of an attack about to happen or an attack is already occurring.  I am supporting a bill before Congress, H.R. 1399, that would repeal several of the restrictive gun control regulations in D.C.  The Supreme Court has affirmed an individual right to own a firearm, and now Congress needs to take action to ensure that the laws uphold those rights.  Share your thoughts

Afghanistan
You have probably heard that violence has recently increased in Afghanistan and that the Taliban and al Qaeda sympathizers are gaining ground in their efforts to reestablish a terrorist sanctuary in this country.  And even worse, it is clear that tribal leaders in the rogue western region of Pakistan are providing terrorists a safe haven to train and plot attacks in Afghanistan and beyond.  In response, our nation's intelligence leaders have urged Pakistan to allow increased U.S. operations in this region, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently suggested that additional troops may go to Afghanistan in the coming months (Read more).  I believe our nation's mission in Afghanistan is critical to U.S. security interests in the region. Afghanistan's transformation has made it more difficult for al Qaeda and like-minded terrorists to plot and execute additional attacks on our soil, and we are clearly safer because of it.  For this reason, I will continue to work in Congress to ensure that our troops have the tools and resources they need to repel the Taliban's latest effort to destabilize Afghanistan.  Share your thoughts

Northern California News and Events

3rd "Anti-Scam" Forums on August 19th
Later this month, I will be hosting my third annual "Anti-Scam" forums in Northern California to raise public awareness about financial scams targeted specifically at senior citizens.  Two years ago a Northern California woman vanished after being defrauded of over $500,000 through an international lottery scam.  This terrible tragedy brought to light the need for people to know how to avoid becoming victims of fraudsters.  District attorneys, sheriffs, and FBI investigators will join me at these "Anti-Scam" forums to offer advice and to answer questions from the audience.  The schedule for the events is as follows:

Chico
8:15 A.M. - 9:45 A.M.
Oakmont Retirement Residence
2801 Cohasset Road

Redding
11:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Redding Senior Nutrition Program Facility
100 Mercy Oaks Drive

Yuba City
5:30 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
Sutter Estates
1230 Plumas Street