MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUTS
In fewer than 50 days, unless Congress acts by December 31st, taxes will increase for 114 million American middle class families. Rep. Becerra supports President Obama’s proposal to extend tax cuts for middle class Americans – for those making under $250,000 a year – and letting the upper income tax cuts expire for the wealthiest 2% of Americans. Here’s a closer look at the middle class tax cuts by the numbers:

• Ending tax cuts for income above $250,000 would raise nearly $1 trillion over 10 years.

• If middle class tax cuts are not extended, 114 million families will see an average tax increase of $1,600.

• The President’s tax plan would let the top tax rate revert to the same level as during the Clinton Administration, when 22.5 million jobs were created.

A VETERANS DAY MESSAGE FROM REP. BECERRA
In honor of all those brave men and women who have worn the uniform to protect our freedom and values, Rep. Becerra released the following video tribute statement on Veterans Day:

REP. BECERRA JOINS THE LA DODGERS TO HONOR OUR VETERANS
On Veterans Day, Rep. Becerra partnered with Dodgers legend Don  “Newk” Newcombe to welcome a group of active and retired military to Dodger Stadium for batting practice.

REP. BECERRA ON NBC4 NEWS CONFERENCE
On November 11, Rep. Becerra joined Conan Nolan on NBC New Conference to discuss the importance of extending tax cuts for middle class American families while asking those making over $250,000 a year to pay a little more to help reduce the deficit. You can watch the interview here:

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FALLS TO 7.8%
On Friday, the Department of Labor released its monthly jobs report showing the unemployment rate dropping to 7.8% and private sector job growth for the 31st consecutive month. While these numbers are a sign that the economy is moving forward, there’s still more to be done. Congressman Becerra will continue to push for the Make It In America plan, a comprehensive jobs plan which will invest in businesses here at home and create good jobs and a stronger middle class.

•    7.8% unemployment rate is the lowest unemployment rate since President Obama was handed the keys to the White House.

•    Last month, private business hired 104,000 new employees and in the last 2 ½ years our economy has created more than 5.2 million new private sector jobs. 

•    Over the last 12 months, nearly 2 million jobs have been added to the economy. In the last year of the previous administration, the economy lost over 4 million jobs. 

•    More jobs had been added during the summer than previously reported with 40,000 more in July and 46,000 more in August. 

REP. BECERRA URGES ANGELENOS TO REGISTER TO VOTE
On September 25, National Voter Registration Day, Rep. Becerra urged Angelenos to register to vote at a press conference at Cal State University, Los Angeles. Registration is now easier than ever for Californians with online voter registration now available.

REP. BECERRA ON KPCC
Rep. Becerra joined KPCC’s Alex Cohen and A. Martinez in studio on September 26 to discuss sequestration and the effects of automatic budget cuts for Americans. He also discussed the importance of strengthening Medicare without cutting services to seniors. You can listen to the interview here.

30  CONSECUTIVE MONTHS OF PRIVATE SECTOR JOB GROWTH
On September 7, the Department of Labor released the August 2012 Jobs Report. For the 30th month straight, our economy created new private sector jobs. With more Americans back to work, our economy is moving in the right direction but there is more work to be done. Which is why Congressman Becerra has continued to push for the Make It In America jobs plan to create good paying jobs and strengthen the middle class. Here’s a look at the employment situation in America:

•    Between December 2007 and December 2009, nearly 8.9 million Americans lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

•    Over the past 2 and a half years, over 4.6 million new private sector jobs have been created.

•    Last month alone, private businesses hired 103,000 new employees. Four years ago in August, our economy lost 294,000 private sector jobs.

•    The national unemployment rate dropped from 10.1 percent, at the peak of the recession, to 8.1 percent last month.

•    In California, the unemployment rate has also dropped – from a high of 12.4 percent in February of 2010 to 10.7 percent in July of this year.

REP. BECERRA URGES DREAMERS TO BE READY FOR DEFERRED ACTION
On August 7 at a press conference in downtown Los Angeles, Rep. Becerra, Rep. Karen Bass (CA-33), and Rep. Judy Chu (CA-32) along with USCIS and community organizations, urged young people who believe they are eligible for relief from deportation through deferred action to prepare for the application process which began August 15. Leaders cautioned applicants to avoid providers of fraudulent services as they seek assistance with the application and seek help from trusted community and legal organizations. Click here to view video from the press conference.

REP. BECERRA VISITS WEST ADAMS PREP
On August 29, Rep. Becerra visited West Adams Preparatory High School in Los Angeles. Rep. Becerra visited a U.S. government class and welcomed students back during the first few weeks of the new school year.

Click here to view more pictures

REP. BECERRA VISITS CHIRLA
Rep. Becerra visited the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) offices on August 29. CHIRLA is one of the leading community organizations in Los Angeles helping DREAMers apply for deferred action in order to receive relief from deportation and work for the country they love and call home.

Opening Statement of Social Security Subcommittee

Ranking Member Xavier Becerra

Social Security Subcommittee Hearing on Proposals for 

Reforming the Disability Insurance Program

Committee on Ways and Means

(Remarks as Prepared)

“Severely disabled American workers have earned the right to receive disability benefits, and they rely on them. One hundred and sixty million Americans contribute to Social Security, earning protection for themselves and their families when they retire, or if they should die or become severely disabled.

“It’s not easy to qualify for Social Security’s disability benefits. Disability Insurance (DI) is only for people who paid into the system. It’s only available to Americans with the most severe impairments – Americans who are dying, or who genuinely can’t earn even a poverty-level wage at any job in the national economy because of a long-term condition. 

Opening Statement of Social Security Subcommittee 

Ranking Member Xavier Becerra

Social Security Subcommittee Hearing on the Direct Deposit of Social Security Benefits

Committee on Ways and Means

(Remarks as Prepared)

“Overall, the transition to electronic payments has been a success. Ninety four percent of Social Security recipients and eight two percent of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients now get their payments electronically. For millions of Americans, electronic payment has helped them receive their earned benefits faster and more securely. 

“Paying electronically has also saved money for the Social Security Trust Fund – the Department of the Treasury currently estimates that Social Security saves almost a dollar every time they issue a payment electronically instead of mailing a paper check.

“We need better information on why a significant number of current and new beneficiaries are not getting their benefits electronically. 

August 14th is the 77th Anniversary of Social Security being signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Before Social Security, most working Americans retired into poverty. Today, 160 million workers are building toward a more secure retirement for themselves and their families through their contributions, and 55 million seniors, disabled workers, widows and children currently rely on it for economic security each month. Over its 77 year history, and through 13 recessions, Social Security has never failed to pay on time and in full, and has never added a penny to the nation’s deficit or debt. By the end of 2012, the Social Security Trust Fund is projected to have a $2.7 trillion surplus. Social Security is a sacred bond between young and old that has made America a better country. Seniors have earned it with a lifetime of hard work, and it should be there now and for future generations.

Tweet #SocialSecurity77

STANDING WITH THE MIDDLE CLASS
On July 25, the Democratic-led Senate passed legislation which would extend tax cuts for middle class families on income up to $250,000. Rep. Becerra and House Democratic members of Congress have urged the passage of these middle class tax cuts in the House of Representatives. We cannot afford to give additional $1 trillion in tax breaks to those who need them least. Let’s take a look at the numbers behind this proposal:

• 100% of taxpayers would receive a tax cut on their first $250,000 of income.

• Ending additional tax breaks for the richest 2% would reduce the federal deficit by $930 billion.

• 97% of small businesses would not pay a penny more.

TELEPHONE TOWN HALL
On Wednesday, July 25, Rep. Becerra held a Telephone Town Hall where he heard from constituents throughout the 31st Congressional District. Among the topics of discussion were the extension of tax cuts for the middle class, Medicare benefits, and the Affordable Care Act. If you missed this telephone town hall you can listen to an audio recording by clicking on the link below (MP3 player required):

Telephone Town Hall, July 25, 2012 (59 min)

REP. BECERRA HONORS STUDENT ART COMPETITION WINNER AT DODGER GAME
On July 30, Rep. Becerra recognized Natasha Carovska, the 2012 winner of the 31st Congressional District Student Art Competition in a pregame ceremony at Dodger Stadium before the Dodgers faced the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Dodger Stadium by presenting his statement in the Congressional Record to Dodgers President Stan Kasten. 

Click here to view more photos from the event

There are few rights more precious in a free country than having a voice in the election of those who govern.  America was founded on the notion that each of us has an inalienable right to shape the laws under which we live. But our founders expected that for our democracy to live and breathe the United States must act as a nation of participants. Democracy is not a spectator sport!  

Citizens over the age of 18 cannot be denied the right to vote, regardless of race, religion, gender, disability, or sexual orientation. However, in every state except North Dakota, citizens must register to vote, and laws regarding the registration process vary by state. 

The app below will take you to the most up-to-date information on voter registration, new voting requirements, and early voting for all 50 states and six U.S. territories. Please share this valuable resource with your family and friends.

4.4 MILLION NEW PRIVATE SECTOR JOBS
Today, the Department of Labor released the June 2012 Jobs Report. Although employment is growing, it’s not growing fast enough given the jobs deficit caused by the deep recession. Here’s a snapshot of the employment situation in America:

•    From December 2007 to December 2009, more than 8.8 million Americans lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

•    In the month of January 2009 alone, our economy lost 839,000 jobs.

•    In June of 2012, private businesses added 84,000 new employees to their payrolls, marking the 28th consecutive month of private sector job growth.

•    Between March of 2011 and June 2012, approximately 4.4 million new private sector jobs have been created.

SUPREME COURT DECISION ON HEALTH CARE DISCUSSED DURING TELEPHONE TOWN HALL
On Thursday June 28, Rep. Becerra held a Telephone Town Hall where he heard from constituents in the 31st Congressional District about various issues including: the Supreme Court’s decision on the Affordable Care Act and the Court’s decision on Arizona’s anti-immigrant law SB 1070. If you missed this telephone town hall you can listen to an audio recording by clicking on the link below (MP3 player required): Telephone Town Hall, June 28, 2012 (62 min 32 sec)

2012 STUDENT ART COMPETITION WINNER TRAVELS TO WASHINGTON, DC
Natasha Carovska, winner of Rep. Becerra's 2012 Student Art Competition, speaks about her experience visiting Washington, DC to see her artwork hanging in the halls of the United States Capitol:

Click here to watch the video.

REP. BECERRA CONGRATULATES GRADUATING SENIORS AT EAGLE ROCK HIGH
Rep. Becerra attended the Eagle Rock High School Senior Awards ceremony on June 14. He congratulated the graduating class and presented top seniors with certificates of recognition.

Opening Statement of Social Security Subcommittee 

Ranking Member Xavier Becerra

Social Security Subcommittee Hearing on Social Security Disability Program

Committee on Ways and Means

June 27, 2012

(Remarks as Prepared)

Mr. Chairman, thank you for calling this fourth hearing in our series focusing on Social Security disability insurance.

Before we delve into the details of Social Security’s appeals process, I want to first step back and look at the big picture.

Social Security is vital to millions of severely disabled American workers and their families. Benefits are modest, averaging just over $13,000 a year – or about $35 per day – for a typical disabled worker. These benefits are a life line for the more than half of DI recipients who would live in poverty without Social Security. DI recipients are only a small fraction of the most vulnerable Americans with disabilities and serious illnesses. They are Americans who worked and paid into Social Security, and later became so sick or disabled that they were unable to work for at least a year. In short, the eligibility criteria to qualify for Social Security disability are tough.