Last Friday night, after shoving our government to the edge of shutting down, House Republicans pushed a bill in the 11^th hour that keeps the government open on the backs of working people.  Among cuts to important housing programs, this one-week funding measure cuts $1.5 billion from high-speed rail investment and $280 million in New Starts transit grants, the very program that our area needs to bring BART to Silicon Valley.

As a consistent advocate of BART to Silicon Valley and high-speed rail, and the jobs these projects will bring to our valley, I could not support this one-week, stop-gap funding bill. 

Along with my Democratic colleagues, I advocated for a clean temporary funding bill to give President Obama, Senate Leader Reid, and Speaker Boehner more time to present an agreement to Congress and the American people.  At the very least, we should have been allowed more than a half hour before shut down to consider these billions of dollars in cuts.  At a time when our economy is starting to show signs of recovery, it baffles me that Republicans only agreed to keep the government open at a cost of $333 million per day to job-creating transportation investments and stressed housing programs. 

As a Member of both the House Budget Committee and the House Appropriations Committee, I will fight tooth and nail to protect the BART Silicon Valley Project and high-speed rail investments in these budget fights.   

Congressional leaders are negotiating on a budget bill to keep the government running but it is possible that they will not reach an agreement before the current bill runs out at the end of this week. The government will shut down Friday April 8th, 2011 at midnight if they fail to come up with a bill that can pass Congress and that the President signs.

Though we do not have many firm answers at this point, I want all of you to have an idea of what to expect if it does come to a shutdown. My staff will continue to revise and update this page as information becomes available or changes. While I don’t want all of you to worry—laws would still be enforced, emergencies responded to, and our country defended—a shutdown would have an impact on our everyday lives. That is why I continue to urge Congressional leaders to reach a budget agreement.

What is causing the shutdown?

The Constitution restricts federal funds from being spent until they are appropriated—meaning that Congress has to reach an agreement by passing a budget.  Though the House passed budget proposals in 2010 for the current fiscal year, they were not passed in Senate.
The latest budget fiscal year began in October.  We have passed several continuing resolutions—short-term budgets—to keep services running since then, but Congressional leaders have now reached an impasse.  If we do not pass another of these continuing resolutions, or a budget for the rest of the year, by April 8, many government services will be forced to shut down by law.

What federal services are subject to a shutdown?

In a shutdown, the federal government is restricted to services that protect the safety of human life and property.  The military, air-traffic controllers, and law enforcement are examples of what fall under this rule.
Other federal agencies must cut their operations to the bare minimum.

How might a shutdown affect you?

At this point, we don’t know exactly how every government program would be affected in a shutdown. Agencies are deciding which of their services fall under these rules; however, my staff has reviewed prior shutdowns to better understand what might happen and we are talking with Congressional leaders about what we should expect if it happens this year.

IRS—Tax forms still need to be postmarked by Monday, April 18 (Patriots Day is not a federal holiday and Mainers no longer send forms to Massachusetts for processing) 

Social Security—Benefits for this crucial program do not go through the appropriations process, so they should continue being deposited in your account or mailed to your home. However, staff cuts may delay other services such as enrolling new participants or holding hearings.

Medicare—Benefits for this program are also exempt from the shutdown, so current participants should not notice any disruption, but new applications could be delayed.

Veterans—VHA hospitals such as VA Togus and Community Based Outpatient Clinics will stay open, and VBA disability compensation will be paid.

Visas and Passports—Prior shutdowns have kept new visa and passport applications from being processed. Embassies will remain open for services for American citizens, but will not conduct visa interviews.

I am planning to visit Washington, DC.  Will the tourist destinations in Washington, DC be open?

• Unfortunately, many tourist destinations will be closed. 
• The various monuments and memorials in Washington are outdoors, are not gated, and are open 24 hours a day. This should not change. However, National Park Rangers will not be on duty to give docent talks. 
• The Capitol Visitor Center will be closed and all Capitol tour guides will be furloughed.  Tours of the Capitol Building will not be available.  However, the House and Senate Galleries will most likely remain publicly accessible whenever the House and Senate are in session.
• The Library of Congress will be closed; no tours will be available.
• The Smithsonian Institution will be closed.  The Smithsonian includes 19 museums and galleries (most of the major museums in DC), the National Zoo, and several research facilities.
• The White House has not announced whether or not White House tours will continue.  I recommend calling the White House tour information hotline at (202) 456-7041 to check on the status of your tour.  If the hotline does not answer your questions, I recommend showing up at the White House at your appointed tour time to see if they are open.

Republicans say government is the source of our economic problems and the solution is to cut spending, cut taxes and cut retirement for seniors. Republicans use the specter of debt and deficit to justify this spin and, when pinning the blame, ignore the fact that the biggest debt increase in history occurred under President George W. Bush -- whoraised the debt to $10.7 trillion from $5.727 trillion.

Table of Contents:

1. Statement on Devastation in Japan
2. Update on Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Event
3. How you can help

Statement on Devastation in Japan

My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the devastating earthquake on the eastern coast of Japan, and the resulting catastrophic tsunami that struck Japan. President Obama has stated that the United States stands ready to help, and I join the President and the American people in pledging our assistance to the people of Japan as they recover from this terrible disaster. 

The United States Congress must stand united with our ally Japan and provide it with the resources it needs to respond and recover. I will work with my colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee to ensure that we make available the resources necessary to assist the Japanese Government and the Japanese people during this time of suffering and distress. While we mourn the massive loss of lives, we recognize this is a time for action and a time for Congress to commit ourselves to assisting our friend and ally Japan.  

Update on Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Event

The most recent information posted on the Embassy Tokyo website is at http://japan.usembassy.gov/ and http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-arch.html.  Online information with the latest updates on Japan is at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1148.html.

The Department of State has issued a travel warning for Japan.  U.S. citizens should avoid travel to Japan at this time.  This Travel Alert expires on April 1, 2011.  Full text of the travel alert is at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_5382.html.

Visa inquiries:

For questions concerning U.S. visas for people (not U.S. citizens) seeking to enter the U.S. from Japan, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Tokyo, Osaka and Naha Visa Sections are providing only emergency visa appointments.  The Fukuoka Visa Section has normal hours and the Sapporo Visa Section is closed until March 21.

How to help:

USAID is coordinating the overall U.S. government efforts in support of the Japanese government’s response to the earthquakes and subsequent tsunami. Visit www.usaid.gov for information about supporting the response efforts.

USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) is coordinating the overall response management and humanitarian assistance effort.   AID/OFDA can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   (underscore between RMT and PACTSU), Phone: 202 712 0039.

The Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) – www.cidi.org – is a clearing house for putting people who want to donate to disaster relief missions (in either in case or kind) in contact with NGOs like Interaction.  CIDI has the expertise to match up quickly individual U.S. citizens, i.e. congressional constituents, with public and private entities that can provide transport

JAPAN EARTHQUAKE UPDATE 16 (Might not be fully up-to-date, posted 3/21/11)

GENERAL OVERVIEW ON AFTERMATH

The National Police Agency reported the death toll stands at 8450, with 2701 injured and 12,909 still missing.

Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kobe, and Osaka ports are experiencing congestion due to inconsistent power and extra cargo from diverted ships.

Japanese Ambassador Fujisaki and a USAID representative greeted the Fairfax County USAR team upon arrival in the United States at 0415 EDT March 20.

Japan announced the creation of a task force under the prime minister’s office for improved coordination of humanitarian assistance.

Japanese Self Defense Force delivered more than seven tons of kerosene airlifted by U.S. military helicopters to Kusennuma City, Miyagi prefecture.

FUKUSHIMA DAI-ICHI NUCLEAR ISSUES

Aerial monitoring flights conducted March 19 showed the 50-mile evacuation zone remains adequate.  Air samples do not indicate any further melting of the reactor cores.

The IAEA began measuring radiation in air and soil in the Tokyo metropolitan area March 19.

Prime Minister Kan will visit Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures by helicopter March 21 but will remain outside the 12-mile exclusion zone.

The Government of Japan said power was restored to the No. 2 reactor, and other reactors were expected to regain power early the week of March 21, media report.  The U.S. Department of Energy confirmed the power is back on at the No. 2 reactor.   

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) reports there is water in the spent fuel pools at the Nos. 3 and 4 reactors, but there is no independent verification of these reports.

At the request of Japan and the United States, Australia was scheduled to transport pumping equipment to Japan from Perth beginning March 20.  The Self Defense Forces (SDF) and Tokyo Fire Department will continue spraying water onto the Nos. 3 and 4 reactors until the equipment arrives.  Local pumping equipment is also being sent from Mie prefecture.

TEPCO reports cooling systems are working in the No. 5 and No. 6 reactors, and the temperature of the spent fuel pools has decreased to a safe level.

TEPCO stated the radiation level within the Fukushima facility declined since water spraying began March 19.

TEPCO reported one additional worker was exposed to unsafe levels of radiation, bringing the total number of TEPCO employees exposed to dangerous levels to seven.

The Fukushima prefecture city of Iwaki distributed iodine tablets to 150,000 residents.

Japan’s Self Defense Force will send two tanks to Fukushima to help remove radiation-contaminated debris obstructing fire trucks’ access.

As of 1200 EDT March 20 winds were currently blowing out to sea but are expected to shift counter-clockwise toward the south the evening of March 21.

U.S. airline representatives report Narita airport will install radiation measuring equipment and publish the measurements on their web sites.

The Japan Health Ministry identified additional types of radiation-tainted vegetables in Chiba, Gunma, and Tochigi prefectures.

Taiwan authorities discovered a shipment of fava beans from Japan were “very slightly contaminated” but within Taiwan’s legal safety limits. The beans will be destroyed.

CONSULAR ISSUES

Department of Defense dependents will depart Japan en route to the United States over the next several days under the authorized voluntary departure.  Flights are expected to be at capacity.

The Miyagi Consular Assistance Field Team (CAFT) returned to Tokyo.  The Sapporo component of the Iwate CAFT returned to Sapporo, while the Tokyo component will remain until March 21.

INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE AND RESPONSE

China will suspend approval of new nuclear power stations and reassess all nuclear projects.  The Chinese search and rescue team returned to China March 20 after completing operations.

In the 112^th Congress, I am pleased to report that I was reappointed to the Appropriations Committee, where I have served for four years. I will be a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science and will also be the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch. In addition to these appointments, I was honored to be chosen to serve on the Budget Committee.

On Wednesday, House Republicans held a politically charged and reckless vote to repeal last year’s landmark healthcare reform legislation, seeking to put insurance companies back in charge of our healthcare system, rather than patients and their doctors. Since its passage, the Affordable Care Act has already made health care more affordable by giving small businesses a tax credit to provide insurance coverage, and in 2014, it will begin providing tax credits to those who need help buying insurance -- representing the largest middle class tax cut for health care in history. Once the Affordable Care Act is fully implemented, Americans will have access to affordable health coverage in a new competitive private health insurance market through state exchanges. Yet, the bill under consideration would eliminate all of these provisions with no consideration for the wellbeing of the millions of Americans for whom it will improve healthcare.

The tragic shootings in Arizona are a sad reminder of the culture of violence that prevails in this country and propagates such actions. It has made all Americans ask fundamental questions regarding public safety, crime prevention, and mental health, such as why an individual with mental health issues can so easily purchase a handgun and large capacity ammunition clip and why is there a lack of sufficient mental health services to identify and assist people who display signs of mental distress. As our country continues to heal and respond to this tragedy, it is important for us to look closely at the systemic issues at play here and address them collectively. There are critical gaps and inconsistencies in our current gun control procedures, in particular the absence of a role for mental health screenings as a key factor in the gun permitting and purchasing process.

As our country continues to mourn and heal from Arizona’s inexplicable violence, we are reminded of the timeless and transcendental teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, whose life and legacy is remembered this Monday, January 17, 2011.

Dr. King’s commemoration could not come at a more appropriate time. Arizona’s violence is a sad reminder of the culture of violence that pervades this country and propagates such actions, manifesting in a myriad of ways, be it by pistol, pen, podium or a policy.

On September 11th, 2001, and the weeks following, the clouds of terrorism and hate were pushed back by the light of our nation’s brave rescuers and recovery workers.  Men and women from every state in the Union came to Ground Zero and risked their lives in hopes of saving those trapped below the rubble.  While selflessly searching and digging their countrymen and countrywomen out, often working night and day, many of these heroes were exposed to toxins that have attacked their bodies and now leave them sick or terminally ill.  The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, appropriately named for the first hero who died from a 9/11 related health illness, will provide the thousands of the sick responders and survivors with medical monitoring, treatment, and compensation.  As a long time supporter of this important legislation, I am relieved to see that this overdue bill passed Congress and was sent to President Obama’s desk.  May we never forget our heroes of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.