More on Jobs and the Economy

Fiscal responsibility, not sequestration, is the goal

Rep. Chu publishes an OpEd calling for a balanced approach to reducing our deficit.

Rep. Judy Chu Leads Charge to Give Visas to STEM Graduates

Washington D.C. – Today, Rep. Chu sent a letter to the House Judiciary Committee urging immediate action on bipartisan legislation making it easier for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) graduates to get a visa to live and work in the U.S. Tomorrow, Rep. Chu plans to make a special announcement regarding what she’s doing to push for STEM Visas. Congresswoman Chu released the following statement:

Rep. Chu Urges Do-Nothing GOP Congress to Get Back Work

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-32) returned to Washington to object to inaction by Congressional Republicans, who have taken a 7 week vacation while neglecting the people’s work. Rep. Chu stood on the House floor to demand that Republicans return to Washington and come back into session. Despite the Republican Leadership turning off the microphones to block her from speaking, Congresswoman Chu spoke on the House floor in protest. She then joined a forum with Democratic colleagues on how to save Medicare for seniors, now and into the future. Afterwards, she released the following statement to the press:

Rep. Chu Safeguards State Revenues and Protects Local Businesses

Washington, DC – Today, just one and a half months before California’s AB 155 is set to take effect on September 15, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the Marketplace Equity Act which would supersede the state-level initiative. AB 155 was passed to require large, out-of-state retailers, including, Amazon.com, to collect sales taxes on Internet purchases by California customers which would help fund California’s state government. The Marketplace Equity Act would enable all 50 states to require online retailers to collect sales tax, protecting funding for state governments and ensuring local businesses don’t operate at a competitive disadvantage by charging a sales tax. Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-32), a cosponsor of the Marketplace Equity Act, released the following statement:

Reps. Chu, Napolitano & Schiff Hold Press Conference Denouncing Postal Consolidation

Washington, DC – Yesterday, Representatives Judy Chu (CA-32), Grace Napolitano (CA-38) and Adam Schiff (CA-29) held a press conference at Pasadena City Hall to urge U.S. Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe to reconsider his decision to close Pasadena’s Mack Robinson Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) and the City of Industry P&DC. The three Congressional leaders were joined by Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, local leaders of the National Association for Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), union representatives from American Postal Workers Union (APWU) and the Letter Carriers Union, as well as postal employees and local business owners who will be adversely impacted by the closings. The three Congressional leaders released the following statements:

Minority Business Assistance Workshop

Reps. Chu, Napolitano and Schiff Denounce Consolidation of Local Postal Facilities

Washington, DC – Yesterday, Representatives Judy Chu (CA-32), Grace Napolitano (CA-38) and Adam Schiff (CA-29) urged U.S. Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe to reconsider his decision to close Pasadena’s Mack Robinson Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) and the City of Industry P&DC. Donahoe announced new plans last week to consolidate the two facilities, jeopardizing the livelihoods of hundreds of local employees and threatening the timely delivery of mail throughout the entire region. According to the USPS plan, the Pasadena facility’s mail processing capacity will be dramatically reduced this summer through so-called “limited consolidation activity.” The three Congressional leaders sent a letter to the Postmaster General to express their strong opposition and released the following statements:

Rep. Chu Urges for Passage of Paycheck Fairness Act

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-32) joined Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA-08), Democratic Caucus Chair John Larson (CT-01) amongst other Democratic Congressional leaders in supporting Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro’s (CT-03) Paycheck Fairness Act. Members listened to witnesses discuss their personal experiences with wage discrimination and urged for passage of this vital legislation that will end such practices, once and for all. Following today’s events, Congresswoman Chu released the following statement:

Small Business 101 Workshop

Congresswoman Judy Chu is hosting her annual Small Business 101 Workshop. Congresswoman Chu is a member of the U.S. House Committee on Small Business and recognizes the important role that small businesses play in our economic recovery. The purpose of the workshop is to help local small businesses identify available federal resources. The workshop will feature speakers from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Small Business Development Centers.

REP. CHU ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR CALTECH & JPL

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Chu (CA-32) announced that an additional $88 million has been secured by the full House Appropriations Committee above the funding levels requested by President Obama for the Mars program. Rep. Chu fought against deep cuts proposed in the budget, sending letters and testifying before the House Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee to fight for restoration of this critical funding. After the full Appropriations Committee approved the funding, Congresswoman Chu released the following statement: