Congressman Mike Honda: On the Issues

Domestic Violence Awareness

2009-11-04T08:39:00.000-08:00

Every year, 4.8 million women are the targets of intimate partner-related physical assaults and rapes. Less than twenty percent seek out medical attention following these attacks. This is why it is extremely important that we educate ourselves about the dangers of unreported incidences of domestic violence and ensure that all victims of these deplorable acts are aware of the resources available to them.

As Domestic Violence Awareness Month comes to a close, we must recommit ourselves to improving our system of victim detection, funding safe havens for survivors and their children, and educating our families and communities about the dangers of abusive relationships.

Domestic violence does not discriminate against age, education, race or religion. Every year millions of American women and men report incidents of domestic violence with a current or former partner. Sadly, young women between the ages of 16 to 24 bear the brunt of this abuse; and the most common cause of injury to women ages 15 to 44 is domestic violence.

In an effort to support all victims of abusive partners, I voted in favor of providing funding for Family Violence Prevention and Services in the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, including $5.5 million in demonstration grants for community initiatives, $127.78 million for battered women's shelters, and $3.21 million for a national domestic violence hotline.

As we mark the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Violence Against Women Act, I am proud to be an ardent supporter of efforts aimed at eradicating violence against women. Domestic violence victims, regardless of gender or age should know their community stands with them, and against mental and physical abuse. As the month of October comes to a close, I hope you will join me in supporting the effort and goals of Domestic Violence Awareness Month throughout the year.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (1.800.799.7233) or TTY 1.800.787.3224.

Democratizing Energy

2009-11-04T08:32:00.000-08:00

Recently “Team California,” led by the 15th District’s own Santa Clara University, placed a third in the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2009 Solar Decathlon. The astonishing part of this achievement is that Team California was the only undergraduate-led team in the competition. The work of this determined team has touched upon a critical issue in our society today - How can we get citizens more involved in the way our country looks at the production, consumption, and conservation of energy? In this regard, I wanted to share a recent Op-Ed I wrote for The Hill with you below and get your thoughts on the topic. I also wanted to show you my statement in the Congressional Record commending the work of Team California.

[Statement in the Congressional Record]

Shift control from utilities to citizens

This month, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and I met to talk about, among other things, climate change. The secretary general has, to his great credit, adopted the issue as one of primary import and will do anything in his power to create consensus among developed and developing countries for a climate commitment in Copenhagen.

The day before my trip to New York, I met with “Team California” in Washington, D.C., one of 20 teams participating in the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2009 “Solar Decathlon.” The Decathlon pits engineering schools in competition for national and international recognition in solar house design. I am proud that Team California, comprised of my district’s Santa Clara University and the Bay Area’s California College of the Arts, placed a competitive third, behind second-place Illinois and first-place Germany.

Team California’s contribution to the climate conversation, however, went far beyond decathlon distinction: I presented the secretary general with a sample of Team California’s “Refract House” in an effort to connect the dots, from innovative design to international development. Needless to say, Ban understood exactly my point.

Ban understood, like the Department of Energy understands, that we must raise awareness about one of the biggest challenges we face — America’s ever-increasing need for energy — and offer powerful solutions on how we can use energy more efficiently and use energy from renewable sources.

This is essential if we want to democratize energy. The democratization of energy concept calls for a radically different energy infrastructure and market where supply is not controlled by a handful of utilities, but by every individual household. Team California’s “Refract House,” for example, was entirely energy self-sufficient, generating enough power for all household needs and even capable of selling excess power back to the grid if desired.

This energy self-sufficiency is hardly feasible in most parts of the United States. Consider how centralized our energy system is in the U.S. Most residents have limited options when it comes to energy supply and are often victimized by market forces and fluctuations in prices. The California electricity crisis resulted from a range of reasons: insufficient generating and natural gas capacity, regulation inadequacies, market power abuses, and the general failure to look out for the public’s interest.

Thankfully, much has changed in my state of California since the energy crisis, including the call for sustainability by Santa Clara University and the increasing capacity of individuals to generate and sell renewable energy. Many California homes, for example, are now topped with solar panels. The generated power offsets the consumer’s monthly electric bill, leaving the user with little to no monthly electricity fees.

This is the way of the future. This is the democratization of energy — putting power, literally and figuratively speaking, into the hands of the people. If America leads, lowering the market price for household-sized renewable energy technologies, other countries will follow because the price will be right. Presently, the price is not possible for many low-and-medium income communities. The “Refract House,” for example, cost Team California nearly $500,000 for labor and materials. For us to scale up and scale out, a lower dollar amount is essential.

Leadership in this area brings economic benefits as well: Companies designing home-appropriate solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal, biomass, or other energy producing devices, can amass majority market share by scaling up, then going global. Our Silicon Valley region is already driving fast and furious toward this goal — exemplified by Santa Clara University’s Decathlon efforts — no doubt others are too.

Much like the mobile phone has become ubiquitous in the developing world thanks to the rich world ratcheting down the cost and ratcheting up availability, so too must we replicate this example with other green-tech and energy saving devices like cardboard ovens, wind turbines and micro-solar panels. The mobile phone has contributed much to the developing world, serving as a critical lifeline to banking, agriculture, trade and commerce activities. Think of what portable and affordable devices capable of capturing renewable energy could offer poor and underdeveloped villages. The potential is vast, so too is the need.

By democratizing energy supply here in the U.S. through the opening of markets and the incentivizing of innovative design, we will make it possible for households here in California and households in Calcutta to go green — even when their local or regional utility has yet to convert to renewable sources — because the energy-producing products will be affordable. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and Team California are getting us closer to this goal — now let’s just hope that Copenhagen does too.

Original article here.

Historic Hate Crimes Legislation Signed Into Law By President Obama

2009-11-04T08:30:00.001-08:00

Earlier this week, President Obama signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. This important legislation deters hate crimes by expanding federal protections and giving state and local law enforcement the tools to prosecute hate crimes based on disability, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The bill will supplement the current federal hate crimes law, in place since 1968, which authorizes federal aid in cases of hate crimes committed because of a person’s race, color, religion, or national origin. I have long been a friend and an ally of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and I am committed to the cause of equality. In the U.S. House of Representatives I serve as Vice Chair of the House LGBT Equality Caucus, and on the Whip Team working with my colleagues to end discrimination of LGBT people.

Americans understand that hate crimes have no place in our nation. All Americans have a right to feel safe in their community. We all remember the brutal murders of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming and James Byrd in Texas because we know that these bias-motivated murders impacted us all. Yet, hate crimes continue to be a persistent problem: More than 118,000 hate crimes have been documented by the FBI since 1991. In 2007 alone, there were 7,624 reported hate crimes.

Currently, State and local authorities can prosecute the overwhelming majority of hate crimes and will continue to do so under this legislation. The special attention that these crimes require, however, can stretch local law enforcement resources beyond their capacity. Thus, the major focus of this bill is allowing the Federal Government to provide crucial federal resources to State and local agencies to equip local officers with the tools they need to prosecute hate crimes. The legislation also authorizes the US Attorney General to make grants to state and local law enforcement agencies that have incurred extraordinary expenses associated with the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes.

It is important to note, that this bill does not limit First Amendment rights of free speech and religious expression. The bill only applies to bias-motivated crimes of violence and does not impinge upon freedom of speech or religious expression in any way. This bill is about violent physical crime. It is not about and does not prohibit thought, speech or expression protected by the First Amendment.

The passage and signing of this legislation into law represents a comprehensive effort across political and organizational boundaries. This bill is supported by more than 300 groups, including law enforcement groups, religious groups, civil rights groups, disability groups, and numerous other organizations: International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Sheriffs’ Association, Police Executive Research Forum, Police Foundation, National District Attorneys Association, NAACP, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Anti-Defamation League, Human Rights Campaign, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, American Association of People with Disabilities, People for the American Way, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Methodist Church, United Church of Christ – Justice and Witness Ministries, American Jewish Committee, American Jewish Conference, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and American Association of University Women.

American Recovery and Reinvestment: Preparing for the Future

2009-10-23T14:53:00.000-07:00

Since the economy nearly collapsed last Fall, Congress has taken swift and deliberate action to prevent a catastrophe and restore economic growth. While there is still work to be done, the numbers show that we have averted an even deeper economic crisis, protected taxpayer resources, and put our economy on a path toward recovery. The impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), passed earlier this year, is beginning to become evident across the nation. While nearly 75% of Recovery Act funding is still on the way to save and create jobs across America—ARRA has already been widely credited for adding 2 to 3 percentage points to our economic growth.

According to the respected economic research firm Moody’s, ARRA has created or saved a million jobs, stopped over 500,000 home foreclosures, and helped guide the Dow Jones Industrial Average to a 53% gain in just seven months. Even in California, where we are facing an unprecedented budget crisis, thousands of jobs have been created in just the last few months. This despite the fact that while California has only received $157 million of the over $1.1 billion in ARRA contracts it has been awarded so far. All this work has been done with an unprecedented effort to maintain transparency through the use of the website http://www.recovery.gov. Recovery.gov has allowed American taxpayers to keep track of where their hard earned dollars are being put to use, and how they are being used. I encourage all of you to start or continue visiting Recovery.gov to see the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

While there are positive economic signs, there are still millions of Americans out of work, and facing foreclosure on their homes. I assure you that my number one priority remains rebuilding our economy. The debates over health care and immigration reform are building blocks to assuring that our country is ready to compete in the new global economy. From the Recovery Act and Cash for Clunkers to the financial system rescue (which is being steadily repaid to the government with an average dividend to taxpayers of 17%) to reform of our financial regulations to comprehensive legislation to launch our clean energy economy to health insurance reform to student lending reform that makes college more affordable—the work of this Congress is to jumpstart our economy in the short-term and build a new foundation for a more broadly shared and lasting recovery.

Keep Our Families Together — Reform Immigration Laws

2009-10-23T14:49:00.000-07:00

One of the fundamental parts of our immigration system is the family reunification process. Sadly, families are not often talked about in the immigration debate. Every day, millions of hard-working legal immigrants are stuck in an insufferable, inexcusable, perpetual wait to be given a chance to see their spouses, their children, and their parents. This wait discourages many applicants from using legal channels to unify with their family members. This is why I strongly believe that any immigration reform must bring changes to the family reunification process. To bring this important issue to light, I recently penned an OpEd in Roll Call that I want to share with all of you:

With anti-immigration sentiment holding the health care debate hostage, we cannot afford to delay comprehensive immigration reform any longer. The time is now, lest immigration be maligned further. A nation born of immigrants, whether Hispanic, Asian, African, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, we are forgetting the forbearance shown our forefathers and forgoing the opportunity to pursue a more fiscally prudent immigration policy. That is, unless we keep families together. Our family-based immigration system has not been updated in 20 years; with nearly 6 million people stuck in a perpetual wait, this is both insufferable and inexcusable. Five-year separations, keeping spouses, parents and children apart, are quite common; so are 20-year estrangements from siblings and elderly parents. Backlogs are so bad that families receiving visas often find out their children have to reapply as adults, and go to the back of the line, because so much time has passed. Disproportionately affecting Asian-Americans, Latinos and women, the lengthy waits waste precious government resources and discourage potential applicants from using legal channels to join their family in the United States.

In my district in California, two Silicon Valley engineers, Aung Moe and Vivek Jayanand, are longtime U.S. residents waiting on wives who remain overseas. Initially, as green-card holders, Moe and Jayanand were given two options, equally unenviable: Become U.S. citizens, a process that takes at least five years, or wait for visas for their spouse, a process that can take even longer. Meanwhile, our immigration system is sending them mixed messages. They are on the legal track to citizenship, but they remain separated from their families. The earliest their wives will arrive in the U.S. is summer 2010. This rationale is unsound.

Another constituent, Judy Rickard, will permanently leave America this November in an effort to keep her family together. Under U.S. law, she cannot be reunited with her partner, Karin Bogliolo, a UK national. Judy would have preferred to keep working at San Jose State University and sponsor Karin for residency in America, just as married heterosexual couples can. But U.S. law does not allow for that. Judy is taking early retirement from her 27-year employment at San Jose State. Facing reduced pension for the rest of her life, Judy is choosing Europe because our country will not let Judy and Karin live together. The result is a loss for my district and a loss for the university.

In an effort to safeguard Aung’s, Vivek’s and Judy’s families, I reintroduced the Reuniting Families Act (H.R. 2709) in Congress to allow all Americans to be reunited with their families. I did so because I know that the more educated, legal and healthy immigrants become, the higher their income, the higher their taxes paid, and the fewer emergency and social services used. Furthermore, the more reunited immigrants are, and thus happier, the fewer dollars we lose in remittances to other countries.

Failure to pass this legislation means failure to provide American workers with a critical support system. Families do together what they cannot do alone — start family businesses, create American jobs and contribute more to this country’s welfare.

Failure to reunite families means failure to keep communities healthy, physically and financially. A healthier family means a more expendable income and a lower burden on government social services. A reunited family keeps remittances stateside: U.S. remittances to Latin America alone totaled almost $46 billion in 2008. Of that, Mexico received almost $24 billion.

Failure is simply not feasible. We must seize every opportunity this year to get our economy back on track, and one clear way of doing so is to reunite America’s workers with their families. The irony with anti-immigration sentiment, which fears a further recessed economy if liberal legislation passes, is that, in fact, it is more fiscally prudent to pass policy that legalizes, insures, employs, reunites and educates our immigrants.

Original link: http://www.rollcall.com/issues/55_42/guest/39576-1.html

Principles of Immigration Reform

2009-10-23T14:40:00.000-07:00

On October 13, 2009, thousands of people rallied around the nation in support of comprehensive immigration reform. At the Washington D.C. rally, I was honored to stand alongside my good friend and colleague, Congressman Luis Gutierrez as he released the following principles that will guide us in crafting a humane and compassionate comprehensive immigration reform bill:

A Pathway to legalization for undocumented workers;
Professional and effective border enforcement;
Smart and humane interior enforcement;
Protecting workers;
Employment Verification systems;
Family unity as a cornerstone of our immigration system;
Future flows of workers;
Incorporating the Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act;
Incorporating the American DREAM Act; and
Promoting immigrant integration.

Immigrant families and the communities in which they live continue to face the daily nightmare of a broken immigration system. Deportations split families, the threat of enforcement drives work off the books and into the underground economy, and the legal immigration system remains an unrelenting bureaucracy. But what is a political issue to some literally rips fathers and mothers from their children and keeps siblings separated for decades on a daily basis in immigrant communities.

From my perspective, this is not a political issue, this is about people and family, and our values as a nation of immigrants. These family values, these American values, must remain at the core of American immigration policy and of our country.

These are the reasons why I introduced the Reuniting Families Act, which would ensure that family reunification remains a foundation of our immigration system, and the Strengthen and Unite Communities with Civics Education and English Skills Act of 2009, which would provide our hard working immigrants with the tools to integrate into society. By providing American workers with the tools to succeed– that is, their families and education – we help make our communities stronger and more resilient. The benefits to our economy and our communities cannot be overstated. Efficient, fair and effective avenues for legal, family-based immigration are vital to keep America strong.

The progress towards comprehensive immigration reform has been slow; and the perceived lack of significant change in the daily lives of immigrant families with regard to our current broken policies are all taking a toll. In Congress, we are responding to this urgency felt in immigrant communities and are uniting to craft and introduce progressive and compassionate legislation because we know that comprehensive immigration reform cannot, and should not, wait any longer.

It’s time for the broken system to be fixed. It’s time for our families, all our families, to end their long separations. So I ask for everyone’s help as we begin a grassroots campaign to prepare for the ensuing debate. Together we will help break the logjam and ensure that this Congress is the one to finally pass comprehensive immigration reform.

2009-10 Influenza (Flu) Season

2009-10-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

With flu season underway, I want to ensure that all of my constituents are doing everything they can to stay healthy. To that effect, I want to reference some excellent information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding this years flu season.

What sort of flu season is expected this year?

This flu season (2009-2010), there are more uncertainties than usual because of the emergence of a new 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (previously called "novel H1N1" or "swine flu") that has caused the first influenza pandemic (global outbreak of disease) in more than 40 years.

How severe will this year’s season be?

Many people do not have immune protection against this new and very different 2009 H1N1 virus, which has spread worldwide quickly and has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). In past years, seasonal flu activity typically did not reach its peak in the U.S. until January or February, but flu activity has occurred as late as May. However, the 2009 H1N1 virus caused illness, hospitalizations, and deaths in the U.S. during the summer months when influenza is very uncommon. So it is not known when flu activity will increase, when it will be most intense (peak), what viruses will circulate, or how long the season might last.

How effective is the seasonal flu vaccine?

The effectiveness of flu vaccines can vary and depends in part on the match between the viruses in the vaccine and the flu viruses that are circulating in the community. If these are closely matched, vaccine effectiveness (VE) is higher. If they are not closely matched, VE can be reduced. During well-matched years, clinical trials have shown VE between 70% and 90% among healthy adults. For more information about seasonal flu vaccine effectiveness, visit "How Well Does the Seasonal Flu Vaccine Work?"

Will the seasonal flu vaccine protect against the new H1N1 Virus? The seasonal vaccine is not expected to protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus because it is very different genetically from the seasonal H1N1 virus that is in this season's vaccine. That is why the government and manufacturers are producing a separate 2009 H1N1 vaccine designed to protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus.

For more information about this years flu season, and the threat of H1N1, I suggest you visit the useful resources below:

· 2009-10 Influenza Vaccine Supply & Distribution

· 2009–10 Influenza Vaccine Updates

· 2009-10 Influenza (Flu) Season

· Flu Activity & Surveillance

· 2009-10 Free Resources

· 2009-H1N1 Flu

House Prevents Medicare Part B Premium Increases

2009-10-05T12:03:00.000-07:00

Last week, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H.R. 3631, the Medicare Premium Fairness Act. H.R. 3631 will protect 11 million seniors and cash-strapped states from unfair increases in their 2010 Medicare Part B premiums. These hikes would have directly threatened the pocketbooks of 4 million new enrollees and retirees, as well as state budgets, which cover premiums for 7 million low-income seniors. I feel there is no reason that this burden should fall on seniors and people with disabilities, especially during these difficult economic times.

Under current law, Medicare Part B premiums --which cover physician and outpatient care and are deducted from Social Security checks -- cannot increase more than the cost of living adjustment for Social Security for nearly three quarters of Medicare enrolees. The Social Security COLA is likely to be zero next year because of the recession.

Without this bi-partisan congressional action, the other 27 percent of enrollees would have seen their Part B premium increase from $96 per month to $110-120 per month, because Part B premiums are required by law to cover 25 percent of Medicare Part B's costs. Those who would have seen this premium increase include:

low-income dual eligibles (18%) - paid for by the states
higher-income Medicare beneficiaries (5%)
new Medicare enrollees (3%) and
enrollees whose Medicare premiums are not deducted from their Social Security checks (2%).

H.R. 3631 extends the "hold harmless" policy to protect all Medicare enrollees from an increase larger than the Social Security COLA, so that the 2010 Part B premiums will remain at $96.40 with no cut in Social Security checks. Most importantly however, the bill will not add to the deficit. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the bill's cost at $2.8 billion for 2010will be fully paid for and meets PAY-GO requirements by using financing from the Medicare Improvement Fund. The Fund was established a few years ago to be available for the Secretary to make improvement to Part A and B benefits.

The bill is endorsed by AARP, The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM), the Center for Medicare Advocacy (CMA), Alliance for Retired Americans, National Association of State Medicaid Directors, the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Association.

Congress Acts to Extend Unemployment Benefits

2009-10-05T12:02:00.000-07:00

The House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 3548, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act. Enjoying broad bipartisan support, H.R. 3548 will provide up to 13 additional weeks of unemployment benefits to workers in high unemployment states who are about to run out of benefits. This extension will help at least 300,000 people in 27 states, DC and Puerto Rico who will exhaust all of their unemployment benefits by the end of September and over 1 million people in these states who will run out of unemployment by the end of December. With California reaching record unemployment, 12.2 percent, this bill is coming at a much needed time. I know there are many people in the 15^th District that desperately need these benefits to make ends meet. The extension will ensure that these people will be able to continue providing for their families, while they navigate this difficult job market.

According to Moody’s Economy, extending these benefits is one of the most cost-effective and fast-acting ways to stimulate the economy because the money is spent quickly. Every $1 spent on unemployment benefits generates $1.63 in new economic demand. The extension also targets those states with particularly high unemployment (with a three-month average total unemployment rate (TUR) of 8.5 percent, or a 13-week insured unemployment rate (IUR) above 6 percent), where it is more difficult for people to find new jobs.

The bill would not add to the deficit, as it will be paid for by extending the federal unemployment tax that has been in place for more than 30 years for one additional year, and it will promote accountability by requiring better reporting on newly hired employees start dates to reduce unemployment insurance overpayments - both of which were proposed by President Bush.

Much Like The Public Option, Garlic, Is A Healthy Solution

2009-10-02T14:13:00.001-07:00

Congressman Mike Honda (right) delivers Gilroy garlic to Republican Minority Leader John Boehner

Yesterday, Republican Minority Leader John Boehner compared the public option's popularity to a garlic milkshake. He claimed that he has yet to meet an American who is in favor of the public option that is not a member of Congress or the administration. After hearing Rep. Boehner's comments, I felt compelled to act. I will take any opportunity to talk about the public option, and my District's values. A recent New York Times/CBS poll found broad support, over 65%, for the public option across the nation. California's 15th District is rich not only in its support in for the public option, but also rich in its garlic production. Gilroy, the garlic capital of the world, is home to the largest garlic festival in the world: The Gilroy Garlic Festival.

To inform Mr. Boehner of his mistake, I decided give him a taste of the 15th District. I hand-delivered a basket of California garlic, and a limerick that identified our nation's desperate need for health care, and the public option. To find out more about health care reform, and the public option, please click here.

Below, you will find a copy of the limerick I delivered to Rep. Boehner, and a draft of other limericks that were in consideration of being delivered.

Limerick to Rep. Boehner:

Two things make for a strong healthy heart. Gilroy garlic, for one, a good start. Public option? Also high, In the American eye, 65 percent n'er want it to part.

Original Document Here(Courtney of SFGate)

House Passes Landmark Student Aid Legislation

2009-09-18T13:30:00.000-07:00

This week, the House approved H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act. H.R. 3221 represents the single largest investment in aid to help students and families pay for college in history, at no cost to taxpayers. By expanding access to an affordable college education, H.R 3221 is critical to our efforts to build a stronger, more competitive American economy. The economic downturn our nation has faced has put going to college out of reach for many of America’s students and families. Now, more than ever, students and families need reliable, stable forms of federal student aid to pay for college.

The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which mirrors President Obama’s student loan reform proposal, will make college more affordable and our nation more competitive by transforming the way our student loan programs operate:

First, it will help more students graduate with less debt. Too many students are graduating with record debt, partly because grant aid doesn’t cover nearly as large a share of college costs as it used to. H.R. 3221 will allow us to invest $40 billion in the Pell Grant scholarship, to keep interest rates affordable on need-based federal student loans, to simplify the federal student aid application process, and in other forms of aid that will help low-income, middle class and minority students pay for and complete college – at no additional cost to taxpayers.

Second, it will stabilize and safeguard the federal student loan program that students and families depend on to pay for college. The intertwined economic and credit crises have exposed serious vulnerabilities in the structure of the federally-guaranteed student loan program – putting it on life support. Families shouldn’t have to worry about whether the roller coaster fluctuations of the financial markets will hurt their access to low-cost student loans. By originating all new federal loans through the cheaper Direct Loan program, students and parents will be able to receive the exact same loans with the added assurance that these loans are entirely reliable, no matter what happens in the economy. This simple change will save taxpayers $87 billion over 10 years.

Third, it builds on the best of what works in the private sector to provide borrowers with top-notch customer service. The legislation will allow state non-profit lenders and private industry to continue doing what they do best – servicing loans. It will allow private entities to compete for contracts to service these loans – ensuring that students get the best services available and maintaining jobs in communities across the country.

Fourth, it will eliminate waste and create a streamlined, cost-effective program for families and taxpayers. Each year, billions of taxpayers dollars are being sent into a program that no longer works – and that the Department of Education can administer for a much lower cost. This is exactly the kind of waste we need to eliminate in tough fiscal times. By cutting out the middleman, this legislation will save taxpayers $87 billion over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. It’s a smarter business decision for taxpayers and families.

In addition to investing to make college more affordable, H.R. 3221 will use the savings it generates to invest in President Obama’s key education priorities.

It will make an unprecedented $10 billion investment to make community colleges part of our economy’s recovery. For years, business leaders have told us there weren’t enough workers with the knowledge and the expertise for their specific industries. H.R. 3221 will change that. It will help us build a 21^st century workforce by strengthening partnerships among community colleges, businesses and job training programs that will align community college curricula with the needs of high-wage, high-demand industries. It will provide community colleges with the tools to replicate programs that are successfully educating and training students and workers for these fields.

Creating better educational opportunities demands that we invest in our students long before they reach college. To ensure that the next generation of students enters kindergarten with the skills they need to succeed in school, the legislation creates an Early Leaning Challenge Fund to increase high-quality early learning opportunities for low-income children. It also will help provide every child with access to a world-class learning environment by investing in school modernization, renovation, and repair projects that will create healthier, safer, and more energy-efficient environments -- a measure the House is already on record supporting.

Finally, this legislation will meet Pay-As-You-Go fiscally responsible principles and reduce entitlement spending by $10 billion.

Telephone Town Hall 2009 : Addressing the gaps and inequalities of our health care system

2009-09-15T09:34:00.000-07:00

I recently held my third Telephone Town Hall to discuss health care reform. The Telephone Town Hall allowed me to connect with thousands of constituents to talk about the state of health care in California and across our nation. The enthusiasm of the callers was very impressive as we engaged in a discussion on a range of issues. I will bring the opinions and ideas of these participants back to Capitol Hill. Together we can improve our health care system and ensure a brighter tomorrow for our nation. Learn more about our discussion: Download the full call. Listen to individual questions & answers from the call. Read several follow-up questions that we didn’t have time to discuss during the call. Leave a comment.

5 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage

2009-09-08T11:06:00.000-07:00

Ends Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions
Ends Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill
Ends Exorbitant Deductibles or Co-Pays
Ends Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage
Guarantees Insurance Renewal

A constituent recently called into my district office with this comment, “My son has been denied coverage by all private insurers because of his pre-existing condition (diabetes) which he was diagnosed with at age 4. He had health insurance for a while through his job, but was dropped by his insurance carrier as soon as he was laid off, even though my husband and I agreed to continue paying for it.” This is just one example of the lack of options available to those with pre-existing conditions. Even an upper-middle class family with the means to pay for insurance cannot secure coverage for those who really need it.

Over the last few months I have heard many stories like this, which demonstrate the critical need for healthcare reform. Before Congress moves forward, I want to make sure that you, the constituents of California’s 15^th Congressional District, have the chance to make your voices heard, and to share your experiences in the current healthcare system. This is why I am hosting two live town halls on September 13th, 2009 in two different locations. I invite you to participate in these discussions of one of the most important issues of our day: healthcare reform. Please click here to find out the times and locations of the town halls.

Back to School Resources

2009-09-08T11:04:00.000-07:00

As an educator in Silicon Valley for over 30 years, I have always been a strong advocate for students and their families and worked to make our education system and policies work for our students. To support schools and districts in their effort to secure federal resources, I am hosted a federal education grant workshop with the U.S. Department of Education and the Santa Clara County Office of Education on September 3^rd, 2009.

In addition, The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library is sponsoring a series of events in conjunction with Soul of a People: Writing America’s Story, a new TV documentary on the Federal Writers’ Project to be broadcast in early fall on the Smithsonian Channel HD. The Library series begins with a screening of film excerpts and discussion on September 12.

In the web links below, I hope you find some informative resources for you, your student and your school.

Santa Clara County Office of Education, “Resource for Families”

http://www.sccoe.k12.ca.us/resourcesfamilies/

California Department of Education, “Learning Support”

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/

U.S. Department of Education, “Parents”

http://www.ed.gov/parents/landing.jhtml

Please visit my website for the following youth leadership opportunities.

Rep Honda’s Student Advisory Council

Rep Honda’s Internship Opportunities

Congressional High School Art Contest

Military Academy Nominations

Working Families Score a Win: Minimum Wage Increases

2009-08-04T14:50:00.000-07:00

On Friday, July 24^th, the national minimum wage increased from $6.55 per hour to $7.25 per hour. This change, which will help millions of Americans who are struggling to make ends meet, is the final of three increases to take effect as a result of legislation passed by Congress in 2007. Research shows that increasing the minimum wage helps to directly stimulate the economy, which is just what is needed in these difficult times

The Economic Policy Institute found that after the first step in this minimum wage increase that took place in July of 2007, it produced over $1.7 billion dollars in increased consumer spending. The subsequent increase in 2008 resulted in another $3.2 billion jolt to the economy as families used their increased wages to spur economic activity in their local communities. Similar gains are expected with the most recent increase. Most importantly, small businesses across the United States will benefit from the increased worker productivity and retention that comes with minimum wage increases, making the primary engine of economic growth in America more competitive and successful.

Securing funding for the Assessment and Remediation of the former Almaden Air Force Station atop Mt. Umunhum

2009-07-24T08:40:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, July 22, the House Committee on Appropriations approved, with my vote of support, the FY 2010 Defense Appropriations bill. This bill will not only provide for the readiness of our armed forces and ensure the wellbeing of our courageous servicemembers and their dedicated families; it will also help fulfill a long overdue promise made by the Federal government regarding former Defense Department land on Mt. Umunhum.

In 1986, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) purchased lands that include the former Almaden Air Force Station (AFS) atop Mt. Umunhum in Santa Clara County from the Federal government. Prior to the transfer of ownership to MROSD, the Federal government acknowledged that the site was contaminated by previous Department of Defense activities, and gave assurances that they would remediate the property. Since then, cleanup has proceeded at a painfully slow pace. This inadequate response has allowed toxic materials on site to become an increasing danger to public health and the environment.

Per my request and with the collaboration of my dear friend, Representative Zoe Lofgren, the FY 2010 Defense Appropriations bill passed by the Appropriations Committee allocates $4 million to the renewed remediation efforts to be conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers. The appropriations process is far from complete, including House consideration of the bill scheduled for next week. With the combined support of both our California Senators, I am optimistic that these funds will be realized and we will be closer to alleviating the health and environmental impacts on the grounds, as well as finally allowing site access for the public’s enjoyment as originally intended over two decades ago.

On July 11, the San Jose Mercury News printed an editorial on this effort.

Addressing Critical Needs: Language and Civics Education

2009-07-24T08:37:00.000-07:00

I recently re-introduced the Strengthen and Unite Communities through Civics Education and English Skills Act of 2009 to address the serious need to provide immigrant families and English Language Learners (ELL) access to critical language assistance and civics education. H.R. 3249 will help those with limited English proficiency become a more integral part of the American fabric and maximize their social and economic contributions.

With the growing limited English proficient (LEP) population, we must invest in the necessary resources to teach English language acquisition. According to the Census Bureau, over 19% of the population (54.8 million) speaks a language other than English at home. Between 11 and 21 million individuals are estimated to be LEP. The native-born LEP population nearly doubled between 2000 and 2005 and is increasing at a higher rate than the immigrant population.

Over the past 15 years, ELL student enrollment has nearly doubled and experts predict that one quarter of the total U.S. public school population will be made up of ELLs by 2025. There are currently 5.5 million ELLs in our school system. Despite common assumptions to the contrary, native-born U.S. citizens predominate in the K-12 ELL population: 76% of elementary school and 56% of secondary school ELLs are citizens and over one-half of the ELLs in public secondary schools are second- or third-generation children. H.R. 3249 aims to invest resources in the education of English language learners of all ages and empowers communities to focus on language acquisition and successful integration into their new homes.

Specifically, this legislation:

Provides incentives to employers and the private industry who offer adult education and ESL programs to employees;

Provides vital technical assistance and support to state and local communities seeking strong and productive strategies to respond to newcomers;

Requires the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration in the Department of Homeland Security to further the integration of immigrants into their communities; and

Contextualizes English literacy instruction in lessons on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, naturalization proceedings, civic participation and U.S. history and government.

For more information, please visit the Integration page on my website.

Your Tax Dollars Being Effectively and Efficiently Returned to the District

2009-07-24T08:35:00.000-07:00

Last week, the House Appropriations Committee passed two bills that contained much needed funding for California’s 15^th district that I secured: the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Transportation and Housing Appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2010. With the unemployment rate rising in Santa Clara County and throughout California, and the state facing an economic crisis, if there is federal funding available – in assistance for job training, educational programs, social services, and affordable housing – I have made sure my constituents are receiving it.

The following is a list of the projects I secured funding for in the bills:

$368,000 for California Construction College (City College of San Jose): This pilot program is a partnership between the National Labor College, City College of San Jose and the construction industry. It offers multiple educational pathways for Journeymen to earn a bachelor's degree to prepare for a career in construction management particularly important in this economy.

$284,200 for Childcare Quality Assessment and Improvement Program (City of San Jose): This project will help to fund the development, implementation, and evaluation of a pilot program at 40-50 childcare sites in low-income communities across the city. The study will assess quality and execution of improvement plans to expand the “Smart Start” model. This will improve access to care that helps children develop the cognitive, language, and social skills needed for academic and social success.

$300,000 for Community Home Partnership Program (Santa Clara Family Health Plan): The Community Home Partnership Program (CHPP) at Santa Clara Family Health Plan was created to support the former residents of Agnews Developmental Center. The move from an institutional setting is challenging and stressful for the medically fragile, severely developmentally disabled patients and their families. This funding will help to develop a model to transfer these vulnerable patients in the least stressful, most cost effective manner possible.

$292,000 for Enterprise Master Patient Index and Smart Cards (Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System): This project will benefit the public by helping fund an electronic patient index capable of providing patient identification across all Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital systems. This will ensure streamlined coordination of information throughout all SCVHHS health records, providing for more consistent patient treatment and follow up care.

$180,000 for Global Student Learning Passport (Franklin McKinley School District): The project fosters a unique Silicon Valley partnership between three school districts, industry, higher education, and educational foundations. It will benefit the community by creating a support system of best practices that enables each student to successfully finish college and be prepared for a career. This pilot program will assist each child in maximizing her or his maximum potential by assessing each child’s individual needs. The “Global Student Passport” created for each student will enable schools to harness the existing support systems to meet each student’s needs and guarantee success up through the first year of college helping to close the achievement gap.

$300,000 for Health Technology & Quality Improvement Project (Indian Health Center of Santa Clara County): This funding will help to implement an electronic health record system for the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley. The IHC is a Federally Qualified Health Center and as such serves low income and uninsured residents of the County in addition to the American Indian/Alaska Native community. This project will more efficiently deliver services, improve data collection, and enable the IHC to meet the growing demands of the community.

$200,000 for K-12 Education Improvement Through Innovative Hands-on Learning (Resources Area for Teachers): Using a sustainable, scalable model, Resource Area for Teaching will reward teachers for making professional development a priority, for improving skills in hands-on teaching techniques, and helping to bring out the full potential of all students. This project benefits the community by identifying, motivating, and recognizing some of California’s most innovative and resourceful teachers. In addition, it will enable thousands of outstanding teachers to efficiently share their best practices with peers and serve as desperately needed role models and mentors.

$250,000 for Student Risk Assessment & Management Protocol Project (San Jose Unified School District): The Student Risk Assessment & Management Protocol (RAMP) longitudinal data management project provides for early and more accurate identification of students at-risk of school failure and is an innovative model for strategic delivery of evidence-based interventions to increase graduation rates. The student dropout rate continues to rise at alarming rates in both Santa Clara County and state-wide. Given limited resources to address a wide range of issues and extensive needs, this project enables school districts to develop their capacity to intervene early and effectively with students to deter student failure and prevent dropouts.

$226,000 for School Partnerships Expansion Program (Project Cornerstone): This project will expand Project Cornerstone’s School Partnerships Program to provide access for more young people in Santa Clara County to the experiences, relationships, and values they need to thrive academically and socially. The project will provide programs, training, and technical assistance to schools on developmental assets essential to student success. The project expands the School Partnerships Program to include 25 additional schools and supporting the development of culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach materials will reach 25,000 additional residents and adults who work with the children and youth in the District.

$240,000 for Eden Housing Affordable Housing Complex: This project will renovate 24 units of affordable housing in California’s 15th District in San Jose, serving disabled people with an average annual salary of $13,079. This project will perform necessary renovations that will benefit 24 low-income families in San Jose and extend the useful life of these affordable housing complexes.

$700,000 for Housing Trust of Santa Clara County: This request is for a revolving loan fund for first-time homebuyers with incomes from 60% to 120% of Area Median Income. Loans range from $6,500 to $35,000 and assist households with closing costs, down payment and mortgage assistance. Given the high cost of housing in California's 15th district, this will expand homeownership in the district.

$250,000 for Martial Cottle Park (Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation): This project will provide families, youths, and individuals with new opportunities for experiencing outdoor education, outdoor recreation, and sustainable agriculture. This project offers a wealth of community benefits, which includes connecting children and youth to the outdoor environment and their food source, providing locally-grown foods to the community, enhancing community identity, and improving overall quality of life for the residents and visitors of Santa Clara County.

In addition to this funding, I was able to include language in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education bill passed out of the committee to establish a national Educational Opportunity and Equity Commission based on my previously sponsored legislation (H.R. 1758). For more information on this commission, please click here.

Improving Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education

2009-07-10T11:19:00.000-07:00

Recently I introduced the Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Act (E-STEM) of 2009, H.R. 2710, to keep America competitive in the global economy by improving science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. Given that support for E-STEM legislation, first introduced in 2008 with then-Senator Barack Obama, is building within Congress and the Administration, I am hopeful that this bill will pass the House quickly, as the establishment of a coordinating mechanism for federal STEM education programs will be critical to business and industry in the Silicon Valley.

As a former science teacher, principal, and school board member from the technology capital of world, I understand the need to enhance the education the scientists and engineers of tomorrow. Unfortunately, Federal agencies are not communicating among themselves. Current federal efforts, as well as those of states, in STEM education are neither coordinated, nor coherent, nor cooperative. This bill will create the mechanisms and venue for cooperative relationships to develop.

The E-STEM Education Act establishes a comprehensive approach to improving collaboration, coordination, and coherence of STEM education activities among Federal and State governments across the nation. The bill provides Federal Agencies and states with the infrastructure required to work collaboratively, establish national STEM education goals, to coordinate STEM education initiatives, and to avoid unnecessary duplication among these efforts.

For our nation to remain a leader in scientific advancement and technological innovation, we must strengthen America’s schools. This bill provides the education and skills necessary for students to compete in today’s global economy and to understand increasingly complex issues.

Specifically, the bill will:

Reorganize the President’s Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). OSTP has a STEM subcommittee that has remained largely dormant over the past few years. The bill would raise that subcommittee to a committee level, giving it a mandate to work proactively at designing coherent STEM strategies.

Create an Office of STEM at the U.S. Department of Education at the assistant-secretary level. This office will coordinate STEM education initiatives among all federal agencies and have a seat at the OSTP STEM Committee.

Institute a voluntary Consortium on STEM education. The Consortium would be integrated by no less than five states representing at least five of the nation’s nine geographical regions. Its mission is to develop common content standards for K-12 STEM education, engineered at the state and local levels.

Create the National STEM Education Research Repository. This would be a clearing house for educators to research the latest innovations in STEM. This will break the silos that keep creative programs from being replicated and will make these resources available through simple internet searches rather than having to sift through convoluted websites.

Crowdsourcing and Political Efficacy

2009-07-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

Last month, I announced the launch of my pioneering project to improve civic engagement in Congress through a process known as crowdsourcing. What has happened in the ensuing process has been astonishing. The chance to democratize the design of and information to be included on my site ushered in an unparalleled level communication between not only my constituents, but with the design community at large.

This project empowered anyone with Internet access, a copy of the Photoshop software package, and an imagination to submit concept designs. In a short time period, the project received close to a hundred designs submissions from a wide range of participants and renewed my belief that public engagement can revolutionize government.

The excitement surrounding the project was astounding, providing participants with the opportunity to establish political efficacy as I had hoped. A diverse range of do-it-yourself designers – including mothers, college students, and graphics professionals –eagerly showcased their design concepts. Hundreds of my constituents wrote in providing input on the design proposals. This input was given directly to the designers, who in turn submitted better, more democratically developed designs. Jane Madsen, an art director from Chicago, Illinois, submitted the proposal that received the most support. Her design combined easy access to information, with solid design prose. You can view this outstanding design by clicking here.

In the coming month, our vendor GovTrends will be implementing the selected design, establishing the first ever crowdsourced government website. This project has been a unique opportunity to open the process we call governance to everyone. Thank you for making this a reality.

Dispelling Some Myths About H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act

2009-07-08T08:23:00.000-07:00

Last month, The House of Representatives passed H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act. Since then, many of my constituents have contacted me, asking that I address their questions, and concerns about the impact that this bill will have on their daily lives. As you may know, ACES takes the important step of establishing a cap on greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing the impact that fossil fuels have on our environment. This landmark legislation contains several complex portions that have been misrepresented by its opponents, and have led to confusion amongst the general public. In the interest of clarity, I would like to address these misrepresentations:

Opponents have claimed that H.R. 2454 is equivalent to an energy tax.

Americans are going to save money under the provisions of H.R. 2454. A variety of studies, including one from the Congressional Budget Office, said clearly that this legislation will cost the equivalent of a postage stamp a day but that there will be significant savings to offset that expense.

Opponents have been misrepresenting CBO's score of the bill, claiming incorrectly that CBO shows a cost to American families of $770 per year. In fact, the EPA and CBO analyses both confirm that the cost will range somewhere between $80 to $175 - less than 50 cents per day in 2020. These figures do not even count the avoided costs of addressing global warming.

40 percent of American households will face almost no cost as a result of this bill, according to CBO.

The Natural Resources Defense Council prepared an analysis of the legislation showing that the average savings for American consumers will be around $6 per month between 2012 and 2020.

Moreover, the future savings for generations to come after the U.S. becomes more energy efficient will easily outpace any of the short term costs.

Opponents have argued that this bill will be a drag on the economy or that it will cause job losses.

According to industry leaders, ACES will unleash billions in industry investment and be a major job creator. One recent study concluded that H.R. 2454 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act together would create 1.7 million new clean energy jobs. The expertise in semiconductor technology housed in Silicon Valley means our region is particularly well situated to be a leader in renewable energy technologies.

In addition to job creation, H.R. 2454 includes numerous provisions to assist workers, including an increase in funding for the Green Jobs Act, a program for displaced workers that provides income supplementation, assistance with healthcare premiums, job search assistance, job counseling, training, and other services.

The bill helps energy-intensive and trade-exposed industries transition to a green economy by rebating emission allowances to industry participants.

Opponents have argued that there should be a "safety valve" provision that repeals the entire bill if unemployment reaches a certain level, or if gas prices reach a certain level.

During the Bush Administration, the average family's annual spending on gasoline went up from$2,186 to $4,658. The best way to counter this trend is to decrease our dependence on foreign oil, which H.R.2454 does.

Prices for heating oil, natural gas and propane that Americans use to heat their homes have also gone up sharply, nearly doubling since 2001. Prices are going up now, and that has nothing to do with this bill. Suspending the operation of this bill if energy prices continue to go up just doesn't make any sense.

H.R. 2454 contains numerous provisions that will create new, "green" jobs and assist displaced workers. H.R. 2454 will be part of the solution to unemployment, not part of the problem.

Opponents have argued that H.R. 2454 should focus on increasing domestic energy supply through drilling, or that their supposed "All-of-the-Above" strategy is preferable.

H.R. 2454 does increase our domestic energy supply, by promoting the use of wind, solar, certain hydro, other renewable sources, and even nuclear. At the same time, the bill allows for the continued use of coal, while addressing some of the costs created by coal's contribution to global warming.

H.R. 2454 will also increase our transportation efficiency, meaning our domestic oil production will translate into more miles;

I believe climate change is the most significant threat to our environment today and is one of the greatest challenges that humans face. We are finally acknowledging the impact our use of fossil fuels has had on our environment. This bill alone, isn’t enough to affect the change we need, it will require work from each and every citizen to educate themselves and others about the dangers of environmental degradation. As a former teacher, I feel education will be essential to allowing those changes to happen, which is why I introduced the Global Warming Education Act, H.R. 1926. It will not be easy to make the dramatic changes we need, especially changes in human behavior. However, I am confident that working together as a nation, we will achieve the means to ensure that our national treasures continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.

Statement on the American Clean Energy and Security Act

2009-06-26T08:38:00.000-07:00

I applaud the leadership of President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, Chairmen Waxman and Markey, and everyone who is responsible for bringing the American Clean Energy and Security Act before the House today. Despite taking office in perhaps the most challenging time our country has ever faced, President Obama has shown a strong commitment to addressing all of the challenges before him, and I commend him for his vision to tackle long term problems, as well as short term crises.

I believe climate change is the most significant threat to our environment today and is one of the greatest challenges that humans face. The overwhelming scientific evidence makes clear that global warming is a real phenomenon, and that human activities play a significant role. Twenty of the hottest years in recorded history occurred since the 1980’s. Glaciers and permafrost are vanishing. Weather patterns are shifting. Migration patterns are being disrupted.

Meanwhile, human output of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases has reached an unprecedented level. A tremendous amount of carbon dioxide comes from our cars, factories, and power plants. These gases trap excess heat within the atmosphere, increasing the greenhouse effect.

As a report from the United States Global Change Research Program released last week shows, the impacts of global warming are already being felt today, and they will only grow more significant in the future if we continue with business as usual.

NOW is the time to act on global warming.

To fight global warming, dramatic changes will be needed in transportation, energy production, and public policy, and human behavior.

This legislation takes the important step of establishing a cap on greenhouse gas emissions that decreases over time. By limiting the level of greenhouse gas emissions released by the United States, we can take a leadership role in international efforts to curb emissions that will be essential to avoid reaching certain “tipping points” that will bring about catastrophic changes that will impact people and the environment around the world.

The bill also takes the important step of providing incentives for the development of a green energy economy. I often hear from innovative Silicon Valley firms about their work in this area. They want to take the international lead in the development of “cleantech” but are frustrated by the lack of incentives, and even disincentives, in our country to develop renewable energy.

Today we will be putting in place a framework that recognizes and puts a value on the damage that fossil fuel emissions are doing to our planet, which will put clean, renewable energy sources on an equal playing field and usher in a new era for a green economy in the United States. We are also ensuring that the new jobs created in this field will be open to everyone in America, not just a privileged few.

It will not be easy to make the dramatic changes we need, especially changes in human behavior. As a former teacher, I feel education will be essential to allowing those changes to happen, which is why I introduced the Global Warming Education Act, H.R. 1926.

I am gratified that the American Clean Energy and Security Act includes several provisions to help teach the public and re-train workers. It will:

develop an information and resources clearinghouse for vocational education and job training in renewable energy sectors;
provide funding for worker training;
enable the Department of Energy to award grants to increase public awareness of Federal climate adaptation and mitigation programs and the potential for alternations in consumer behavior to further American energy independence;
establish an industrial energy efficiency education and training initiative;
promote a public outreach efforts to increase awareness about the importance of building energy efficiency; and
authorize the Secretary of Education to award clean energy curriculum development grants focused on emerging careers and jobs in the fields of clean energy, renewable energy ,energy efficiency, climate change mitigation, and climate change adaptation.

This is great moment in the history of our country. We are finally acknowledging the impact our use of fossil fuels has had on our environment and are taking steps to reduce that impact. In doing so, we are ushering in a new era of clean, green energy that will spur a new energy economy that Silicon Valley is poised to lead.

Again, I thank President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Chairmen Waxman and Markey for all of their hard work on this legislation and for all they have done for our country, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to vote for this important legislation.

My Vote on H.R. 2346, FY09 Supplemental Appropriations

2009-06-17T07:31:00.000-07:00

With great respect for President Obama and with great anticipation of the new direction the President will lead America in all foreign policy aspects – pursuing diplomacy and development first and foremost – I respectfully voted no on H.R. 2346, the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009 yesterday.

In the past few months, I’ve met personally with Afghan and Pakistani diplomats and security experts to discuss a variety of security issues related to Afghanistan and Pakistan. And as I reported to President Obama in early May, I think that the following elements should be a part of our strategy going forward, including: 1) building the countries’ infrastructure, industry, markets and workforce; 2) involving local leaders at all levels of decision-making; 3) supporting the countries’ most effective indigenous reconstruction, stabilization and conflict resolution strategies; 4) educating girls and integrating women into political and economic leadership; and 5) ensuring oversight so that foreign resources support the goals mentioned above.

As I mentioned when the supplemental was first considered on the House floor, I recognize that our new administration believes that the supplemental is a necessary carryover from the previous administration, but I cannot support the continuation of the Bush Administration’s failed modus operandi in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq, and the mis-proportioned 90-10 doctrine of assistance allocation – that is, 90% for military investments and only 10% for political, economic, and social development. The Supplemental represented our first opportunity to correct the failed approaches of the past, but we unfortunately did not use this chance.

Going forward, I hope that I can work closely with the President to ensure a policy more aligned with the 80-20 model often quoted by General David Petraeus, which would invest 80% of resources into political capacity and institutions with only 20% for military. In this regard, I have presented specific recommendations to my colleagues in Congress, with the intention of informing and improving U.S. policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan. I was pleased to hear in my April meeting with the President that his FY2010 budget request will move in this direction.

House Passes Paid Parental Leave for Federal Employees

2009-06-11T12:14:00.000-07:00

Last week I was proud to support the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2009 (H.R. 626). This legislation will make the Federal Government a more family friendly, competitive employer. This legislation is headed to the Senate for their consideration.

As the country’s largest single employer, the federal government is responsible for over 2.7 million jobs. The federal government is facing the retirement of 40% of its workforce over the next ten years and must be able to compete with private sector opportunities in order to attract talented new employees. Under current law, federal employees who want paid time off for the birth or adoption of a child only have the option of using their accrued sick days and vacation time to supplement unpaid leave. It is difficult for relatively new employees or those who experience reoccurring health problems to save up enough time for paid parental leave. Even for older employees who rarely get sick, unpredictable life events can make it equally difficult to accrue sufficient parental leave time. Parents should not be forced to choose between their new child and their paycheck.

The Congress’ Joint Economic Committee has found that Fortune 100 firms offer paid leave that typically lasts six to eight weeks. This is also consistent with the amount of leave typically offered by Congressional offices. The lack of a Paid Parental Leave policy for newly born or adopted children puts the Federal Government in the minority, not only in relation to U.S. companies but also amongst developed nations. The European Union requires that member countries offer 14 weeks of paid maternity leave and most offer more than the required amount, and the U.S. is one of only five countries out of 165 surveyed that does not guarantee paid parental leave.

The Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2009 will cost relatively little compared to the benefit to American families and workers that it would bring. It is past time for federal employees to enjoy the benefits offered to employees of private companies and fix a flaw in our current system.

The DTV Transition is June 12

2009-06-11T12:11:00.000-07:00

The national transition to digital television (DTV) will be taking place on June 12. Thanks to the DTV Delay Act, which Congress passed and President Obama signed in February, millions of Americans, including those in our most vulnerable communities, have had the opportunity to get ready for Digital TV.

Some people are still not ready for the transition, however, including many in our area. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has identified the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose market as being one of the metropolitan areas that is least prepared for the transition.

It is important for everyone to realize that the deadline switch will not be pushed back again. There will not be another delay. June 12^th is the analog shut down deadline for all full-power television stations.

If you rely on free, over-the-air TV and use “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna with a television that uses an analog tuner, you aren’t ready, and you will lose your television service on June 12 if you don’t act now.

You have three ways you can prepare for the transition:

Subscribe to cable or satellite TV service;
Purchase a television with a digital tuner; or
Buy a converter box which plugs into your analog TV and will convert the signal to digital.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included funding to allow the Department of Commerce to help more Americans with the transition to Digital TV. If you choose to buy a converter box, you can apply for a coupon to help toward the cost of the purchase. Commerce’s TV Converter Box Coupon Program provides $40 coupons, which covers most of the cost, for eligible household towards the purchase of TV converter boxes.

As of today, thanks to the additional funds and collaboration with community partners, the Department of Commerce has put more than 55 million coupons in the hands of Americans to help with the transition.

If you already have a coupon, make sure to purchase a converter box at a partnering retail stores like Target or RadioShack, take it home and hook it up right away. You can receive digital television now.

You can get more information about the transition, apply for coupons or find a retailer near you at www.DTV2009.gov or by calling 1-888-DTV-2009.

If you’re already prepared for the transition, help make sure your friends and family are ready too.

PLEASE NOTE: Converter box coupons may be ordered (pending availability) through July 31, 2009. Coupon delivery takes nine business days from the date the application is received. The DTV Delay Act changed the law to allow eligible households with coupons that have expired without being used to request replacement coupons. Once received, consumers should use their coupons to purchase a converter box and install that box as soon as possible. For technical assistance, consumers can call 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) or go to www.dtv.gov.