Mike Thompson RSS Articles

REP. MIKE THOMPSON ANNOUNCES FINAL APPROVAL FOR WILLITS BYPASS

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today announced that final approval has been given to build the Willits Bypass. The approval permits were necessary for Caltrans to proceed with its plans to reroute a segment of U.S. Highway 101 around the city of Willits in Mendocino County.

“This bypass has been decades in the making,” said Thompson. “Two years ago the project appeared dead, but we worked with Caltrans, the Army Corps and community stakeholders day-in and day-out to revive the project. Now, I am proud to announce we will break ground this year. The bypass will improve air quality, relieve congestion, help folks save gas and improve local commerce. It is truly a win for our community.”

“The mood of the downtown merchants is that they are looking forward to having their Main Street back where they will have more control over the design of the streetscape,” said Alan Falleri, City of Willits Community Development, Redevelopment, and Economic Development. “They are happily anticipating street improvements that will create a sense of place, increase safety for all modes of transportation, provide a more attractive place to shop and result in increased property values; a win-win scenario for the entire community.”

“As the prospective stewards of the mitigation lands, in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Game, the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District (MCRCD) is pleased to learn the USACE has approved the mitigation plans for the Willits bypass,” said Janet Olave, Executive Director of the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District. “MCRCD supports an ecosystems approach to conservation and we appreciate the efforts of all the agencies in ensuring these lands benefit the natural resources, and also continue to provide economic benefits to the community.”

The Willits Bypass Project is a freeway segment of U.S. 101 that would bypass the City of Willits with several bridges spanning creeks and local roads, a viaduct spanning the floodway, and interchanges on either end of the bypass.

Thompson has worked with local stakeholders on a compromise adaptive mitigation plan that balances the interests of the Willits community, the environment, and the agricultural economy. As a result, of the 1670 acres that would be impacted by the project, more than two-thirds will still be available for grazing.

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.

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REP. MIKE THOMPSON SECURES MORE THAN $604,000 FOR ARCATA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today announced $604, 578 in federal grants for the Arcata Fire Protection District. The grant was awarded through The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The grant will be used to update the entire Humboldt County Fire Radio Network. This includes the Mountain Top Radio Repeaters, the dispatch console in the command center, and the infrastructure that supports it.

“This grant is a win for the public and our local fire department,” said Thompson. “It will help our firefighters protect the health and safety of our communities by improving their ability to respond to fire and fire-related emergencies. I am proud to support these grants and thank our firefighters and first responders for their service.”

“I am pleased to receive this grant award and very proud to have sponsored it for the entire Humboldt Fire Community,” said Arcata Fire Chief John McFarland. “The grant was prepared by Arcata Fire Captain Curt Watkins – congratulations from all 43 agencies go to Captain Watkins. This grant carries an anticipated 20% match which will be funded by the local agencies bringing the total for this emergency communications project to over $700,000.00.”

The purpose of the AFG is to award grants directly to fire departments and EMS organizations to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public.

Since 2001, the AFG has provided approximately $5 billion in grants to first-responder organizations to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training. During fiscal year (FY) 2011, the AFG will award another $380 million to first-responder organizations that need support to improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types.

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.

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REP. MIKE THOMPSON LEADS CALL TO PROTECT AGRICULTURE WORKFORCE

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) is leading a group of Representatives in calling on President Obama to protect the U.S. agricultural workforce from a harmful “enforcement-only” approach to immigration reform. In a letter to the President, Thompson and his colleagues in the House wrote that if only mandatory worker verification methods like E-Verify were implemented without regard to workers and employers, it would risk the economic vitality of the entire American agricultural industry.

“We need a fair and practical approach to immigration reform that ensures our agricultural industry has an adequate, legal, and stable workforce,” said Thompson. “An enforcement-only approach is unworkable for our farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers and would only exacerbate our current agricultural labor shortages. Our skilled farm workers are responsible for getting food on American tables, and they deserve a workable solution to our broken immigration law. E-Verify alone is not that solution.”

“Rep. Thompson and Rep. Farr clearly recognize the importance of finding a solution to the immigration debate,” said Paul Wenger, president of the California Farm Bureau Federation. “A solution that recognizes California’s unique labor needs is crucial to family farmers and ranchers.”

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, if the mandatory E-Verify program goes forward by itself, without providing producers a source of legal workers, it would cost our economy up to $9 billion a year in lost agricultural production.

Please find the full text of the letter below.

February 13, 2012

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama,

As your Administration works towards immigration reform, we urge you to consider the impact some policy changes under discussion would have on the agricultural industry. We are committed to working to protect our borders, providing support to those willing to follow our immigration laws and ensuring that those seeking a better life have the legal opportunity to embrace the American dream.

We must enact immigration policies that are tough, fair and practical. Successful immigration reform must establish common sense rules for whom and how many people are legally allowed into our country. With that principle in mind, we are concerned that the acute shortage of agricultural workers across our districts has not been adequately taken into consideration. We believe that any immigration reform legislation must provide farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers with a stable and legal workforce. It has been established that for every job created on a farm, many more non-farm support jobs are created in the supply chain of distribution. Yet our nation’s farmers, who are responsible for billions of dollars of economic activity every year, continue to face significant barriers to finding a legal and stable workforce. We are becoming increasingly concerned that some interim immigration reform proposals would create even more devastating labor shortages for growers. It is irrational to think mandatory worker verification methods (like E-Verify) alone are the solution to our country’s illegal immigration issues. If implemented improperly and without regard to workers and employers, it would risk the economic vitality of the entire American agricultural industry.

We need to find the right balance between ensuring American citizens have the best chance of finding a job while also ensuring our agricultural industry has an adequate, legal, and stable workforce for years to come. We stand ready to work with you to accomplish that goal.

Sincerely,

___________________________
Rep. Mike Thompson

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Rep. Sam Farr

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Rep. Lois Capps

____________________
Rep. Jim Costa

____________________
Rep. Bob Filner

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Rep. John Garamendi

____________________________
Rep. Jared Polis

____________________
Rep. Lynn Woolsey

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.

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CALIFORNIA REPS: WATER BILL KILLS LOCAL JOBS, NEGLECTS 50 YEARS OF ESTABLISHED SCIENCE

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Ten Northern California representatives are today calling on the House Committee on Natural Resources to oppose H.R. 1837, the so-called San Joaquin Valley Water Reliability Act. As written, the legislation would divert additional water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta to South-of-Delta water users, running counter to established economic and environmental policies.

In a letter to the Committee on Natural Resources, U.S. Representatives Mike Thompson (CA-1), George Miller (CA-7), Doris Matsui (CA-5), Jerry McNerney (CA-11), John Garamendi (CA-10), Jackie Speier (CA-12), Mike Honda (CA-15), Lynn Woolsey (CA-6), Zoe Lofgren (CA-16) and Anna Eshoo (CA-14) wrote that the bill grossly dismisses the best available science, would cause job losses, repeals environmental protections, damages local tourism, hurts fishers and farmers, and should be rejected.

The lawmakers responded today as the legislation is being considered by the House Committee on Natural Resources:

“This legislation is nothing more than an attempt by well-funded south-of-Delta water contractors to steal water from the North with no regard for the fishers, farmers, families and businesses who depend on the Delta for their livelihoods” said Thompson. “This bill puts politics ahead of a half-century of established science, guts environmental protections and kills local jobs. It should be rejected, and solutions to California’s water challenges should be based on sound science so that our Delta communities, wildlife and environment are not harmed.”

"Last summer, we said that this bill would do serious damage to California’s water future. Republicans took their extreme bill behind closed doors for the rest of the year, tinkered with it, and emerged with an equally radical and damaging bill. Their bill undermines water policy throughout the west, including state policy, federal policy, and court approved settlements. Their bill takes years of collaboration and compromise and just blows it all up. Their bill is nothing more than a deliberate special interest attack by a small group of well funded water agencies, their lobbyists, and Republican members of Congress to undermine a sound, workable and equitable solution to our state’s serious water problems. Californians should recognize this bill for what it is and Congress should reject it,” said Miller.

“This bill is a brazen move by the water contractors and their allies who want to steal water from the Delta. The farmers, families, and business owners in our region rely upon a healthy Delta for their livelihoods. The bill before the committee today has been crafted without the input of stakeholders from the Delta and should not move forward. It would have a disastrous effect on the Delta communities and cause countless jobs to be lost. To steal from one community to benefit another is completely unacceptable,” said McNerney.

“H.R. 1837 is a shameless attempt to draw water from the farmers and urban areas of Northern California for the use of junior water right holders in the Central Valley,” said Matsui. “Further, the bill would preempt the state from passing any stricter laws needed to protect endangered and native species, and restrict California’s ability to pass tougher legislation to restore the San Joaquin River. This would dramatically undermine our state’s authority to monitor, allot, and safeguard its own natural resources, as well as set a dangerous precedent for government interference in the ability of states to protect local agricultural and environmental interests. At a time when we should be working together to solve California’s water problems through a balanced approach, H.R. 1837 is anything but balanced and will only create further discord.”

“H.R. 1837 would alter the entirety of California’s water laws,” said Garamendi, former Deputy Secretary of the Interior. “We have had only one day to understand its implications. This could be disastrous for California’s water interests. I strongly urge we step on the brakes before running roughshod over state law, threatening jobs, the environment, and our public health.”

Please find the full text of the letter below.

February 16, 2012

The Honorable Doc Hastings
Chairman
Committee on Natural Resources
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Tom McClintock
Chairman, Subcommittee on Water and Power
Committee on Natural Resources
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
The Honorable Edward J. Markey
Ranking Member
Committee on Natural Resources
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Grace Napolitano
Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Water and Power
Committee on Natural Resources
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Chairman Hastings, Ranking Member Markey, Chairman McClintock, and Ranking Member Napolitano:

We are writing today to express our strong opposition to Representative Nunes’s so-called San Joaquin Valley Water Reliability Act (H.R. 1837). As Northern Californians, we believe this legislation fundamentally runs counter to our established economic and environmental policies. These broadly supported policies were established to protect natural resources, promote conservation efforts, and foster economic development within the San Joaquin Valley region. This bill would repeal environmental protections and lead to catastrophic impacts to our valuable coastal resources, damage local businesses and tourism that rely on these resources, and could harm local farmers.

This bill grossly dismisses the best available science and further jeopardizes iconic salmon and steelhead that are the focal point of many California State regulations. We have seen what happens when science is ignored for the sake of politics – this became devastatingly clear during a Northern California salmon fish kill in 2002 and fishery disaster in 2006 that were a result of too little water being delivered to critical habitat. These disasters diminished a valued natural resource and harmed associated economies. H.R. 1837 sets the stage for a similar disaster in the Bay-Delta by reverting environmental protections back to 1994 levels, undermining the Endangered Species Act, and – equally important – countering the desires of community members, elected officials, and current State policies.

Aside from gutting environmental protections, H.R. 1837 does the exact opposite of what it claims: it kills local jobs. The diversion of water south of the Delta takes it from northern farmers who rely on this supply for successful harvests and livelihoods. Economic losses to the farming industry are added to those due to a decline in tourism and local business following the decline in the natural resources that support them.

The San Joaquin Valley Water Reliability Act is nothing more than an attempt by powerful water districts south of the Sacramento River Delta to abscond with water from the north. This was highlighted in the two hearings on the bill, during which the majority of the witnesses’ testimony indicated that it was seriously flawed. And yet, the Committee is voting on it with no further hearings, discussion, or collaboration.

For all of these reasons, we strongly urge your reconsideration of H.R. 1837.

Sincerely,

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s 1^st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.

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REPS. MIKE THOMPSON, LYNN WOOLSEY INTRODUCE AMENDMENT BANNING DRILLING OFF CALIFORNIA’S NORTH COAST

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Representatives Mike Thompson (CA-1) and Lynn Woolsey (CA-6) today introduced an amendment to ban drilling on of California’s North Coast. H.R. 3408, the Protecting Investment in Oil Shale the Next Generation of Environmental, Energy, and Resource Security Act would automatically open the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, Alaska’s Bristol Bay, Southern California, and the Virginia coast for oil and gas leasing. The bill could also potentially open up California’s North Coast to drilling – even if the state objects to offshore drilling in the region.

“Oil drilling is an important component of our energy solution, but we should only drill where it’s appropriate – and that means no drilling off the North Coast,” said Thompson. “The North Coast is one of the most productive ecosystems in the world, supporting salmon, Dungeness crab, rockfish, sole, and urchin populations. It is one of four major upwellings in all the world’s oceans, allowing nutrient-rich water to rise supporting an abundance of marine life.

Thompson continued, “If an oil spill were to occur in this area, not only would the economic damage to businesses and tourism be staggering, the rocky shores and rough seas would make a cleanup impossible. This amendment should be passed, and Congress must affirm that although oil is a part of our energy solution, we will not be opening up the North Coast for drilling.”

“The waters off California’s North Coast are some of the most abundant and exquisitely beautiful on the face of the earth,” said Woolsey. “Our commercial fishing industry depends on this thriving marine ecosystem, as do our research scientists. They are critical to our local economy, supporting thousands and thousands of tourism-related jobs. Who would visit the North Coast to look at an oil derrick? We must block any attempt to open these waters to drilling.”

In a decision to “trust but verify,” Thompson and Woolsey introduced an amendment clarifying that the North Coast may not be opened for drilling under H.R. 3408. Passing the amendment will affirm that there would not be North Coast drilling in the future.

According to a 2009 Energy Information Administration report, opening up waters that are currently closed to drilling would only yield an enough oil to reduce gas prices by no more than 3 cents a gallon – in 2030.

In Northern California, the potential economic impact of the region’s oil supply is even smaller: if all the recoverable reserves of Northern California’s Outer Continental Shelf were tapped, they would provide enough oil to fuel the U.S. for only 100 days.

Thompson and Woolsey have been a longtime opponent of efforts to open drilling off the coast of Northern California. In May he introduced a similar amendment to H.R. 231, the Reversing President Obama’s Offshore Moratorium Act that would affirm the North Coast would not be opened to drilling. In January, he reintroduced legislation to ban drilling off the coast of Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino Counties.

Woolsey is the author H.R. 192, co-sponsored by Thompson and 53 others and widely supported in the local community, which would permanently protect the Sonoma Coast from oil and gas exploration by more than doubling the size of the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries.

Please find the full text of Thompson’s remarks on the House Floor introducing the amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Now, I request to yield myself as much time as I may consume.

I represent a coastal community and take seriously threats to our nation’s coastline. The Thompson/Woolsey amendment #127 would clarify that H.R. 3408 would not open drilling along the Northern California coast.

Proponents of H.R. 3408 claim that Northern California does not meet the minimum production potential to be eligible for offshore drilling. However, I do not simply want to take the House Majority’s word for it. In a Congress that has seen an unprecedented push to weaken safety standards for the oil and gas industry, I do not want to leave the door open for alternative interpretations. The people of the North Coast of California want to ensure that their environmentally unique and critical coast is protected. Period.

Because this amendment is a clarification of the legislation’s intent, there is no cost associated with it.

It is important to me and to my constituents that H.R. 3408 makes clear that drilling will not occur in the Northern California Planning Area—along the coasts of Mendocino, Humboldt, Del Norte, Sonoma, and Marin counties.

The coastal area of my district is one of the most productive ecosystems in the world, and supports salmon, Dungeness crab, rockfish, sole, and urchin populations.

If an oil spill were to occur in this area, the environmental and economic costs would be staggering. Response and clean-up efforts would be hazardous and minimally effective given the rocky shores and rough waters.

Drilling for oil or gas off of California’s North Coast could cause serious harm to the unique and productive ecosystem and abundant marine life. The economic damage to businesses and tourism that rely on these pristine areas would also be substantial.

This amendment will simply clarify that this bill does not require drilling off the North Coast of California.

I urge a yes vote on this amendment and I reserve my time.

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.

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REP. MIKE THOMPSON ANNOUNCES $2 MILLION GRANT TO WATER DISTRICT FOR SAMOA PIPELINE REPLACEMENT

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today announced $2 million in federal funding for the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District (HBMWD). The Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will go toward replacement of a failing pipeline on the Samoa Peninsula outside Eureka.

“This funding will allow HBMWD to get out ahead of a potential disaster by replacing a seismically vulnerable pipeline that supplies drinking water to a large part of the Samoa Peninsula,” Thompson said. “This upgrade is a great example of how communities should protect aging vital infrastructure – replacing last-generation materials with next-generation materials.”

HBMWD will replace 10,500 feet of an 18-inch pipeline on the Samoa Peninsula with the funds. The pipeline serves about 7,400 residents, a power plant and the U.S. Coast Guard Station Humboldt Bay. The new pipe is made of High-Density Polyethelene, which is stronger and more flexible than the current Techite pipeline that is vulnerable to failure in earthquakes. The FEMA grant will cover three-quarters of the project cost.

“Replacement of the Techite pipe is a very important project for the regional water system and will significantly improve water supply reliability to our community,” HBMWD General Manager Carol Rische said. “Grant funding for water infrastructure is hard to come by and it took a lot of work and a team effort by HBMWD, our District Engineer Winzler & Kelly, Congressman Thompson, Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro and Senator Noreen Evans.”

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.

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REPS. MIKE THOMPSON, CATHY MCMORRIS RODGERS CALL ON PAYROLL TAX CONFEREES TO EXTEND HEALTH BENEFITS TO RURAL COMMUNITIES

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) and Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-5) recently lead a bi-partisan group of Representatives in sending a letter to the House and Senate group negotiating an extension of the payroll tax credit, calling on them to extend Medicare provisions that benefit rural communities. The provisions help ensure quality health care in rural communities and support local jobs.

“High quality health care in rural America cannot fall victim to partisan games,” said Thompson. “Folks on both sides of the aisle agree – regardless of if you live in a big city, small town, or rural community, everyone deserves access to affordable, quality care. Congress has extended these benefits many times before and we must do it again so that rural families continue receiving the same level of health care services.”

Approximately one fourth of all Americans live in rural areas that rely on local community hospitals, clinics and independent practices for their health care. Many of these facilities face challenges that these important provisions help them overcome such as remote geographic location, workforce scarcity, physician shortages and constrained financial resources.

Extending Medicare health benefits help rural facilities and health providers recruit and retain skilled practitioners, provide quality outpatient care and mental health services, and respond to emergency health events.

In addition to the health benefits provided by rural health care facilities, they also provide jobs to rural communities. The average Critical Access Hospital directly employs more than 100 people and provides more than $4 million in direct salary, wages and benefits. An independent physician in a rural area supports more than 20 jobs and provides $1 million in economic benefit to their communities.

“The Medicare “extender” provisions are vital to ensuring that rural hospitals, doctors and other health care professionals can provide needed emergency and primary care,” stressed Gail Nickerson, President California State Rural Health Association. “The expiration of Medicare extenders will inhibit the ability of hospitals and providers to recruit and retain professionals, negatively impact patient access, and will have a devastating impact on the economies of our rural communities, because health care is a major employer and business in most rural areas.”

Below is the full text of the letter.

February 7, 2012
The Honorable Dave Camp                                        The Honorable Max Baucus
Chairman                                                                    Chairman
Committee on Ways and Means                                 Committee on Finance
U.S. House Representatives                                       U.S. Senate
1102 Longworth House Office Building                    219 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20515                                              Washington, DC20510

Dear Chairman Camp and Chairman Baucus,

Rural Americans depend on local community hospitals, clinics and independent practices as vital access points to critical primary, emergency and mental health care. These facilities also provide a significant number of jobs in hard hit rural areas. In fact, a single community hospital can mean as much as 20% of total economic activity in small rural communities.

Health Care providers in rural America, though, face significant barriers– remote geographic location, small size, workforce scarcity, physician shortages, unpredictable case and payer mixes, and constrained financial resources. Because of these challenges, Congress has enacted a number of programs that help these facilities and other rural providers recruit and retain skilled practitioners, provide quality outpatient care and respond to emergency health events. These programs, which were extended in P.L. 111-309 and P.L. 112-78, have long received bipartisan support. Other hospital provisions, which expire at the end September, accomplish many of these same goals and their extension is similarly vital.

Across the country, these programs have helped sustain fragile health care delivery systems and ensure that these facilities remain open and that access for rural Americans remains as strong as possible. Because of the vital nature of these facilities and the fragile nature of the delivery system in rural areas, we urge you to extend these vital provisions as part of the conference agreement.

Sincerely,

____________________                   ____________________
Cathy McMorris Rodgers                   Mike Thompson
Member of Congress                          Member of Congress

cc:
U.S. Senator Ben Cardin
U.S. Senator Bob Casey Jr.
U.S. Senator Jack Reed
U.S. Senator Jon Kyl
U.S. Senator John Barrasso
U.S. Senator Mike Crapo
U.S. Representative Fred Upton
U.S. Representative Tom Price
U.S. Representative Nan Hayworth
U.S. Representative Tom Reed
U.S. Representative Kevin Brady
U.S. Representative Greg Walden
U.S. Representative Renee Ellmers
U.S. Representative Xavier Becerra
U.S. Representative Sander Levin
U.S. Representative Chris Van Hollen
U.S. Representative Allyson Schwartz
U.S. Representative Henry Waxman

David McKinley
Member of Congress

Nick Rahall
Member of Congress

Bill Owens
Member of Congress

Jo Ann Emerson
Member of Congress

Shelley Moore Capito
Member of Congress

Ruben Hinojosa
Member of Congress

Adam Kinzinger
Member of Congress

Bobby Schilling
Member of Congress

Alcee L. Hastings
Member of Congress


Thomas Petri
Member of Congress

Mike Ross
Member of Congress

John Carter
Member of Congress

Tom Latham
Member of Congress

Bruce L. Braley
Member of Congress

Chris Gibson
Member of Congress

Ron Kind
Member of Congress

Earl Blumenauer
Member of Congress

Peter DeFazio
Member of Congress

Maurice Hinchey
Member of Congress

Donald Manzullo
Member of Congress

Peter Welch
Member of Congress

Ed Perlmutter
Member of Congress


K. Michael Conaway
Member of Congress

Robert J. Wittman
Member of Congress

John Garamendi
Member of Congress

Reid Ribble
Member of Congress

Tammy Baldwin
Member of Congress


Sean Duffy
Member of Congress

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.

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REP. MIKE THOMPSON ANNOUNCES $450,000 OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR HUMBOLDT HARBOR AND BAY DREDGING

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today announced that Humboldt Harbor and Bay would receive an additional $450,000 for dredging. The funds come from the Army Corps of Engineers’ discretionary account, and were awarded in order to address the operation and maintenance needs of Humboldt Bay.

“Humboldt Bay is a lynchpin of the North Coast economy, serving as hub for trade and commerce within the U.S. and internationally,” said Thompson. “With these funds the waterways at Humboldt Bay will continue functioning at the depth level necessary for the only deep water port on the North Coast of California. It is important that we continue to maintain and improve this economic engine.”

“The Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District very much appreciates the commitment, hard work and advocacy that Congressman Thompson and his staff have done to help keep our harbor infrastructure maintained” said Mike Wilson, President of the Board of Commissioners of the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District.

On an annual basis, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers determines the amount of funds required to maintain harbors and navigable waterways throughout the United States. The $450,000 is in addition to the $2.74 million previously requested by the Corps and appropriated by Congress last December for Fiscal Year 2012.

Annual harbor channel dredging is critical to maintaining harbor entrance safety for our shipping and fishing feet as well as enhancing environmental protection such as the prevention of fuel barge accidents. This dredging effort is also essential in preserving Humboldt Bay as an important part of the north coast economy and transportation system and maintains our area’s competiveness for exports to Asia.

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.

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REP. MIKE THOMPSON CO-AUTHORS LEGISLATION FOR YOUNTVILLE RECYCLED WATER SYSTEM EXPANSION

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) has co-authored legislation that would authorize $1.1 million in federal funds for the Town of Yountville to expand the water recycling facility. The legislation, HR 3910, would expand the Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Coalition (BARWC), allowing local water agencies to partner with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to build water recycling facility pipelines and associated infrastructure. The Yountville water recycling system is part of the BARWC.

“Expanding Yountville’s water recycling system will lessen demand for imported water and reduce wastewater flows to the Napa River, all while supporting up to 130 regional jobs,” said Thompson. “This project helps our environment, it helps our communities, and it helps our local economy. These are the smart investments we need to keep making as our economy continues to recover.”

“As a small wastewater utility system with only 800 customers, the Town is extremely appreciative of the opportunity to partner with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to help us fund an environmentally sustainable and reliable source of water for our local vineyards that produce some of the finest wines in the world. We also are thankful for the assistance Congressman Thompson and his team has given us toward this effort," said Mayor John F. Dunbar.

The Yountville recycled water project will expand the existing recycled water system that supplies irrigation water to vineyards the Napa Valley. The project will lessen the dependence on imported Sacramento River Delta water, local surface water and groundwater basins. The project will also help reduce wastewater discharged into the Napa River which can negatively impact the habitat of local endangered species.

BARWC is a partnership of San Francisco Bay Area water recycling agencies. It is proactively pursuing highly leveraged, locally managed projects that will help ensure the security of water supplies in the Bay-Delta region. To date, projects completed by coalition members have resulted in more than 22,000 acre-feet of recycled water being supplied to Bay Area communities and businesses – equal to the annual water used by 66,000 single family homes.

Once completed, the Yountville water recycling system will yield an estimated 115 acre-feet of recycled water for vineyards in the heart of the Napa Valley.

HR 3910, the Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program Expansion Act of 2011, was introduced on February 6, 2012 and has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.

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Huffington Post - FAA bill codifies airline passenger bill of rights

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

After five years of kicking the can down the road, the 112th United States Congress has agreed on the provisions of the FAA Modernization and Safety Improvement Act of 2012, the bill we know as the FAA Reauthorization Bill. Through our efforts and the support of our congressional allies-Senators Boxer, Snowe, and Schumer and Congressman Mike Thompson -- the bill contains 90 percent of the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights.

After a Joint House-Senate Conference Committee meeting on January 31, both chambers passed consideration resolutions. The House passed the bill on Friday, February 3, and the Senate vote for passage followed on Monday, February 6.

In an impossibly polarized Washington political environment, our achievement is almost unparalleled. From a time five years ago, when airlines were treating us like crates of mangoes, we have secured a comprehensive set of airline passenger protections, codified in the laws of this nation.

Unfortunately, the three-hour limitation for tarmac delays was not included in the legislation. We and our congressional champions lost that battle. Senator Boxer, in the Senate meeting where they agreed to sign the bill, described her frustration with that loss, along with her gratitude that every other passenger protection was included.

So what was the final result? Our goals are well-established, so let's look at how the bill addresses those provisions.

Extensive tarmac delays are prohibited, and the DOT's Three-Hour Tarmac Rule remains in effect.
Food, water, and medical treatment must always be available, improving on DOT's "after two hours" provision.
DOT's Consumer Hotline information will be published on the internet and prominently displayed by carriers at their ticket counters and on their e-confirmations.
Unscheduled flights added to smoke-free requirement.
No Child Left Unbuckled goal supported by requirement to tell consumers what child safety seats work with which aircraft.
Airlines can no longer impose extra charge for carry-on musical instruments that can be safely stowed, and must carry larger instruments as checked baggage.
DOT to establish Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection, with one representative each from air carriers, airport operators, state and local government, and nonprofit groups with consumer protection experience.
Realistic scheduling to minimize departure delays.
Passenger awareness of insecticide spraying on international flights.
Informative delay reporting.
Consideration for active duty military members.
Let's talk about the Three-Hour Tarmac Rule. Two weekends ago, we mounted a last-ditch campaign to pressure congress to include the rule. As a direct result of our efforts, Sen. Boxer went to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, seeking an amendment to restore the three-hour provision. Unfortunately, that effort was not successful; however, Congress has clearly seen the need for a time limit. The Secretary of Transportation will determine the definition of "excessive delay." The DOT Three-Hour Tarmac Delay Rule remains in effect. The bottom line is that Congress finally heard us. They validated both the need for tarmac delay plans and for time limits on the airlines' ability to imprison us on the ramp.

Another key victory is the requirement for airports to maintain contingency plans in the same manner as the airlines. Many long tarmac strandings occur during extreme weather conditions. FlyersRights has long insisted that those events demonstrate, time and again, the overriding need for comprehensive planning to address massive diversion problems. This key provision will, for the first time, promote the kind of communication, coordination, and cooperation between the many players in our air travel system that provide the only solution to this complex problem.

Several other Bill provisions actually improve on the DOT rules. The DOT rules said that airlines must provide access to food, water, and medical treatment after two hours on the ramp. Congress changed that two-hour restriction to "always." Airlines will finally be forced to schedule realistically, so that the morning and evening rush hours will not lead to continuing delay problems.

Also, DOT will create an Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection, one member from each group listed in the table. Frankly, as the most vocal advocate for airline passenger rights for the last five years, I truly believe that I am the person who should fill the single consumer advocacy position on the committee.

FlyersRights remains committed to airline passenger issues, and will continue to fight for needed passenger protections and for a truly effective, safe, constitutional, and consistently-applied airline security system.