News Articles
Congressman Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, called today's resignation of U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales "long overdue."
Sonoma Valley Sun
Members of the House Agricultural Committee last week approved a new five-year farm bill that would provide new benefits for California agriculture. House Democratic leaders, including Mike Thompson, Lynn Woolsey and Nancy Pelosi, fought off efforts by urban lawmakers and other interested parties opposed to continued crop subsidies. They argued that the bill should include increased funding for conservation, food stamps and creating community food security for healthier diets.
The Times Standard
The 2007 Farm Bill, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives this week and governing the nation's agriculture and food programs, includes programs for specialty and organic crops, conservation and nutrition.
Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, applauded their inclusion.
”This farm bill is a change in direction from previous farm policy,” said Thompson. “It gives specialty crops and organic crops a place at the table, while at the same time preserving the importance of conventional agriculture across the country.”
The U.S. Senate approved a provision late last night to help National Guard and Reserve physicians maintain their practices during lengthy overseas deployments. The bill that was passed, HR2429 - originally authored by U.S. Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Sam Johnson (R-TX) - is the House companion to S.1767, which was introduced by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and U.S. Senate Republican Whip Trent Lott (R-MS) earlier this month.
Today, the House passed the “Energy and Water” appropriations bill, including $7.5 million for the Napa River Flood Project. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Napa Valley), who championed this project, was pleased it was included in the bill. However, Thompson is committed to securing more money for the project before the appropriations bill is sent to the president.
At a Congressional field hearing today regarding the environmental crisis in the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta, a Department of Interior official could not tell Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) whether scientists at Interior were pressured by the Bush Administration to manipulate science because the matter was currently under investigation.
The Times Standard
Language from Rep. Mike Thompson's passenger bill of rights was included in the authorization bill for the Federal Aviation Administration this week when it was released out of the House Transportation Committee.
According to a press release from Thompson's office, this is the first time such language has been included in both the House and Senate versions of the bill.