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May 9, 2014
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"No one who has served our country in uniform should have to wait, in some cases more than a year, for the benefits they've earned because the VA (Veterans Affairs) is backlogged," U.S. Representative Mike Thompson said in a recent news release.

In response to that backlog, Thompson, a Napa Democrat and Benicia's representative in the House, has co-written a bipartisan amendment that would earmark $10 million more to programs to help military veterans.

Issues:Veterans

May 7, 2014
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An ice breaker ship called the Polar Star is coming to Mare Island for repairs-- and with it, dozens of jobs -- thanks to a $5.1 million U.S. Coast Guard contract awarded to Mare Island Dry Docks, LLC, Rep. Mike Thompson's office announced Tuesday.

An ice breaker is used to clear pathways for supply vessels and support research missions, a spokesman said.

The contract for the 90-day project creates 70 full-time jobs and is set to start in mid-August, Thompson spokesman Austin Vevurka said.

Issues:Jobs & Economy

May 6, 2014
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Set aside for a moment, if you can, issues of Democratic and Republican politics, homeland security, official language and national identity – all the real but ephemeral concerns around which we organize our national debate on immigration reform, and think for a moment about tides.

Humans of every race, religion, skin color, language and political orientation have been migrating, like waves on the sea, across borders, mountains, deserts, oceans and mighty rivers since the beginning of recorded time.

Issues:Immigration Reform

May 6, 2014
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Fiery Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez stood before a crowd of some 100 North Bay Latino leaders at Chateau St. Jean Winery in Kenwood Saturday afternoon, and told them he would be leaving them shortly to go to the airport to catch a redeye flight back to Chicago.

"At 5 a.m., I'm going to get to my house, and my wife and my daughter and my granddaughter know I'm coming home. Doesn't it break your heart that there are millions of people who don't know their fathers are coming home?"

Issues:Immigration Reform

April 28, 2014
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Sonoma County's Head Start program received a $3.4 million federal grant to continue serving 552 preschool-aged children throughout the county, officials said Monday.

Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, announced the grant to the local anti-poverty agency, Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County.

Head Start programs "help make sure all children have a foundation for future success," Thompson said.

Issues:EducationHealth Care

April 16, 2014
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Image removed.

TUESDAY - APRIL 15, 2014 - NAPA, CA - Representative Mike Thompson spoke to a group of about 120 Napa High School students on Tuesday afternoon. He described some of his duties as a member of the U.S. Congress and answered questions. J.L. Sousa/Register

By ISABELLE SCHMALTZ

Issues:Education

April 16, 2014
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The medicinal use of marijuana may be legal in California, but growing the plants on trespassed land is not, and U.S. Representative Mike Thompson, Benicia's member in the House, said he applauds actions that would reduce environmental destruction caused by such illegal operations.

Issues:Energy & Environment

April 16, 2014
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WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA-5) led a bipartisan letter with Rep. Pete King (R-NY-2) to President Barack Obama requesting that he require all federal agencies to only buy American flags that are 100 percent made in America, by American workers, using American grown and manufactured materials.


April 15, 2014
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LAKE COUNTY -- Congressman Mike Thompson commended the Senate for passing bipartisan legislation to extend unemployment insurance for nearly 3 million Americans, including more than 514,000 Californians.

The Senate passed the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act by a vote of 59 to 38, which retroactively extends emergency unemployment insurance through the end of May.

Issues:Jobs & Economy

April 11, 2014
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Lake County's House of Representatives members, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) and Rep. John Garamendi (CA-3), on Thursday joined a bipartisan group of representatives in voting against H.Con.Res. 96, the House Majority’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 budget authored by Rep. Paul Ryan (WI-1).

The budget resolution passed by a vote of 219-205.

No Democrats voted for the resolution and 12 Republicans voted against the resolution.

The Senate will not pass H.Con.Res. 96, and if they did, the president would veto it, the congressmen reported.

Issues:EducationFiscal ResponsibilityHealth CareJobs & EconomySeniors