Press Releases

THOMPSON VOTES TO PASS BIPARTISAN BILL TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY OF GOVERNMENT SPENDING

November 18, 2013

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today voted to pass H.R. 2061, the Digital Accountability and Transparency (DATA) Act of 2013. This bill requires information on all federal spending to be posted to a single, comprehensive and searchable website, USASpending.gov. The DATA Act also limits federal agency travel expenses to 70 percent of their Fiscal Year 2010 travel costs, limits the allowable costs of agency conferences and requires extensive new reporting and public disclosure of conference costs and activities.

Issues:Fiscal Responsibility

REPS. MIKE THOMPSON, SCOTT PETERS INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL EXPANDING TELEHEALTH SERVICES TO VETERANS, ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICEMEMBERS AND DEPENDENTS

November 15, 2013

Press Release

Today, U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-5) and Scott Peters (CA-52) introduced H.R. 3507, the 21st Century Care for Military & Veterans Act. This bipartisan legislation would expand coverage of telehealth services to active-duty servicemembers, their dependents, retirees, and veterans. Because of provider shortages at local practices, many servicemembers and veterans lack access to a primary care physician, and in rural and underserved communities patients often must travel extended distances to see a healthcare provider.

Issues:Health CareVeterans

REP. MIKE THOMPSON STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT OBAMA'S AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ANNOUNCEMENT

November 14, 2013

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today released the following statement on President Obama's announcement that insurance companies can continue offering insurance plans for another year even if those plans do not meet the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) minimum standards.

Reps. Mike Thompson, Earl Blumenauer Call on Obama Administration to Work with Congress on Fair TPA Legislation that Creates Jobs and Grows U.S. Economy

November 13, 2013

Press Release

U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-05) and Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), two senior Members of the House Committee on Ways & Means, led a letter to President Obama urging him to work collaboratively with Congress to craft Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation. Strong TPA legislation that enhances the consultative role of Congress throughout the course of trade negotiations will help increase our nation's international competitiveness, grow the U.S. economy and create good American jobs.

Issues:Jobs & Economy

THOMPSON HONORED FOR WORK ON BEHALF OF VETERANS SUBJECTED TO DOD'S CHEMICAL TESTING

November 1, 2013

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) was honored today for his years of work to make sure service members who were subjected to the Department of Defense's (DOD) chemical weapon testing are able to receive full medical care and disability compensation for their service-connected medical conditions. In late 2002, the DOD revealed for the first time that between 1962 and 1974 it had tested harmful chemical and biological agents by spraying them on ships and sailors.

Issues:Veterans

THOMPSON INTRODUCES TAX LEGISLATION TO HELP COMMUNITIES HIT HARD BY MILITARY BASE CLOSURES AND REALIGNMENTS

October 30, 2013

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05), a senior member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, announced today that he introduced H.R. 3439, the New Markets Tax Credit Military Installation Act of 2013. This bipartisan legislation, co-authored by Republican Rep. Ralph Hall (TX-4), expands the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program by authorizing up to $100 million per year for distressed communities that have had military installations closed or realigned.

Issues:Jobs & Economy

REP. MIKE THOMPSON PROVISION IMPROVING THE RUSSIAN RIVER WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM PASSES HOUSE

October 24, 2013

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) today secured the passage of a provision in H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 (WRRDA), that allows the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue working with the Sonoma County Water Agency to enhance six miles of endangered coho salmon habitat along Dry Creek, located between Warm Springs Dam and the Russian River near Healdsburg.

Issues:Energy & Environment

REPS. MIKE THOMPSON, GEORGE MILLER PASS PROVISION IN THE HOUSE ELIMINATING UNNECESSARY BUREAUCRACY AT WALNUT CREEK

October 24, 2013

Press Release

U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-05) and George Miller (CA-11) today secured the passage of a provision in H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 (WRRDA), that will de-authorizes a four-mile segment of the existing Walnut Creek Project, taking it out of Army Corps control. De-authorizing this four-mile segment eliminates unnecessary U.S. Army Corps bureaucracy and allows the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to directly perform flood control and habitat restoration on the remaining 18 miles of the Walnut Creek Project.

Issues:Energy & Environment

THOMPSON AMENDMENT REQUIRING A STUDY ON THE IMPACTS OF INVASIVE SPECIES PASSES HOUSE

October 24, 2013

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson's (CA-5) bipartisan amendment requiring a federal study on impacts of invasive species passed the House today. The amendment was passed as part of H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of 2013. Specifically, the amendment requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on the impacts of aquatic invasive species on federal assets and current federal spending on aquatic invasive species prevention.

Issues:Energy & Environment

U.S. REP. MIKE THOMPSON INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN BILL TO EXPAND TELEHEALTH

October 23, 2013

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced today that he introduced, H.R. 3306, the Telehealth Enhancement Act of 2013, bipartisan legislation to expand telemedicine. By allowing Medicare payments for remote patient monitoring, the bill expands the locations where patients can receive Medicare-covered teleheath services. The bill also gives states the opportunity to expand Medicaid coverage to include telehealth services for women with high-risk pregnancies. U.S. Reps. Gregg Harper (MS-3-R.), Devin Nunes (CA-22-R), and Peter Welch (VT-D-AL) joined Thompson in introducing the legislation.

Issues:Health Care