Press Releases

Northern California Members of Congress today called on the House leadership to immediately pass a long-term transportation jobs bill. In a letter to the House leadership, the members highlighted the Department of Labor's April 2012 Jobs Report which shows that last month alone, close to 17,000 jobs were lost in the transportation sector. Traditionally, the warm spring and summer months are when transportation and construction jobs are at their peak.

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1), founder and co-chair of the Congressional Wild Salmon Caucus, last night with Republican Rep. Don Young (AK-At Large) led representatives in rejecting an amendment to H.R. 5326, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Commerce, Justice and Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, that would harm Pacific Coast salmon. The amendment, introduced by Rep. Paul Broun (GA-10), would have eliminated $15 million from Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Funds (PCSRF). The amendment was struck down by bipartisan vote of 239-168. The bill would fund PCSRF at $65 million for FY2013.

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today released the following statement on marriage equality following President Obama's statement that he supports same-sex marriage.

“Today, the President took an historic stand for love, equality and civil rights. All couples - gay or straight - should have the right to marry who they love, and I commend the President for his public support of same-sex marriage,” Thompson said.

Representatives Mike Thompson (CA-1), John Garamendi (CA-10) and Lynn Woolsey (CA-6) today introduced H.R. 5545, the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area Act. The legislation would designate the Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a National Conservation Area (NCA). Under this designation, all currently owned federal lands within the NCA boundary would be united under one management plan, allowing the region to be managed according to the site-specific needs.

Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-01) today announced $10,659,512 in grants for local community health centers across California's 1st District. The funds will be allow the health centers to expand its facilities, improve existing serves and serve more patients. The awards are part of a series of capital investments made available through the Affordable Care Act.

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-1) joined by university leaders and students, today hosted a roundtable discussion at Sonoma State University on college affordability and student loan interest rates. If Congress does not pass legislation by July 1st, seven million students across the country would see their interest rates double on need-based student loans. During the roundtable discussion, Thompson highlighted the impact a rise in interest rates would have on students and families who must borrow to attend college.

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-01), Laurence Carroll, Director of the San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center and new Veterans Affairs (VA) Oakland Regional Office Director Michael Bragg today held a roundtable discussion with local veterans in California's 1st Congressional District. Thompson shared a letter from Brigadier General Allison A. Hickey, detailing the improvements that will be made at the VA Oakland Regional Office. The Oakland office is one of the slowest regional offices in the nation for claims processing.

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today introduced H.R. 4969, the California Coastal National Monument Expansion, which would incorporate Stornetta Public Lands and other public lands in the Point Arena area into the existing California Coastal National Monument. These public lands include more than three miles of coastline with natural bridges, tide pools, waterfalls, sinkholes and blowholes. The lands are also open to the public for daytime activities such as hiking, fishing, bird watching, nature photography and wildlife watching.