Press Releases

Calling the most recent BDCP delay the “last, best opportunity to stand up to… unreasonable demands,” Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-1), Jerry McNerney (CA-11), George Miller (CA-7), Doris Matsui (CA-5), and John Garamendi (CA-10) called for specific steps to be taken for the BDCP to move forward in a fair and transparent manner. The five members from the California congressional delegation have been vocal in calling for changes to the BDCP and have demanded that any plan has significant input from the Bay-Delta region.

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) announced that the President today signed legislation that Thompson introduced to officially rename the Yountville Veterans Home Post Office the “Private First Class Alejandro R. Ruiz Post Office Building.” Congressman Thompson introduced this legislation in November to honor Alejandro R. Ruiz Sr., a Medal of Honor winner who spent his career in the U.S. Army and served in World War II. After retirement, Ruiz lived at the Yountville Veterans Home, located in Napa County, California, until he passed away in 2009 at the age 85.

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today announced that Julian Gordon of McKinleyville is the winner of the 2012 Congressional Art Competition. Julian's artwork, an oil portrait on canvas titled “Erin”, will represent California's 1st Congressional District in the U.S. Capitol, where it will be displayed for one year. Julian, senior at Arcata High School who is taking Advanced Placement Art, and a guest will be flown to Washington, D.C. to attend an awards ceremony in June.

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today voted against H.R. 5652, a spending plan offered by the House Majority that would make harmful cuts to Medicare for seniors, health care for kids, food and nutrition assistance for struggling families, and other vital safety net programs. The bill also protects tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.

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.