Press Releases

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.

Reps. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) and Grace F. Napolitano (D-Norwalk) responded today to a scientific review by the Pacific Fishery Management Council which warned that H.R. 1837, the San Joaquin Valley Water Reliability Act, would damage salmon populations and undermine the recreational and commercial fishing industries that rely on them. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives on February 29, and has now been placed on the U.S. Senate Legislative calendar for consideration. It was recently included in the West Act introduced by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).

Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Congressman Rick Berg (R-ND) joined today to introduce the Small Business Tax Simplification Act. This legislation would allow businesses with up to $10 million in gross receipts to be eligible for a more simplified tax filing method with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today voted against H.R. 9, the so-called “Small Business Tax Cut Act.” The legislation, introduced by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (VA-7) is unpaid for, would add $46 billion to the deficit.

“This bill will do nothing to create jobs and adds $46 billion to the deficit,” said Thompson. “Instead of spending $46 billion of borrowed money on tax breaks we can't afford, we should help small businesses by investing in job creation so folks can afford the goods and services our small businesses provide.”

High school students in California's 1st Congressional District are reminded that the deadline to participate in the 2012 Congressional Art Competition is Friday, April 20. The winning artwork from Rep. Thompson's district will be displayed in the United States Capitol for one year. In addition, the grand prize winner will be flown with a guest to Washington, D.C. to attend an awards ceremony in June.

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today said that an American Fisheries Society (AFS) review of two agreements that would demolish four Klamath River dams and restore large portions of the Klamath basin shows that legislation to implement those pacts is the best way forward to recovering struggling salmon and other fish populations.

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-01) today announced a $445,331 federal grant that will help provide permanent housing and support to veterans in Sonoma County. The grant, provided through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will be awarded to the Santa Rosa VA Outpatient Clinic. The funds will be used as vouchers to provide rental assistance for homeless and disabled veterans.