Press Releases
Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), along with 35 California and Oregon Members of Congress, called for congressional hearings on Vice President Dick Cheney's involvement in the political decision that killed 80,000 spawning salmon. They made this request to House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall (D-WV) after a Washington Post investigative report found that Cheney pressured mid-level bureaucrats in the Department of Interior to divert water from the Klamath River Basin for political gain.
Today, the House of Representatives passed the FY 2008 Interior-Environment appropriations bill, which included a $500,000 request by North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson for the Martin Slough Interceptor project. The purpose of this project is to replace Eureka's antiquated wastewater system. Thompson championed funding for the project because the current sewage system regularly overflows into the Humboldt Bay, posing a serious threat to public health and the local environment.
Today, North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) joined a bipartisan group of his colleagues in opposition of efforts to expand domestic off-shore oil and gas drilling. As they do each year, proponents of off-shore drilling attempted to lift the current congressional moratorium on drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) through amendments in an appropriations bill. Thompson and his allies criticized this proposal as dangerous and unnecessary, and they urged their colleagues to vote against them. The amendments will be voted on tonight or tomorrow.
North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) has introduced a bill that will permanently prohibit oil and gas drilling off the coasts of Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. The Northern California Ocean and Coastal Protection Act (H.R. 2758) provides protection to the unique and productive marine environment along Northern California's outer continental shelf.
Today, the House passed a bill by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) honoring the 15th anniversary of National Trails Day. National Trails Day, which occurs annually on the first Saturday of June, is a national recognition of our country's 200,000 miles of trails. Thompson's bill (H.Res.401) celebrates trails for providing Americans with recreational and educational activities on our public lands. It also underscores the importance of protecting trails so future generations can continue to access and enjoy our country's natural beauty.
The purpose of his trip is to examine the growth of religious extremism in Europe and the threat that this trend poses to the U.S. and our allies. In addition, Thompson will meet with local officials to discuss how the U.S. and European countries can better coordinate counterterrorism measures and the sharing of intelligence.
Following the president's signature on emergency disaster relief for the Pacific salmon industry, North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson quickly assembled Members of Congress from California and Oregon to ensure the funding is promptly distributed.
"The president's approval of this disaster relief is long overdue," said Thompson. "The Administration's failed water policies resulted in our country's largest commercial salmon fishery disaster, and North Coast residents have suffered because of it. Our salmon fishermen and businesses will finally get the aid they desperately need."
Today, the House of Representatives passed a bill that included emergency funding for the 2006 Pacific salmon fisheries disaster, rural schools and several other top-priority domestic needs. This is the final version of the emergency supplemental funding bill; after approval from the Senate, it will be sent to the president for his signature.
Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) released the following statement today after his vote on the Iraq emergency supplemental spending bill, which did not include benchmarks nor a timeline for ending the war:
Today, the House passed a bill (HR 2429) to help physicians maintain their medical practices at home while serving their country overseas in the Guard or the Armed Forces Reserve.