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Echoing calls from President Barack Obama, Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton and many others in the wake of last week's racist-terrorism massacre in Charleston, S.C., Rep. Mike Thompson today urged House GOP leaders to bring his bipartisan background-check bill to a vote.

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today announced a $730,000 water conservation grant for Los Carneros Water District. The grant will go towards funding the water district's Irrigation Efficiency Partnership Project. The funds are part of a $6.5 million Department of Interior grant package for more efficient management of California's water.

Vietnam War veteran John Allen of Santa Rosa picked up a fistful of ribbons and medals four decades after the fact on Monday, with an assist from fellow veteran Mike Thompson, who is now serving his ninth term in Congress.

"Thanks for your service," Thompson, 64, a Democrat from St. Helena, told Allen, 65, a retiree, in a brief meeting at the congressman's Santa Rosa office.

"This is just great," said Allen, wearing a long white beard, suspenders and blue jeans.

It took 39 years and the help of U.S. Representative Mike Thompson for James Hilderbrand to receive the military honors he earned during the Vietnam War.

In a Friday afternoon ceremony in front of the Benicia Veterans Memorial Building, Thompson pinned three medals to Hilderbrand's chest, under the two rows of ribbons he also finally received.

A Benicia man on Friday received medals for his service in the United States Air Force, including during the Vietnam War, almost four decades later.

Jim Hilderbrand, however, said he's undeserving of the attention.

"I'm overwhelmed," Hilderbrand, 64, said. "I would rather have gotten it in the mail, it'd be a lot easier than this. The people who deserve the attention more are those who are unaccounted for."

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, assisted with the process and presented the medals to the veteran in front of the Benicia Veterans Hall on First Street.

Bipartisan legislation by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) meant to improve the Medicare Advantage program for seniors passed the House by voice vote, Thompson's office announced Thursday.

The Increasing Regulatory Fairness Act (H.R. 2507), co-authored by Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Tex.) would expand an annual comment period for proposed payment rates and regulatory changes for Medicare Advantage plans, according to the announcement.