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"No one who has served our country in uniform should have to wait, in some cases more than a year, for the benefits they've earned because the VA (Veterans Affairs) is backlogged," U.S. Representative Mike Thompson said in a recent news release.
In response to that backlog, Thompson, a Napa Democrat and Benicia's representative in the House, has co-written a bipartisan amendment that would earmark $10 million more to programs to help military veterans.
WASHINGTON D.C. – A bipartisan amendment co-authored by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) that provides the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with additional resources to address the claims backlog unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Thompson's amendment redirects an additional $10 million to pay for programs like the Veterans Claims Intake Program, the centralized mail initiative, and staff overtime.
An ice breaker ship called the Polar Star is coming to Mare Island for repairs-- and with it, dozens of jobs -- thanks to a $5.1 million U.S. Coast Guard contract awarded to Mare Island Dry Docks, LLC, Rep. Mike Thompson's office announced Tuesday.
An ice breaker is used to clear pathways for supply vessels and support research missions, a spokesman said.
The contract for the 90-day project creates 70 full-time jobs and is set to start in mid-August, Thompson spokesman Austin Vevurka said.
Fiery Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez stood before a crowd of some 100 North Bay Latino leaders at Chateau St. Jean Winery in Kenwood Saturday afternoon, and told them he would be leaving them shortly to go to the airport to catch a redeye flight back to Chicago.
"At 5 a.m., I'm going to get to my house, and my wife and my daughter and my granddaughter know I'm coming home. Doesn't it break your heart that there are millions of people who don't know their fathers are coming home?"
Set aside for a moment, if you can, issues of Democratic and Republican politics, homeland security, official language and national identity – all the real but ephemeral concerns around which we organize our national debate on immigration reform, and think for a moment about tides.
Humans of every race, religion, skin color, language and political orientation have been migrating, like waves on the sea, across borders, mountains, deserts, oceans and mighty rivers since the beginning of recorded time.
Washington, DC - U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today announced a $5.1 million U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) contract for Mare Island Dry Docks, LLC. The contract is for the dry docking and ship repairs of the POLAR STAR ice breaker. The POLAR STAR is used to clear pathways for supply vessels and support research missions.
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today released the following statement on Public Service Recognition Week.
"This week our country celebrates Public Service Recognition Week to honor the necessary and meaningful work of our public servants. Every day, millions of public servants work tirelessly to better our country, our state, our counties and our communities. On behalf of everyone in our district, many thanks to all our public servants for everything they do."
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today released the following statement in recognition of California's Geothermal Awareness Day.
"Geothermal energy is an excellent source of clean, renewable energy that supports thousands of jobs across our district and state. Not only does the production of geothermal energy boost our economy and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, it provides counties with important royalty payments which they use to pay for things such as public safety, road maintenance and law enforcement.
Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) joined colleagues in the House and Senate in sending a letter to Secretary Arne Duncan of the U.S. Department of Education (ED) urging the ED to protect students from unfair banking practices, including campus-sponsored debit cards with terms that are not always good for students, and preserve the integrity of federal student aid programs.
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today announced a $3,425,343 Head Start Grant for Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County. The funding will be used to provide Head Start and Early Head Start services to 552 children and their families at 12 center based sites throughout Sonoma County.