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February 17, 2011
News Articles
Democratic members of Congress from California say proposed Republican spending cuts would cost thousands of jobs in the state and slash deeply into federal support for health care and water and transportation projects.

Rep. Mike Thompson of St. Helena says hundreds of health care workers could lose jobs, meaning tens of thousands of lower-income people would lose access to care.

Rep. Zoe Lofgrenâ€"whose district includes Silicon Valleyâ€"said Thursday in a conference call with reporters that many of the cuts will hit "those who can least afford it."

Issues:Health CareJobs & Economy

February 16, 2011
News Articles
North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, introduced the Air Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2011 on Tuesday.

If passed, the bill would require air carriers to provide adequate food, water, temperature controls, ventilation and working toilets during excessive delays, and offer passengers the option to deplane after three or more hours on the ground.


February 16, 2011
News Articles
Congressman Mike Thompson, D-Napa, held a press conference Tuesday morning introducing the Air Passenger Bill of Rights of 2011.

Among the items listed in the bill are a "three-hour" provision that would require airlines to offer passengers the option to exit the plane if it has been stalled on the tarmac for longer than three hours.

The bill comes roughly four years after the major ice storms on Feb. 14, 2007 stranded hundreds of passengers on tarmacs without access to food, water, medical provisions and kept some in close proximity to overflowing toilets.


February 16, 2011
News Articles
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) is coordinating participation in the Veterans History Project with Laytonville High School as well as other high school and college students in Mendocino County.

The Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress American Folklife Center was created by the U.S. Congress in 2000 to collect, preserve and make accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

Issues:VeteransEducation

February 16, 2011
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1), a senior member of the House Committee on Ways & Means, today condemned the impact of the House Republican continuing resolution on Northern California's economy and water resources. If passed, H.R. 1 would strip funding for important state water initiatives, including the federal regulations protecting salmon.

February 15, 2011
Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today issued the following statement after introducing the Air Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2011. The bill would require air carriers to provide adequate food, water, temperature controls, ventilation, and working toilets during excessive delays, and offer passengers the option to deplane after three or more hours on the ground.

“Air carriers have a responsibility to provide basic services and accommodations to their passengers.


February 15, 2011
News Articles
Airlines in the United States will carry a billion passengers a year by 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration predicted Tuesday -- raising the prospect of even more flight delays and complaints from the flying public.

"That's why I'm introducing the Air Passenger Bill of Rights of 2011," Rep. Mike Thompson, D-California, announced Tuesday on Capitol Hill. "Many airlines have shown that they can't or won't put the needs of their passengers first."


February 15, 2011
News Articles
Congressman Mike Thompson, D- St.Helena, held a press conference this morning introducing the Air Passenger Bill of Rights of 2011.

Among the items listed in the bill are a “three-hour” provision that would require airlines to offer passengers the option to exit the plane if it has been stalled on the tarmac for longer than three hours.

The bill comes roughly four years after the major ice storms on Feb. 14, 2007 stranded hundreds of passengers on tarmacs without access to food, water, medical provisions and kept some in close proximity to overflowing toilets.


February 15, 2011
News Articles
Consumer advocate Kate Hanni of Napa fielded media interviews all day Tuesday on Capitol Hill as she hailed the latest move to get limits into federal law on how long airline passengers can be stranded on tarmacs.

Hanni stood with Rep. Mike Thompson as the St. Helena Democrat introduced the 2011 version of his airline passengers' bill of rights, which gives travelers the right to get off flights after three hours on the tarmac.

“He really set the gold standard,” Hanni said in a telephone interview, calling Thompson's bill “the toughest legislation” to date.


February 15, 2011
Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleague, Lynn Woolsey, to recognize Mary Evelyn Arnold, who has been named the City of Sonoma's 2011 Alcaldessa, or Honorary Mayor.

The title ``Alcalde,'' or ``Alcaldessa,'' when referring to a woman, is the Spanish word for ``Mayor.'' During the Spanish colonial period in California, the Alcalde was the primary civil authority. In modern times in the City of Sonoma, it is an honorary title and the contemporary Alcalde or Alcaldessa presides over ceremonial events for the city.