108th Congress
June 14, 2004
The House of Representatives yesterday approved $8.7 million in funding to combat Sudden Oak Death. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Napa Valley) requested the funding as part of the fiscal year 2005 Agriculture Appropriations Bill. “The North Coast has been hit hard by Sudden Oak Death. Far too many of our trees have been infected.” Thompson said. “This funding will aid the fight to control and eventually eradicate the disease.” Sudden Oak Death Syndrome is a fungus like pathogen that has decimated oak trees and infected other plant species such as California's prized redwood trees.
May 20, 2004
A bipartisan group of lawmakers today urged the Bush Administration to reevaluate its rulemaking process in regards to salmon policy. In recent weeks information has come to light suggesting that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries), is prepared to institute a policy that would count hatchery raised salmon in Pacific Northwest wild salmon counts, despite warnings from prominent scientists and without public input.
Issues:Energy & Environment
May 19, 2004
Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) today called on Northern California veterans attending the World War II Memorial dedication in Washington DC to contact his office regarding participation in the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. Thompson, a Vietnam Veteran and Co-Chair of the Congressional Veterans Caucus, called the project an extraordinary opportunity to remember the sacrifices of those who have served.
Issues:Veterans
May 17, 2004
The release of a new report on secret chemical and biological weapons tests performed on US troops by the Department of Defense during the cold war has prompted the call for further Congressional investigations into the growing scandal. The General Accounting Office recently released its report on the DoD's investigation into Project SHAD and Project 112.
May 5, 2004
The author of the original House motion to accept Pay/Go provisions spoke out on the House floor today in strong support of a new motion that would apply Pay/Go rules to all spending and revenue measures. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), a member of the House Budget Committee, said, “Ten years ago our colleagues across the aisle made a contact with America. One of the first principals they promised to instill in this Congress was a requirement that all laws that apply to the rest of the country also apply equally to the Congress.
Issues:Jobs & Economy
April 29, 2004
A key congressional panel today debated the merits of new legislation that would adjust the Redwood National Park boundary to include the 25,000-acre Mill Creek State Park. The legislation, entitled “The Redwood National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2003,” is authored by North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson. Thompson said he introduced the measure in an effort to streamline the management of the Redwood National and State Parks as well as protect the area's watersheds, which are vital for Coho salmon.
Issues:Energy & Environment
March 31, 2004
Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Davis), commended the USDA today for approving funding for the California Animal Health and Food Safety Lab at UC Davis. The program will fund the equipment needed for rapid tests for bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE. “I am pleased that the USDA has taken this significant step in protecting our nation's food supply,” Thompson said. “The ability to conduct the rapid tests for BSE at Davis will take much of the burden off of the National Veterinary Lab in Ames, Iowa.
Issues:Energy & Environment
March 30, 2004
Fighting to restore fiscal responsibility in the Congress, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) today offered a motion on the House floor that would apply Pay/Go rules to all spending and revenue measures. Thompson's motion would have directed the House to adopt Senate budget language that includes Pay/Go rules. Throughout the budget process the House Republican Leadership has balked at multiple opportunities to include Pay/Go rules in the budget resolution. “Spring is a time of March Madness and clearly the Republican Leadership has fallen under its spell.
March 25, 2004
Representative Mike Thompson (D- Napa Valley) issued the following statement today in response to passage of the House Budget Resolution. House Republican leaders prevented Rep. Thompson from offering his straightforward PAYGO amendment to today's budget resolution. “The House Republican budget proves to America that Congress holds families to a higher standard than it holds itself.” “Americans go to work every day so that they can pay down their debts.
March 15, 2004
With gas prices reaching an all time high, Senator Barbara Boxer and Congressman Mike Thompson today called on the Department of Energy to stop filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPRo) and use the reserve to ease prices for consumers. In a letter sent to Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham today, the two California lawmakers called for federal intervention against record-setting gasoline prices. "These high gas prices are a tremendous financial strain on families in California," Boxer said. "People shouldn't have to shell out every last dime just so they can get to and from work.
Issues:Energy & Environment