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112th Congress

July 6, 2011
News Articles
Federal, state and local public officials got an up-close look at the Napa flood control project over the weekend and the city hopes that might translate to additional funds to complete the work.

On Sunday, Mayor Jill Techel took Sen. Barbara Boxer, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), county Supervisors Keith Caldwell and Brad Wagenknecht, and Col. William J. Leady and Col. Michael Wehr of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a tour of the project area, highlighting what differentiates Napa's flood-control efforts from others around the country.

Issues:Energy & Environment

June 30, 2011
Today, Congressmen Mike Thompson (D-CA) announced that the interest rate on subsidized student loans will be cut to 3.4% on July 1st - the last of four steps to cut this interest rate in half over four years under the 2007 College Cost Reduction and Access Act. Due to these cuts, the typical student borrower who started college in 2008 will have saved $2,570 over the life of their loan. Under this legislation, the interest rate on subsidized student loans has been cut as follows:
Issues:Education

June 29, 2011
News Articles
U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson renewed the US commitment "to back up the people of Tunisia in their fight for democracy and freedom."

Speaking at the end of the talk he had, on Wednesday morning, with Foreign Minister Mohamed Mouldi Kefi, the US official said he was "very proud of the accomplishment of this people who belongs to a fantastic country."

Issues:Defense

June 29, 2011
News Articles
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Act of 2011, S. 1233, introduced by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) would provide a tax credit for commercial vehicle owners to install stability control systems, collision warning and other safety technology.

June 28, 2011
News Articles
In response to growing concern about the proper disposal of an increasing number of discarded consumer electronic products, congressman Mike Thompson and Gene Green have introduced the Responsible Electronics Recycling Act of 2011, to prohibit the exportation of some electronics whose improper disposal may create environmental, health, or national security risks.

In 2008, the Government Accountability Office reported that many of the developing nations that receive e-waste from the United States do not have the capacity or facilities to safely recycle and dispose of these used electronics.

Issues:Energy & EnvironmentJobs & Economy

June 28, 2011
News Articles
Your ability to purchase wine of choice is under attack.

Introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives, HR 1161, sponsored by Representative Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), would legislate for you what wine you can purchase. The bill is ironically dubbed the “CARE Act,” when it is clear that all the supporters behind the bill “care” about is protecting their monopoly, maintaining their stranglehold on the marketplace, and limiting your choice in what wine you can purchase.

Issues:Wine & Agriculture

June 25, 2011
News Articles

Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) on Friday introduced H.R. 2286, the Renewable Energy Parity Act of 2011, bipartisan legislation that would ensure all renewable energy sources are able to compete in the growing market for renewable and alternative energy fuels.

Under current tax law, some renewable energy technologies are only eligible for part of an existing federal tax credit for the development of alternative energy sources.

Thompson's bill would level the playing field by extending the full tax credit amount to qualifying renewable energy technologies.

Issues:Energy & EnvironmentJobs & Economy

June 24, 2011
Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) today introduced H.R. 2286, the Renewable Energy Parity Act of 2011, bipartisan legislation that would ensure all renewable energy sources are able to compete in the growing market for renewable and alternative energy fuels. Under current tax law, some renewable energy technologies are only eligible for part of an existing federal tax credit for the development of alternative energy sources.

June 24, 2011
News Articles
The first daunting fact about California water is that 75 percent of the state's water supply comes from north of Sacramento while 75 percent of the demand comes from south of the region.

The other daunting fact is that the water system is dramatically oversubscribed - paper allocations of water are larger than actual availability in most years.

Issues:Energy & Environment

June 24, 2011
News Articles
Reps. Gene Green (D-Texas) and Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) yesterday relaunched their "Responsible Electronics Recycling Act," an electronic waste reduction effort that failed to be picked up in the House after they originally introduced it last fall.

In their latest sales pitch, the two congressmen are touting their bill as more than just a landmark effort to crack down on the exportation of dangerous e-waste to developing countries. Amid a tough domestic economy they are also calling the legislation a "jobs bill" that will promote American recycling and help U.S.

Issues:Energy & EnvironmentJobs & Economy