Author: Katie King (Katie King)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House passed legislation this week intended to help the environment by phasing out the use of coolants and promoting the development of renewable energy. H.R. 4447, dubbed the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, passed by a vote of 220 to 185 on Sept. 24. Local Democratic Reps. Zoe Lofgren of...

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Rep. Zoe Lofgren called for immigration reform this week during a congressional hearing examining the role of undocumented immigrants in the essential workforce. The San Jose Democrat said essential workers, such as those working in agriculture or food processing, have risked their lives by continuing to work in-person throughout the coronavirus pandemic....

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Health experts warned House lawmakers this week that repealing the Affordable Care Act amid the coronavirus pandemic would have devastating consequences for millions of Americans. Dr. Benjamin Sommers, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a professor of health care economics for Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, explained...

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Anna Eshoo took the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission to task during a contentious Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing Sept. 17. The Palo Alto Democrat told Chairman Ajit Pai he had failed her constituents, who are currently struggling with the wildfires in northern California. There are 77,000 evacuees, she said,...

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The head of the U.S. Postal Service is unfit for the job, according to multiple witnesses and lawmakers who spoke at a heated Sept. 14 House subcommittee hearing. “We have a crony at the helm of our nation’s postal service, a man rife with conflicts of interest and potential violations of law,”...

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Those looking for employment in the post-coronavirus job market may face additional challenges due to the emergence of artificial intelligence, according to witnesses and lawmakers who spoke at a Sept. 10 House Budget Committee hearing. “As the economy eventually recovers, workers may find it difficult to get their jobs back as companies...

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senate Democrats blocked a roughly $500 billion GOP coronavirus relief bill Sept.10, leaving little hope for a bipartisan solution prior to the November election. But Silicon Valley legislators said the Democrats had no other choice. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, told San José Spotlight the bill was entirely inadequate. “The Senate waited...

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Santa Clara County has joined the legal effort to challenge the Trump administration’s decision to move up the census deadline. Due to coronavirus-related delays, the Trump administration initially requested additional time for the census with field activities slated to stop at the end of October. But Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and...

Rep. Ro Khanna fielded questions from more than a dozen constituents Sept. 1 at a town hall, many of which centered around the election, coronavirus relief or the nationwide protests calling for police reform. The virtual event, which was live-streamed on Facebook, garnered nearly 1,000 views. One constituent asked the Fremont Democrat why some politicians...

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The November presidential election could be in jeopardy unless lawmakers protect the integrity of the U.S. Postal Service and provide more funding to state governments, according to multiple witnesses who recently testified before House lawmakers. “Voters should not be forced to choose between their health and their fundamental right to vote but...