The Washington Report

The Washington Report

Silicon Valley reps back bay restoration bill

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The San Francisco Bay could get a $125 million boost to help improve its water quality and restore surrounding wetlands. The House of Representatives passed the San Francisco Bay Restoration Act last month and the Senate recently referred it to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), who co-sponsored the bill,...

San Jose mayor meets with Biden to talk gun violence

Just weeks after the San Jose City Council approved sweeping gun control reforms on two separate occasions, Mayor Sam Liccardo and President Joe Biden met Monday in Washington, D.C.  to discuss a national strategy to reduce gun violence. “I had the honor of participating in a robust discussion today with President Biden and a half-dozen civic...

San Jose lawmaker investigating Capitol attack

Washington, D.C.—House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has tapped Rep. Zoe Lofgren to serve on a select committee to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The San Jose Democrat said she was honored to be selected and will work to uncover the truth. “The fact that there were deficiencies in the management of...

Could housing vouchers help Santa Clara County homeless?

Washington, D.C.—California was front and center during a virtual congressional hearing last week over whether expanding federal housing vouchers could help the growing homelessness crisis. The vouchers are part of a federal program to assist low-income families, elderly and disabled residents with affording housing. “Wages for those below the median income have not kept pace...

Silicon Valley congressman tackles Black maternal mortalities

Washington, D.C.—Charles Johnson said he quickly notified hospital staff when his wife’s catheter turned pink with blood. His wife, Kira Johnson, had just given birth to their second son during a scheduled cesarean section at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Staff examined his wife and ordered a CT scan, he said, but hours passed...

Khanna questions DOJ official on ‘zero tolerance’ immigration policy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — During a recent congressional hearing, Rep. Ro Khanna asked Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz if the Trump administration’s zero tolerance immigration policy ultimately harmed national security. “That’s certainly what the marshals expressed concern about, precisely that issue,” Horowitz replied. The Inspector General’s office issued a report last month examining the Trump...