Samir has barely slept in weeks. The East Bay resident, who came to the United States from Afghanistan in 2014, spends much of his nights staring at the ceiling, worrying about his mother and other relatives back home. “I have no idea what to do about them,” said Samir, whose last name is being withheld...
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...
South Bay congressmembers push for gun control after San Jose VTA shooting
Washington, D.C.— America has a familiar routine when it comes to mass shootings: Vigils are held, thoughts and prayers offered, money is raised to support the victims’ families and heated arguments ensue over gun control. Then comes the eventual return to the status quo, until the next mass shooting, when the cycle repeats itself. The...
South Bay leaders weigh-in on federal relief funding
As the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the nation, many cities and towns took a financial hit as tax revenue dried up and public health expenditures increased. But now the federal government is doling out funds to help communities recover. San Jose and Santa Clara County are receiving approximately $212 and $374 million, respectively, from the American...
San Jose receiving $212 million in federal COVID funding
Washington, D.C.—San Jose and Santa Clara County are set to receive approximately $212 and $374 million, respectively, through the American Rescue Plan to help offset the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. “I think if you talk to the residents who won’t lose their business or their homes, they’ll think this is a pretty big...
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...
San Jose legislator, locals, weigh in on gun control bills in Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Zoe Lofgren remembers feeling a pang of anger when she first learned a mass shooting had terrorized her district more than two years ago. The 2019 massacre at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, which left three dead and more than a dozen injured, strengthened the San Jose Democrat’s commitment to gun control....