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...
‘You are missing in action’ — South Bay lawmaker takes FCC to task
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Anna Eshoo took the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission to task during a contentious Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing on Thursday. 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,...
South Bay expert among witnesses at subcommittee hearing on postal chief
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 House subcommittee hearing on Monday. “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,”...
After COVID-19, artificial intelligence is next challenge facing US jobseekers, lawmakers told
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 Thursday House Budget Committee hearing. “As the economy eventually recovers, workers may find it difficult to get their jobs back as companies replace...
South Bay legislators weigh-in as latest coronavirus relief measure flops
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senate Democrats on Thursday blocked a roughly $500 billion GOP coronavirus relief bill, leaving little hope for a bipartisan solution prior to the November election. But Silicon Valley legislators said Democrats had no other choice. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, told San José Spotlight the bill was entirely inadequate. “The Senate waited...
Santa Clara County supports pushback on attempts to cut the census short
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...
Khanna pressed on protests, coronavirus aid in virtual town hall
Rep. Ro Khanna fielded questions from more than a dozen constituents Tuesday 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 who...
Elections: Funding, postal service protections take center stage
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...
Thousands protest racism at the March on Washington
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Thousands gathered at the Lincoln Memorial Friday morning to protest racism and police brutality, exactly 57 years to the day after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous speech calling for racial justice at the same spot. “He talked about his dream (that day) but he also talked about how he...
South Bay Republicans see hope as Trump accepts nomination
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Republican National Convention concluded Thursday night with President Donald Trump vowing to defend “the American way of life” as he formally accepted the GOP nomination for president. “This is the most important election in the history of our country,” said Trump, who spoke from the South Lawn at the White House....