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....
Congress goes on recess with no coronavirus relief measure in sight
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans hoping for another coronavirus relief bill from Congress will likely have to wait at least another month. House Democrats were unable to reach a compromise with Senate Republicans and White House officials in recent weeks — and now Congress is on its August recess. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, told San...
Election experts tell Congress more federal funding is needed
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congress must provide more federal funding to ensure a safe and successful election this fall, according to two election experts who testified this week. “With the election less than three months away, we need Congress to act now,” Sylvia Albert, the director of voting and elections at Common Cause, a nationwide network...
Lawmakers still battling over coronavirus relief
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Legislators continued to clash this week over coronavirus relief efforts as millions of Americans struggled with unemployment, looming evictions and rising virus death rates. “I see a light at the end of the tunnel; we just don’t know how long the tunnel is,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Thursday during a press...
Trump’s census directive prompts emergency hearing
Washington D.C. — The Committee on Oversight and Reform recently convened an emergency hearing to discuss President Donald Trump’s efforts to exclude undocumented immigrants from the base count used to redistribute congressional seats after the census. “The president’s direction is unconstitutional,” said Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney. “It is illegal, and it disregards the precedent set...