The Washington Report

The Washington Report

Witnesses warn Congress misinformation may disillusion voters but Santa Clara County confident

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congress must take swift action to combat voting misinformation and foreign interference in the November election, according to witnesses who testified this week before the House Subcommittee on Elections. “If foreign countries are able to interfere in our elections, it undermines faith in the entire electoral process,” Colorado Secretary of State Jena...

South Bay legislator says ‘crisis of confidence’ in a vaccine could hurt nation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Public confidence in the COVID-19 vaccination development process is of utmost importance, according to Rep. Anna Eshoo. “The goal must be to have a vaccine that is scientifically proven to be safe and effective,” she told San José Spotlight on Thursday. “Nothing and no one whatsoever should interfere with the scientists and...

House committee investigation finds drug companies targeting US for price hikes

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  A House committee investigation into the increasing costs of prescription drugs found that some of the largest global pharmaceutical companies are targeting the United States for the biggest price hikes, according to Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-New York). “I was astonished to see some of the new documents we will be discussing today,”...

South Bay legislators split on clean energy legislation

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 Thursday. Democratic Reps. Zoe Lofgren of San Jose...

San Jose legislator pushes for immigration reforms amid COVID-19

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....

South Bay lawmaker calls on Republicans to end fight against the Affordable Care Act

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,...

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...