Norm Mineta, former U.S. secretary of transportation and San Jose’s first Asian American mayor, is being laid to rest in his hometown. Family, friends and colleagues shared warm memories, funny anecdotes of Mineta’s charismatic personality and powerful stories of his accomplishments and fortitude at a Thursday memorial at the San Jose Civic Center. Mineta died...
The Washington Report
The Washington Report
Silicon Valley congressman meets with Ukrainian official
Kyiv, Ukraine may be more than 6,000 miles from Santa Clara County, but the two regions share a partnership highlighted by a recent meeting between government officials. Silicon Valley Rep. Ro Khanna met with Ukraine Consul General Dmytro Kushneruk on Monday to discuss the needs of his country and how the Bay Area can help. Ukraine has...
Proposed congressional boundaries could split San Jose
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo is urging a state commission not to adopt political boundaries that would potentially weaken the power of Silicon Valley’s biggest city. Liccardo is asking the California Citizens Redistricting Commission to not approve a map that will split San Jose across four congressional districts. Most of the city is now located in...
San Jose advocates say new federal immigration guidance falls short
President Joe Biden’s administration recently unveiled new immigration guidelines—and reactions are mixed in San Jose. While some local advocates say the guidance is lacking, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, chair of the House Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee, is applauding the new policy. “(It is) an important step in the right direction, particularly after the prior administration undermined...
San Jose congresswoman reflects back on 20-year war in Afghanistan
Washington, D.C.— Rep. Zoe Lofgren stood before her House colleagues two decades ago and called for unity in the wake of the deadliest terrorist attack in United States history. It had been just three days since the 9/11 attacks in New York and Washington wounded the Pentagon and turned the twin towers into a fiery...
Silicon Valley lawmaker wants updates on COVID shot for kids
Washington, D.C.—As students nationwide return to in-person learning, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Fremont) is calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to update Congress about the development of a COVID-19 vaccination for children. Three COVID vaccines are currently available in the United States, including Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. Pfizer recently obtained full approval...
Silicon Valley congressman, nonprofits voice support for Afghan refugees
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...