Press Releases
Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) held a virtual roundtable on the rise of anti-Asian American hate crimes with members of the Central Coast Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Congressman Panetta discussed his efforts at the federal level to curb anti-Asian hate crimes and listened to the stories and experiences of those in attendance.
SALINAS, CA – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) was joined by Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (R-IN-02) to introduce the bipartisan Preserving Family Farms Act. The legislation would help family-owned farms continue operations after a loved one has passed by easing the burden of the estate tax. The bill would modernize the special use valuation provision of the estate tax by increasing the amount of farmland that can be valued for farming operations rather than development value.
Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) released the following statement following the death of U.S. Capitol Police Officer William "Billy" Evans.
"Today, once again, our Capitol Police officers risked their lives to protect our Capitol and all it stands for, resulting in the tragic loss of Officer William ‘Billy' Evans. May we never forget the heroism of Officer Williams and all who have sacrificed so much to defend our democracy. May his family find peace and comfort during this incredibly difficult time."
Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) introduced the bipartisan Military Hunger Prevention Act with Representatives Don Young (R-AK-AL), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Salud Carbajal (DA-CA-24), and Jim Baird (R-IN-4) to help low-income military families living with food insecurity make ends meet. The Military Hunger Prevention Act would create a basic needs allowance to support low-income servicemembers who are currently not eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced that Santa Cruz County and Monterey County in addition to community health centers across the Central Coast will receive $25.46 million in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The funding will help counties and community health centers prevent, mitigate, and respond to COVID-19 and enhance healthcare services and infrastructure. ARPA includes $6.1 billion in public health funding for counties and community health centers experiencing the greatest need during the pandemic.
Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) along with Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla and Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA-52) and Scott Peters (CA-52) are leading their California colleagues in a letter urging the Biden Administration to transition to a year-round federal firefighting workforce.
Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) and Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-4-WA) are leading 15 bipartisan members of Congress in sending a letter to the Administration, expressing concern that the World Health Organization (WHO) may modify its assumptions regarding viral transmission of COVID-19 via food and food packaging at the urging of the Chinese government. Currently, there is no credible evidence to support the transmission of COVID via food or food packaging. Any guidance from WHO stating otherwise would pose a threat to the stability of the U.S. food supply chain.
Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) released the following statement about the current challenges at the southern border and his upcoming visit to a southern border facility in Carrizo Springs, Texas:
This week, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) and his House colleagues passed H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act. Congressman Panetta is a cosponsor of the legislation, which would allow Dreamers and individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to continue to contribute, work, and remain legally in the United States by providing an earned pathway to citizenship.
Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) and his House colleagues passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (FWMA). In 2019, Congressman Panetta was part of a select and small bipartisan group of Congress members that worked diligently to formulate the bill over a period of nine months. The group, led by Chair of the Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship Zoe Lofgren, included Democratic and Republican lawmakers as well as representatives of farmers and farmworkers.