Press Releases
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) and seven fellow veteran Members of Congress sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie, calling for full repayment of benefits owed to veterans under the Forever GI Bill.
The letter follows troubling reports that the Department of Veterans Affairs does not intend to reimburse veterans for underpayment of educational benefits. The lawmakers expressed concern regarding ongoing and persistent delays and continued uncertainty experienced by affected veterans and their families.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) announced U.S. Army Corps of Engineers funding for the Santa Cruz Harbor and the Moss Landing Harbor. The Fiscal Year 2019 Work Plan provides $464,000.00 to the Santa Cruz Harbor, and $709,000.00 to the Moss Landing Harbor. The funds ensure the harbor channels remain navigable through maintenance dredging operations.
SALINAS, CA – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) released the following statement in response to the update on the E. coli outbreak by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb:
SALINAS, CA – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), co-chair of the Congressional Agriculture Research Caucus, introduced the Specialty Crop Mechanization Prize Challenge Act. The bipartisan legislation incentivizes innovative agriculture technology development and deployment. The bill encourages public-private partnerships between the agriculture industry and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop mechanization technology that can alleviate stress on farmworkers or automate activities where workers are not available.
SALINAS, CA – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) introduced the Farmworker Housing Improvement Act enhancing affordable housing resources and promoting program transparency.
"On the central coast of California, there is an acute need for available and affordable farmworker housing," said Congressman Panetta. "My legislation will address such a shortage by strengthening the Farm Labor Housing Loan and Grant Program, improving access to information for local non-profits, and increasing quality housing options for our farmworker community."
SALINAS, CA – On October 10, 2018, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will post a proposed rule change in the Federal Register to deny permanent residency for legal immigrants who use public benefits, including food assistance, Medicaid, and Section 8 housing vouchers. DHS will be collecting public comments for 60 days, through December 10, 2018.
SALINAS, CA – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) announced that California FarmLink received federal grants and loan capital totaling over $1,086,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Rural Development.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) introduced the Special Counsel Security Assurance Act to limit the President's ability to interfere with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The legislation requires independent judicial approval of any decision to revoke the security clearance of a special counsel. Moreover, any revocation must be for cause and consistent with U.S. national security interests.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) praised the passage of the Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act of 2018, H.R. 2259, in the U.S. Senate. The legislation will now be sent to the president's desk to be signed into law. Congressman Panetta supported the House version of the bill, which was passed unanimously on July 10, 2018.