Media

**Watch press conference given by Congressman Panetta and the bipartisan group of congressmembers at the conclusion of their trip to the Southern Border in Hidalgo County, Texas here**

**See photos from the visit here**

Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) along with Representatives Billy Long (R-MO), Mike Levin (D-CA), and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced bipartisan legislation to help preserve agricultural fairs across the country and offset the devastating financial losses they have experienced due to COVID-19. The Agricultural Fairs Rescue Act would provide $500 million in federal grants for agricultural fairs through state departments of agriculture.

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.