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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Vacaville – On Monday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) held a “Coffee with Our Congressman” community event for residents in the Vacaville area to meet him and ask questions about the latest news out of Washington. The event was hosted at Journey Downtown, with over 200 residents in attendance. 

“My event on Monday was open to the entire Vacaville community. Residents from both parties showed up and it was clear from the beginning that many residents are concerned about the chaos coming out of the Administration. As your Congressman, I’m working to fight back against the President’s unlawful actions in Congress, in the courts, and in the court of public opinion,” said Thompson. 

“Thank you to the over 200 community members who attended Monday’s event, and the countless more who have written me, called my office, and raised their voices against this administration’s unlawful and unethical actions. There’s a reason that Republican leaders are urging their party not to hold town halls. Americans are rightfully angry over threats to their personal data, health care, veterans’ services, Social Security, and more. The President and his party are losing in the court of public opinion.” 

Monday’s event was one in a series of community events Thompson has scheduled across our district. Since the President took office in January, Thompson has worked to combat the Administration’s unlawful actions and protect Americans’ sensitive data from DOGE. Some of Thompson’s actions include: 

Congressional Action

Rep. Thompson voted NO on the Republican Budget, which slashed Medicaid, nutrition funding and other services, and voted NO on Congressional Republicans’ partisan Fiscal Year 2025 funding bill, which enabled deeper Trump-Musk cuts to programs Americans rely on every day. 

Congressional Republicans’ proposed cuts to health care and nutrition programs add up to the exact cost for their planned tax cuts for the ultra-rich. Congressional Republicans are sacrificing the programs Americans rely on in order to fund tax cuts for the ultra-rich. That’s why Rep. Thompson has coauthored dozens of bills and letters to demand answers from the President and hold him accountable. 

Rep. Thompson continues to use his position on the powerful Ways and Means Committee to hold the President’s feet to the fire. Rep. Thompson, alongside Ways and Means Democrats, has introduced a Resolution of Inquiry to obligate the Department of Treasury and DOGE to answer questions on their unlawful access to sensitive taxpayer information and the federal payment systems. He also joined his Democratic colleagues to introduce a Resolution of Inquiry to demand answers from the Social Security Administration on their proposed mass layoffs and closures of field and regional offices. 

Rep. Thompson has also cosponsored the Taxpayer Data Protection Act, which will protect the nation’s payment system from reckless and unlawful interference and ensure that anyone who accesses the federal government’s central payment system with a personal financial conflict faces criminal penalties. 

Court Action

Rep. Thompson has joined House Democrats to support over 108 lawsuits against the President’s unlawful executive orders, including his firing of Inspectors General and termination of civil servants.

Public Opinion

Rep. Thompson stands with the millions of Americans who are outraged at the President’s unlawful actions. Since January, Rep. Thompson has held community events and posted updates online reaching over half a million people. Through town halls, coffees, press conferences, and online video updates, Rep. Thompson is working daily to update Americans about the chaos coming out of Washington and how Democrats are working to combat it. 

Public pressure is yielding results. Already, Congressional pressure, litigation, and public outrage have: 

• Stopped the funding freeze for federal programs
• Forced the reinstatement of tens of thousands of federal workers
• Prevented DOGE access to certain sensitive data
• Stopped the President’s attempt to end constitutional Birthright Citizenship
• Reinstated bird flu researchers
• Reinstated nuclear safety engineers
• Stopped efforts to remove air traffic control workers and other FAA employees making flying safer
• Rehired some agriculture researchers including those doing smoke exposure research

This is only the beginning. Rep. Thompson remains committed to working on behalf of Fourth District residents to protect the programs they rely on and strengthen our democracy. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Washington – Today, Representative Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released guidance for qualified wildfire survivors applying for tax relief under Thompson’s bipartisan Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023. The guidance can be found here. 

“Federally declared wildfires in 2015, 2017, and 2018 devastated entire communities across our district and across the state of California. Entire towns were destroyed. Thousands of people lost homes, and dozens of people lost their lives. 

“My work to deliver tax relief to these survivors didn’t end when President Biden signed my bill into law in December. I worked with my colleagues to urge the IRS to issue guidance to those applying for relief and today is another step in ensuring survivors get the relief they need and deserve.” 

BACKGROUND

The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act supports the nearly 70,000 qualified survivors who suffered significant losses during three major federally declared California fires in 2015, 2017, and 2018 who have received related settlement payments.

Many California wildfire survivors have already been taxed on their settlement payments, with some even losing access to certain federal benefits as a result of their compensation wrongly being considered income. 

Rep. Thompson introduced the original legislation to provide tax relief to qualified wildfire victims in the 117th Congress and worked to advance the legislation ever since.

Last Spring, Rep. Thompson and Rep. Greg Steube (FL-17) led a bipartisan group of 218 Members of Congress to successfully advance a discharge petition which forced House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act to the House floor for a vote. The historic advancement of Rep Thompson and Rep. Steube’s petition marked only the third time a House discharge petition had succeeded in the 21st Century. Their efforts succeeded as the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act passed the Senate and was signed by President Biden at the end of 2024. 

The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act excludes from taxpayer gross income, for income tax purposes, any amount received by an individual taxpayer as compensation for expenses or losses incurred due to a qualified wildfire disaster (a federally declared disaster declared after 2014 as a result of a forest or range fire). It also excludes relief payments for losses resulting from the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment on February 3, 2023 and designates Hurricane Ian, among other federally declared disasters, as a qualified disaster for the purposes of determining the tax treatment of certain disaster-related personal casualty losses. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) issued the following statement condemning President Trump’sExecutive Order aimed at dismantling the U.S. Department of Education.

“President Trump has made it abundantly clear that he has no interest in providing for everyday Americans. He has already targeted our families’ health care, nutrition, and safety – and now, he has made it his mission to dismantle our children’s futures and gut our public education system,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “Shutting down the Department of Education would have dire consequences that will impact our most underserved for generations. Our public education system provides free and equal access to all children, regardless of their circumstances. The Department of Education is the backbone of our higher education system, it provides children with disabilities a safe place to learn, fresh food to those who need it, and crucial assistance to struggling parents.”

“Once you receive a high-quality education; it can never be taken away,” Matsui continued. “And we know there is nothing Donald Trump fears more than the truth and facts. President Trump cannot abolish the Department of Education without an act of Congress. I will fight to protect our children and grandchildren from being deprived of their future.”

                                               

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The leaders of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), including Co-Chairs Reps. Doris Matsui, Mike Quigley, and Paul Tonko and Vice Chairs Reps. Don Beyer, Suzanne Bonamici, Sean Casten, Mike Levin, and Chellie Pingree, along with SEEC Member Rep. Debbie Dingell – an original author of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund – sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin to demand that the EPA direct Citibank to immediately release the legally obligated money from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. They led a total of 82 Members of Congress in signing the letter.

“We write to you in response to the Trump Administration’s persistent and shocking attempts to undermine the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). For weeks, Citibank has withheld congressionally authorized GGRF funding at your direction without any justification, and now, despite failing to produce any evidence of wrongdoing, the Trump Administration has requested that GGRF awardees turn over records to the FBI and appear in federal court. And last week, you further escalated EPA’s inappropriate attack on the program by announcing the termination of existing GGRF contracts without any evidence that the grantees were in breach of the terms of their agreements. Last night, a federal judge responded and blocked the EPA’s attempt to claw back billions in legally obligated dollars, slamming EPA for providing “no legal justification for the termination” and for failing to follow due process. We are stunned by this unprecedented campaign of intimidation, and we call on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to direct Citibank to immediately release these legally obligated funds,” said the letter. 

“We find it extremely troubling that GGRF funds continue to be the target of a political witch hunt without any justification or evidence of wrongdoing. The EPA’s actions have unnecessarily spurred great economic uncertainty, and now, the eight nonprofit recipients of NCIF and CCIA funding are at risk of going bankrupt and some have already begun to furlough their workers. In the absence of a clear explanation to awardees for why these funds continue to be frozen, we urge EPA to direct Citibank to release these funds without further delay so that these federal dollars, as intended by law, can help American families and businesses begin to lower their energy bills, spur local economic development, and work towards healthier, safer communities across the country.”

The letter can be found here.

Background

Last month, the Trump Administration launched a broad, far-reaching attack on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), a historic program established in the Inflation Reduction Act to expand access to low-cost, high-impact clean energy financing. Last week, Administrator Zeldin announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would terminate contracts with all eight awardees under the GGRF’s National Clean Investment Fund and Clean Communities Investment Accelerator – threatening $20 billion in critical clean energy and local economic development projects. For weeks, neither EPA nor Citibank had provided the nonprofit grantees with any explanation to justify the freeze. To date, three of the largest GGRF awardees individually sued a combination of Citibank and EPA. On March 18, the courts responded by blocking the EPA’s attempt to reclaim billions in legally obligated dollars deposited at Citibank because the EPA “gave no legal justification for the termination” of GGRF contracts and failed to follow due process.  

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) released the following statement after the passing of former Congresswoman Nita Lowey.

“I am heartbroken by the passing of former Congresswoman Nita Lowey,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “Nita was a dedicated public servant, a trailblazer, a fierce advocate for her constituents, and a dear friend. As the first woman to lead the House Committee on Appropriations, she championed critical issues, from public broadcasting and environmental protection to advancing women’s health and promoting diplomacy abroad. Her legacy of service continues to make a lasting impact on communities throughout the country and the world. My prayers are with her family during this difficult time.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Reps. Ken Calvert (R-CA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Nick Langworthy (R-NY) reintroduced the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) of 2025. The bill would reauthorize the DERA program through fiscal year 2029 at the current level of $100 million annually.

In 2005, Congress enacted the original Diesel Emissions Reduction Act as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to combat pollution from heavy-duty diesel engines. Administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), DERA uses federal funding — distributed through grants and rebates — to leverage state and other non-federal funding to finance the voluntary replacement or installation of retrofits on existing heavy-duty diesel vehicles and engines. DERA funding has played a critical role in getting old, inefficient diesel engines off the road and replaced with cleaner, American-made technology. Congresswoman Matsui has long been a champion of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, leading previous reauthorizations in 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2023.

“Clean air is essential to the health and well-being of every American family, ensuring that children can grow up in a safe environment and adults can live without the burden of respiratory diseases and other pollution-related health issues,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “DERA is a proven, commonsense solution that not only improves air quality and protects public health, but also supports American jobs by replacing outdated vehicles and equipment. DERA’s steadfast, bipartisan support is a testament to its cost-effective success—returning up to thirty dollars in public health benefits for every dollar spent. Reauthorizing DERA will continue to drive progress toward a cleaner, healthier future for all Americans. I am proud to once again lead this important legislation, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.”

“Replacing old diesel engines with newer cleaner burning engines provides significant clean air and health benefits for our communities,” said Congressman Calvert. “That’s why I have been a longtime supporter of the DERA program and worked in a bipartisan manner to provide these critical resources.”

“Diesel fuel powers Maine’s boats, ferries, buses, construction trucks, agricultural equipment, and more, but diesel emissions have serious, harmful impacts on public health and the environment,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “Programs like the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) are critical to reduce air pollution and boost our transition to clean energy. Growing volatility in global oil markets only adds to the sense of urgency. That’s why it’s so important that we make efficient, low-emission vehicles and equipment as accessible as possible—and why I’m proud to support this common-sense program.”

“Reauthorizing the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act is crucial for New York’s 23^rd congressional district, home to Cummins Inc.’s Jamestown Engine Plant,” said Congressman Langworthy. “Not only does Cummins Inc. contribute to the local economy and provide jobs, they are leaders in engine manufacturing and innovation. New York’s 23^rd congressional district needs us to reauthorize legislation like DERA so we can continue to upgrade old diesel engines, improve air quality, and support local manufacturers.”

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) issued the following statement after the passing of Congressman Raul Grijalva (AZ-07).

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend and wonderful colleague Congressman Raul Grijalva,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “Raul led the Natural Resources Committee with an inimitable spirit – working tirelessly to protect our public lands, advocate for our tribal nations, and champion environmental justice in our battle against the climate crisis. He was a dedicated, fierce fighter on so many critical issues, but I will remember him most for his kindness, care, and compassion for those he served. He truly dedicated his career to leaving a better future for our children and grandchildren. My prayers are with all of Raul’s loved ones during this difficult time.”

                                               

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

Congressman Valadao Releases Statement Upon Passage of Continuing Resolution

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Rep. Josh Riley (NY-19) in reintroducing the Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act. This bipartisan bill reauthorizes and makes improvements to the Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program (RCDG), which helps individuals and businesses start, expand, or improve rural cooperatives or other mutually owned businesses through Cooperative Development Centers.

“Cooperatives are the backbone of rural communities, providing critical services like healthcare, housing, and childcare,” said Congressman Valadao. “By strengthening federal support for these businesses, we can help our rural economies grow and ensure Central Valley families have access to the resources they need. I’m proud to reintroduce this bill with Congressman Riley to invest in the future of our rural communities.”

“Cooperatives put funding directly into the hands of the people who build and sustain our rural communities,” said Rep. Riley. “I’m proud to work across the aisle with Congressman Valadao on this commonsense, bipartisan effort to invest in Upstate New York and the Central Valley, not big corporations and monopolies.”

Background:

A cooperative is a business that is owned and controlled by people who use its services, often for the mutual benefit of a community. This model empowers rural communities to collectively address economic challenges and meet common needs. For instance, a rural community might establish a cooperative to collectively purchase bulk goods like seed and fertilizer, sell members’ farm products to larger markets, or offer utilities like electricity which would otherwise be unavailable to individual families.

The Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act reauthorizes the Rural Community Development Grant program and prioritizes cooperatives in RCDG awards. It also cuts burdensome red tape, steers funding toward underserved communities, and measures progress on cooperative development. Specifically, the bill:

• Reauthorizes funding for Rural Community Development Grants at $40 million annually from FY25 to FY29.
• Ensures scoring for grants does not disadvantage under-resourced organizations.
• Reduces regulatory burden by implementing multi-year grants.
• Prioritizes grants for socially vulnerable, underserved, or distressed communities.
• Requires the Working Group on Cooperative Development submit an annual report detailing their activities to Congress.

Read the full bill here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

WASHINGTON – Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) to reintroduce the Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act. This bipartisan bill would provide additional financial support for veterans who are pursuing vocational training or higher education and would help ensure a successful transition to civilian life.

“Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, and the federal government has a duty to support them as they transition back to civilian life,” said Congressman Valadao. “The Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act takes necessary steps to modernize the Post-9/11 GI Bill by increasing the annual stipend for educational materials, ensuring it keeps pace with rising costs. This is a common sense, bipartisan effort to give our veterans the resources they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond, and I’m proud to join my colleagues in support.”

“Veterans across New Mexico have made incredible sacrifices for our country, which is why I’m proud to lead the bipartisan Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act,” said Rep. Vasquez. “By updating the outdated book supply stipend, this bill ensures that veterans have the resources they need to thrive as they pursue their education.”

The Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act would: 

• Update the outdated book/school supply stipend afforded to veterans from $1,000 to $1,400.

• Allows for regular adjustments of the stipend to keep up with inflation.

Read the full bill here.

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