MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

California – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Rep. David Valadao (R-CA-22) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted their request for aid and will make up to $9 million available to fund a clingstone peach tree removal program for California farmers. Following the closure of Del Monte processing facility in Modesto, countless peach growers in the region are facing widespread contract cancellations, no market for their crop, and lack a viable path to mitigate their losses. This assistance from USDA will support affected growers in pulling trees and transitioning to new crops.

“Proud to have helped secure up to $9 million to support peach farmers in Yuba, Sutter, and surrounding regions,” said Thompson. “When a processing facility closes and 55,000 acres of fruit suddenly have nowhere to go — that’s not something a family farm can just absorb. This funding is a critical step in ensuring these important multi-generational businesses can stay afloat. Thank you Senator Schiff and Rep. Valadao, Assemblyman Gallagher, and our local leaders and farmers who helped make this happen.”

“Following our urging to the Trump administration to deliver relief to peach farmers, I am pleased that USDA is unlocking this federal funding. California is the nation’s largest agriculture state and I’m glad Secretary Rollins is engaging with us to support our producers,” said Senator Adam Schiff.

“For generations, Central Valley family farms have relied on Del Monte’s Modesto facility to process their peaches, and its sudden closure left growers with thousands of pounds of fruit and no clear path forward,” said Congressman Valadao. “After working closely with my California colleagues and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, I’m proud to have helped secure up to $9 million to support our peach growers and keep local family farms afloat. This investment will give producers the time they need to adjust and plan for the future, and I’m grateful to Congressman Thompson, Senator Schiff, and our local leaders for their partnership.”

“Our Sacramento Valley peach growers have been left with an impossible choice in the wake of the Del Monte bankruptcy: tear out their trees or absorb devastating losses. While this relief doesn’t make them whole, it gives many growers a path forward and a chance to rebuild. I was proud to work with Congressman Thompson to help deliver this support. In divided times, this is the kind of cooperation we need—real leadership that puts people first,” said California State Assemblyman James Gallagher. 

BACKGROUND

The Del Monte facility processed a substantial share of the state’s canned fruit production, including more than 30 percent of California peaches. With no comparable alternative processing capacity available, producers are facing severe uncertainty and financial hardship. That’s why Rep. Thompson participated in a roundtable with California State Assemblyman James Gallagher and local leaders including Peach Farmer and Sutter County Supervisor Karm Bains and CEO of California Peach Canning Association Rich Hudgins to learn about what support peach farmers in the region needed.

Then, with support from Senator Schiff and Rep. Valadao, Rep. Thompson led a bipartisan group of 38 colleagues to request Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins issue assistance to impacted peach farmers. The full text of the letter can be found here.

As the lawmakers requested, USDA’s assistance to farmers will include up to $9 million for the removal of up to 420,000 clingstone peach trees — approximately 3,000 acres — prior to the 2026 harvest season. Based on USDA’s analysis, removing 50,000 tons of peaches from production could save growers roughly $30 million in projected losses. 

In addition to Thompson, Schiff, and Valadao, the letter was signed by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.-11), and Representatives Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.-33), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.-44), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.-26), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24), Judy Chu (D-Calif.-28), Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.-31), Lou Correa (D-Calif.-46), Jim Costa (D-Calif.-21), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.-10), Vince Fong (R-Calif.-20), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.-30), John Garamendi (D-Calif.-08), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.-42), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.-34), Adam Gray (D-Calif.-13), Josh Harder (D-Calif.-09), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.-02), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-51), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17), Young Kim (R-Calif.-40), Mike Levin (D-Calif.-49), Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.-16), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.-36), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.-18), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.-07), Dave Min (D-Calif.-47), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.-15), Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.-23), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.-19), Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50), Luz Rivas (D-Calif.-29), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.-12), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.-32), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.-14), Mark Takano (D-Calif.-39), Derek Tran (D-Calif.-45), and George Whitesides (D-Calif.-27).

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

Washington, D.C. – On Monday, Ranking Member of the Ways & Means Tax Policy Subcommittee Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA-04) and Chairman of the Tax Policy Subcommittee Rep. Mike Kelly’s (R-PA-16) IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives with a X to X vote.

The bill would make commonsense reforms to the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Whistleblower Awards Program. The IRS’ whistleblower program has enabled the agency to collect more than $7.5 billion from individuals and businesses caught dodging taxes.

“Whistleblowers often face uncertainty and long delays. And in some cases, they face real personal and professional risk just for coming forward. We need to be doing everything we can to fix those problems,” said Rep. Thompson. “The IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act will support the IRS’s crackdown on tax cheats and protect the brave whistleblowers who are helping to make our tax system more fair. I look forward to continuing my work with Rep. Kelly to get this through the Senate and signed into law.”  

“Today’s vote is a win for the American taxpayer and the American worker,” said Rep. Kelly. “Our commonsense, bipartisan legislation ensures the integrity of our Nation’s tax laws. When individuals come forward to expose wrongdoing by tax cheats and fraudsters, they help ensure our voluntary tax system remains fair for all Americans. Strengthening this program is a smart way to recover unpaid taxes while improving efficiency and accountability across the system.”

BACKGROUND

The IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act includes six measures to bolster the successful program, ensure fairness and protect the whistleblowers who come forward. The legislation would:

• Provide for De Novo review in appeals heard by the U.S. Tax Court, allowing for new evidence to be admitted to the record;
• Establish a presumption of anonymity for whistleblowers before the court;
• Provide that interest be paid to awardees if the whistleblower award has not been paid within one year of the IRS collecting all proceeds;
• Bring the tax treatment of attorney’s fees into line with other whistleblower programs; and
• Improve the program’s annual report to Congress to help tax writers identify areas in most need of attention.

The Thompson-Kelly legislation is supported by the National Whistleblower Center.

You can find the bill text here and a section-by-section summary here.
 

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

Washington – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 350 to 5 to pass H.R. 227, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) and Rep. Vince Fong’s (CA-20) bipartisan Clergy Act, a major step forward in giving pastors and clergy members greater retirement security. 

“Faith leaders play a critical role in supporting our communities — offering them the flexibility to opt in to Social Security as they plan for retirement just makes sense. I’m glad to co-lead this bipartisan effort with Rep. Fong and I look forward to continuing our work to pass this into law,” said Rep. Thompson.

“We know our faith leaders are the backbone of our communities, guiding moral and spiritual life across the Central Valley and our entire nation,” said Rep. Fong. “The Clergy Act gives them the freedom to temporarily re-enroll in Social Security if they previously opted out, empowering them to take greater control of their financial future. I’m thrilled this bill passed the House with strong bipartisan support, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this legislation swiftly.”

BACKGROUND 

The Clergy Act would establish a one-time re-enrollment window for clergy members who previously opted out of Social Security, many in their youth, to voluntarily opt back in. Some of our faith leaders opted out decades ago, often due to inaccurate advice or conscientious objection, only to later face significant financial hardship. Under current law, this opt-out is permanent. For clergy who have spent their lives serving their communities and congregations, this legislation restores the freedom to secure basic financial protection in retirement.

The Clergy Act creates a two-year window – covering taxable years beginning January 1, 2028, and January 1, 2029 – for eligible clergy members who previously opted out of Social Security to revoke their exemption and begin contributing. Importantly, this legislation does not modify existing Social Security regulations. Eligible clergy must still meet the standard 10-year contribution requirement to earn full retired-worker benefits, receiving benefits proportional to their contributions. The bill also requires the Internal Revenue System (IRS) and Social Security Administration to submit a plan to Congress outlining their strategy to inform clergy members of their eligibility to re-enroll. Historically, Congress has approved limited re-enrollment windows, including in 1999 under the Ticket to Work Act. 

The Clergy Act is supported by a broad coalition of faith-based and retirement security organizations, including the National Association of Evangelicals, Church Alliance, Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability (ECFA), and GuideStone Financial Resources, and Lancaster Baptist Church.

Now, the bill is ready to be considered by and voted on the Senate floor. Rep. Thompson will continue to work to urge Senate leadership to bring the bill up for a vote. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative for Western Samoa Congresswoman Aumua Amata

Headline: King Charles III Speaks to Joint Session of Congress  

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting Tuesday’s speech by King Charles III of the United Kingdom to a Joint Session of Congress, held in the House of Representatives chamber. The event is historic, as the only other English monarch to speak to a Joint Session in the U.S. was in 1991 when Queen Elizabeth II gave an address during the administration of President George H.W. Bush. 

This Joint Session of Congress commemorates the upcoming 250^th anniversary of the founding of the United States, and affirmation of the “special relationship” between the two allied nations. King Charles is in the U.S. for a four-day royal visit that includes a bilateral meeting at the White House with President Trump. With King Charles and Queen Camilla as guests of honor, the White House events included music and a cannon salute, and speeches by the President and King Charles that highlight references to shared history between the two nations and shared roots in the development in systems of justice and democratic government dating back to the Magna Charta. The schedule includes a state dinner and other stops in the United States. Arriving in Congress, he was greeted by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson for their walk through the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall. 

“The modern US-UK alliance has been one of the world’s strongest and longest-lasting alliances, especially during and since World War II,” said Congresswoman Amata. “This unique alliance was called a ‘special relationship’ by Winston Churchill and has been known by that phrase ever since. The US-UK alliance is of importance to our region as part of our Pacific partnerships encompassing security, trade and diplomacy including Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, Japan, South Korea and many nations. One of those agreements, AUKUS, involves security and technology among Australia, the UK, and the US, and American Samoa’s location is a key part of the U.S. strategic outlook for the South Pacific. I’ve had the humbling opportunity to visit our Veterans’ cemeteries in the U.K. and recognize that the ‘special relationship’ includes the sacrifices of heroes in the cause of freedom.”

“I appreciate that King Charles included the U.S. territories in his welcoming remarks to Congress today,” concluded Aumua Amata. “It is meaningful to the enduring bond between our nations that he included us in his thoughts of the special relationship between all of the United States and its territories and Great Britain. He closed his speech with an eloquent call to ‘the selfless service of our people and of all the peoples of the world.’”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01) reported that his Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 National Security, Department of State and Related Programs (NSRP) funding measure.  

The measure would provide $47.3 billion, a $2.7 billion decrease from current enacted levels, for U.S. foreign policy efforts executed by the Department of State, U.S. contributions to the United Nations and its agencies and more.  

“I voted against this measure because while it did fund some critical Hawai‘i, Indo-Pacific and global priorities I requested, the bill as a whole weakens our global leadership when the world most needs our continued full engagement,” said Case.

Case, while opposing the overall funding reductions, welcomed support in the bill for several of his requests including $830 million for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), $1 billion for the Development Finance Corporation (DFC), $87 million for the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), $20 million for the Asia Foundation and significant support for the Philippines including $200 million in Foreign Military Financing and $100 million under National Security Investment Programs.

He also welcomed support for his specific requests related to Hawai‘i and the Indo-Pacific, especially $16.7 million for the East-West Center in Honolulu, which was proposed to be zeroed out by President Trump in his budget request to Congress. While this funding is a meaningful improvement over a proposed elimination of Congressional support, it still represents a $5.3 million reduction from last fiscal year, underscoring that significant work remains to be done to fully restore support for the Center.

“Continued funding for our East-West Center and other world-leading institutions in Hawai‘i supports our country’s standing in an area widely seen as the most dynamic and critical on earth. As strategic competition intensifies and partnerships across the Indo-Pacific grow ever more important, this bill also secures key investments to strengthen regional stability, deepen our alliances and ensure the United States remains a leading and reliable presence in the region.”

Other bill provisions requested by Case, who continues as co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus that advocated collectively for Pacific programs, include:

·      $1.8 billion for the implementation of the Indo-Pacific Strategy, which promotes peace, prosperity and democracy in the region.

·      $175 million in assistance for the Pacific Islands region, the same as FY 2026 enacted levels.

·      $2.5 million for partnering with Pacific Island nations and regional organizations to build capacity to oversee coastal fisheries management, combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and address transnational organized crime.

·      $3 million for the Advancing Port Enhancement and Customs Security Program in the Pacific Islands.  

·      Funding for the Pacific Islands Forum’s Pacific Resilience Facility, a Pacific-led and member-owned financial institution designed to support Pacific Islands nations facing climate change and disaster risks.

·      Funding for commitments made by Deputy Secretary Landau to Pacific Island nations in his February 2026 trip, including to support subsea cable branching units for Tonga and Samoa, containing life-threatening disease outbreaks in Fiji, Foreign Military Financing for Fiji and the migration of Tongan government data assets to trusted cloud infrastructure.

·      Report language directing the DFC and USTDA to prioritize the Pacific Islands in financing for projects.

·      Report language supporting the Peace Corps’ expansion in the Pacific.

·      Language requiring a report on ways to strengthen U.S. trade and investment with the Pacific Islands.  

·      Funding for unexploded ordinance removal in the Pacific Islands, including Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

The report also included a provision that Case had requested repeatedly in previous years that the State Department better utilize faith-based organizations in aid implementation which is particularly effective in regions like the Pacific Islands where such organizations play a significant role in civil societ

“As we continue to focus on the growing influence of the PRC in the Indo-Pacific, our national security interests must also include diplomatic engagement and assistance to promote peace and diplomacy in the region,” said Case. “Ultimately, I had to vote against this measure since it falls short of doing just that.” 

The bill funds several foreign policy programs supported by Case at unacceptably low levels. Among them are: 

·      $310.2 million for contributions to international organizations, a decrease of $1.1 billion from FY 2026. 

·      $489.5 million to support international peacekeeping activities, a decrease of $741 million from FY 2026. 

·      $5 billion for International Humanitarian Assistance, a decrease of $400 million from FY 2026.

·      $235 million for Security Sector Programs (previously known as Peacekeeping Operations), a decrease of $100.5 million from FY 2026. 

·      $647 million for educational and cultural exchange programs, which include the Fulbright programs and other exchange programs that benefit Hawaii’s education institutions, a decrease of $20 million from FY 2026. 

·      $410.5 million for the Peace Corps, the same as FY 2026 but a $20 million cut from FY 2025. 

The bill also completely zeroes out funding for the U.S. Institute for Peace and International Organizations and Programs, the account that funds U.S. contributions to critical multilateral development organizations like UNICEF, UN Women and UN Development Program. It rescinds an additional $1 billion for humanitarian assistance and includes harmful partisan policy riders that endanger women’s health by prohibiting funding to the UN Population Fund, fail to address the climate crisis by prohibiting funding to implement the Paris Agreement and codify the expanded Global Gag Rules that will further hinder U.S. foreign assistance efforts.

The measure is the third of the twelve bills to be taken up by the House Appropriations Committee that will collectively fund the federal government for FY 2027 (commencing October 1, 2026). 

The bill now moves on to the full House of Representatives for its consideration. 

A summary of the FY 2027 NSRP bill is available here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (both D-MD), and U.S. Representatives Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), and Johnny Olszewski (MD-02) released the following statement on the termination of the contract for the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore:

“The Key Bridge was a gateway to the Port of Baltimore and a vital artery for commerce in the Mid-Atlantic. Its collapse impacted not only our region but our entire nation. Replacing the Key Bridge is an economic imperative, which is why Federal Team Maryland fought to deliver a 100 percent federal cost match for the reconstruction – giving our state the certainty it needed to move forward. This is a critical infrastructure project requiring significant resources, and responsible stewardship of those resources is essential. As a matter of national significance, it must move forward efficiently so we are encouraged that the early stages of reconstruction work will continue while the state seeks a more cost-effective contract. We will continue to do all we can to support the construction of a stronger and safer bridge over the Patapsco.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) delivered remarks at the House Committee on Appropriations Full Committee Markup of the FY 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Bill on his amendment to provide $500 million to support Ukraine. Below are videos and transcripts of his remarks:

Click here to watch a video of his first set of remarks.
Click here to watch a video of his second set of remarks.

First Set of Remarks

“Mr. Chairman, as I started to say, at the beginning [of] I think maybe it was this session or our last session of Congress the majority renamed the name of this committee as the National Security Committee, I think that’s accurate. I think this does deal with the national security – I think this amendment deals directly with the national security of this country. And I want to thank the Ranking Member for her leadership and strong support on this issue, as well as my colleague, Representative Kaptur and Mr. Quigley, who are very strongly in favor of Ukraine. I also want to thank the Subcommittee for including the important language in Section 7047, which I believe has been carried before. That language says that we will not support any country that aids and abets the illegal takeover of Crimea and such other territories, as they have taken over in Ukraine. Our failure in the West to respond decisively to the taking of Crimea initially – and I say the West, not just the United States – was, in my opinion, the mother of this war in Ukraine today.

“When Vladimir Putin’s forces invaded the sovereign nation of Ukraine four years ago, Russian media predicted its democratic government would fall in three days. Now, 1,524 days later, Ukraine is still holding the line and even making gains to [liberate] territory. The nation’s military is fighting not only Ukraine’s war for independence, it is fighting for all who believe in freedom, self-determination, and international law. Ukrainians have developed ingenious military technologies and are leading on drone technology on their own behalf, some of which is now helping our forces become more capable and better prepared. Mr. Chairman, Ukraine is surviving and holding its own. [In] no small part because of the military and financial support of its allies, including the United States.

“Since the war began, we have appropriated money towards Ukraine’s battle for freedom. This included both direct aid to Ukraine as well as funding for associated U.S. military operations in Europe. When we enacted the last supplemental appropriation – now hear me, ladies and gentlemen – it was April 23rd [2024]. We have not acted for 24 months on appropriating funds for Ukraine. In fact, [on] over 12 votes that we’ve had – on every vote that we’ve had to support Ukraine, we’ve had over 300 votes. And on almost every one of those votes, the majority of Republicans and the unanimous, unanimous Democrats voted to support Ukraine financially and in every other way. In fact, [in] over 12 votes, 80% of the members have voted to support Ukraine. There’s an [undeniable] bipartisan will to stand with the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom.  Now, in the FY 2027 defense authorization bill, we have put $800 million for Ukraine to be allocated in [Fiscal Years] 2026 and 2027. This bill allocates – that was an authorization – this appropriates $500 million, which – I will point out to the Chairman – is not more money in the bill. It is a portion of the National Security Investment Program of $6.9 billion, of which about $700 million is allocated in the bill, leaving some five point plus billion dollars available. This is $500 million, for Ukraine.

“America needs to speak. It needs to speak for those troops that are in the field. It needs to speak for those 28,000 people in the military who have been either injured or killed since April 23rd of 2024. In FY 2026, our committee allocated $6.76 billion to [the] National Security Investment Program. It is now at $6.9 billion, and I suggest to you this is a critical action for the United States of America to take. We have been silent, voiceless on any additional resources to Ukraine for 24 months. Is that sending a signal to the world of America’s leadership on behalf of freedom and security? I think not. It is an uncertain trumpet that we have been sounding. We must remain steadfast on behalf of Ukraine. Make no mistake: a defeat for Putin is a victory for America and for all free people around the world, and a victory for Ukraine is a reminder to those who would use violence to seize territory that it is a [losing] proposition, because the free world stands together on behalf of Ukraine.

“For 1,524 days, I’ve worn this pin [of the] Ukrainian flag as a signal of my continuing support. This is a [signal] of our continuing support of the Congress of the United States for freedom, international law, and democracy. I pray that you will make an exception to unanimous opposition to amendments and support this amendment for our country, for the Ukrainian men and women who are bravely fighting for their freedom and their national integrity. I yield back.”

Second Set of Remarks

“Republicans voted to authorize an additional $800 million 197 to 18. That really didn’t do anything other than say we’re going to authorize some expenditures. From that point to this, 24 months have gone by, and we have not done that. What that has done to the morale of the Ukrainians, I can’t quantify, but it hasn’t been good. I came to Congress in 1981, and I stood with Ronald Reagan against many of the people in my district for the MX missile, for the deployment of armor in Europe that the Russians didn’t think we would do. I stood with the gentleman from Florida, my good friend, on behalf of democracy in Cuba. My friend is shaking his head ‘Yes.’ I believe in standing up for freedom here and around the world, and I believe that 24 months of inaction is not doing so. Again, 197 to 18, you voted for this authorization. Was that an empty promise to the people of Ukraine and to the world on behalf of our security? I hope not. 12 votes, over 300 members of the Congress, the House of Representatives said, ‘Yes, we are going to support freedom, democracy and oppose the breaking of international law and Putin’s authoritarianism.’ I know I’ve gone over time; 24 months waiting is over time.

“Do not make this a partisan vote. Do not make this a vote that says, no, we’re not going to follow up on that which we voted 197 to 18 on your side of the aisle. I plead with you for the people of Ukraine and for the United States being a partner that can be counted on. Mr. Chairman, this committee needs to speak. The Congress needs to speak for democracy, for freedom, and not in a partisan way. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, $500 million, and I – with all due respect to the Chairman of the [subcommittee], I would say in your report, you set aside $517 million for certain objectives set up for Jordan. This will not adversely affect that because you have clearly enough money for half $1 billion. And ladies and gentlemen, a half $1 billion is one day’s expenditure – half of one day’s expenditure in Iran. This is not enough, but it is at least the Congress saying, ‘We’re still with you.’ Please vote for Ukraine. Vote for American reliability. I yield back.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) attended an address by Britain’s King Charles III to a joint session of Congress today and made the following statement:

“King Charles underscored the shared values of our two countries while invoking our long history of mutual aid and consistent moral support. I found it particularly helpful that the King reminded his audience of our nations’ decades-long commitment to a strong NATO alliance. It was important for some in the Chamber to hear him confirm Britain’s and our continued strong support for Ukraine in its war against the genocidal threat from our common Russian foe. It was encouraging to hear the King use his considerable influence as an advocate for the environment that serves us all to call attention to the need to address climate change. It was refreshing to hear his endorsement of our common dedication to protections for peoples of all faiths or no faith, and for his respect for the American people.”

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

St. Helena, CA – Sunday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced that Christina Benz was chosen as the 2026 Napa County Climate Crisis Champion. Each year, Rep. Thompson recognizes community members across California’s Fourth Congressional District to honor for their outstanding efforts to address our ongoing climate crisis.

“Ms. Benz has made a real impact on our community through her work strengthening and building organizations dedicated to sustainability,” said Thompson. “Ms. Benz helps to organize and plan the Napa Climate Summit each year, regularly contributes to the Napa Valley Register’s Climate Connections column to inform our community of ways to take action, and even drafted part of the Climate Change and Sustainability provision in the 2040 City of Napa General Plan. I am honored to name Chris Benz a  Climate Crisis Champion.”

Rep. Thompson was honored to award this year’s Climate Crisis Champions across each of our five counties in the 4th District: Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo. Champions are selected for their significant efforts to combat our continuing climate crisis and protect our environment at home in our communities. Through their advocacy, Climate Crisis Champions are helping to build a more sustainable future for all. 

This year’s venue, Crocker & Starr, is an industry leader in environmental awareness and winery sustainability. Being a Napa Certified Green Winery is at the core of Crocker & Starr as they have always strived to be good stewards of the land.

A complete list of 2026 Climate Crisis Champions include:

• Luis Santana – Lake County Climate Crisis Champion
• Christina Benz – Napa County Climate Crisis Champion
• Sean McNamara – Solano County Climate Crisis Champion
• Richard Dale – Sonoma County Climate Crisis Champion
• Dr. Ruihong Zhang – Yolo County Climate Crisis Champion 

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

St. Helena, CA – Sunday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced that Luis Santana was chosen as the 2026 Lake County Climate Crisis Champion. Each year, Rep. Thompson recognizes community members across California’s Fourth Congressional District to honor for their outstanding efforts to address our ongoing climate crisis.

“Mr. Santana is the definition of a climate champion,” said Thompson. “In his role as Fish and Wildlife Director of Robinson Rancheria Danoxa Fish and Wildlife Department, Mr. Santana has secured millions of dollars of funding and thousands of hours in human resources to ensure that Lake County remains sustainable and healthy. He’s successfully integrated traditional ecological knowledge with modern scientific approaches and works with everyone from tribal partners and property owners to government agencies and academic institutions to help protect our environment. I am honored to name Luis Santana a Climate Crisis Champion.”

Rep. Thompson was honored to award this year’s Climate Crisis Champions across each of our five counties in the 4th District: Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo. Champions are selected for their significant efforts to combat our continuing climate crisis and protect our environment at home in our communities. Through their advocacy, Climate Crisis Champions are helping to build a more sustainable future for all. 

This year’s venue, Crocker & Starr, is an industry leader in environmental awareness and winery sustainability. Being a Napa Certified Green Winery is at the core of Crocker & Starr as they have always strived to be good stewards of the land.

A complete list of 2026 Climate Crisis Champions include:

• Luis Santana – Lake County Climate Crisis Champion
• Christina Benz – Napa County Climate Crisis Champion
• Sean McNamara – Solano County Climate Crisis Champion
• Richard Dale – Sonoma County Climate Crisis Champion
• Dr. Ruihong Zhang – Yolo County Climate Crisis Champion