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

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) released the following statement on Congressional Republicans’ shutdown of the federal government:   

“The government has shut down and Republicans are on vacation. After Democrats flew back to Washington, D.C. this week to negotiate a bipartisan deal that funds the government and lowers your health care costs, Republicans refused to come to the table. Every American, regardless of party stripe, should be angry at Congressional Republicans’ manufactured crisis,” said Thompson. 

“After kicking 15 million people off of their health coverage this summer, Congressional Republicans now want to pass a spending bill that increases premiums by 97 percent for Californians enrolled in Covered California plans. Our health care system is already broken. We should be working to increase access to affordable care, not raising prices on working people. I’ll continue to work to ensure we fund the government without ripping away your health care.” 

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

Washington, D.C. – Friday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04), Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12), and Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-07) led a bipartisan coalition of 70 Members of Congress to urge House and Senate leadership to extend telehealth coverage benefits so that all Medicare beneficiaries retain access to these services. Without an extension by today, September 30th, seniors on Medicare will lose access to critical telehealth services.

“Expanded Medicare coverage for telehealth services is set to expire on September 30, 2025. As you work toward an appropriations package, we urge an inclusion of an extension of the Medicare telehealth flexibilities for as long as possible to ensure that all Medicare beneficiaries do not lose access to these critical services,” wrote the lawmakers. 

“Telehealth provides essential access to care and improves outcomes, including reduced emergency department utilization and improved medication adherence. Medicare beneficiaries have come to rely on expanded access to telehealth services and are satisfied with the care they receive. While there is overwhelming support for Congress to enact permanent telehealth legislation, we must provide patients and clinicians with long-term certainty to support continued investment in technology and clinical models to meet the evolving health care needs of Medicare beneficiaries,” they continued. 

The Members of Congress who signed the letter include Representatives Mike Thompson, Troy Balderson, Doris Matsui, Gabe Amo, Becca Balint, Nanette Barragán, Ami Bera, Jack Bergman, Sanford Bishop, Julia Brownley, Nikki Budzinski, Salud Carbajal, André Carson, Sean Casten, Emmanuel Cleaver, Herbert Conaway, Danny Davis, Donald Davis, Madeleine Dean, Diana DeGette, Suzan DelBene, Chris Deluzio, Debbie Dingell, Sarah Elfreth, Veronica Escobar, Bill Foster, John Garamendi, Jesús “Chuy” García, Robert Garcia, Jared Golden, Maggie Goodlander, Josh Gottheimer, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Chrissy Houlahan, Jonathan Jackson, Marcy Kaptur, Robin Kelly, Timothy Kennedy, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Greg Landsman, Susie Lee, Teresa Leger Fernández, Ted Lieu, Zoe Lofgren, Stephen Lynch, Jennifer McClellan, James McGovern, Frank Mrvan, Kevin Mullin, Johnny Olszewski, Jimmy Panetta, Chris Pappas, August Pfluger, Nellie Pou, Mike Quigley, Delia Ramirez, Andrea Salinas, Linda Sánchez, Jan Schakowsky, Hillary Scholten, Greg Stanton, Haley Stevens, Suhas Subramanyam, Mark Takano, Shri Thanedar, Bennie Thompson, Jill Tokuda, Paul Tonko, Ritchie Torres, and George Whitesides.

The text of the letter can be found here and below. 

Dear Majority Leader Thune, Minority Leader Schumer, Speaker Johnson, and Minority Leader Jeffries:

Expanded Medicare coverage for telehealth services is set to expire on September 30, 2025. As you work toward an appropriations package, we urge an inclusion of an extension of the Medicare telehealth flexibilities for as long as possible to ensure that all Medicare beneficiaries do not lose access to these critical services.

Telehealth plays a critical role in health care delivery – a fact that Congress has recognized by expanding coverage during and after the COVID-19 public health emergency. Most recently, in the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, Congress enacted a six-month extension of Medicare telehealth services coverage. Committees of jurisdiction in the House of Representatives had previously recognized the need to protect patients’ access to telehealth services by voting to advance an additional two-year extension on a bipartisan, unanimous basis.

As you consider next steps, we urge you to prioritize provisions that:

• Permanently remove geographic restrictions on telehealth services and allow the home and other clinically appropriate sites as originating locations.
• Expand the list of eligible practitioners who may furnish telehealth services.
• Recognize federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics as telehealth distant site providers.
• Allow telehealth use in hospice recertifications.
• Permanently repeal the six-month in-person visit requirement for telemental health services and reject similar restrictions that create unnecessary barriers to care.
• Extend audio-only flexibilities for telehealth services.

Telehealth provides essential access to care and improves outcomes, including reduced emergency department utilization and improved medication adherence. Medicare beneficiaries have come to rely on expanded access to telehealth services and are satisfied with the care they receive. While there is overwhelming support for Congress to enact permanent telehealth legislation, we must provide patients and clinicians with long-term certainty to support continued investment in technology and clinical models to meet the evolving health care needs of Medicare beneficiaries. We appreciate your collaboration and leadership on this issue and look forward to working with you to ensure access to telehealth services is retained past September 30.

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

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Reps. Greg Steube (R-FL), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) announced the introduction of the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2025. This bill extends Thompson and Steube’s landmark 2024 law providing tax relief for individuals impacted by federally declared disasters. The bill will permit victims to claim disaster-related personal casualty losses without having to itemize deductions through 2026.

“After disaster strikes, survivors face not only the loss of their loved ones, homes, and livelihoods, but they also face the uncertainty of how to begin again,” said Rep. Thompson. “In those moments, the last thing a survivor should fear is whether they qualify for tax relief. I am proud to work with my colleagues to expand on our disaster tax relief work and ensure survivors have the certainty and support they deserve.”

“Allowing taxpayers to write off damages from natural disasters is a no-brainer. Millions of Floridians have already benefited from my Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act as they rebuild from the last several hurricane seasons. This law provides a much-needed lifeline to families as they navigate the most difficult of times,” said Rep. Steube. “I am grateful to partner with Senator Rick Scott to extend this critical part of the federal government’s emergency response.”

“Families and communities recovering from natural disasters shouldn’t face the added burden of arbitrary deadlines that cut off their access to critical tax relief,” said Rep. Panetta. “Our bipartisan bill extends those deadlines and ensures that wildfire relief payments and hurricane losses continue to qualify for fair tax treatment.  By providing this certainty, we can give disaster-impacted Americans the time and tools they need to rebuild and move forward.”

“Families who lose their homes and livelihoods in a wildfire shouldn’t be hit with the possibility of a tax bill on their equity affecting the very payments meant to help them recover,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “This bill ensures disaster relief is treated fairly and victims aren’t left fighting with the IRS on top of other challenges they may face. I’m pleased to join Congressman Steube in leading it.”

BACKGROUND

Rep. Thompson serves as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Tax for the Ways and Means Committee. He introduced the original legislation with Rep. Doug LaMalfa in the House of Representatives to provide tax relief to PG&E fire victims in the 117th Congress and worked with Senator Padilla and Rep. LaMalfa to advance the legislation.

Last year, Rep. Thompson and Rep. Steube 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 of 2023 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. H.R. 5863 passed the Senate by unanimous consent and was signed into law by President Biden in December of 2024.

Today’s legislation would build upon this landmark law. Read the full bill text here.

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

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) introduced H.R. 5225, the Protect Innocent Victims of Taxation After Fire Extension Act. Joining them on this legislation are Reps. Sherman (D-CA), Bynum (D-OR), McClintock (R-CA), and Bentz (R-OR). 

The legislation builds on Thompson’s landmark 2024 law, the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act (Public Law 118-148), providing tax relief for individuals impacted by federally declared disasters. This new bill extends Public Law 118-148’s protection for taxpayers through 2032 and allows victims to claim the exemption in the year they receive payments, instead of having to amend prior tax returns and wait for IRS refunds.

“Californians are all too familiar with the devastation caused by wildfires. In the wake of losing their homes and livelihoods, it is wrong to tax survivors on settlement money that is meant to help them rebuild their lives. Survivors can’t afford to wait around for Congress to provide them retroactive relief,” said Rep. Thompson. “I am proud to work with my colleagues to ensure future settlements to survivors remain tax exempt through 2032, so Americans struck by disaster can focus on rebuilding their lives.”

“People who lose everything in a wildfire should not have to face the added burden of being taxed on payments that are supposed to help them recover,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “This bill gives wildfire victims certainty and fairness in the tax code while making sure they can focus on rebuilding their lives instead of fighting with the IRS to change past tax returns to receive refunds.”

“The Palisades Fire in my district caused immense devastation, displaced many families and destroyed entire communities, and the last thing fire victims should face is a tax bill on their recovery assistance,” said Rep. Sherman. “This legislation ensures that fire victims in my district and around the country are not unfairly taxed as they focus on rebuilding their lives and livelihoods.” 

“When families are trying to pick up the pieces after a wildfire, they don’t need Uncle Sam taking a cut of their relief,” said Rep. Bynum. “This bipartisan bill ensures that wildfire survivors won’t be taxed on the very funds that are meant to help them rebuild their lives and homes. I’ll continue working with anyone – Democrat, Republican, or Independent – to prevent wildfires and support victims in the aftermath.”

“Californians are constantly under threat of wildfire,” said Rep. McClintock. “This bill reauthorizes commonsense protections and ensures victims are supported when tragedy strikes.”

“The horrific wildfires in the West have cost families their property, homes, and in some cases their jobs. Until late last year, the United States Tax Code added insult to injury by taxing settlement funds meant for recovery,” said Rep. Bentz. “People who lose their homes and wages due to wildfire should not be taxed on the funds they received as result of these disasters. By extending such protections through 2032, we are helping victims get at least a little closer to recovery from their losses. 

BACKGROUND

Rep. Thompson serves as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Tax for the Ways and Means Committee. He introduced the original legislation with Rep. Doug LaMalfa in the House of Representatives to provide tax relief to PG&E fire victims in the 117th Congress and worked with Senator Padilla and Rep. LaMalfa to advance the legislation.

Last year, Rep. Thompson and Rep. Steube 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 of 2023 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. H.R. 5863 passed the Senate by unanimous consent and was signed into law by President Biden in December of 2024.

Today’s legislation would build upon this landmark law. The extension represents a bipartisan commitment to ensuring wildfire survivors receive the help they need without facing additional financial stress. By extending this tax relief, Congress is giving families and individuals the certainty they deserve while they work to recover and rebuild after devastating fires.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Rep. Panetta Leads 33 Colleagues in Opposition to Illegal Federalization of State National Guards 

Washington, DC – United States Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), today led 33 Democratic colleagues in opposition to illegal federalization of state national guards. 

In a letter to President Donald Trump, the lawmakers argued, “the wresting of control from governors and deployment of troops to address issues reserved for civilian law enforcement inflames tensions, erodes civilian trust in the military, and is against our nation’s principles set forth by our founding fathers.” 

The lawmakers requested that the President “immediately rescind orders to federalize State National Guards, restore the authority to their respective governors, and refrain from invoking the Insurrection Act in circumstances that do not meet its strict legal threshold.” Members concluded, “The strength of our democracy lies in its adherence to constitutional principles and the separation of powers. We urge you to uphold and prioritize the trust and safety of the American people over actions that threaten to undermine the values and principles of our founding fathers.” 

Read the full letter HERE and below.

Dear President Trump,

We write to express our opposition to your Administration’s decision to federalize and deploy state national guards, including 300 troops from the California National Guard. We firmly believe that the deployments are against the law and the spirit of our constitution. The wresting of control from governors and deployment of troops to address issues reserved for civilian law enforcement inflames tensions, erodes civilian trust in the military, and is against our nation’s principles set forth by our founding fathers. 

Having endured British occupations during the American Revolution, the authors of our nation’s constitution were deeply uneasy about soldiers policing Americans on U.S. soil. That sentiment is the basis for Section 12406 of Title 10 of the U.S. Code which clearly outlines the circumstances under which national guard troops can be federalized. Those circumstances are met only when there is a threat of an invasion by a foreign nation, a rebellion against the Government of the United States, or if the President is unable to execute the laws of the United States using conventional forces.

The facts surrounding the recent deployments of the National Guard to certain cities fail to meet the criteria outlined by Title 10. Protests, criminal disturbances, and peaceful expressions of free speech do not constitute rebellions or unlawful obstructions against a federal authority. Federal judges have affirmed this in multiple cases. On October 9^th, a federal judge temporarily blocked the administration from deploying National Guard units in Illinois, citing unreliable evidence of a rebellion and, earlier this month, a federal judge that you appointed ruled that the deployment of National Guard troops into Portland failed to satisfy the legal basis to federalize the state’s National Guard troops.

In addition, state and local officials from Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland have made it clear to your Administration that their local and federal law enforcement agencies are capable of enforcing the laws of the United States without the National Guard. Your deployment of federal troops to American cities without state approval defies legal precedent and, as California has argued, violates Title 10, which requires that the Governor consent to federalizing the National Guard. Further, the Constitution grants states sovereign rights to refuse troop movement in and out of their states. Deploying the National Guard against the will of state governments threatens the Tenth Amendment and state sovereignty, setting a dangerous precedent of federal government overreach.

The deployments of the national guard also risk violating the Posse Comitatus Act, which applies to the National Guard when acting under its Title 10 authorities.  The act, passed in 1878, bars soldiers from carrying out direct police work and makes the use of military force against civilians, except in very limited circumstances, a criminal offense. On September 2^nd, 2025, a federal court ruled that the deployment and use of the national guard to Los Angeles violated the Posse Comitatus Act. As such, we believe that the deployments of the National Guard lack clear legal basis and, without the invocation of the Insurrection Act, are in violation of the laws set in place by Congress.

The use of the National Guard as a show of force without legal justification puts our service members in a compromising position as they navigate conflicting legal and ethical obligations while potentially facing criminal liability for actions taken under federal orders. Such deployments undermine the morale of our troops and erode public confidence in the role of the National Guard as a state-led force trusted by communities, placing service members in situations where they may be perceived as adversaries rather than protectors. For example, the deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C. led citizens of the city to believe that the troops were “leveraging fear,” becoming a “wedge between citizens and the military,” and promoting a sense of “shame” among some troops and veterans.  Those types of sentiments can not only destroy morale of the troops but also make it more difficult for the military to recruit and maintain the support of the American public. The unjustified deployments of the National Guard alienate communities, erode the trust by the public towards our service members, and will create long-term damage to the reputation of our military as a protector of democratic values. 

We ask you to immediately rescind orders to federalize State National Guards, restore the authority to their respective governors, and refrain from invoking the Insurrection Act in circumstances that do not meet its strict legal threshold. The strength of our democracy lies in its adherence to constitutional principles and the separation of powers. We urge you to uphold and prioritize the trust and safety of the American people over actions that threaten to undermine the values and principles of our founding fathers.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) released the following statement regarding the release of Israeli hostages that were held by Hamas:

“Today, we celebrate the release of all living Israeli hostages that were held in captivity by Hamas over the last two long and brutal years.  I hope and pray that as the hostages reunite with their loved ones, they also can begin to heal after the unthinkable torture and misery they have endured at the cruel hands of the Hamas terrorist organization. The return of the living hostages must also soon be met with the return of the remains of the deceased hostages. Their families have been through unimaginable pain, and deserve that closure. Even as we celebrate today, we remember the hostages who were killed in captivity and the lives lost on October 7, 2023. 

“Although this day marks a pivotal point in this brutal conflict, we must continue to focus on rebuilding and creating regional peace. This starts with the flood of humanitarian aid into Gaza and the agreement on a regional partnership for security and funding that is necessary if this area is to be rebuilt. Hamas must disarm and be degraded politically. Moreover, their tunnel network throughout Gaza must be dismantled in order to usher in security guarantees that protect Israeli and Palestinian lives. 

“I am grateful for the pressure exerted on Israel and Hamas by President Donald Trump and his administration and the hard work by the Biden Administration to reach this pivotal moment. Despite the domestic political pressure to disengage from the conflict and the region, both administrations appreciated and understood the hard work, support, and constant engagement that was necessary to achieve this peaceful outcome. Our international and regional partners played very important roles and must continue their diplomatic, humanitarian, security, and financial backing that are necessary for long-term peace. The diplomacy and defense support by the United States and our partners must continue in order to ensure that terrorism, impunity, and foreign meddling no longer define the region’s future. Despite the progress that we have made, we must not underestimate the enemies of peace. The everlasting pain of October 7, the subsequent conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the continued attacks on Israel, must motivate us to continue the work to eliminate Hamas and Iranian-backed militias, defend Israel, protect the innocent Palestinian people, establish a two-state solution, and create an enduring peace in the region. That will not be easy, and the challenges are many and complicated.  But the will to work towards peace must always endure.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

HARLINGEN, Texas – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announced that he will be hosting a series of pinning ceremonies starting on Veterans Day to honor all veterans in the 34th Congressional District of Texas.  

The first pinning ceremony will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. CT at the Harlingen VFW Post 2410 located at 2006 N Whalen Road, Harlingen, Texas 78550.

“This Veterans Day, I look forward to commemorating the service and sacrifice of our South Texas veterans,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “These pinning ceremonies are one of the ways that we can meaningfully honor the brave men and women who put on the uniform to protect and defend our freedoms.” 

Veterans who are eligible to receive a lapel pin at the ceremony must have been on active duty and released under honorable conditions. At the pinning ceremony, veterans or their relatives will be publicly presented with commemorative lapel pins as a lasting memento of our nation’s gratitude.

Future pinning ceremonies will be announced in the coming weeks for other communities in the 34th Congressional District of Texas.

To participate and be recognized in the ceremony, veterans or family members must fill the application found on the congressman’s website at https://gonzalez.house.gov/services/veterans-day-pinning-ceremony-2025.

For any questions, please contact Edward Vallejo in Congressman Gonzalez’s Brownsville Office at Edward.Vallejo@mail.house.gov or 956-682-5545.  

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

“A mentor, public servant, and statesman who laid the foundation for American Samoa in Congress.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is honoring the memory and life of Congressman Fofó I.F. Sunia. 

“Congressman Sunia was a dear friend and counselor to me. I cherish his memory and kindness. He was helpful as I followed in his footsteps as a Representative in Washington, where he was our first under the current rules, although we sent representatives beforehand too that did not have the privileges of Members of Congress. I saw him always as a mentor, advisor, and counselor. I benefited from his prior role as a representative for our territory, and I remember that he too took pride in decorating his DC office to reflect our South Pacific home and culture. He worked for important rights such as nominating our youth to the U.S. Service Academies, including our first ever successful nominee and graduate, my Chief of Staff Leafaina Tavai, so his work was foundational for many future successes, including our Medicaid program. He had the wisdom of experience and a gentle but effective way of expressing his opinion and views. He was an accomplished author, and his books are valuable additions to our library and schools. He will be deeply missed. May God bless his family and loved ones in this time. American Samoa honors him as a public servant and statesman. God has welcomed him home as a man of faith.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata welcomed the announcement that the federal government is meeting its payment obligation to the U.S. Armed Forces, despite the government shutdown.

“This is the first payday since the shutdown for our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen, and I’m happy for them that the administration has prioritized their pay despite the shutdown so that our dedicated military are not working without pay at this time,” said Congresswoman Amata. “I also very much hope that the Senate acts to restore government funding and end this unnecessary shutdown well before the next payday at the end of this month for our military families that depend on their well-earned paychecks.”

The Trump administration diverted funds that had not yet been spent in order to pay military personnel this time, but reportedly might not be able to do so again at the next pay period. While the Armed Forces were paid, hundreds of thousands of civilian federal employees are either furloughed or working unpaid, expecting future reimbursement of their scheduled pay. 

As September closed out without the 12 appropriations bills passed into law, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a clean seven-week extension of funding, called a Continuing Resolution (C.R.), often referred to as a “stopgap” bill. These have been commonly used in recent years to avoid shutdowns, and allow more time for major agreements on appropriations work. This time, Senate Democrats voted against cloture, requiring 60 votes, stalling the funding extension in the Senate unless five Senators were to decide to change their votes. Instead of the clean seven weeks extension, Senators who voted no are calling for the addition of $1.5 trillion over the next ten years to reopen government. 

“As to funding disagreements, bipartisan consensus should be built while the government is open and meeting it’s obligations,” concluded Congresswoman Amata. “This shutdown causes all sorts of needless uncertainty for people and businesses, delays in government grants, and puts pressure on all federal employees including our Service Members that they might have to work without pay while many have mortgages, bills, rent, loan obligations and more. The Senate should reopen government so that Congress can instead use this time for regular work on full-year appropriations.”

The House Appropriations Committee has passed all 12 appropriations bills in regular order, ahead of some recent years, and the Senate has completed work on eight of the 12 bills.

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