Weekly Update from Rep. Denham - November 30, 2012

Dear Friend,

This week I had an amazing opportunity to record a holiday message for our troops overseas. As a veteran who has been deployed overseas, I know how difficult it is to be away from your family for an extended period of time, especially during the holidays. My sincere gratitude goes out to all our servicemen and women who are spending their holidays abroad defending our great nation, and I wish you and your families a very happy and safe holiday season.

I met with the Western Growers Association in my DC office to discuss the pending 2012 Farm Bill and a variety of issues facing Valley farmers and producers, who play a crucial role in our local economy. It is important to me to hear from each of you who are greatly affected by federal policy and regulations so I may better advocate for the valley’s priorities in the Farm Bill. Regulations and uncertainties are causing economic stagnation not only in agriculture but in small businesses across the country, keeping employment numbers from growing as rapidly as they could be.

On Wednesday I participated in a Transportation Committee hearing regarding the future of Amtrak. With the possibility of construction starting in the Valley on the $100 billion High-speed Rail (HSR) train, understanding the flaws of the Amtrak system are important to ensure proper federal oversight of any federal rail program, including HSR in California. Unfortunately, it seems California has forgotten the promises it made to its citizens when initially proposing the HSR project. I will continue to fight for the taxpayer while reminding those who continue to push for HSR in our state of the damaging economic and personal impact the current proposal will have on the Valley. 

I had an important and encouraging follow-up meeting with the Department of Defense about implementing my bill, the Veterans Skills to Jobs Act, which was signed into law earlier this year. Now that we have successfully achieved this bill becoming public law, we must continue our work to find every way possible to address veterans’ unemployment. Our veterans deserve the best we have to offer and I will continue to promote ideas and legislation that will help us provide for our heroes.

If you are interested in visiting Washington D.C. for the 57th Presidential Inauguration Swearing In Ceremony on January 21, 2013, at the United States Capitol, I invite you to submit ticket requests through an online form on my website here. Requests will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. PST  December 19, 2012. Constituents from the newly redrawn 10th Congressional District of California are eligible to submit ticket requests. A limited number of tickets are available for standing room admission to January’s ceremony. Because of the large volume of requests, I cannot guarantee that all requests will be granted. Those selected will be notified by December 21, 2012, and will receive further instructions at that time. Schools and other organizations interested in participating in the Presidential Inaugural Parade may also find out more information and apply online at http://2013inaugurationparade.army.mil/. Those interested in attending the President’s Inaugural Balls, Galas, and Parties should contact the Presidential Inaugural Committee for further information on tickets.

Last Saturday was Small Business Saturday. I hope you were able to show support for local entrepreneurs in our community during the big post-Thanksgiving shopping weekend. This holiday season, I encourage you to keep our small businesses in mind and shop small to give back. Find out more information here: http://www.sba.gov/saturday.

Please continue to provide feedback on my website and work in Congress. I appreciate hearing from you through my website, Facebook and Twitter, where you can find regular updates about my work at home in the Valley and in Washington.

Sincerely,

Jeff Denham