ReportWire

Tag: california congressman

  • Congressman Ami Bera says Republicans privately concerned about President Trump

    [ad_1]

    As Congress returns from recess this week, Sacramento Congressman Ami Bera says Republican lawmakers have privately expressed growing concern over President Donald Trump’s recent decisions.“I think they are very worried about what they’re seeing coming out of the President,” Bera said. “Even the actions with Venezuela — they weren’t consulted about any of this.”Bera, a Democrat who serves on the House Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committees, returned Sunday from South America, where he met with Peru’s foreign minister. He said it was too dangerous for him to travel to Venezuela, describing the country as fragile following U.S. military action that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.“They’re happy Maduro is gone,” Bera said of Peruvian officials. “They want to see a stable Venezuela, but they’re cautious because you still have the Maduro regime in place, and a lot could go wrong.”He added that while Peru welcomes Maduro’s removal, leaders there are concerned that ongoing instability could lead to increased migration into neighboring countries.Back in Washington, Congress faces a potential government shutdown at the end of the month. Bera said lawmakers must address unresolved issues, including healthcare subsidies and immigration policy, after the action in Minneapolis. He also pointed to President Trump’s recent remarks about taking control of Greenland, which Trump has said is necessary for national security.“President Trump is not listening to anyone,” Bera said. “Now he’s talking about invading Greenland, and our closest allies in Europe are pissed off with us. He’s alienating everyone. I hope when I get back there tomorrow, Republicans will say enough is enough — let’s go around the president and get some of this stuff done.”Despite the challenges, Bera said he remains optimistic that a shutdown can be avoided.“I do not think the government will shut down because we saw how it hurt Americans,” he said. “We should negotiate. There’s going to be give and take. As Democrats, we’re not going to get everything we want. That’s how we’ve passed the appropriations bills so far, and I hope we get it done this week.”Bera also highlighted bipartisan support for extending health care subsidies, noting that 17 Republicans joined Democrats to back the measure, despite opposition from President Trump.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    As Congress returns from recess this week, Sacramento Congressman Ami Bera says Republican lawmakers have privately expressed growing concern over President Donald Trump’s recent decisions.

    “I think they are very worried about what they’re seeing coming out of the President,” Bera said. “Even the actions with Venezuela — they weren’t consulted about any of this.”

    Bera, a Democrat who serves on the House Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committees, returned Sunday from South America, where he met with Peru’s foreign minister. He said it was too dangerous for him to travel to Venezuela, describing the country as fragile following U.S. military action that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.

    “They’re happy Maduro is gone,” Bera said of Peruvian officials. “They want to see a stable Venezuela, but they’re cautious because you still have the Maduro regime in place, and a lot could go wrong.”

    He added that while Peru welcomes Maduro’s removal, leaders there are concerned that ongoing instability could lead to increased migration into neighboring countries.

    Back in Washington, Congress faces a potential government shutdown at the end of the month. Bera said lawmakers must address unresolved issues, including healthcare subsidies and immigration policy, after the action in Minneapolis. He also pointed to President Trump’s recent remarks about taking control of Greenland, which Trump has said is necessary for national security.

    “President Trump is not listening to anyone,” Bera said. “Now he’s talking about invading Greenland, and our closest allies in Europe are pissed off with us. He’s alienating everyone. I hope when I get back there tomorrow, Republicans will say enough is enough — let’s go around the president and get some of this stuff done.”

    Despite the challenges, Bera said he remains optimistic that a shutdown can be avoided.

    “I do not think the government will shut down because we saw how it hurt Americans,” he said. “We should negotiate. There’s going to be give and take. As Democrats, we’re not going to get everything we want. That’s how we’ve passed the appropriations bills so far, and I hope we get it done this week.”

    Bera also highlighted bipartisan support for extending health care subsidies, noting that 17 Republicans joined Democrats to back the measure, despite opposition from President Trump.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Rep. Doug LaMalfa, conservative Northern California congressman, dies at 65

    [ad_1]

    U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Oroville, answers a question during a town hall meeting on Monday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Chico. A sizeable portion of the 1st Congressional District he represents would switch to a district currently held by Marin County Democrat Jared Huffman.

    U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Oroville, answers a question during a town hall meeting on Monday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Chico. A sizeable portion of the 1st Congressional District he represents would switch to a district currently held by Marin County Democrat Jared Huffman.


    HECTOR AMEZCUA

    hamezcua@sacbee.com

    WASHINGTON

    Rep. Doug LaMalfa, one of California’s leading conservative voices in Washington, has died.

    LaMalfa, 65, had been a congressman since 2013. He was known as a strong, personable voice for rural and small community interests.

    “Doug LaMalfa’s firm beliefs are that government should do no harm, and that limited government means government should do only what people cannot do for themselves, in the most efficient manner possible,” his congressional website said.

    President Donald Trump, speaking to House Republicans Tuesday, lauded LaMalfa.

    “He voted with me at 100% of time,” Trump said, who added he had died on Monday. “He was with us right from the beginning.”

    LaMalfa rated highly, and often perfectly, by virtually every conservative measure. National Right to Life rated him at 100%. Americans for Prosperity lauded his budget-cutting votes, rating him at 87% last year. He had a lifetime 76% score from the conservative Heritage Foundation.

    He did show a bipartisan streak when his sprawling district was involved. A few weeks ago, he joined other Republicans and Democrats in urging the Interior Department to stop cutting jobs in national parks.

    An Oroville native, LaMalfa was a fourth-generation rice farmer and business owner who lived in his northern California district his entire life, earning a college degree in Ag/Business from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

    He was a state assemblyman from 2002 to 2008 and state senator from 2010 to 2012. In 2012, he easily won the seat of retiring Rep. Wally Herger, and won every succeeding congressional election by wide margins.

    Changes in the House

    LaMalfa was a familiar presence in the halls outside the House chamber, routinely talking with reporters and whoever else came by.

    His death stunned colleagues.

    “I’m heartbroken to learn of the passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa. Doug served Northern California with steady grit, a great sense of humor, and a genuine love for the people he represented,” said California GOP Chairman Corrin Rankin.

    “ He was widely respected and deeply beloved by those who knew and worked with him. May God comfort his wife Jill, their children Kyle, Allison, Sophia, and Natalie, and give strength to his staff, friends, and all who loved him during this incredibly difficult time.”

    LaMalfa’s death creates a new complication for House Republicans, who already had a razor-thin majority. They’ll now have 218 seats, barely more than the 217 it takes for a majority.

    Related Stories from Miami Herald

    David Lightman

    McClatchy DC

    David Lightman is McClatchy’s chief congressional correspondent. He’s been writing, editing and teaching for nearly 50 years, with stops in Hagerstown, Maryland; Riverside, California; Annapolis; Baltimore; and, since 1981, Washington.

    [ad_2]

    David Lightman

    Source link

  • California congressman offers bill to allow striking workers to collect unemployment pay

    California congressman offers bill to allow striking workers to collect unemployment pay

    [ad_1]

    The political fight over whether workers on strike should be allowed to collect unemployment benefits is reigniting in Washington.

    U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat who is running for Senate, is planning to introduce legislation on Tuesday that would provide unemployment benefits nationwide to workers on strike. Most states don’t allow striking workers to collect unemployment with the exception of New York and New Jersey. Eligibility requirements and the amount of weekly unemployment pay also varies by state.

    Under the Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2023, workers would be able to collect unemployment pay after two weeks on strike, according to a draft of the bill viewed by The Times. Workers would also be eligible for unemployment benefits starting on the date a lockout begins, when the employer hired permanent replacement workers or if the worker becomes unemployed after a strike or lock-out ends, whichever is earlier.

    Democratic U.S. Reps. Donald Norcross of New Jersey and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York also are sponsoring the bill. Labor unions SAG-AFTRA, the Writers Guild of America, the Teamsters and the AFL-CIO are supporting the legislation as well, according to Schiff’s office.

    But with Republicans controlling the House of Representatives, the odds that the bill will pass are slim. Businesses have strongly opposed the idea because they said it would lead to higher employer taxes. Employers pay state and federal payroll taxes to fund the unemployment insurance program.

    The expected introduction of a federal bill comes after California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed state legislation in September to provide unemployment for striking workers. Newsom said he did so because of financial concerns, a move highly criticized by labor leaders.

    California borrowed billions of dollars from the federal government to cover unemployment benefits, and the state’s unemployment fund debt was projected to be nearly $20 billion by the end of the year. California’s unemployment pay is $450 a week for a maximum of 26 weeks. Business fought the bill because they said they would pay additional taxes annually to repay California’s loan from the federal government.

    The WGA and SAG-AFTRA lobbied for the expanded benefits, saying that they would help workers pay their bills. While members rely on side jobs and strike funds to stay afloat, that income dwindles the longer a strike goes on. The 148-day Hollywood writers strike ended after WGA members ratified a new contract. Actors and crew members represented by SAG-AFTRA have been on strike for more than 100 days.

    Democrats have expressed support for labor unions ahead of the 2024 elections. Labor unions including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Communication Workers of America and the Amalgamated Transit Union have endorsed Schiff for Senate, while other unions have endorsed his main Democratic rivals in the race.

    During an October debate in Los Angeles, Schiff, along with California Democratic Senate candidates Barbara Lee and Katie Porter, disagreed with Newsom’s decision to veto the bill to provide striking workers unemployment benefits. He mentioned during that event he was working on federal legislation.

    “When they go and strike for better work and better wages for themselves and others, they need to have unemployment compensation, because they’re striking for all workers,” Schiff said at the debate.

    [ad_2]

    Queenie Wong

    Source link