Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Eric Swalwell (CA-15) released the following statement after Congressman George Miller (CA-11) announced that he will retire from the House of Representatives at the end of this term:

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) challenged fellow freshman Congressman Robert Pittenger (R-NC) to a wager on Sunday's NFC game between the San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers. Swalwell will provide Pittenger's office with wine from the Livermore Valley if the Panthers win; if the 49ers are victorious Swalwell's office will receive famous Carolina barbecue.

PLEASANTON, CA – U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15) announced that his work to allow military bands to once again perform at community events was successful, with the signing into law of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) last month. A provision in the NDAA, based on an amendment Swalwell passed in the House, would fix a bureaucratic problem at the Department of Defense (DoD) which had been preventing events, like the Scottish Games in Pleasanton, from hosting military bands even when their sponsor agrees to pay the cost.

HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA – U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15) today urged an immediate extension of unemployment insurance to prevent 214,800 Californians from losing their benefits on Dec. 28. An additional 325,800 Californians will lose their benefits in the first six months of 2014 without any legislative action by Congress. Rep. Swalwell previously sent two letters calling on Speaker Boehner to allow the House of Representatives to consider an extension of this program. California's unemployment rate remains above the national average at 8.9 percent.

HAYWARD, CA – U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15) today announced that Microvi Biotechnologies in Hayward was awarded a $1.5 million federal grant over two years to develop a high performance bioprocess for eliminating "1,4-Dioxane," a probable human carcinogen, in water. The grant was provided through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

CALIFORNIA – U.S. Representatives Eric Swalwell (CA-15) and Mike Thompson (CA-5) led a bipartisan letter signed by 19 California Members of Congress to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki urging a supremely qualified candidate with a proven record of success to fill the open director position at the Oakland VA. The hiring decision is of utmost importance, as the Oakland VA has one of the worst benefits claims backlogs of all regional offices across the country, with veterans waiting on average more than a year to have their benefits case resolved.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15) joined Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-5), Joe Heck (NV-3), and Darrell Issa (CA-49) to introduce H.R. 3771, the bipartisan Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act. This legislation would incentivize American assistance for Philippines relief and allow donations made before March 1, 2014 to be deducted on 2013 taxes. U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Dean Heller (R-NV) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

Washington, DC – In advance of what is expected to be a close vote, U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA -15) coordinated the following statement signed by 13 Members of the bipartisan, first-year United Solutions Caucus announcing support for the Ryan/Murray two-year budget agreement:

We the undersigned, as Members of the bipartisan United Solutions Caucus, support the bipartisan budget agreement announced late yesterday by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray and House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, and we urge its rapid passage.