114th Congress
Dear Friend,
You may have heard of the appalling "secret waiting lists" for veterans seeking care at the Phoenix Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital. This attempt to cover up delays is an outrageous affront to our veterans. Those that bravely served our country deserve much better.
Dear Friend,
Each May, Americans come together to celebrate National Nurses Week. I recognize the contributions and commitments nurses make in communities throughout the nation.
During National Nurses Week we honor the hard work of nurses. They are the backbone of the American health care system, and it is their skills and dedication that form the foundation of patient care.
Dear Friend,
One of my most important responsibilities in Congress is to ensure we serve our veterans as well as they have served us. I wanted to share with you the remarkable story of Hayward resident and Vietnam veteran, Specialist Leslie Smith.
Dear Friend,
On Earth Day, April 22, I donned waders to restore wetlands at Eden Landing Ecological Reserve in Hayward. The new wetlands will recreate critical marsh habitats for birds and wildlife and is part of the 15,000-acre South Bay Salt Pond Restoration project, the largest tidal wetland restoration on the Pacific Coast.
Watch my Earth Day KTVU interview w at the Eden Landing Ecological Reserve
Dear Friend,
Like many of you, I found it disturbing that a teenager was able to breach the perimeter at Mineta San Jose Airport and stowaway in the wheel well on a flight to Hawaii undetected. We were lucky that this young man survived and was not trying to do harm, but the incident raises significant concerns affecting airport passenger security.
Dear Friend,
During Women's History Month, join me in honoring the tremendous role that women have played in shaping our nation and recognizing the struggles they continue to face across the world. The fight for social and economic justice for women continues, and I am an ally in this fight.
Dear Friend,
Time is running out to sign up for quality, affordable health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare." I am proud of the work California has done to make sure more Californians than ever have access to quality, affordable health insurance. In fact, earlier this month Covered California – the entity in charge of implementing the Affordable Care Act in California – announced that over one million have enrolled in health care coverage in California alone!
Dear Friend,
I'm writing to invite you to Women's Business Empowerment Day on Saturday, April 12 at CSU East Bay in Hayward. This event was inspired by the principle that when women succeed, America succeeds. This is the central tenet of my Women's Economic Agenda, which aims to address the economic challenges facing women and families today.
Dear Friend,
It's official! Last night the President signed into law legislation that I introduced, the Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act. Monetary donations for Typhoon Haiyan relief made from now through April 14, 2014 can be deducted on your 2013 taxes. Returns for 2013 taxes must be filed by April 15, 2014.
Dear Friend,
I am thrilled to report I passed my first bill in Congress, the Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act. This legislation, headed to President Obama's desk, will empower Americans and help the Typhoon Haiyan relief effort.
I am privileged to represent a vibrant and dynamic Filipino population. Many of my constituents have friends or relatives in the Philippines, and are asking how they can help.