Last week I was proud to support H.R. 4676, the Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act, which establishes fines and prison sentences on individuals who engage in schemes to defraud veterans seeking to obtain veterans benefits. As a nation, we owe our veterans a debt of gratitude for their courage, service, and sacrifice in defending our freedoms and way of life. Unfortunately, we have seen a troubling emergence of individuals seeking to deceive and defraud our vets for personal financial gain. By falsely promising to expedite the claims process with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), these con artists have exploited the inefficiencies of the VA in order to scam veterans of their hard-earned money. It is important to put an end to this deplorable practice and protect our veterans from malicious deception. You can read the bill text here.

AVBOT Returns to the Capitol

I had a great conversation with the folks from Antelope Valley Board of Trade last Wednesday, who visited my office in Washington, D.C. I look forward to continuing our work to expand the economy of the AV and bring jobs to our region. Thanks for stopping by!

Thank you AVBOT for another great visit

Promoting Public Safety

Thank you to PORAC (Peace Officers Research Association of California) for visiting my office on April 13 to talk about law enforcement issues like combating the heroin epidemic in Southern California.

Representatives from PORAC outside of my office in Washington, D.C.

Regulations: The Hidden Tax on Small Business

I took part in a House Committee on Small Business Hearing last week on the costs that burdensome federal regulations put on small businesses. I discussed the harm this does to operations in California, which are already over-taxed and over-regulated and will now face serious challenges adjusting to the state’s new minimum wage law.

Discussing the harmful effects of overregulation

A Step Toward Drought Relief

On April 14 the House Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee passed a bill I strongly support that would deliver badly needed drought relief to our state. I thank Congressman David Valadao and Congressman Ken Calvert for their efforts in advancing this bill. Providing solutions to California’s water crisis is a top priority for me in Congress, and I will continue to fight alongside my colleagues in the House on this issue. Read more here.

IRS Accountability

Monday was Tax Day‬, and what better way to celebrate than by restoring accountability to the IRS? That is why I was proud to support a package of bills on the House floor that would make the agency more responsive and friendly to taxpayers in a variety of ways, from barring the IRS from targeting U.S. citizens for exercising their First Amendment rights to prohibiting the IRS from rehiring former employees who were terminated for misconduct. More info here and here.

Stop the Drawdown

On Monday night I spoke on the House floor in support of the POSTURE Act, which would stop the historic drawdown of troops that was recommended in the President’s budget request. As a veteran of the U.S. Army, I am opposed to reducing our land forces to a level that cannot handle the numerous threats that we face as a nation today. I thank Congressman Chris Gibson for his leadership on this important issue. Watch the speech here.

Speaking on the House floor in support of the POSTURE Act

Preventing Another Porter Ranch Leak

Today the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed a bill that contains my measures to require the Secretary of Transportation to issue adequate safety standards for underground natural gas storage facilities with the goal of preventing gas leaks like the one that occurred in Porter Ranch. The Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act of 2016, a bill by Rep. Denham that reauthorizes the federal pipeline safety program, passed committee with broad bipartisan support and now will make its way to the house floor. I am pleased that my colleagues in Congress are joining me to advance comprehensive legislation to prevent another incident from happening again.

Gathering information about natural gas storage with Chairman Denham

A Local International Connection

Thanks to Midhasso Foge from Palmdale and Dr. Gemechu Kurfessa for bringing your group to my office yesterday to discuss the ongoing violence in Ethopia.

It was great meeting with your group Mr. Foge & Dr. Kurfessa

Welcome to the Capitol!

Thank you to the Helmandis from Palmdale for stopping by my office in Washington D.C. on Friday. Congratulations on your wedding anniversary!

Thanks for stopping by my office!

For more information about how my office can help you arrange tours of the Capitol, White House, and more, please visit my website.

SENSES~Themed Block Party
April 21, 2016, 7-10pm
Old Town Newhall, Main Street, Newhall

Polka Dot Road Show
April 23, 2016, 10am-4pm
NorthPark Community Church, 28310 Kelly Johnson Parkway, Valencia

Wii U Play
April 25, 2016, 4:30-5:30pm
Palmdale City Library, 700 E Palmdale Boulevard, Palmdale

Walking/Jogging to Sunset (Free)
April 28, 2016, 10am
Richard Rioux Park, 26233 W. Faulkner Drive, Stevenson Ranch

Community Cultural Heritage and Service Day
April 28, 2016, 1-6pm
Guidance Charter School, 37230 37th Street E, Palmdale

Youth Employment Service Job and Career Expo
April 30, 2016, 10am-1pm
Boys and Girls Club of Simi Valley

Annual Family Picnic at Lazy T Ranch
April 30, 2016, 1-5pm
4218 Elizabeth Lake Road, Palmdale

Taste of the Town
May 1, 2016, 1-5pm
Mann Biomedical Park, 25104 Rye Canyon Loop, Santa Clarita