Capstone Turbine
A week ago I visited Capstone Turbine’s industrial cogeneration plant located at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. I learned a lot about micro turbines and how they create efficient and clean energy that provides facilities like the Reagan Library with their heating and cooling services.

Capstone Turbine at the Ronald Reagan Library

Firehouse Subs

After my tour at the Ronald Reagan Library, I stopped by Firehouse Subs in Simi Valley for a bite to eat. My staff and I had some great conversations with the owner and employees about the challenges they face running a restaurant in California.

Kidney Care in Simi Valley
After lunch I took a tour of DaVita Simi Valley Dialysis center, which provides a range of kidney care services. I chatted with patients about their experience at the center, and with the staff about local dialysis growth, their clinical outcomes, and how the kidney care community is working with Congress to integrate care for those suffering with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

Bridging the Gap
On April 5 I presided over a field hearing for the House Committee on Small Business in Pasadena along with Congresswoman Judy Chu. The hearing, which was entitled “Bridging the Gap—Increasing Access to Venture Capital for Small Businesses,” examined ways to increase access to venture capital funding for small businesses, especially for those firms owned by women and other groups that have had difficulties obtaining venture capital.

Conducting a Field Hearing with Representative Chu

Hearing From Small Defense Contractors
Later that day I conducted a second House Committee on Small Business field hearing. This one, titled “Challenges for Small Defense Contractors,” took place in Palmdale, where I was joined by Congressman David G. Valadao. We heard from California small businesses that face obstacles in contracting with the Department of Defense.

Listening to testimony from local small business owners in Palmdale

Lion Heart Manufacturing
Last Wednesday I started my morning touring the Lion Heart Manufacturing facility in Simi Valley. This woman-owned small business has been manufacturing aluminum aerospace castings in our community for more than five years and the owners and employees had some great insight into how Congress can help businesses like theirs thrive.

Touring a great small business in Simi Valley

Veterans Lunch
After the tour, I had a fantastic time eating lunch and chatting with Simi Valley veterans at the Carriage Cafe today. Thank you to Ron Roth for setting this up every week and for giving me the opportunity to thank everyone for their service, discuss how my office can help with service-connected disability claims, and more.

Thank you to Ron Roth for inviting me to lunch at Carriage Cafe!

The Ranch
Following lunch, I stopped in at the headquarters of 99.1 The Ranch in Simi Valley, where I had a fun conversation about their operation at the Simi Valley Town Center. Thanks for having me!

Having a great talk with the folks at 99.1 The Ranch

Samaritan Center
Next I paid a visit to the Simi Valley Samaritan Center, which does incredible work to assist our community’s homeless population and near homeless population. I had a long discussion with Betty Esky, who has done an amazing job over the last decade in expanding the Center, and I look forward to working with her in the future in their efforts.

Thank you to Betty and the Samaritan Center for all you do

Platinum Sports Center Tour
Later in the day, I took at tour of Platinum Sports Center in Simi Valley. I got to talk with the owners about the challenges that they face in growing their operation and meet with some aspiring young athletes. Thanks for hosting me!

A fun and insightful tour of Platinum Sports Center in Simi Valley

A New Chapter for  The Palmdale Aerospace Academy
On April 7 I had the pleasure of attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Palmdale Aerospace Academy. This will be a new state of the art facility that is geared specifically towards STEM education. I look forward to your ribbon cutting ceremony of this new facility!

Congratulations to The Palmdale Aerospace Academy

A High-Tech Tour
Last week I toured and met with the great folks at Quallion in Santa Clarita. This company designs, fabricates and manufactures state-of-the-art lithium ion cells and battery packs and develops new battery chemistries for the military, aerospace, medical and automotive industries.

Touring the Quallion facility in Santa Clarita

Help With Federal Services in Simi Valley
On Friday afternoon my office set up at the Simi Valley Town Center Mall to provide assistance with federal services to members of the community. If you missed us this time, don’t worry! All of my district offices can help you with federal agencies like Social Security, Medicare, and more. Learn more here.

Thanking Our Vietnam Veterans
I spent my Saturday night at the Antelope Valley Veteran Community Action Coalition Vietnam Veterans’ Dinner. There, I presented certificates of recognition to the many service members who attended and stuck around to answer questions and talk about what Congress is doing to help our military personnel.

Thank you all for your service!

Calling All Artists!
I’m excited to announce that I am now accepting artwork submissions for the Congressional Art Competition of 2016. High School students can submit an original work of art for a chance to be selected as the 25th Congressional District’s winner. The first place winner will be provided with complimentary airfare to Washington, D.C. to see his or her art displayed in the Capitol Building where it will be featured for an entire year. Artwork must be submitted by Friday, April 24th to one of my District Offices in Antelope Valley, Simi Valley, or to the KHTS Radio Station in Santa Clarita. A winner will be selected by a panel of judges consisting of members of the art community throughout the district, and announced by May 4th.

For more information on guidelines and rules, please visit my website or call Nicole in my Santa Clarita Valley Office at (661) 255-5630.

Around the CapitolCongressional Update
For the past two weeks, I have been working around the Antelope, Santa Clarita, and Simi Valleys rather than in Washington, D.C. I met with members of the community, toured local businesses and non-profits, and attended community events so that I could hear from you about what you want accomplished in Congress. Starting tomorrow, Congress will be back in session, where we have a lot of ground to cover.Over the next few months, we have important business to conduct. Most notable is the Appropriations process, where Congress must decide how the nation’s money will be spent in the coming year. Although I am not on the House Appropriations Committee, I am fighting hard to ensure that our communities’ priorities are taken into consideration, and that your tax dollars are spent wisely and prudently. Stay tuned for updates on this process over the course of the next month.While the Appropriations process gets covered in the news quite a bit, there is another development going on in Congress this month that has a huge impact on our area and on the nation as a whole. I am talking about the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2017, which authorizes the budgets and expenditures for most national defense operations in the upcoming fiscal year. I am working with my fellow members of the House Armed Services Committee to ensure that this year’s NDAA will provide our service members with the resources they need and ensure the security of our nation and her citizens.

Around the CornerSenior Resource Fair
April 14, 2016, 10am-12pm
City of Palmdale, 38300 Sierra Highway, PalmdaleMusic to Our Ears Concert
April 14, 2016, 6:30pm-7:30pm
Simi Valley Public Library, 2969 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi ValleyPlay Day for All Ages
April 16, 2016, 10am-2pm
COC Honor Grove, 26455 Rockwell Cyn, Santa ClaritaGlobal Youth Service Day
April 16, 2016, 8:30am-9:30am
City of Palmdale, 38300 Sierra Highway, Palmdale

Family Nature Walk
April 16, 2016, 11am-2pm
Placerita Nature Center, 19152 Placerita Canyon Rd

California Poppy Festival
April 16-17, 2016, 10am-6pm
Lancaster City Park, 43063 10th Street West, Lancaster