Dear Community Member:

On January 20, 2021, our nation experienced the transition of power with the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.  That event occurred exactly two weeks after the United States Congress, in the early morning hours, certified the results of the November presidential election, despite a disgraceful attack on our Capitol just hours before.  As a member of the 117^th House of Representatives, I am proud that we did our job that morning in the wake of the incited insurrection.  However, what I have experienced in my limited time as your member of Congress, and what our nation has experienced as a democracy, is that despite the division, derision, and destruction, we must continue to work hard to defend the Constitution, defeat the challenges of the crises that we face, and unify to get things done.  As stated in President Biden’s inaugural speech, our “whole soul is in” to heal the divisions, defeat the disease of COVID-19, and repair the economy, with a reliance on the resilience of our democracy. 

As we look forward to 2021, please know that I continued to work hard in the 116^th Congress to provide a foundation of service for the people and values of the Central Coast to move forward.  It has been a tremendously challenging time as we endured a pandemic, state-wide economic shutdowns, local stay-at-home orders, a national struggle for racial equality, wildfires exacerbated by global climate change, a controversial administration, and presidential and local elections, to name a few issues that affected all of us.  Nevertheless, we continue to work together to overcome those challenges and continue the fight to address many other pressing issues such as the climate crisis and the conservation of our local environment, affordable and accessible housing and health care, providing our essential workers with protections and child care, fighting for immigration reform for farmworkers, Dreamers, and their families, promoting our leading industries of agriculture and hospitality, pushing for gun safety reform and the Justice in Policing Act, and safeguarding our national security and benefits for our veterans.  Additionally, I continue to provide you with personal service to ensure that the federal government and its bureaucracy works for you, your family, friends, and our neighbors. 

In the 116^th Congress, we faced many unprecedented challenges.  However, as your U.S. Representative for the 20^th Congressional District, I remained focusing on upholding my commitment to you, the central coast of California, and the Constitution.  This newsletter is to provide you with just a few examples of my work over the last two years.  By producing, pushing, and passing legislation in Congress and my personal service to constituents, I have provided a foundation to continue being that bridge from our home on the Central Coast to our nation’s capital in the 117th Congress.

Service by the Numbers Provided by U.S. Rep. Panetta

to the Central Coast in the 116^th Congress

Congressman Panetta consistently meeting with constituents, constantly available to discuss his legislative work, and committed to public service for our communities on the Central Coast

• 452,935 responses provided by Congressman Panetta to calls, letters, and emails from constituents
  
  
• 1,275 individual cases successfully completed by Congressman Panetta for constituents
  
  
• 2,358 events attended by Congressman Panetta on the Central Coast for constituents
  
  
• 25 town-hall events participated in by Congressman Panetta on the Central Coast
  
  
• $542,661 in previously unpaid federal benefits secured by Congressman Panetta for constituents
  
  
• $503,848 secured by Congressman Panetta for veterans on the Central Coast
  
  
• $23,034,475 secured by Congressman Panetta for affordable housing programs on the Central Coast
  
  
• $1,433,723,821 secured by Congressman Panetta for COVID-19 pandemic relief on the Central Coast
  
  
• 58 bills authored and introduced by Congressman Panetta
  
  
• 672 bills cosponsored by Congressman Panetta
  
  
• 11 bills authored by Congressman Panetta signed into law
  
  
• 3 House Committee memberships by Congressman Panetta – Ways and Means, Agriculture, and Budget

Personal Service Provided by U.S. Rep. Panetta

to People of the Central Coast in the 116^th Congress

Congressman Panetta meeting with a constituent

who asked to meet to discuss homelessness

As your United States Representative, my priority is to ensure that the federal government works for us on the Central Coast, including matters with the Veterans Affairs Administration (VA) Social Security Administration (SSA), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, State Department, United States Postal Service (USPS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Office of Management and Budget, (OMB) Department of Homeland Security (DHS), General Services Agency (GSA), and others under our federal government.  Please reach out to my office for any federal assistance.  You can also find information about federal and local resources on my website. 

As the grandson of immigrants who grew up on the Central Coast where we value those who are willing to take the risk to come to our country and contribute so much to our community, it is a priority and an honor for me to help constituents with federal issues concerning immigration.  I have dedicated my office to assist with any immigration issues, including renewals and first-time requests for the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.  Moreover, I work closely with the U.S. Department of State on visa, repatriation, and passport issues.  In my four years serving as your Congressman, I resolved over 700 cases regarding immigration matters and more than 250 cases involving international travel.  At the height of travel uncertainty this spring as COVID-19 halted international travel, I directly assisted the repatriation of dozens of individuals and families stranded on six of the seven continents, including Antarctica.

Congressman Panetta and Central Coast Dreamer and farmworker

Pablo Martínez Perez at the 2020 State of the Union

As a veteran and due to the large number of active duty service members and veterans on the Central Coast, my office is dedicated to serving those who served us.  I can help with issues with the VA, searching for military records, or any other related matters.  In my limited time in office, I have solved nearly 500 cases to secure VA benefits, health care, military records, and service medals for veterans.  A recent example of my work was for Edward and Betty Bates.  The Bates were married Navy veterans of World War II who were in their 90s, ailing, and forced to pay for many care services without properly receiving their deserved veteran benefits.  After working with the Santa Cruz County Veterans Service Office, they contacted my office for further assistance.  I was able to expedite the process and paperwork in order to obtain their monthly veterans pension and retroactive pay.

Congressman Panetta presenting World War II veteran Julio Sorio

with the Congressional Gold Medal

Constituent Stories of Completed Casework by

U.S. Rep. Panetta for the Central Coast in the 116^th Congress

Congressman Panetta meeting with a constituent about the importance of federal child and adult care food programs

Mary C. is an elderly constituent living in low income housing.  She was not receiving her Social Security benefit in a timely fashion and was out of food for the weekend.  After contacting me, I reached out to Grey Bears and Meals on Wheels to ensure Mary received food that evening to last her until her next Social Security payment.

Francisco A. previously filed for a visa for his wife to stay and work in the United States, but did not hear from USCIS for 15 months.  In that time, the receipt number for his petition had been lost.  After Francisco contacted my office for help, I immediately reached out to USCIS.  As a result of my efforts, USCIS not only retrieved his visa petition, but within two weeks, USCIS approved the visa for Francisco’s wife.

Matthew H. was not receiving his benefits from the Social Security Administration, which mistakenly offset Matthew’s 2019 tax refund.  In dire economic need, Matthew required rental assistance.  I ensured Matthew’s tax refund was delivered within 24 hours.

Judith L. required assistance working with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to complete her mortgage application.  After working with me to resolve the issue, Judith had this to say:

“Due to the pandemic the IRS had been reduced to a skeleton staff and their online system was malfunctioning.  With no way to contact them, my mortgage was in jeopardy. Congressman Panetta’s office listened carefully to my concerns and immediately contacted an IRS caseworker to resolve my issue.  When the caseworker didn’t follow through, he continued to contact her until she provided the necessary documents.  I realize that I am one of many people who was seeking help from Congressman Panetta’s office… and yet, he maintained contact with me, was personal, professional, and determined to secure the release of the documents.”

Collin G. required assistance obtaining a SSA payment he was owed but had not received.  After contacting me to resolve the issue, Collin stated the following:

“I have received the payment from Social Security and will be taking it to the bank! Apart from waiting on it a long time with respect to medical bill issues it will also help me fund an educational set aside for my son as well as contribute to my retirement.”

If you need any assistance from the federal government or would like to meet with me or my staff to discuss any federal issues, please call my Congressional offices in Salinas at 831-424-2229, Santa Cruz at 831-429-1976, or Washington, D.C. at 202-225-286 or contact me through my website at panetta.house.gov. 

Federal Funding Secured by U.S. Rep. Panetta

for the Central Coast in the 116^th Congress

Congressman Panetta touring the Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project

Each year, the House of Representatives, Senate, and Administration author, negotiate, and pass into law legislation to allocate federal funding for federal agencies and local projects.  In the second session of the 116^th Congress, I secured critical funding and report language in the House-passed Fiscal Year 2021 Appropriations package that was recently signed into law, including:

• Agricultural Research Service Crop Improvement and Protection Research Laboratory in Salinas: Secured $98 million in previously awarded funding to upgrade the campus. This funding will cover the design and construction of new research facilities, including laboratories, greenhouses, and capacity for additional scientists.
  
  
• Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project: Authored language in the end-of-year appropriations that paved the way to secure $2,815,000 in funding  so that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can complete preliminary engineering and design work on the Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. 
  
  
• Hispanic Serving Institutions: Secured $155 million for our institutions on the Central Coast that serve Latino populations.
  
  
• Affordable Housing : Secured $2.3 billion in new funding for the Office of Public  Housing, for a total of $34.8 billion, including $1.9 billion in new funding for Tenant-based Rental Assistance. I also secured $40 million in funding for Supportive Housing for Homeless Veterans and $43 million for new vouchers for homeless individuals and families.  This is in addition to more than $15.5 million I secured in funding for affordable housing and homelessness on the Central Coast as part of the CARES Act.
  
  
• San Justo Reservoir Zebra Mussel Eradication Project: Secured language in the annual appropriations bill to elevate the importance of the San Justo Reservoir Mussel Eradication Project so that it will compete for additional funding provided in the Bureau of Reclamation’s “Water Conservation and Delivery” account.
  
  
• Pure Water Monterey: Secured $15.4 million in Bureau of Reclamation for water reclamation and purification on the Monterey Peninsula.
  
  
• Pure Water Soquel: Secured $6 million in Bureau of Reclamation funding for water reclamation and purification in Santa Cruz County.
  
  
• Agriculture and Food Research Initiative: Secured $435 million for U.S. Department of Agriculture grants benefitting agricultural sciences for Central Coast agriculture.
  
  
• Agriculture Research Service: Secured language elevating the importance of specialty crop production research within the U.S. Department of Agriculture for our Central Coast agriculture.
  
  
• Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AGARDA): Secured language directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to complete a strategic plan within 180 days of enactment for a pilot program supporting research on long-term and high-risk challenges for Central Coast agriculture.
  
  
• IRS MilTax:  Secured language encouraging the IRS to promote MilTax, a free Department of Defense tax preparation service, in all communications regarding the Free File program and all outreach to servicemembers.
  
  
• Department of Education (DOE) Homeless Student Assistance:  Secured language encouraging the Department of Education to assist state and local education agencies to ensure that federal funding for homeless students are properly used, and track funding throughout the state.
  
  
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Secured language encouraging the FDA ensure recordkeeping and traceability requirements associated with the high-risk foods list apply across the food supply and distribution chain.
  
  
• Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA): Secured language encouraging the FDA to work in partnership with existing government food safety programs and the industries they represent as it continues implementation of regulations to stop foodborne illness.

Pandemic Relief Funding Secured by U.S. Rep. Panetta

for the Central Coast in the 116^th Congress

Congressman Panetta debating on the House floor for resources

for the Central Coast to mitigate effects of COVID-19

As we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains a serious health crisis that is having a significant impact on our communities, economy, and country.  In response, our government is taking decisive steps with a decentralized strategy that is locally executed, state mandated, and federally funded.  As a member of the United States Congress, I am fighting to secure federal funding to bolster effective resources and protect our community members’ health, economic security, and well-being on the Central Coast. 

The first bill we passed was the bipartisan Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, an emergency response funding package totaling $8.3 billion.  The legislation committed more than $3 billion to the development of treatments and a vaccine for COVID-19.  The bill also provided $2.2 billion in prevention, preparedness, and response measures, including nearly $1 billion to help state and local health systems.  It helped families by extending telemedicine services regardless of where they live and supported small businesses with billions in low-interest Small Business Administration (SBA) loans to those affected.

The second bill we passed was the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.  This legislation ensured free coronavirus testing for everyone in need of a test, including the uninsured.  Our legislation also increased funding for Medicaid to support local and state health systems to provide them with the resources needed to combat this public health emergency.  The bill also bolstered families’ economic security by providing two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of family and medical leave for eligible workers and it enhanced Unemployment Insurance.  The legislation also supported small businesses by fully reimbursing them for providing leave.  For families’ food security, our legislation strengthened critical nutrition initiatives including, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), student meals, seniors’ meals, and food banks.

Congress passed a third bill to fight COVID-19, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, H.R. 748.  This legislation is the largest financial assistance bill ever signed into law and aimed at providing relief for individuals and businesses that were negatively impacted by the pandemic.  The bill included direct payments to Americans in a one-time direct deposit of up to $1,200 per adult and an additional $500 per child.  The legislation also provided $250 billion for an extended unemployment insurance program, expanded eligibility to the self-employed and gig economy workers, and offered workers an additional $600 per week for four months on top of what state programs pay.

The bill allowed employers to delay the payment of their portion of 2020 payroll taxes until 2021 and 2022.  The bill dedicated $350 billion to preventing layoffs and business closures while workers have to stay home during the outbreak.  Small businesses with 500 employees or fewer could receive up to 8 weeks of cash-flow assistance, and if those employers maintained their payroll during this outbreak, the portion of the loans used for payroll costs, interest on mortgage obligations, rent, and utilities would be forgiven.  In order to keep large employers with many employees afloat, $500 billion will be allotted for loans, loan guarantees, and other investments and will be overseen by a Treasury Department inspector general.  State, local and tribal governments received $150 billion.  $30 billion was set aside for states and educational institutions.  $45 billion was for disaster relief and $25 billion for additional funds for transit programs.  The bill also included $9.5 billion within the Agriculture Department dedicated to specialty crops like we have on the Central Coast.

Congress passed the most recent bill to respond to the COVID-19 public health crisis, H.R. 133, in late December.  This legislation was passed as part of a larger end of year spending package and includes federal funds and temporary protections for our restaurants and other small businesses, our farmworkers and other frontline workers, and the many more who continue to struggle amid this bruising pandemic.  This legislation was signed into law and provides, among other provisions, $19 billion in funding for vaccine distribution, direct payments of up to $600 per adult and child, $300 per week to boost unemployment assistance and an 11 week extension of CARES Act unemployment programs, $284 billion in forgivable loans for small businesses, $82 billion to support schools, $25 billion in rental assistance, $7 billion to expand broadband access, $22 billion for health-related expenses of state and local governments, $13 billion in agricultural assistance programs to ensure farmworkers can continue putting food on our tables, $13 billion for nutrition assistance including SNAP, and $400 million for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which supports food banks and pantries, and more. 

The American people need and deserve a whole-of-government response to keep them and their loved ones safe from the coronavirus epidemic.  We in Congress will continue to work relentlessly to continue responding to this pandemic and ensure that we put families and workers first.

Pandemic Relief Resources Secured by U.S. Rep. Panetta

for the Central Coast in the 116^th Congress

Congressman Panetta distributing food to Central Coast residents

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing inequities in our country and threatened the health of community members on the Central Coast.  I worked across the aisle to establish critical SNAP administrative flexibilities to address increased need, successfully advocate for targeted assistance for producers, farmworkers, and households struggling with food insecurity.  I also secured over $2 billion in funding in the CARES Act for direct payments to specialty crop producers whose operations have been directly impacted by the pandemic

I also urged California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom, to activate the National Guard to assist our local food banks.  I am grateful that he heeded my call and activated these service members to our communities.  As our counties shelter in place, food banks are seeing a drastic decrease in volunteers.  The National Guard provide a critical backbone for food banks and help alleviate food insecurity across our state.  I saw this firsthand when I participated in weekly food distributions throughout the district during the pandemic, all while maintaining necessary social distance.  I am so grateful for the National Guard’s work delivering, packaging, and distributing food to our community members.

I continue to advocate for our local agriculture.  As we have long known on the Central Coast and as recently highlighted by this national emergency, farmworkers are essential to our food security.  They show up to work every day and ensure the continuity of our domestic food supply.  However, the working and living conditions of many farmworkers and their family members make them uniquely susceptible to COVID-19.  Since they are at a greater risk of contracting this disease, which puts their health and our food supply at risk, we must provide farmworkers with adequate protections. 

That is why early on in this pandemic, I authored a letter that was signed and supported by 72 of my colleagues in Congress calling on House leadership to provide or direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide funds to protect farmworkers and their families.  I was also asked by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to join them in pressuring Congressional leadership to include protections and financial assistance for farmworkers in future legislation to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Additionally, as a member of the House Budget Committee, I was part of a hearing on how COVID-19 is exacerbating the health and wealth inequities in our country.  I spoke with the experts about how we can reduce these disparities for the Latinx community and farmworkers on the Central Coast.  I will continue to fight for the safety of farmworkers and their families as they continue to provide our nation with food security.

I also led a bipartisan letter sent to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressing strong concern with the State Department’s abrupt decision to suspend visa processing at the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Mexico.  My letter urges the State Department to provide guidance on how it will process visas for returning H-2A agriculture workers who are eligible for waivers of the in-person visa interview, extend the availability of such waivers for returning H-2A workers who have been interviewed in the previous 2 to 3 years, and allow new H-2A workers who are ineligible for waivers to request a visa interview under the emergency travel exception only during the duration of this crisis.  After my letter, the State Department reversed its decision and continued processing H-2A visas in Mexico, which allows our local agriculture industry to continue to flourish.

In negotiations for the relief package most recently passed by Congress, I made it a priority to fight to ensure that farmworkers have access to the personal protective equipment (PPE) that they need to do their jobs safely.  I am proud that, as a result of my efforts, the bill passed by Congress contains up to $3.5 billion in funding for PPE and other initiatives to support these essential workers that provide food for our entire country.

Wildfire Relief Secured by U.S. Rep. Panetta

for the Central Coast in the 116^th Congress

Congressman Panetta viewing damage caused from the local wildfires of 2020

This past summer, multiple wildfires, including the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, River Fire, Carmel Fire, Dolan Fire, and SCU Lightning Complex Fire, threatened lives and livelihoods across the Central Coast.  Residents, community leaders, volunteers, government agencies, and elected officials came together to support one another, and I am immensely grateful to the firefighters, police, front-line responders, and supporting staff who worked around the clock to keep us safe and protect our homes and livelihoods. 

As your Member of Congress, I worked with government at all levels to ensure we secure the critical resources necessary to fight these fires.  Following my request, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) made a Major Disaster Declaration in response to these fires, activating several FEMA assistance programs for individuals, households, businesses, public agencies, and non-profits.  Furthermore, I secured FEMA fire management assistance grants for the River, Carmel, CZU Lightning Complex, and SCU Lightning Complex Fires and helped secure an additional $45 billion to the Fund, more than doubling the account.

I also introduced several pieces of legislation to mitigate future wildfire risk and respond to the increased likelihood of natural conditions favorable to wildfire development as a result of climate change.  I am the author of the bipartisan Emergency Wildfire and Public Safety Act, H.R. 7978, to protect communities from wildfire by implementing wildfire prevention projects, sustaining healthier forests, and providing important energy and retrofitting assistance to businesses and residences to protect from future risks of wildfire.  Additionally, I authored the Save Our Forests Act, H.R. 8731, to address chronic staffing shortages in National Forests, including the Central Coast’s Los Padres National Forest, to improve risk mitigation and response to wildfires.  I have also authored the Repairing Existing Public Land by Adding Necessary Trees (REPLANT) Act, H.R. 7843, to expand funding for U.S. forestland damaged by events such as wildfires, insects and disease, and create more than 48,000 jobs to tackle the United States Forest Service’s reforestation backlog.

House Committee Work by U.S. Rep. Panetta

for the Central Coast in the 116^th Congress

Congressman Panetta presiding over the House Agriculture Committee

In the 116^th Congress, I have served as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, the Agriculture Committee, and the Budget Committee.

As a member of, the Ways and Means Committee, I worked to strengthen social security, protect the Affordable Care Act, expand Medicare benefits, reduce prescription drug costs, eliminate health disparities, expand the social safety net, reform hospice benefits, improve trade agreements, enhance retirement benefits, and provide tax deductions.  The Committee was also instrumental in the development and passage of the CARES Act, providing billions of dollars to our nation’s families and businesses during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the Agriculture Committee, I continued to advance provisions of the recently enacted Farm Bill, including securing resources for agriculture research and mechanization development for specialty crops.  I also advocated for full funding of programs and policies that support the growers and producers who make the Central Coast home to one of the most thriving organic agriculture industries in the nation.  Additionally, I protected the integrity of and led the California Democratic Delegation in requesting the U.S. Department of Agriculture rescind harmful proposals that would kick millions off the SNAP program. 

In my support for farmworkers, I lead on immigration reform.  For almost an entire year, I worked with Democrats, Republicans, farmers, and farmworkers to formulate the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (FWMA), H.R. 5038.  That legislation would provide a chance to earn citizenship for those who work in agriculture, streamline the visa process for more people to have the opportunity to come here and work in agriculture, and fund investment in farmworker housing.  Due to that work by us in Congress, including the leadership of Chairwomen Zoe Lofgren, the FWMA was the first immigration bill in over a decade to pass out of the House on a bipartisan basis.  

On the Budget Committee, I worked to secure a Budget Resolution, examine the impact of wealth inequality, review the cost of climate change, and identify critical structural reforms to the budget process.

Legislation Authored, Introduced, and Signed into Law by

U.S. Rep. Panetta for the Central Coast in the 116^th Congress

Congressman Panetta (at far left of procession) and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair General Mark A. Milley escorting the family of SSG Shurer during the full military honors burial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

• Full Military Honors Act, H.R. 1019: Legislation I authored to provide a full military honors ceremony – including funeral escort platoon, military band, firing party, and horse-drawn caisson – to Medal of Honor recipients and Prisoners of War eligible for burial at Arlington National Cemetery.  This bill was included in the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that was signed into law.
  
  
• HOSPICE Act, H.R. 5821: Legislation I authored that will increase federal oversight of the Medicare hospice benefit.  This bill was included in the most recent COVID-19 relief package and signed into law.
  
  
• Witness and Victim Protections Act, H.R. 4319: Legislation I authored that will prohibit the detention or deportation of immigrant witnesses and victims of crimes until a final judicial review of their petition.  This bill was secured in the FY 2020 Appropriations legislation that was signed into law.
  
  
• Better Military Housing Act, H.R. 2811: Legislation I authored for requirements to create a tenant bill of rights for residents of privatized military housing.  This bill was secured in the FY 2020 NDAA that was signed into law.
  
  
• Restoring Investments in Improvements Act, H.R. 1869: Legislation I authored to ensure restaurants and retailers are able to properly benefit from tax provisions meant to aid renovations and spur investment.  This bill was included in the CARES Act that was signed into law.
  
  
• NATO Support Act, H.R. 676: Legislation I authored that passed in the House prohibiting the use of funds to withdraw the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.  This bill was included in the FY 2020 NDAA that was signed into law.
  
  
• Small Manufacturer Cybersecurity Enhancement Act, H.R. 7265: Legislation I authored to assist small manufacturers in the defense industrial supply chain with improving cybersecurity.  This bill was included in FY 2021 NDAA that was signed into law.
  
  
• NOPP Revitalization Act, H.R. 7713: Legislation I authored reauthorizing and strengthening the National Oceanographic Partnership Program.  This bill was included in the FY 2021 NDAA that was signed into law.
  
  
• Special Operations and International Security Education Act, H.R. 7712: Legislation I authored requiring an assessment of the requirements for joint professional military education and civilian leadership education in counterterrorism, irregular warfare, and asymmetrical domains to support U.S. national security.  This bill was included in the FY 2021 NDAA that was signed into law.
  
  
• U.S.-Africa Strategic Security Act, H.R. 6089: Legislation I authored requiring the Department of Defense to report on U.S. political and military strategies in the U.S. Africa Command Area of responsibility and the potential effects of a withdrawal.  This bill was included in the FY 2021 NDAA that was signed into law.
  
  
• Legal Services for Homeless Veterans Act, H.R. 3749: Legislation I authored requiring the VA to make grants to entities that provide legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness.  This bill was included in the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act that was signed into law.

Legislation Authored and Introduced by U.S. Rep. Panetta

for the Central Coast in the 116^th Congress

Congressman Panetta presiding over the House of Representatives

during legislative debate

• Farm Workforce Modernization Act, H.R. 5038: Bipartisan House passed legislation that I co-authored and led providing a path to citizenship for domestic farmworkers and reforming the H-2A visa program.

• PROVIDE Act, H.R. 9020: Legislation I authored directing the VA Secretary ensuring that veterans impacted by major disasters are eligible for expedited processing of disability claims.

• Preserving Charitable Incentives Act, H.R. 8817: Legislation I authored encouraging restaurants and retailers to donate excess inventory rather than destroying it.

• Save Our Forests Act of 2020, H.R. 8731: Legislation I authored filling vacancies in National Forests for Forest Service recreation management and planning staff.

• Amending the Arms Export Control Act Relating to Export Licenses for Firearm Silencers, H.R. 8461: Legislation that I authored prohibiting the President from approving or issuing a license to export firearm silencers unless the recipient end-user of the firearm silencers is the government of a foreign country or any person acting on behalf of such government.

• Emergency Wildfire and Public Safety Act of 2020, H.R. 7978: Legislation I authored strengthening wildfire preparedness and response.

• Agricultural Fairs Act, H.R. 7883: Legislation I authored establishing a program under which the Secretary awards grants to States or State departments of agriculture for the purposes of providing support to agricultural fairs for losses sustained due to COVID-19.

• Community Economic Development Center Support Act, H.R. 7844: Legislation I authored providing assistance for nonprofit economic development organizations to provide services for low and moderate-income individuals who are aspiring entrepreneurs or seeking employment and for owners of smaller businesses.

• REPLANT Act, H.R. 7843: Legislation I authored promoting reforestation following disasters on Federal land.

• Revolving Loan Fund Flexibility Act, H.R. 7467: Legislation I authored allowing a grantee of revolving loan funds to transfer certain funds to other eligible projects.

• Safe Reopening Tax Credit, H.R. 7222: Legislation I authored providing tax credits to employers for virus transmission prevention expenses.

• PAUSE Act, H.R. 6991: Legislation I authored prohibiting actions to terminate or withdraw the United States from international treaties without affirmative approval from Congress.

• National Guard COVID19 Earned Benefits Guarantee Act, H.R. 6957: Legislation I authored requiring the Department of Defense and VA to treat full-time National Guard duty performed in response to COVID-19 as a period not less than the threshold required for benefits eligibility.

• SOS Act, H.R. 6872: Legislation I authored distributing funds to establish strike teams that may be deployed to skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities with cases of COVID-19 to help with clinical care, infection control, or staffing.

• SNAP CARRY Act, H.R. 6688: Legislation I authored allowing all individuals who are SNAP-eligible to use their food benefits to purchase prepared meals from a qualified participating restaurant, deli counter, or store.

• Immediate COVID Testing Procurement Act, H.R. 6609: Legislation I authored requiring the President to invoke the Defense Production Act to procure COVID-19 testing supplies.

• Inspire to Serve Act, H.R. 6415: Legislation I authored expanding America’s public service programs.

• Reservist Pay Equity Act of 2020, H.R. 6280: Legislation I authored providing greater tax credits for employers of activity duty members of the uniformed services.

• Public Service Retirement Fairness Act, H.R. 6257: Legislation I authored ensuring public sector and non-profit retirement-savings programs have the same access to low-cost investments as for-profit retirement plans do.

• NICS Data Integrity Act, H.R. 5949: Legislation I authored allowing the national instant criminal background check system to retain records related to a firearms-related background check for as long as necessary to make a final determination of firearms eligibility.

• MONARCH Act, H.R. 5920: Legislation I authored providing support for the conservation of western monarch butterflies.

• Post-9/11 GI Bill Transferability Entitlement Act, H.R. 5522: Legislation I authored increasing flexibility for servicemembers seeking to transfer their GI Bill education benefits.

• California Central Coast Conservation Act, H.R. 5303: Legislation I authored establishing a moratorium on oil and gas leasing on public land on the Central Coast of California.

• Green Bus Tax Credit Act, H.R. 5163: Legislation I authored encouraging the development and deployment of zero-emission buses.
  
  
• KITTEN Act, H.R. 1622: Legislation that I authored ending deadly experiments on kittens.
  
  
• Clear Creek National Recreation Area and Conservation Act, H.R. 1913: Legislation that I authored to reopen Clear Creek Recreation Area.

• Open Skies Treaty Stability Act, H.R. 5149: Legislation I authored preventing the U.S. from unilaterally withdrawing from the Open Skies Treaty.

• Coastal Resilience Research and Education Act, H.R. 5102: Legislation I authored establishing Coastal Climate Centers of Excellence.

• Vets Earned Transportation Act, H.R. 5074: Legislation I authored ensuring veterans have access to transportation services.

• Directing the VA Secretary to Study Effects of Radiation Exposure, H.R. 5020: Legislation I authored directing the VA Secretary to study radiation exposure relating to prostate cancer in veterans.

• GARLIC Act, H.R. 4448: Legislation I authored protecting Central Coast garlic producers from unfair tariffs.

• PSLF Modernization Act. H.R. 4391: Legislation I authored simplifying and modernizing federal student loan forgiveness programs.

• Nuclear Security and Nonproliferation Accounting Act, H.R. 4185: Legislation I authored increasing transparency and security of the U.S. nuclear force.

• Climate Action Rebate Act, H.R. 4051: Legislation I authored pricing carbon pollution and investing in infrastructure, clean energy, and working families.

• Providing Justice for Asylum Seekers Act, H.R. 3748: Legislation I authored providing meaningful due process protections for families and children seeking asylum in the United States.
  
  
• Defense Language Improvement Act, H.R. 3185: Legislation I authored supporting the Defense Language Institute.
  
  
• Clean Energy Production Parity Act, H.R. 2040: Legislation I authored encouraging investment in innovative new energy technology.
  
  
• Restoring Investment in Improvements Act, H.R. 1869: Legislation I authored ensuring small businesses benefit from a tax provision meant to aid renovations and spur investment.
  
  
• Amendments to Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, H.R. 4447: Amendments I authored and included in legislation passed in the House directing the Secretary of Energy to establish a research, development, and demonstration program to improve the energy resilience of critical infrastructure, including hospitals and expanding financial assistance for weatherization enhancement and innovation to cover the use of materials that are resistant to high heat and fire in low-income housing in areas at risk from wildfire.
  
  
• Amendment to Comprehensive Credit Act, H.R. 3621: Amendment I authored and included in legislation passed in the House permitting “homelessness” to qualify as life circumstance or event demonstrating undue hardship for the purposes of interrupting repayment without penalty to credit scores.
  
  
• Amendment to Protecting America’s Wilderness Act, H.R. 2546: Amendment I authored and included in legislation passed in the House allowing the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to safely manage for fire, insects, and diseases in wilderness areas.

• Amendment to Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act, H.R. 729: Amendment I authored and included in legislation passed in the House encouraging collaborations and partnerships between institutions of higher education and federal agencies to expand and improve the data sets used to help coastal communities prepare for and respond to climate change.

• Amendment to Climate Action Now Act, H.R. 9: Amendment I authored and included in legislation passed in the House recognizing the critical role that American leadership played in encouraging the widespread international adoption of the Paris Agreement.

• H. Res. 803: Legislation I authored recognizing the longstanding partnership between the United States and Australia to share critical firefighting resources during times of crisis.

• H. Res. 214: Legislation I authored protecting U.S. military personnel from malaria.

• H. Res. 414: Legislation I authored honoring the life and legacy of Doris Day.

Sample of Legislation Cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Panetta and Signed into Law for the Central Coast in the 116^th Congress

Congressman Panetta participating in a hearing on infrastructure investment in the Ways and Means Committee

• Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act, H.R. 6322: Legislation signed into law that I cosponsored authorizing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to continue paying work-study allowances, educational assistance, and subsistence allowances during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  
  
• Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commemorative Coin Act, H.R. 2423: Legislation signed into law that I cosponsored directing the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue silver coins that are emblematic of the women who played a vital role in rallying support for the 19^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
  
  
• Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, H.R. 1865: Legislation signed into law that I cosponsored providing FY2020 appropriations for several departments and agencies and extends several expiring programs and addresses a wide range of policy issues throughout the federal government.
  
  
• Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act, H.R.1396: Legislation signed into law that I cosponsored awarding Congressional Gold Medals to Katherine Johnson, Dr. Christine Darden, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and all of the women who contributed to the success of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration during the Space Race.
  
  
• Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11^th Victim Compensation Fund Act, H.R. 1327: Legislation signed into law that I cosponsored fully funding the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund through Fiscal Year 2092.
  
  
• Never Again Education Act, H.R. 943: Legislation signed into law that I cosponsored expanding U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum education programming, requiring development and dissemination of accurate, relevant, and accessible resources to improve awareness and understanding of the Holocaust, and authorizing Holocaust education program activities for prospective and current teachers and educational leaders.
  
  
• Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act, H.R. 886: Legislation signed into law that I cosponsored directing the Department of Justice to establish a Veterans Treatment Court Program to provide grants and technical assistance for state, local, and tribal governments to develop and maintain veterans treatment courts.
  
  
• CARES Act, H.R. 748: Legislation signed into law that I cosponsored providing fast and direct economic assistance for American workers, families, and small businesses, and preserving jobs for American industries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  
  
• Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, H.R. 724: Legislation signed into law that I cosponsored criminalizing knowingly creating or distributing an animal cruelty and torture video and any intentional act of animal cruelty and torture.
  
  
• DHS Field Engagement Accountability Act, H.R. 504: Legislation signed into law that I cosponsored requiring the Department of Homeland Security develop and update an engagement strategy with government agencies that combine resources, expertise, or information to maximize the ability to detect, prevent, investigate, apprehend, and respond to criminal or terrorist activity.
  
  
• Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, H.R. 299: Legislation signed into law that I cosponsored extending the presumption of service-connected diseases associated with herbicide, such as Agent Orange, to veterans who served in the offshore waters of the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975.

Foundation for Continued Service by U.S. Rep. Panetta

to the Central Coast in the 117th Congress

Congressman Panetta providing personal protective equipment and free lunch

to farmworkers during the pandemic

As we begin the work of the 117^th Congress that convened on January 3, 2020, my colleagues and I are ready to continue our service to our country and communities.  In the months ahead, we will undertake, in coordination with the Biden Administration, encompassing legislation to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, invest in our nation’s infrastructure, mitigate the effects of climate change and protect our environment, provide immigration reform, secure affordable housing, promote equality and equity in our society, and support American jobs and our national security.  I am honored to have been selected by Majority Whip Clyburn to serve as a Chief Deputy Whip in the 117^th Congress to help lead my colleagues in the House and deliver results for our nation.  I look forward to continuing my work on the House Ways and Means Committee to fix economic inequality and foster prosperity in our communities.  But, most importantly, I am absolutely honored and humbled to have the opportunity to continue my service for the constituents and values of this place that we so proudly call our home on the Central Coast.

If you would like to receive future updates, please sign up for my newsletters by clicking here. Also, you can also find more information about my legislation and votes cast in the U.S. House of Representatives by clicking here.

If you have any questions or issues that I can help you with, please call or contact my Congressional offices in Salinas, Santa Cruz, or Washington, D.C. or through panetta.house.gov. Please do not hesitate to reach out and let me know how I can continue to best serve you.

Sincerely,


Jimmy Panetta
United States Representative
20th Congressional District, California


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