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Dear Community Member:
On January 3, 2021, I was sworn in to serve as the United States Representative for the 20th Congressional District in California during the 117th Congress. I am honored and humbled to serve a third congressional term as the federal representative for the Central Coast of California. As proven throughout my first two terms in Congress, I will continue to serve the people of our home and fight for our Central Coast values.
Monterey Herald: Hundreds Turn Out for the Community
Work Done by Congressman Panetta in the
First 100 Days of the 117th Congress
- 131 events and meetings on the Central Coast attended by Congressman Panetta
- $508,767,263 secured for the Central Coast by Congressman Panetta
- 5 townhalls held by Congressman Panetta
- 11 bills introduced by Congressman Panetta
- 160 bills cosponsored by Congressman Panetta
- Over 100 votes cast by Congressman Panetta
- 41 bills passed by the House of Representatives
- 2 bills passed in the House of Representatives introduced by Congressman Panetta
- 14 bills passed in the House of Representatives cosponsored by Congressman Panetta
- 1 bill signed into law introduced by Congressman Panetta
Congressman Panetta touring Highway 1 at Rat Creek in Big Sur to view damage
after record rains caused flooding and debris flow in Dolan Fire burn scar
COVID Relief Secured by Congressman Panetta
for the Central Coast
For more than a year, our way of life has been upended due to the bruising pandemic caused by COVID-19. Over a half of a million individuals have lost their lives and millions are now jobless. In 2020, Congress did its job and passed five relief packages to keep the economy afloat and poverty rate flat while scientists developed a vaccine.
In 2021, Congress passed H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan, to deliver more than $1.9 trillion in relief from the COVID-19 pandemic, including direct payments to qualifying Americans, extension to the weekly unemployment assistance supplement, expansion of the child tax credit, and authorization for federal funds for states, counties, and cities to be used to fight the pandemic and return to our normal way of life.
The American Rescue Plan invests $85 billion in vaccine development, deployment, and more
Now that multiple COVID-19 vaccines have arrived on the Central Coast to protect our population against this virus, the resources provided by the American Rescue Plan will help us win the race of infections versus injections and get our economy going again. Not only will this legislation provide federal funding for further vaccine deployment, but also direct payments to those who need it the most, relief for small businesses, including the restaurants of our local hospitality industry, aid to our local cities for police and fire services, childcare, healthcare, broadband services, and safe school reopenings. On the Central Coast, no less than $508,767,263 in funding that I secured with this legislation will make its way to counties and cities so that our communities can recover fully with resiliency.
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The American Rescue Plan invests nearly $200 billion to help schools
safely reopen and address learning loss among students
Moreover, due to my work on the House Ways and Means and Agriculture Committees, I secured critical provisions for our local farmers and farmworkers and long-term care facilities, including $3.6 billion for vaccines, testing, and PPE specifically for farmworkers and the passage of my Securing Our Seniors Act that would deploy strike teams to long-term care facilities experiencing COVID outbreaks. These types of beneficial provisions in this type of meaningful legislation by Congress demonstrate our efforts to get things done for the American public during the pandemic and as we get on the road to recovery.
 Congressman Panetta speaking on House Floor in support of
COVID-19 relief resources for the Central Coast
Legislation Passed by the House of Representatives
for the Central Coast
Since the beginning of the 117th Congress in January, my colleagues and I have passed more than 40 pieces of legislation to defend the environment, support the economy, protect our communities, support equity and equality, and reform our immigration system. Some of these critical bills include:
- H.R. 1, the For the People Act, legislation that I cosponsored to expand access to the voting booth and reform campaign finance regulations,
- H.R. 5, the Equality Act, legislation that I cosponsored to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity,
- H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, legislation that I cosponsored to private a path to citizenship to DREAMers,
- H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, legislation that I cosponsored to expand background check requirements for firearms purchases,
- H.R. 447, the National Apprenticeship Act, legislation to establish a program within the Department of Labor to provide grant funding for apprenticeship programs,
- H.R. 803, the Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act, legislation to provide greater environmental protections for public lands,
- H.R. 842, the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, legislation that I cosponsored to extend labor protections in the workplace,
- H.R. 1276, the SAVE LIVES Act, legislation that I cosponsored and was signed into law to provide COVID-19 vaccination for all veterans, caregivers of veterans, and the spouses of veterans,
Monterey County Weekly: Veterans, spouses and caregivers now able to get
COVID vaccines through VA with passage of SAVE LIVES Act
- H.R. 1280, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, legislation that I cosponsored to hold law enforcement accountable for misconduct and end the use of discriminatory policing tactics,
- H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act, legislation that was signed into law to provide comprehensive COVID-19 relief resources for individuals, cities, counties, and states, and includes legislation that I introduced, H.R. 771, the Sending Outside Support Act, to distribute funds to allow states to establish strike teams that may be deployed to skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities with cases of COVID-19,
Santa Cruz Sentinel: Panetta’s SOS Act to provide much-needed relief in congregate living settings
- H.R. 1446, the Enhanced Background Checks Act, legislation to close a loophole in firearms regulations that allows for the sale of a firearm to an individual without a background check,
- H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, legislation that I introduced to reform agricultural guestworker programs and provide a path to citizenship for farmworkers currently in the United States,
- H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, legislation that I cosponsored to prevent and strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other crimes,
- H.J.Res. 17, a Resolution Removing the Deadline for the Ratification for the Equal Rights Amendment, legislation that I cosponsored to eliminate the deadline for the ratification of an amendment to the United States Constitution to prohibit discrimination based on sex.
Legislation Introduced by Congressman Panetta
for the Central Coast
In the past three months, my work in our nation’s capital as your Representative has been dedicated to delivering solutions to and relief from issues faced here on the Central Coast. To achieve this goal, I have introduced 11 bills and am introducing new legislation to help our communities. These bills include:
- H.R. 479, the California Central Coast Conservation Act, legislation to establish a moratorium on all new oil and gas leasing on federal public lands on the Central Coast,
- H.R. 583, the Green Bus Tax Credit Act, legislation to create a tax credit to encourage municipalities to purchase and use zero-emission buses,
- H.R. 771, the Sending Outside Support Act, legislation that was signed into law to distribute funds to allow states to establish strike teams that may be deployed to skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities with cases of COVID-19,
- H.R. 1018, the Reservist Pay Equity Act, legislation to encourage employers to continue to pay employees that are members of the National Guard and Reserves while activated,
- H.R. 1019, the E-BIKE Act, legislation to encourage the use of electric bicycles, or e-bikes, through a consumer tax credit,
Slate: E-Bikes for Everyone!
- H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, legislation to reform agricultural guestworker programs and provide a path to citizenship for farmworkers currently in the United States,
- H.R. 1767, the Defense Language Improvement Act, legislation to authorize the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center to grant a Bachelor of Arts degree in foreign language,
- H.R. 1982, the Monarch and Pollinator Highway Act, legislation to establish a federal grant program available to state departments of transportation and Native American tribes to carry out pollinator-friendly practices on roadsides and highway rights-of-way,
- H.R. 1983, the MONARCH Act, legislation to provide urgent protections for the struggling western monarch butterfly,
Cedar Street Times: Panetta Reintroduces MONARCH Act
- H.R. 2049, the REPLANT Act, legislation to help the U.S. Forest Service carry out reforestation projects to address the climate crisis and create nearly 49,000 jobs,
- H.R. 2339, the Military Hunger Prevention Act, legislation to help low-income military families living with food insecurity make ends meet
Action by Congressman Panetta to
Address Immigration Reform
and Situation at the Southern Border
Congressman Panetta presiding over the House of Representatives during
consideration of his legislation, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act
Since entering Congress, my priority has been to reform our immigration system. We on the Central Coast understand the value of our farmworkers. That is why I helped author and introduce H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (FWMA), which passed the House in March. My legislation would provide a path to legalization for farmworkers who are willing to continue to work in agriculture, reform and modernize the H-2A visa guestworker program to protect the agriculture workforce, and gradually implement the E-Verify system. If signed into law, the FWMA would provide a bipartisan solution for America’s agriculture industry and labor organizations while offering stability, predictability, and fairness to our country’s agriculture communities.
This was a critical step forward in providing the reform we need, but our progress hasn’t stopped there. Also in March, we in the House passed H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, which would allow Dreamers and individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to continue to contribute, work, and remain legally in the United States by providing an earned pathway to citizenship.
Dreamers and TPS recipients don’t just live here, they are employees and employers, attend school, serve in our military, own homes, and have families here. Despite their devotion and dedication to our communities, these individuals remain largely unprotected and struggle to obtain the status that they need to continue contributing to our nation. I cosponsored the American Dream and Promise Act to provide that earned pathway to legalization to protect the future of these immigrants and their families on the Central Coast and secure their invaluable economic and cultural contributions for the future of our country.
 Congressman Panetta speaks with local law enforcement in
Hidalgo County, Texas near the U.S.-Mexico Border
Long-term reform that is rooted in order and compassion is urgently needed, but until the Senate passes our legislation, we must act now to address the influx of potential asylees and unaccompanied minors coming to our southern border. Over the last month, I traveled to our southern border two times. My first visit this year was to Carrizo Springs, Texas to a Department of Health and Human Services facility, which houses migrant children. While the facility I visited consisted of just a fraction of children currently in U.S. custody, our next step forward is clear. Two weeks later, I headed back down with a bipartisan group of Members of Congress to visit processing centers in Donna and McAllen, Texas to speak with individuals and families being processed by Customs and Border Patrol. The best course of action is to continue amping up resources at our border to properly accommodate those who come into United States custody.
Monterey Herald: Panetta visits border, says more resources needed
Immigrants make treacherous journeys to escape extreme poverty and violence, risking their lives for a better life. I support President Biden’s Executive Order (EO) on Creating a Comprehensive Regional Framework to Address the Causes of Migration, to Manage Migration Throughout North and Central America, and to Provide Safe and Orderly Processing of Asylum Seekers at the United States Border and H.R. 1177, the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, which both include provisions to address the root causes of migration in the Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Confronting instability, violence, and economic insecurity that drives migrants from their homes will be the cornerstone of addressing those root causes.
Congressman Panetta speaking with reporters at the southern border
Work by Congressman Panetta to
Address Senseless Acts of Violence
In recent weeks, communities across the country have been impacted by senseless acts of gun violence. In March, my House colleagues and I passed two pieces of legislation to help keep firearms out of the hands of the irresponsible and close loopholes in our system that put the safety of our communities at risk.
H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021, would require a background check for every gun sale or transfer while providing reasonable exceptions for family and friend transfers. H.R. 1446, the Enhanced Background Checks Act, would close the “Charleston Loophole,” which allows the sale of a firearm to proceed if a background check is not completed within three business days. As a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, I am committed to stopping such senseless violence. Our communities cannot afford to wait any longer for this reform, and I will continue to urge my Senate colleagues to take immediate action and pass our legislation. However, unfortunately, gun violence is not the only type of violence our communities are experiencing.
While there is no one piece of legislation that will automatically correct past abuses and racial inequality, the House of Representatives passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to implement necessary reforms in our system of policing. This bill would better hold law enforcement officials accountable for misconduct, bolster transparency through data collection pertaining to unlawful behavior and negligent use of force, and improve police training and department policies nationwide.
Since the onset of this pandemic, anti-Asian hate crimes have been on the rise. As we have seen recently, these hateful acts have reached a boiling point and impacted families and individuals across our nation. Last month, we lost several Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community members to the senseless tragedy in Atlanta. Since then, newscasts have been peppered with stories of other Asian Americans being targeted simply because of their heritage.
We on the Central Coast understand the value of the AAPI community. Our community would not be the same without the history and contributions of Asian Americans, who were instrumental in expanding our economy and building our home as we know it across several generations.
Lookout Santa Cruz: WATCH: Rep. Jimmy Panetta and Asian American leaders
talk anti-discrimination strategies
I continue to work closely with AAPI leaders in our community to inform my decision-making process as we in Congress root out hate. In September, I cosponsored and supported the passage of H.Res. 908, legislation that addresses anti-Asian hate crimes and denounces the anti-Asian sentiment that has occurred since the outbreak of COVID-19. Our legislation includes crucial measures to:
- Expeditiously investigate and document all credible reports of hate crimes and incidents and threats against the Asian American community in the United States
- Collect data to document the rise of incidences of hate crimes due to COVID-19
- Hold the perpetrators of those crimes, incidents, or threats accountable and bring such perpetrators to justice
- Combat misinformation and discrimination that put Asian Americans at risk
As your Representative in Congress, I am fighting to ensure hate has no home on the Central Coast and I am proud to stand with our AAPI community.
Congressman Panetta touring the newly constructed Dragon Bridge in Santa Cruz, a symbol of the contributions and accomplishments of the Chinese Americans in our community
Service Provided by Congressman Panetta
to the People of the Central Coast
So far this year, I have held over 130 meetings with constituents across the Central Coast. Working directly with constituents and community leaders is the most important part of my job and enables me to be a reliable bridge between the Central Coast and the federal government. As your Congressman, I spend as much time as possible out in our district to hear from you. This year, I have taken spins on electric bikes with a local e-bike shop owner and veterans, seen the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s safe reopening with a ride on the Giant Dipper, handed out groceries to community members at food banks, and held as many Zooms and socially distant meetings as possible to ensure that I am delivering for our communities.
When the VA didn't have adequate service records for my constituent, Duncan,
I stepped in to help prove his eligibility for a VA home loan
Every meeting, Zoom, and phone call informs my decision-making process in Congress, which is why I continue to meet with as many constituents as possible. I have introduced and had legislation signed into law as a result of those conversations. From my MONARCH Act, which would protect the Western Monarch, to the SAVE LIVES Act, which allows every veteran to receive a COVID vaccine from the VA, my direct interactions and correspondence with the people of the Central Coast allow me to gather evidence and take action and is the most important part of how I continue to get things done as your Representative in Congress.
Congressman Panetta touring a vaccine clinic for underserved communities in Salinas
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 ever need any assistance from the federal government or would like to meet with me or my staff to discuss any federal issues, 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.
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