Dear Community Member:

This year, I’ve continued to be all across California’s 20th Congressional District, visiting our communities, listening to you, and discussing the many issues that we face on the Central Coast and as a country.  As we fight the COVID-19 pandemic, to get our kids safely back in school, and for a sound economic recovery, we must continue to get vaccinated.  In addition to partnering with local entities for vaccination efforts, I’ve also been fighting for more wildfire relief, securing agricultural research funding, pushing federal bureaucracies to serve us, getting our priorities in the upcoming infrastructure package, and ensuring the sanctity of our democracy.  Although more needs to be done, you will see in this newsletter that throughout 2021, I continue to strengthen the foundation for my future service to you, our country, and our home on the Central Coast.

Congressman Panetta on the roof of a Central Coast agricultural company
discussing the transition to renewable energy.

SERVICE BY THE NUMBERS BY CONGRESSMAN PANETTA FOR 2021

• 552 constituent cases resolved by Congressman Panetta
• 244 immigrant visa cases resolved by Congressman Panetta
• 191 passport cases resolved by Congressman Panetta
• 142 IRS cases resolved by Congressman Panetta
• 97 Veterans Affairs cases resolved by Congressman Panetta
• 64 Social Security cases resolved by Congressman Panetta
• $443,860 in federal funds returned directly to constituents by Congressman Panetta
• $1.5 billion in COVID federal funds for the Central Coast by Congressman Panetta
• $15.5 million for federal funds for affordable housing on the Central Coast by Congressman Panetta
• 25 bills introduced by Congressman Panetta
• 1 bill signed into law by Congressman Panetta
• 274 bills cosponsored by Congressman Panetta
• 254 votes taken in the House of Representatives by Congressman Panetta
• 301 meetings and events with constituents by Congressman Panetta
• 10 townhalls with constituents by Congressman Panetta
  

Congressman Panetta holds a townhall with constituents on the Central Coast.

AFGHANISTAN – ENSURING NOBODY IS LEFT BEHIND

As we commemorate the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, let us not forget the service and sacrifice of our men and women who wear the uniform for our armed services and as first responders.  Soon after the attack on our nation in 2001, we were unified in our decision to go into Afghanistan in order to hold those accountable who committed that atrocity.  After a 20-year effort and a successful counter-terrorism mission, the decision was made to withdraw our troops from Afghanistan and was supported by most of the American public.  Unfortunately, the swift withdrawal, along with the unforeseen sudden fall of the Afghan military and government, quickly led to the catastrophic situation that is the current state of Afghanistan.  At this point, even after the August 31st withdrawal, the United States must continue to work towards the evacuation of American citizens, Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) recipients, and vulnerable Afghans.  Many Afghans risked their lives to work with us based on our resources, their reliance on our word, and our record as a defender of human rights.  We trusted them with our lives and to help us complete our mission.  It now is our responsibility to do everything that we can to ensure their evacuation, proper vetting, and acceptance into our country and communities.

Prior to the August 31st withdrawal, I was able to coordinate with the Department of State to secure the evacuation of a number of Afghans to the United States and neighboring countries.  I will continue my work to remove others who remain and desire to be evacuated.

Click here to watch a recent CNN interview with Congressman Panetta about Afghanistan.

As an Afghanistan War Veteran who served our country from 2007-2008, watching the withdrawal was disheartening.  However, I will always be proud of my past service, and that of the hundreds of thousands of men and women who served and sacrificed in Operation Enduring Freedom.

We fulfilled our mission to address and eliminate the threat of terrorism against our nation emanating from Afghanistan and brought Osama bin Laden to justice.  Moreover, humanitarian, technological, and socially diverse seeds of change were planted that we now can hope take hold.  We must work with our regional partners to try to influence the Taliban so that the work done by so many over the past two decades in Afghanistan to enhance and bolster human and women’s rights was not in vain.  For the sake of those who served and their families, for the people of Afghanistan, and for the reputation and security of America, we have a moral obligation to work with regional partners to promote Afghanistan's adherence to international laws and human rights, and we must take every step necessary to ensure that the country never again becomes a safe-haven for the planning and execution of terror against the United States.

Click here to read The Los Angeles Times article on Congressman Panetta’s
response to the Afghanistan evacuation.

FIGHTING FOR FEDERAL COVID FUNDING ON THE CENTRAL COAST

At the time of this newsletter, our nation is leading the world in the number of new cases of COVID-19.  Although the Delta variant of COVID-19 is causing this spread, we continue to battle this disease with vaccinations and recover economically due to the foundation of federal government assistance provided to our communities.  Fortunately, Congress worked hard to pass major pieces of legislation that provided significant and necessary federal relief funding for the Central Coast with the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan.  That funding was much needed and has allowed our communities to not only fight the pandemic, but also allowed us to recover and move forward.

Congressman Panetta debates the American Rescue Plan on the House Floor.

The following is a partial list of some of the federal COVID-19 relief funding that I worked on in Congress to secure for the Central Coast:

• $1 billion in small business PPP loans for the Central Coast
• 8,833 PPP loans supporting 82,282 jobs on the Central Coast
• $216.1 million in relief for Monterey County
• $86.8 in relief for Monterey County Cities
• $117.9 million in relief for Santa Cruz County
• $37.2 in relief for Santa Cruz County Cities
• $27.2 million in relief for San Benito County
• $8.6 in relief for San Benito County Cities
• $532.5 million in relief for Santa Clara County
• $11.6 in relief for Santa Clara County Cities in the District
• $337 million for colleges and universities on the Central Coast
• $217 million in funding for Monterey County schools
• $93.6 million in funding for Santa Cruz County schools
• $22.5 million in funding for San Benito County schools
• $56 million for hospitals on the Central Coast
• $16.6 million in rental assistance for the Central Coast
• $13 million for airports on the Central Coast
• $4.5 million for Revolving Loan Funds for the Central Coast
• $6 million for homelessness emergency funding on the Central Coast

Congressman Panetta visits a mobile vaccine clinic on the Central Coast.

FIGHTING FOR VACCINATIONS ON THE CENTRAL COAST

As part of the “wartime effort” set out by President Joe Biden and the federal government to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress and the Administration worked to fund and distribute vaccines directly to the Central Coast.  Based on the funding provided in the American Rescue Plan, the federal government directly disbursed vaccinations on the Central Coast through mass vaccine sites, long-term care facilities, the Federal Pharmaceutical Program at local pharmacies, the Department of Veterans Affairs at the Gourley DOD/VA Clinic in Marina, state agencies, local hospitals, and federally qualified health clinics. 

Thanks to the work and partnership of Clinica de Salud, Growers Shippers Association and its members, Monterey County Board of Supervisors, Cities of Salinas and King, Hartnell College, and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), local mass vaccine clinics for farmworkers were organized and conducted for the past several months.  This program has vaccinated over 40,000 farmworkers and has helped Monterey County vaccinate over 75% of the farmworker population.  Based on the success of this public-private partnership, I highlighted this program for Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra when he addressed the Ways and Means Committee in Washington, D.C.  

I then worked with the Secretary to organize a visit to the Central Coast to see a farmworker vaccine clinic.  In July, Secretary Becerra came to the Central Coast, visited a farmworker vaccine clinic, and called it a model for other communities across our country to follow.  According to health officials, 40% of farmworkers in the United States were infected with COVID-19 last year.  Due to programs like the one we have on the Central Coast, that number has dropped to 8% on the Central Coast.  The partnership between our health clinics, local governments, agriculture industry, and federal government demonstrates our dedication to our essential farmworkers and made our home an example for the rest of the nation.

Congressman Panetta and other local partners showing HHS Sec. Becerra
a farmworker vaccine clinic on the Central Coast.

Please know that the COVID-19 vaccine is readily available on the Central Coast.  All California residents ages 12 years and older are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.  If eligible and suitable, please play your part and get vaccinated.  For more information on how to get a vaccine, please call my office or sign up at https://myturn.ca.gov/.

FIGHTING FOR FEDERAL TAX CUTS FOR WORKING FAMILIES

As part of the America Rescue Plan, working families on the Central Coast now can receive advanced monthly Child Tax Credit payments.  The Child Tax Credit will provide working parents with the financial tools necessary to lift their children out of poverty and invest in the future.  In California's 20th District alone, 158,000 children will benefit from the Child Tax Credit, and nearly 15,000 children will be lifted out of poverty.  By focusing on families, responsibility, and equal access to opportunity, the Child Tax Credit affords working parents the chance to not only recover from the pandemic, but also a foundation to focus on the future of their family and getting back into our community’s workforce.

Congressman Panetta partnering with local officials to highlight benefits of the
Child Tax Credit for working families on the Central Coast.

For most families who filed taxes or signed up for Economic Impact Payments, the tax cuts are based on your 2020 or 2019 tax return.  However, if families are not required to file taxes or did not sign up for Economic Impact Payments, they must go to the IRS’s website and apply at https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-non-filer-sign-up-tool. 

Click here to read the above recent Op-ed by Congressman Panetta about the Child Tax Credit

If you have any questions about your eligibility for the Child Tax Credit, please visit https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021 or call my office.

FIGHTING FOR FARMWORKERS

Immigration Reform: Earlier this year, Congress passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act to protect our domestic agriculture workers and ensure a continued and consistent workforce.  As a Member of Congress who worked on this bill for close to nine months with farmers, farmworkers, Republicans, and Democrats, I’m proud to see that this was the most bipartisan immigration reform bill to pass out of the House of Representatives in the past two decades.  Along with the Dream and Promise Act, these bills are in the Senate and we continue to push them to act on these important pieces of immigration reform.  Moreover, we must attempt to include this type of immigration reform in the upcoming infrastructure package through the process of reconciliation.

Protections for Essential Workers: Through my work on the House Agriculture Committee, I secured $700 million in pandemic response and safety grants from the Department of Agriculture to help specialty crop growers, meat packers and processors, and seafood industry workers.  This funding will be used for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other protective measures that our food industry workers need to stay safe on the job.  I’ve seen firsthand here on the Central Coast how protecting our essential workers in the agricultural sector curbs the spread of the pandemic and bolsters our nation’s food security.

Congressman Panetta distributes PPE to farmworkers in the fields of the Central Coast.

FIGHTING FOR FARMERS AND FUNDING FOR AG RESEARCH

During the most recent Congressional appropriations cycle, I led 128 Members of Congress in requesting robust, increased funding for the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AGARDA) and the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).  AFRI is the nation’s leading competitive grants program for agricultural sciences, and AGARDA is a pilot program that would support investments in high-risk, high reward agriculture research.  We were able to get $450 million included for AFRI, which is $15 million higher than the FY 2021 enacted level.  We also were able to secure $2 million in funding for AGARDA, which will increase mechanization capabilities for the harvesting of specialty crops, address labor needs, and develop novel countermeasures to prevent animal and plant diseases.

Congressman Panetta meets with a Central Coast agriculture research company.

This year, I fought to secure $14 million in the federal budget for IR-4.  The IR-4 Project was established in 1963 by the USDA to help specialty crop producers better manage destructive weed, insect, and plant disease threats.  Over the past few decades, funding through IR-4 has helped the specialty crop sector develop the data and scientific understanding needed to facilitate the registration of crop protection products for fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, and ornamental plants.  

As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I will continue to ensure that the federal funding is there for specialty crop research, including conventional and organic agriculture.  With the upcoming formulation of the 2023 Farm Bill, I look forward to playing a significant part in the discussions to secure the funding necessary so that our Central Coast farmers and farmworkers continue play a significant role in our country’s food security. 

Congressman Panetta with a Central Coast organic grower and shipper.

FIGHTING FOR FEDERAL FUNDING FOR WILDFIRE RELIEF

As wildfire seasons turn into wildfire years, it’s crucial that our state and local authorities are provided with the necessary federal support to prevent and suppress wildfires and recover from any damage.  I’ve worked closely with the Biden Administration on supporting our firefighters and securing more response and recovery funding for the Central Coast.  Recently, after intense advocacy, we were able to get the Administration to increase federal firefighter pay to $15 an hour.  I’ve also introduced numerous pieces of legislation focused on preventing and suppressing wildfires, from replanting trees in burn scarred areas and clearing dead and dying fuels to providing a financial lifeline to growers and producers whose crops were damaged or destroyed from smoke taint.

Congressman Panetta visits a burn scar from the 2020 fires on the Central Coast
and discusses wildfire prevention.

Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+): The House Agriculture Committee advanced my bipartisan legislation, the WHIP+ Reauthorization Act, to reactivate the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) for all 2020 and 2021 natural disasters.  That important legislation would boost a program that serves as an important lifeline for agricultural producers whose crops were damaged by disaster, including smoke from fires.

Congressman Panetta argues for his WHIP+ legislation in the House Agriculture Committee.

The REPLANT Act: As we in Congress work towards passing a once-in-a-generation investment in infrastructure, I’m proud to announce that my REPLANT Act was included in the proposed bipartisan infrastructure package.  The REPLANT Act would mandate federal funding for the Reforestation Trust Fund so that we can decrease that backlog by significantly increasing the resources needed to plant more trees in burn scarred areas.  That type of reforestation is needed to protect our communities from post wild-fire mudslides, create jobs, sequester carbon emissions, provide critical wildlife habitats, improve downstream drinking water quality, and restore our nation’s precious public lands for future generations.

Congressman Panetta highlights his REPLANT Act by planting trees
in a burn scar from the 2020 fires on the Central Coast.

Wildfire Emergency Act: Recently, I introduced the bicameral Wildfire Emergency Act with Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) to reduce catastrophic wildfires in the American West.  This bicameral legislation would encourage the clearing of fire fuels through prescribed burns of large areas, creation of prescribed fire centers, restoration of forests, and workforce development programs to train the next generation of forestry and fire management specialists.

Save our Forests Act: I soon will be reintroducing an updated version of my Save Our Forests Act, which would mitigate the chronic staffing shortages in National Forests, particularly in places like the Monterey Ranger District in the Los Padres National Forest.  This legislation directs the Chief of the Forest Service to fill vacancies in National Forests for recreation and management planning staff, authorizes funding to fill positions, and prioritizes filling vacancies in National Forests facing a high risk of wildfires.

Wildfire Surveillance Program:  Following my letter with Congressman Adam Schiff, the Pentagon extended the FireGuard data-sharing program, which provides military data to our fire fighter combatting wildfires.  Our firefighters rely on this satellite data for making on-the-ground strategy and evacuation decisions.

Congressman Panetta meets with firefighter leadership on the Central Coast.

FIGHTING FOR FEDERAL FUNDS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP):  Through the COVID-19 federal funding relief packages, we created the Paycheck Protection Program so that employers stay open and employees remain on their payroll.  Central Coast small businesses took advantage of the PPP with 8,833 loans that impacted 82,282 jobs.  The PPP was so popular, that we increased, enhanced and extended the loan program through the PPP Extension Act.

Restaurant Revitalization Funds: The American Rescue Plan included a $28.6 billion grant program for restaurants, food trucks and stands, caterers, bars, bakeries, brewpubs, tasting rooms, and certain inns.  The Small Business Administration accepted numerous American Rescue Plan Restaurant Revitalization Fund applications from California’s 20th district.  To learn more about this program, visit sba.gov/restaurants and https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/restaurant-revitalization-fund to learn more.  

Congressman Panetta discusses the Restaurant Revitalization Fund for small businesses on the Central Coast.

Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC): This credit that I fought for in the American Rescue Plan provides up to 70% for employee wages and up to $10,000 per quarter for businesses with operations either fully or partially suspended by a COVID-19 order.  The American Rescue Plan extended the ERTC through the end of the year.

Healthy Workplace Tax Cut: This year, I worked with my colleagues in Congress to introduce a new Healthy Workplace Tax Credit.  This bill would provide a 50% payroll tax credit to COVD-related expenses like testing, PPE, cleaning, and reconfiguring workspaces, scaling down based on employees.

FIGHTING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT

Major investment is needed to repair, replace, and create infrastructure on the Central Coast.  Moreover, infrastructure investment can revitalize our economy and safeguard our communities as we address climate change.  While traveling the Central Coast, I’ve made sure to identify ways that my advocacy in Washington on the infrastructure negotiations can help rebuild the physical and human infrastructure of our district. 

Congressman Panetta advocates on the House floor for transportation and water
infrastructure funding for Central Coast projects.

In August, the Senate passed a bipartisan infrastructure bill that significantly increases investments in critical infrastructure across the country, including:

• $110 billion for roads, bridges, and major projects
• $66 billion for passenger and freight rail
• $65 billion for broadband
• $65 billion for electrical grid improvements
• $55 billion for water infrastructure and pipe replacement
• $8 billion for Western water infrastructure
• $47.2 billion for resiliency and weatherization
• $39.2 billion for public transit
• $25 billion for airports
• $11 billion for highway, pedestrian, and pipeline safety

In June, the House passed the INVEST in America Act, which also would make critical investments in our nation’s infrastructure and adapt our transportation systems to a changing climate.  That bill included specific funding for local Central Coast projects, including:

• Improvements to US 101 south of Salinas
• Improvements to the SR 25 corridor between Gilroy and Hollister, including new interchanges at US 101 in Gilroy and SR 156 in Hollister
• Santa Cruz METRO bus replacements

In September, the Ways and Means Committee will begin a markup of our committee’s portion of President Biden’s American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan.  This legislation will make major investments in our infrastructure and incentivize investments in clean energy, energy resiliency, and affordable housing.  It will invest in our families by supporting paid leave and childcare and bolstering tax cuts for working families. 

These investments in our infrastructure are long overdue, will create good-paying American jobs, help our nation recover from this bruising pandemic, and help us as we fight the climate crisis.  I will continue to work with my Congressional colleagues to push our priorities forward and get them to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

Congressman Panetta tours a public works project on the Central Coast.

SUPPORTING OUR SUSTAINABLE GRID

Battery Storage on the Central Coast: As California and the Central Coast derive more and more of our energy from renewable resources, storage is key for ensuring that power is available when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing.  The facility at Moss Landing is now the world’s largest energy storage system and will help us build a more reliable, low-emission grid, providing zero-carbon emission power to communities far and wide when they need it.  As we face the increasing threat of wildfires and disruptions to our grid, this backup power can serve to bolster our grid’s stability and reliability.

Congressman Panetta speaks at the opening of a battery storage facility on the Central Coast.

Developing Offshore Wind Farms:  We are playing our part on the Central Coast with the planning and development of an offshore wind farm just south of Monterey County.  For the past two years, I’ve participated in the Offshore Wind Working Group, which includes representatives from federal and state agencies working together and meeting with stakeholders such as local fishermen, coastal residents, and community organizations.  After numerous and intense discussions, we agreed that the proposed wind turbines would be best placed off Morro Bay, near existing transmission infrastructure, and outside of our Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.  This offshore wind project would be able to generate 3GW of energy, enough to power over one million homes, greatly benefiting our economy and climate.

Building and Growing Microgrids: Our 21st-century infrastructure plans must address climate change, which is why I introduced the Making Imperiled Communities Resistant to Outages with Generation that is Resilient, Islandable, and Distributed (MICROGRID) Act.  This legislation incentivizes the expansion and deployment of microgrids, which provide backup power independent from the larger energy grid during emergencies.  As extreme weather events become increasingly common, microgrids can mitigate the impacts of grid outages and public safety power shutoffs on communities using cleaner energy sources.

Congressman Panetta visits a cutting-edge microgrid facility on the Central Coast

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FIGHTING FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY FOR THE CENTRAL COAST

As your federal representative on the Central Coast, it is my responsibility to make sure our federal government works for you.  Recently, I’ve been pushing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on three separate matters that impact California’s 20th district.

NOAA Building Sale: Pacific Grove residents have voiced opposition to the sale of an iconic federal property on Lighthouse Avenue.  I've written to NOAA requesting assistance to stop the sale of this property, particularly given the opportunity to turn this space into a museum and science center.  We were able to persuade the General Services Administration (GSA) to remove the building from a bulk sale with 11 other federal properties.  However, it is still up for sale at a price yet to be announced by the agency.  Recently, I set up a call and discussed the sale with NOAA Administrator Richard Spinrad.  He is now fully aware of the sale and assured me of his attention to solve this issue.  I will continue to work with local community members and stakeholders like the Monterey Bay Aquarium to pressure the GSA into donating this building to a local nonprofit organization.

Click here to read the article on Congressman Panetta pressuring NOAA to let a local non-profit purchase the Pacific Grove NOAA site.

FAA Flight Paths: Many communities, particularly in Santa Cruz County, lie along the path used by planes approaching Bay Area airports from the south.  Prior to my being in office in 2016, the FAA re-designed and implemented flight approaches to the three Bay Area airports, shifting this path to the Soquel region and causing a noticeable increase in noise pollution for many residents.  Federal representatives worked with affected communities to support community roundtables that made recommendations on how the FAA could mitigate these effects.  Last month, the FAA ignored the recommendations of the Select Committee and announced that it was leaving the new paths in place for now.  My local Congressional colleagues are extremely disappointed in this decision.  This is why we introduced five bills in August to improve transparency and accountability in the FAA flight design processes and make fighting noise pollution a real priority for the agency.  These bills include the REST Act (H.R. 4929), APPRISE Act (H.R. 4924), FAIR Act (H.R. 4925), RESPECT Act (H.R. 4928), NOTIFIED Act (H.R. 4927), and SHHH Act (H.R. 4930).  I will continue to demand that the FAA address our communities’ concerns and remedy this persistent problem.

FDA Food Safety Sampling: As the federal representative for the Salad Bowl of the World, I’ve prioritized working with the FDA to cut through the bureaucracy and ensure that food sampling is done in a more efficient and transparent manner.  Although we value food sampling to ensure the safety of our agriculture, it must be done in a reasonable manner.  I sent a letter with my Congressional colleagues calling on the FDA Acting Commissioner to avoid substantially harming leafy green supply chains or wasting healthy product while conducting tests.  I also called on the FDA to strengthen communication between the agency and industry stakeholders.  I continue to meet with growers, shippers, and cooling facilities to hear about their experiences with the FDA sampling process and ensure that any concerns that they have are heard and listened to by the federal government.  Food safety sampling needs to occur through active collaboration with our local producers, and there needs to be a shared trust with local, state, and national authorities.

Congressman Panetta visits an agriculture cooling facility on the
Central Coast to discuss FDA food sampling.

FIGHTING FOR OUR DEMOCRACY

The right to vote is fundamental to American democracy, but recent Supreme Court decisions have struck down key provisions of the Voting Rights Act and allowed states to introduce discriminatory practices.  In August, the House voted and passed H.R. 4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.  This bill restores the core of the Voting Rights Act protections against discriminatory voting laws.  As your Member of Congress, I will support the essential right to vote in our democracy and oppose all suppressive efforts and discriminatory tactics.

Congressman Panetta speaks on the House Floor in favor
of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.

Another threat to our democracy occurred on January 6th, when a mob incited by the ex-President attempted to prevent the U.S. Congress from fulfilling its constitutional role in certifying the election.  This assault on the cathedral of democracy resulted in deaths and countless injuries.  In the aftermath, I demanded a full, thorough investigation as to why and how the attack occurred, including inquiries into security preparations and participation by public officials.  The House initially tried to create a bipartisan, independent commission to study the attack.  Unfortunately, Senate Republicans blocked that bill.  In response, I voted to establish a Select Committee in the House to investigate the January 6th attack on the Capitol.  The Committee’s first hearing was held in July.  Congress must continue to uphold its constitutional obligation to ensure accountability for the Capitol attack on January 6th and protect our democracy.

FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY ON THE CENTRAL COAST

Juneteenth Holiday:  In June, Congress passed, and President Biden signed a law creating Juneteenth as a new federal holiday.  Juneteenth commemorates the anniversary of emancipation in the United States, when the last group of enslaved people near Galveston, Texas, was freed following the Civil War.  I am proud to have supported this legislation.  I attended the local Juneteenth celebration on June 19.

Congressman Panetta celebrates Juneteenth with Central Coast constituents.

Pride Month: As a member of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus in Congress, I am proud to have attended several celebrations in our communities across the Central Coast kicking off Pride Month.  Each June, we recognize Pride Month to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and honor the work that we have done to secure equal rights.

Congressman Panetta speaks at a Pride Flag raising on the Central Coast during Pride Month.

Though much progress has been made, there are still laws and policies that do not grant the LGBTQ+ community the full equal and civil rights that all Americans deserve. 

Congressman Panetta speaks at a pride celebration on the Central Coast during Pride Month.

In February, the House of Representatives passed the Equality Act to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, public education, federal funding, credit, and the jury system.  I proudly cosponsored and voted for this bill.  Only 20 states, including California, have outlawed LGBTQ+ discrimination.  The Equality Act will provide a national safeguard to all in the LGBTQ+ community.

Click here for CNN coverage of my legislation to protect military dependents who are transgender

On June 1, the first day of Pride Month, I authored and introduced the Armed Forces Transgender Dependent Protection Act.  This legislation would ensure that military families with transgender dependents are not sent to a state or country that prohibits gender affirming healthcare.  Servicemembers and their transgender dependents continue to face hurdles that threaten their development.  I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure all service members receive the same fairness and equality that they are fighting to protect.

MAKING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WORK FOR YOU

This year, I have worked with hundreds of constituents to help them overcome hurdles on a range of federal issues.  I’ve helped people get their citizenship, obtain benefits from the VA, Social Security Administration, and Medicare, renew passports, apply for business loans, and more.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you need any assistance with the federal government.

Congressman Panetta meets with constituents to discuss immigration issues.

Passport Renewals: I have helped hundreds of people deal with the backlog of passport renewals due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Make sure to proactively check and renew your passport before booking international travel.  However, if you have an issue with unexpected delays, please feel free to contact my office.  An example of my work was when I helped a constituent named Alyssa obtain an expedited passport renewal for her infant son before their family business trip.  On another occasion, I helped a constituent named Juanita file a report after her passport renewal documents were lost in the mail.  I was able to secure a same-day passport appointment for Juanita before her scheduled travel.

SBA Loans: I recently worked with a constituent and small business owner named John, who was struggling to obtain an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).  He submitted the required documentation to the Small Business Administration (SBA) but never received a response.  My office reached out to the local SBA office in Fresno and resolved a tax transcript filing issue with the IRS on behalf of John.  Soon after, John received his EIDL and was able to stay open.

VA Benefits:  I work with a number of veterans in my district on ensuring that they get the benefits that they deserve from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA).  For example, a veteran named Randolph contacted my office to check on the status of his claim to receive service compensation for his posttraumatic stress disorder.  I submitted a Congressional Inquiry to the VA on behalf of Randolph for a status update.  I received a response to my inquiry, and, soon after, Randolph’s case was expedited.  That same week, Randolph received a substantial deposit in his bank account, and will receive a monthly stipend going forward.

Congressman Panetta meets with veterans on the Central Coast.

Social Security: I regularly help constituents who have issues receiving their full Social Security benefits.  I recently worked with a constituent named Shane who was receiving only $102 per month in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) because the agency thought that he was still receiving State Disability Benefits.  I helped Shane submit proof that he was no longer receiving the benefits and then I reached out to the Social Security Administration to advocate on Shane’s behalf.  Soon after, Shane received monthly benefits of over $1,800 and over $65,000 in back benefits.

FIGHTING FOR YOU

As a country and a community on the Central Coast, we’ve dealt with a series of setbacks ranging from the pandemic to natural disasters.  Still, we’ve made serious strides in 2021 to recover and build back stronger than before.  I’ve spent this past year in Congress fighting for federal relief and assistance when it comes to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic and wildfire response and recovery efforts here on the Central Coast.  I’ve also secured significant amounts of funding for affordable housing and agricultural research, ensured our priorities were included in the infrastructure package that recently passed the Senate, fought for our democracy after January 6th, and gone up against the federal bureaucracy on behalf of California’s 20th district.

Congressman Panetta fighting for constituents on the Central Coast.

I’m proud of the work we’ve done in 2021, and I will continue to fight for all of you on the Central Coast as your representative in Congress.  If you would like to receive future updates, please sign up for newsletters by clicking here.  You can also find more information about legislation, votes cast in the U.S. House of Representatives, or the legislative process here.

If you have any questions or issues that I or my staff can help you with, please call me 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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