Dear Community Member,

Last week, Speaker Mike Johnson canceled votes in the House of Representatives and sent Members of Congress home without finishing our legislative business. The Speaker made this drastic move to avoid a vote on a resolution to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. The Trump Administration should release the files to provide full transparency for the American people. More importantly, the Speaker shouldn’t cancel votes in Congress just to avoid embarrassing the President. That is, unfortunately, putting politics over policy.

Rep. Panetta explains why Speaker Johnson canceled votes in Congress Press play or click HERE to watch his explanation.

My Affordable Housing Legislation

Nevertheless, I continue to do my job as your U.S. Representative, especially on affordability issues that affect California’s 19th Congressional District. Across our communities, high prices, low supply, and rising interest rates are pushing working families out of the housing market and putting enormous strain on renters. That’s why in Congress and as a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I’m leading a coordinated legislative effort to make housing more affordable for those buying their first home, trying to downsize, or looking for a place to rent.

This week, I reintroduced the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act, which would provide up to $15,000 in federal tax credits to first-time buyers. That type of assistance from the federal government could not only help working families own a home, but also provide the foundation for their American Dream.

However, I don’t stop there as building affordability means addressing the full spectrum of housing needs. That’s why I also authored and introduced:

• The More Homes on the Market Act, which would modernize outdated tax rules that discourage longtime homeowners from selling.  By updating and increasing the capital gains exclusion, we could help increase housing supply and ease housing market pressure.
  
  
• The Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act, which would incentivize the development of affordable rental housing for middle-income families like teachers, police officers, fire fighters, and other public servants, who don’t qualify for low-income housing and all too often are priced out of the communities that they serve.
  
  
• The Rent Relief Act, which would establish a new tax credit to help renters cover the growing gap between income and rent, particularly in high-cost areas like ours.
  
  
• The Housing Access Improvement Act, which would give local housing authorities more flexibility to get affordable housing built by expanding the use of project-based vouchers.

These bills would expand housing supply, lower costs, and make homeownership and stable rental housing more achievable for working families across California’s 19th Congressional District and the country.

More Office Hours

Rep. Panetta meets with a constituent about education policy  at his office hours. Press play or click HERE to learn more about what they discussed.

With the House out of session, I was able to get back to California’s 19th Congressional District and continue my work for you by hosting in-person office hours. From helping with passport renewals to answering questions about veterans benefits, Social Security, immigration, and so much more, these meetings allow me to hear directly from those I represent and deliver direct service to constituents. I appreciate everyone who took the time to come by and look forward to seeing you at a future session.

Rep. Panetta meets with a constituent during his most recent office hours

Even though Washington, D.C., can be dysfunctional at times, I continue to go forward and do my job. Be it affordability issues or meeting with constituents, I’m working for the people and fighting for the values of our community and country. Despite the politics of Washington, D.C., I’m working hard for policies that help you in California’s 19th Congressional District.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Panetta
United States Representative
19th Congressional District, California