03-25-19

It was great to be back home in California this past week. My staff and I made it to over 20 events, hitting every corner of CA-21. It’s great to be in the district, hearing directly from the individuals, families and organizations that I represent.  In addition to a number of other meetings, we held an Immigration roundtable to discuss our recently introduced Dream and Promise Act of 2019 and another Rural Development roundtable with our State USDA Director to ensure we’re aware of and utilizing all the federal tools and resources available to us. This last Saturday, we had our first (of many more to come) community town halls in Hanford. Check out highlights of the work my staff and I are doing throughout the district below.

 

Follow my Journey Across CA-21

I had a great time catching up with the Mayor of Selma, Scott Robertson and Councilmember Louis Franco to discuss their priorities for the city and how we can best work together to improve infrastructure and public safety in the community. 

 

I made a promise to Lupita that I’d be back on Despierta Valle Central when I was officially elected and in Congress fighting for the people of the Central Valley! Thank you Lupita and Univision for all your support. I was thrilled to be on your show to discuss the Dream and Promise Act of 2019, and the importance of education, and fair pay in the Central Valley! 

This past week I hosted a roundtable with USDA Rural Development Director, Kimberly Dolbow Vann to discuss rural development opportunities in the 21st Congressional District. The USDA administers over 40 different programs that we can utilize to promote community development, health, industry, research, housing and a lot more elements that affect our daily lives. It’s important that we utilize all the tools available to deliver more resources to our communities.Thank you to USDA, the Fresno Housing Authority, and representatives from the offices of our local elected officials for getting together with my team and I this week. We all have the same mission – to try and make a positive difference in the lives of the individuals and families we serve.

Thank you to CHIRLA, Faith in the Valley, Mi Familia Vota, SIREN, the UFW and all the advocacy groups who joined me in Sanger on Wednesday for an Immigration Roundtable! The roundtable further reminded me of why I went to Congress and I’m committed to pushing for the passage of H.R. 6 - the Dream and Promise Act of 2019. Click here to see me talk to the press about the roundtable. 

It was a pleasure speaking with the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce and learning more about the incredible work small business owners are doing in Kern County. As a small businessman myself, I’m committed to being a voice for entrepreneurs and small business owners in Congress.   

 

Thank you to everyone who was able to join me for my first town hall in Hanford on Saturday! We had a great morning discussing issues of importance to the community and I look forward to hosting more town halls throughout CA-21.If you weren’t able to make it, you can watch the livestream on my Facebook page here.

TJ's  Recommended Reading

Frequently, I read articles or see videos that I think my constituents would benefit from. 

Now This (12/20/18) – Ronald Reagan’s Final Speech as President Was a Love Letter to Immigrants 

After hosting the immigration roundtable this past week, I was moved by the stories and experiences shared by our DACA youth who continue to live in limbo and fear due to the constant threats and attacks made by the current Administration. While politics during this day in age are extremely partisan with certain groups expressing hatred toward our immigrant communities – I found hope after coming across the above video of President Reagan delivering his final speech in office. It truly is a letter that expressed his acknowledgement and appreciation for our immigrants - please take a moment to listen to it. 


Stat News (3/22/19) – Name the much-criticized federal program that has saved the U.S. $2.3 trillion. Hint: it starts with Affordable 

Last week marked the ninth anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – a healthcare bill that has successfully expanded health insurance coverage for Americans throughout our nation and notably has saved the U.S. $2.3 trillion in health care spending through December 2017. To put that number in real terms, health care spending in 2017 was $2,000 less per person than it was projected to be before the ACA. For the 176 million Americans who have private employer-sponsored insurance, because of the ACA, they saw lower premiums that averaged just under $1,000 per person. The ACA was a good first step but we’re not going to stop until everyone has access to quality, affordable healthcare.

Constituent Services

If you need assistance with a federal agency, such as the Social Security Administration, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Internal Revenue Service or any other federal government agency, my office may be able to help. Make sure to reach out to my Bakersfield Office at (661) 864-7736 or via email at CA21TC.casework@mail.house.gov for further information and assistance.

 

Our New Mascot

As all parents can appreciate (especially our service members), it’s tough to be away from family for your job. Knowing that your family misses you and looks forward to your return keeps you going, so I was moved when my son, Thomas, welcomed me home with a school art project he’d been working on. His project gets an “A” in my book, and “Eddie the Eagle’s” next perch is right on my desk in DC. Come see Eddie and me soon!

Staying Informed

You can find more press releases, commentary and information on issues I’m working on at cox.house.gov. I also encourage you to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. 

 

 

In your service,  
 
TJ Cox 
Member of Congress