05-05-19

Championing a Better Future for our Valley Families 

This week in D.C. my work focused on the greatest threat to humankind that we all face in the immediate and long-term future – climate change. There’s no denying that climate change exists and the most recent science has shown that if concentrations of greenhouse gases are not stabilized and mitigated immediately, we’ll soon reach a point of no-return in sustaining a habitable planet. 

Here in the Central Valley we’re directly impacted by climate change with shorter winters, hotter summers, reduced precipitation, and an unreliable water supply. One of the reasons I joined the Natural Resources Committee is to have a direct hand in enacting policies that protect our planet from the existential threat of climate change. 

On Thursday, we passed H.R. 9 the bipartisan Climate Action Now Act, the first major piece of legislation addressing climate change to pass the House in 10 years. I was proud to join my colleagues across the aisle in co-sponsoring, supporting and voting for this landmark bill. I was also grateful to work on a legislative amendment to this bill that requires federal carbon emission reduction plans to consider and evaluate the effects of these plans on U.S. employment, technology and energy costs. Unbelievably, during our debate on this amendment, my Republican counterpart was arguing for more development and support for “clean-coal”…. Click here to watch my House Floor Speech.   

Policy Letters I Cosigned

Letter to Chairs of the Committees on House Transportation and Infrastructure and Natural Resources – I joined my Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to the lead members on the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Natural Resources Committees to ensure the coming infrastructure package prioritizes Central Valley water needs and provides the tools necessary to deliver clean, fresh drinking water for the hard-working families of our communities. Click here to read the full letter. 

 
Letter to President calling on him to Recognize Armenian Genocide – I joined my colleagues on the Armenian Caucus in sending a letter to President Trump urging him to pay tribute to the Armenian Genocide and memory of the millions of Armenians targeted for their faith by the Turkish Ottoman Empire. 

 
Letter to Government Accountability Office (GAO) – This week my colleagues and I sent a letter to the GAO requesting a report on the adjudication process backlog at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) agency. GAO hasn’t done a report of the backlog in over ten years. Our letter requests that GAO conduct an examination of the USCIS backlog and provide the agency with recommendations on how it can efficiently process immigration related applications and petitions. It’s apparent that this administration has limited (or no) desire to improve processing immigration applications and petitions but that’s unfair to our immigrant families, asylum seekers, and employers. As Ronald Reagan said, “If we ever closed the door to new Americans, our leadership in the world would soon be lost.”

Hill Highlights

This week I chaired the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Hearing on the Department of Interior’s (DOI) reorganization where I pressed for answers and information on the agency’s plans to “reorganize” the Department. A plan hatched by former Secretary Zinke, it’s unacceptable that DOI hasn’t given Congress or the American people any justification or analysis for their plan. Our subcommittee is committed to exercising oversight of DOI to ensure its policy decisions benefit the American people. 

 

We had our first markup hearing on the Natural Resources Committee where we marked up 12 bills from both sides of the aisle that covered everything from restoring land rights for our Native American tribes to coral reef conservation. When it comes to water, land, oceans, and wildlife, it all happens in the Natural Resources Committee. 

 

It was an absolute delight meeting with students from all over the 21st Congressional District this week. The Close Up Foundation is a great program for high school students to learn how government works and how they can make a difference within their own communities. I had the chance to answer questions about my role in Congress and what I’d like to continue accomplishing for the people of the Valley. I’m always reminded of the reason I decided to run for Congress when I get to see my constituents back home and here in D.C.! 

 


Representing the Arvin High School Lady Bears soccer team at our congressional baseball practice this week!  

TJ’s Recommended Reading

Frequently, I read articles or see videos that I think my constituents would enjoy

CNN (5/3/19) – Trump announces ‘conscience objection’ rule for medical care is finalized

President Trump announced yet another finalized rule attacking the healthcare of American families. The CNN article examines the President’s new rule on religious “conscience protections” for the medical field, which are aimed at protecting religious and moral objectors from participating or paying for services they don't believe in. 

My Lemoore Leader (5/3/19)  – Local congressman adds amendment to key Climate Action Now Act that passes House of Representatives 
 
Here was a nice note in the Lemoore Leader on the amendment that I added to the Clean Action Now Act.  

Fresno Bee (5/1/19)  –  Congress needs to permanently fund land and water program to conserve public places 

It’s always nice to read about how legislation we’ve sponsored and supported makes a difference in our local communities.


New Yorker (5/1/19) –  Notes from a Remarkable Political Moment for Climate Change 

Good public policy always runs into politics but as Bill McKibben points out – although political reality is always important, with regard to climate change, there’s something more crucial - just plain reality. 

 
Advanced Energy Economy (3/22/17) – Market Report Shows Record $1.4 Trillion Global, $200 Billion U.S. Revenue for Advanced Energy and Highlights Five Trends Shaping the Future 

It’s pretty simple: 1) We need to stop burning things to create energy; 2) sustainable, renewable and advanced energy technology are the industries of the future. The question is whether or not the U.S. will be a leader in the development and utilization of these technologies or will we relinquish our future to other countries.
 

Staying Informed

You can find more press releases, commentary and information on issues I’m working on at cox.house.gov or by following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. 
 

Please continue encouraging your family and friends to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
 

If you’re ever in DC, please call ahead so we can arrange tours for you and your family or group. The weather is beautiful right now and we’re seeing lots of visitors from home.  Please come by your office. During the spring and summer there are many indoor and outdoor events that you may be interested in attending and my team is always here to help. If you have a larger group, give us a call and we’ll see if we can arrange a night-time Capitol tour. I look forward to seeing you soon.

In your Service,
 
TJ Cox
Member of Congress