2019 Rewind: End of Year Newsletter

January 01, 2020

Hello Friend,

2019 was a very busy year in the House of Representatives. Together we launched ambitious policy ideas and tackled unprecedented challenges. Your voice made all the difference. You shared your thoughts on everything from climate change to prescription drug prices to the impeachment of Donald Trump, and I could not be prouder to serve California's second congressional district during this historic time. In this newsletter, let's take a moment to reflect on everything we achieved together in 2019 and look forward to a robust legislative year in 2020.

Thank you for contacting me throughout the year to share your thoughts on important issues. Our congressional district is one of the most informed and politically engaged in the country. I receive thousands of emails and letters every week, and hundreds of phone calls. I also had the opportunity to talk to thousands of you in person at town hall discussions and individual meetings in Washington and in California.

I have also been pleased to help you navigate working with federal agencies; my staff and I helped over 3,000 individuals receive over $3.9 million through casework. In the coming year if you ever need help with a federal agency, please feel free to utilize the resources at my San Rafael office, (415) 258-9657.

To learn more about what my office can do for you, subscribe to my newsletter here, stay updated with our website huffman.house.gov, and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

I believe in practical solutions to our nation's most pressing issues, and I look for opportunities to work across the aisle. In 2019, the first year of the 116th Congress, I introduced 27 bills with a total of 726 bipartisan cosponsors. Unfortunately, Mitch McConnell has refused to allow the Senate to vote on over 275 bipartisan bills that have passed the House and would improve the lives of Americans on issues like gun violence prevention, health care, the environment, and raising the minimum wage. I will not tolerate petty partisanship and will continue to work across the aisle to get things done for CA-02. Let's look back on the efforts of this past year as we look forward to more success in 2020:

H.R. 1146 The Arctic and Coastal Plan Protection Act

Repeals the drilling mandate from President Trump's 2017 tax law, which was added as a handout to Big Oil and special interests.
Passed the House with bipartisan support 09/12/2019.
Has over 180 cosponsors -- the most for any bill ever introduced to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

H.R. 310 The West Coast Ocean Protection Act

Blocks offshore oil and gas drilling in federal waters along the West Coast. The House voted to pass this as part of H.R. 1941, which protects the Pacific, Atlantic, and Eastern Gulf of Mexico.

H.R. 2250 The Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act

Approved by the House Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support.
Increases fire resilience, restores forests and fish habitat, rehabilitates lands impaired by illegal marijuana growing operations, increases recreation opportunities through new trails and visitor centers, and permanently protects many of northwest California’s most spectacular wild places and pristine streams.

H.R. 5091 The Wildfire Defense Act

Empowers communities to implement science-based methods for mitigating wildfires, including by creating community-scale defensible space to slow or stop the spread of fire.
Provides funding to design and implement new Community Wildfire Defense Plans developed by community members, first responders, and relevant state agencies.

H.R. 1878 IDEA Full Funding Act

Creates a 10 year plan to hold the federal government accountable for the full 40% of funding for special education promised by Congress in the 1975 IDEA Act.
Ensures that every child with a disability has access to educational opportunity.
Includes $12.8 billion for IDEA funding in the FY 2020 House, increasing the budget by $400 million, the largest increase since 2015.

See my remarks on Impeachment here.

Town Hall in Point Reyes, read more here.

I have always been impressed with how engaged our community is. At thirteen town halls up and down CA-02, I heard from you directly and answered your questions about Congress' work and the news from Washington. I know that by creating solutions together, we succeed together.

Representative Huffman at fisheries listening tour, Credit: Thomas Hedges

In the same spirit, I began a listening tour to hear from stakeholders who care about sustainable fisheries in the United States. As the Chair of the Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee, I have traveled coast-to-coast to hold four listening sessions in 2019 and plan to continue this year as part of my larger goal to foster a more transparent, deliberative, and science-based process for developing legislation. I cannot wait to share and learn more this coming year.

When I was elected Chairman of the Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee at the beginning of 2019, I set out to provide much-needed oversight of the Trump administration, improve the health of our oceans and economy of our coastal communities, respond to the threat that climate change poses to sustainable water supplies, and advance smart solutions to natural resources challenges. This past year I held 21 meetings where we considered 44 bills on a range of topics: climate impacts, public lands, biodiversity loss, coastal resilience, endangered species, trophy hunting, pollution, and illegal fishing. We still have a long journey ahead, but my resolve to meet the challenge is stronger than ever in 2020.

As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am working to solve climate problems, make sure our waterways are contributing to the economy, and boost smart transportation solutions. I just introduced the GREEN Streets Act to reduce emissions from the U.S. transportation sector and cut down on long commutes. Additionally, we held hearings on disaster preparedness and the dangers of irresponsible projects like the Pebble Mine that will harm the California salmon fishing industry, and worked to secure resources for more resources to dredge the Petaluma River, expand the SMART Train, and make long term plan for Last Chance Grade.

Looking ahead into 2020, there is a lot of uncertainty in the economy, and there is a lot of work to be done to defend our democracy. I am grateful to represent such an engaged group of citizens, and I am looking forward to pushing forward legislation that will protect clean air and water, work for the people, and conduct tough oversight over the Trump administration and stand against President Trump's attempts to erode our democracy.

Thank you for a wonderful 2019. I hope this year to come brings joy, good health, and happiness to you and your loved ones.

With Best Regards,

Jared Huffman
Member of Congress

Following my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram is a great way to stay up to date! Here are the top topics and campaigns you liked from 2019.

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