Press Releases
Reps. Huffman, Kilmer, DeFazio Statement on Bipartisan Agreement to Renew Secure Rural Schools Program
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Congressmen Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06), and Peter DeFazio (D-OR-04) today released the following statements after securing a renewal of the Secure Rural Schools program, which expired last September due to Congressional inaction. The renewal will be included in an upcoming vote this week. "I am pleased that funding for rural communities was included in this bipartisan bill, and I was glad to be able to work with my colleagues Peter DeFazio and Derek … Continue Reading
March 24, 2015
Rep. Huffman Announces Department of Veterans Affairs Policy Change—Will Improve Access to Health Care Resources for Rural North Coast Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will make a change he recommended to improve access to health care for veterans on the rural North Coast. After Huffman sent a letter urging a change to the Veterans Choice Program to VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald earlier this year, VA has announced it will change the calculation used to determine eligibility under the program, thus allowing many veterans on the North Coast … Continue Reading
March 23, 2015
Members of Congress Applaud Proposed Wilderness Designation of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s Coastal Plain
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA) today led a bipartisan congressional letter lending full support to a Wilderness designation for the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a 1.5 million-acre stretch of land that is home to endangered species and is one of the last great expanses of true "wildness" in the United States. In a letter to Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, Huffman and Fitzpatrick, joined by 78 other members of the … Continue Reading
March 19, 2015
Rep. Huffman: New National Marine Sanctuaries Expansion Will Help Protect Ocean Ecosystems From Ravages of Climate Change
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), a member of the House Safe Climate Caucus, today released a video celebrating the expansion of the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries announced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration last week. Huffman noted that the 2,200 square mile expansion of the National Marine Sanctuaries is critically important for mitigating the effects of climate change in that they reduce environmental … Continue Reading
March 12, 2015
Rep. Huffman Recognizes Harvest Market Commitment to Environmentally-Responsible Business Practices with Sustainable North Coast Certificate
Fort Bragg, CA—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) yesterday presented Harvest Market with his Sustainable North Coast Certificate in recognition of their commitment to environmentally-responsible business practices, support for the local food industry and community service. “Harvest Market’s focus on environmental stewardship, support of small and local farms, and dedication to the community are worthy of high commendation,” Huffman said. “By investing in solar panels, offering fair … Continue Reading
March 12, 2015
Rep. Jared Huffman Celebrates Expansion Of The Gulf Of The Farallones And Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries
WASHINGTON—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) issued the following quote celebrating the expansion of the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries announced today by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): “Today’s expansion of the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries is the culmination of a decades-long effort by environmental leaders, fishermen, the tourism industry, and all of those in the community who … Continue Reading
February 27, 2015
Reps. Huffman, Farr, Capps, Speier, Thompson Call on White House to Finalize Expansion of the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries
WASHINGTON—Northern California Representatives Jared Huffman, Sam Farr, Lois Capps, Jackie Speier, and Mike Thompson today called on the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to assist in finalizing National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) final rule to expand the boundaries of the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries off the coast of California. The lawmakers’ letter follows a recent request from the U.S. Coast Guard for an exemption … Continue Reading
February 24, 2015
Rep. Jared Huffman Invites North Coast High School Students to Enter the Congressional Art Competition
WASHINGTON—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today announced that the 2015 Congressional Art Competition is open to all High School students in California’s Second Congressional District, which spans from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border. "An Artistic Discovery" is the annual art contest held by the U.S. Congress for high school students across the country. “I am excited to announce the kickoff of our 2015 Congressional Art Competition, an opportunity for Congress to … Continue Reading
February 21, 2015
Huffman Statement on the West Coast Ports Agreement
Marin County, CA -- Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA) released the following statement after a tentative deal was reached for West Coast ports, potentially ending a nine-month labor dispute: "I am very glad to see this dispute resolved. This is good news for workers, north coast businesses, and … Continue Reading
February 10, 2015
Rep. Jared Huffman Reintroduces Bill to Modernize Army Corps of Engineers Reservoir Operations
Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, CA—Following this weekend’s rainstorm in Northern California, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today reintroduced a bill last night to bring Army Corps of Engineers reservoir operations in line with modern science, save water, and help communities through extreme weather events, like droughts. The Army Corps of Engineers operates many of its reservoirs—critical for the water supply of cities and towns throughout the country—on outdated and obsolete water … Continue Reading
February 10, 2015
Rep. Jared Huffman Statement on Passing of Former Congressman Don Clausen
WASHINGTON—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today released the following statement after hearing that former Congressman Don Clausen, who represented much of California’s North Coast in Congress, passed away: “I am saddened to learn that one of the North Coast’s greatest advocates has passed away,” Rep. Jared Huffman said. “Former Congressman Don Clausen was a champion for the region’s rivers, forests and oceans, and for the infrastructure the area needed to help it thrive. … Continue Reading
February 02, 2015
Statement by Rep. Jared Huffman on Boehner Invitation to Netanyahu
WASHINGTON—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today released the following statement on Speaker Boehner’s invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress: “Because Israel is an important friend and strategic ally of the United States, I would ordinarily welcome an address from the Israeli Prime Minister to a joint session of Congress. However, I strongly object to Speaker Boehner’s unilateral invitation for Prime Minister Benjamin … Continue Reading
January 27, 2015
Reps. Jared Huffman, Van Hollen, McKinley, Walz, Gibson, Reichert Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Boost Special Education Funding
Washington, DC -Today Congressmen Jared Huffman (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), David McKinley (R-WV), Tim Walz (D-MN), Chris Gibson (R-NY), and Dave Reichert (R-WA) reintroduced the bipartisan IDEA Full Funding Act. In 1975, Congress took the critical step of passing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), providing a promise that every child with disabilities would have the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. At that time, the federal government committed to pay … Continue Reading
January 27, 2015
Rep. Jared Huffman Announces New Environmental Leadership Role in 114th Congress
WASHINGTON—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today was named Ranking Member of the newly-created House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans. The Subcommittee is responsible for matters concerning America’s water resources, federal irrigation projects, generation of electric power from federal water projects and interstate water issues. This is Huffman’s second term in Congress, and his first Subcommittee leadership position. “I am honored that my colleagues have … Continue Reading
January 26, 2015
Rep. Jared Huffman Applauds Obama Administration For Move to Protect Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
WASHINGTON-Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today applauded President Obama's Administration for moving to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, one of America's last untouched wild places. The Department of the Interior will release a conservation plan for the Refuge that will recommend additional protections for the Refuge. President Obama also announced that he will recommend to Congress that they protect more than 12.28 million acres of the Refuge as … Continue Reading
January 21, 2015
Rep. Jared Huffman Invites President Obama to Visit California’s North Coast to Discuss Closing the Digital Divide in Rural America
WASHINGTON-Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today invited President Barack Obama to visit California's North Coast to discuss closing the digital divide in rural America. During last night's State of the Union Address, President Obama called for a major investment in "21st century infrastructure?-?modern ports, stronger bridges, faster trains and the fastest internet." In a letter sent today, Huffman noted that many communities on California's rural North Coast do not have … Continue Reading
January 16, 2015
Rep. Jared Huffman to VA Secretary: Improve Access to Health Care Resources for Rural North Coast Veterans
WASHINGTON—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) this week sent a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald urging him to improve access to health care for veterans on the rural North Coast under the new Veterans Choice Program, authorized by Congress in last year’s Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act. The Veterans Choice Program allows veterans living more than 40 miles “as the crow flies” from the nearest VA medical facility to seek timely care from local, … Continue Reading
January 13, 2015
Rep. Jared Huffman Introduces New Bill to Replace Gas Tax, Ensure Solvency of Highway Trust Fund, Fight Climate Change
WASHINGTON—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today introduced the Gas Tax Replacement Act of 2015, new legislation to stabilize the Highway Trust Fund— which funds transportation projects across the United States. The Gas Tax Replacement Act would replace the chronically-underperforming federal gas tax with a life-cycle assessment-based carbon tax on gasoline and diesel fuels that will accurately reflect the carbon emissions of the fuel. “While the strides we have made for vehicle … Continue Reading
January 09, 2015
Rep. Jared Huffman Announces New Roles in 114th Congress: Named to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Assistant Whip
WASHINGTON—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) was named to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure today, which holds jurisdiction over the Army Corps of Engineers, the Coast Guard, Department of Transportation, the nation’s roads, bridges, highways, ferries, inland waterways, pipelines, improvement of rivers and harbors. Huffman was also chosen by Democratic Steny Hoyer (D-MD) as a Democratic Assistant Whip. The Assistant Whip team is composed of leaders in the … Continue Reading
January 08, 2015
Rep. Jared Huffman Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
WASHINGTON—Congressmen Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) and Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA) today introduced bipartisan legislation to protect one of America’s last untouched wild places—the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on the north coast of Alaska. The Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act (H.R. 239) would designate the 1.5 million-acre Coastal Plain as wilderness, codifying into law permanent protections from damaging activities like oil drilling. Today’s bill introduction … Continue Reading