Press Releases
Huffman Votes Against Defense Appropriations Act, Votes to Curtail NSA Surveillance
WASHINGTON—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today voted against the FY 2015 Defense Appropriations Act (H.R. 4870. Huffman voted for a number of amendments to improve the bill, including the Lofgren amendment, which curtails the NSA’s domestic surveillance program, and the Lee amendment to prevent further escalation in Iraq. The bill appropriates $491 billion in funding for the Department of Defense - an increase of approximately $4.1 billion from the year before, and $201 million … Continue Reading
June 19, 2014
Huffman, NOAA Meet About Gulf of Farallones and Cordell Bank Sanctuaries Expansion
WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) and Dan Basta, Director of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries for NOAA, met to discuss the boundary expansion of the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank Sanctuaries. Currently, NOAA is proposing to expand the boundaries of Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (GFNMS) and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary (CBNMS), as well as make changes to existing sanctuary regulations and add new regulations. “I am … Continue Reading
June 18, 2014
California Congressional Leaders Urge Expansion of Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries
WASHINGTON—Today, California Reps. Jared Huffman, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Jackie Speier, Anna Eshoo and 13 other members of the California Congressional Delegation voiced their strong support for the proposed 2,771 square mile boundary expansion of the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries. In today’s letter, submitted as part of the official public comment period, the members also stated their support for a permanent ban on offshore drilling and … Continue Reading
June 12, 2014
House Agrees to Huffman-Thompson Amendment To Help Protect Nation’s Food Supply, Respond to Rancho Feeding Company Recall
WASHINGTON—The U.S. House agreed today to an amendment offered by Congressmen Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) and Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) to fund the United States Department of Agriculture’s Inspector General to conduct more efficient investigations into food recalls. This would provide for a swift completion of the ongoing investigation into misconduct and potential criminal violations surrounding Rancho Feeding Corporation in Petaluma, California. The amendment would provide $1 million … Continue Reading
June 11, 2014
Reps. Huffman and Schiff Pass Amendment Directing USDA to Update Rules Protecting Captive Orcas and Other Marine Mammals
Washington, DC-Today, Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA) attached an amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations Act to require the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct and update the science necessary for Animal Welfare Act regulations on captivity of orcas and cetaceans. The amendment would direct the Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service - which regulates animal captivity, sale, and exhibition- to update and finalize captive marine mammal … Continue Reading
June 11, 2014
Rep. Huffman Defends SMART Rail Project, Votes Against Damaging Transportation Bill
WASHINGTON—Last night, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) voted against the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD) Appropriations Act, which would derail TIGER grant funding sought by the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) project in Northern California. On Monday night, Huffman in defense of local investments in public transportation like SMART. T-HUD would slash TIGER grants by 80% as well as restrict eligibility, effectively locking out public transportation and … Continue Reading
June 02, 2014
Huffman Statement on President Obama’s Clean Power Plan
WASHINGTON—Following the announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the new Clean Power Plan to cut carbon pollution, promote a healthier environment, and fight climate change, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) issued the following statement supporting the significant step toward a cleaner environment and urged Congress to join the President’s efforts: “Climate change is already having far-reaching impacts -- catastrophic droughts and wildfires in California, more … Continue Reading
May 29, 2014
Rep. Huffman Introduces Bill to Stop Spending Taxpayer Dollars on Dirty Energy Projects Abroad
WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) introduced a bill that would prevent the United States Export-Import bank—one of the world’s largest sources of public financing for fossil fuel projects—from financing polluting energy projects. Since 2007, the Export-Import Bank provided more than $7.2 billion in financing for coal-fired power plants around the world—all backed by American taxpayer dollars. Huffman’s bill would end all subsidies for dirty energy projects that do not … Continue Reading
May 29, 2014
Members of Congress Call on USDA to Act to Protect Captive Orcas and Marine Mammals
WASHINGTON—Today, Congressmen Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) and 38 members of Congress called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take immediate steps to ensure the humane treatment of captive orcas and marine mammals. In a bipartisan letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, the members of Congress urged the USDA to immediately update Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations for captive marine mammals, which have not been updated since 1995. “Sound, modern … Continue Reading
May 28, 2014
Reps. Huffman, Sarbanes to Hold Forums on Election Reform in North Bay Area
Washington—Next week, Congressmen Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) and John Sarbanes (D-Maryland), a Congressional leader on election reform and author of the , will hold two forums on election reform in the North Bay Area. On Monday, June 2, Huffman and Sarbanes will hold a forum in Petaluma at the Petaluma Community Center from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The forum will be moderated by Professor David McCuan of Sonoma State University. On Tuesday, June 3—election day—Huffman and Sarbanes will … Continue Reading
May 22, 2014
Rep. Huffman Votes Against Bloated Military Bill
WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) voted against the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (NDAA). The NDAA authorizes funding at nearly twice the level of pre-9/11 national defense spending. The Obama Administration issued a veto threat. “This year’s defense authorization bill is deeply flawed—instead of scaling back our military spending as we wind down the longest war in our nation’s history, the bill ignores common-sense cost-savings and makes … Continue Reading
May 22, 2014
Huffman Statement on Senate Introduction of Klamath Basin Legislation
WASHINGTON—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) released the following statement after California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer and Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley introduced legislation last night that will put into law the Upper Klamath Basin Comprehensive Agreement that was signed last month: “The introduction of the Klamath legislation in the Senate is a milestone toward an historic effort to revive California’s ailing salmon stocks, improve water quality … Continue Reading
May 20, 2014
Huffman Votes for Critical Water Infrastructure Bill
WASHINGTON-Today, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) voted for the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), a water infrastructure bill that makes critical investments on the North Coast, including along the Russian River. H.R. 3080 is a bipartisan conference report produced by House-Senate negotiations that authorizes Army Corps of Engineers funding for improvements to ports, waterways, and projects tied to flood protection, drinking water, dams and levees, and … Continue Reading
May 15, 2014
Reps. Huffman, Thompson Announce $1.5 Million Grant For North Bay Water Recycling Infrastructure
WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Reps. Jared Huffman (CA-2) and Mike Thompson (CA-5) today announced a $1.5 million WaterSMART grant to the North Bay Water Reuse Authority for its North Bay Water Reuse Program. This funding will help provide recycled water for agricultural, environmental, industrial, and landscape uses throughout Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties. “Funding regional water recycling improvements like the North Bay’s program is one of the smartest ways to improve our local and regional … Continue Reading
May 14, 2014
Huffman Pushes for Net Neutrality
WASHINGTON - Ahead of tomorrow’s Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) meeting to propose new Internet speed and pricing policies, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) and members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus sent FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler a letter today urging strong consumer protections that will prevent anti-competitive behavior that could limit innovation and impact consumer access to online content. The letter, co-signed by 34 House Democratic colleagues, calls on … Continue Reading
May 13, 2014
Rep. Huffman Announces Winner of 2014 Congressional Art Competition
WASHINGTON—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today announced that Jee Young Bhan of Redwood High School in Larkspur, California is the winner of the 2014 Congressional Art Competition for high school students in California’s Second Congressional District. Huffman met with Jee Young Bhan in his San Rafael District Office and presented her with a certificate noting her accomplishment. Her artwork will hang in the U.S. Capitol Building for a year alongside pieces from around the … Continue Reading
May 12, 2014
Huffman Holds Public Transportation Ride-Along to Highlight Importance of Transportation Funding
Petaluma, CA—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) held a public transportation ride-along on Monday, May 12 to highlight the importance of federal transportation funding. Huffman, along with Denis Mulligan, General Manager of the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District and Raymond Messier, President of the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1575, rode a Golden Gate Transit bus from the Petaluma Transit Mall to the San Rafael Transit Center where they met Marin Supervisor Judy … Continue Reading
May 09, 2014
Huffman Statement on “Conspiracy Week” Votes on the House Floor
WASHINGTON—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) released the following statement after voting against efforts to find Lois Lerner in contempt of Congress and establish a duplicitive select committee to investigate the tragedy in Benghazi: “The vote finding former IRS official Lois Lerner in contempt of Congress is a frivolous distraction. It is wrong as a matter of law to claim that Lerner waived her Fifth Amendment rights: the Supreme Court has clearly held that a witness does not … Continue Reading
May 08, 2014
Reps. Huffman, Lummis Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Make it Easier for Public to Assist National Parks
WASHINGTON—Today, Representatives Jared Huffman (D-California) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) introduced a bipartisan bill to enhance the ability of philanthropic organizations, educational institutions, and volunteers to support our National Parks. The Park Partner Enhancement Act would clarify the ability of the National Park Service to work cooperatively with philanthropic organizations and educational institutions to advance projects and programs, design and construct National Park … Continue Reading
April 28, 2014
Huffman Calls On Department of Education to Prohibit Harmful Banking Practices Targeting College Campuses
WASHINGTON—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) joined U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Congressman George Miller (D-Calif.), and others in the House and Senate today and sent a bicameral letter to Secretary Arne Duncan of the U.S. Department of Education (ED) in support of changes to Title IV’s cash management rules, which are currently under revision. The letter urges ED to protect students from unfair banking practices, including … Continue Reading