Press Releases

Today, Members of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC) announced a bipartisan agreement to authorize 28 VA medical facility leases that have been awaiting approval for years, including a new 41,000-square foot clinic in Oxnard—an effort long spearheaded by HVAC Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Julia Brownley (D-CA). The bill also shores up an additional six months of funding for Veterans Choice, a program that allows some veterans to receive care outside the VA that was created in the wake of the Phoenix wait-time scandal. The House and Senate are each slated to take up the legislation before departing for the August District Work Period.

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment to an FY 2018 appropriations bill (H.R. 3219) offered by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) and Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-El Monte) that would ensure California’s ports and harbors receive a fair share of funds for port and harbor infrastructure.

On Saturday, July 29, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) will host an event for Ventura County residents to make sure their passports are up to date for the summer travel season.

Today, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee passed the Veterans’ Access to Child Care Act (H.R. 95), legislation authored by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) that would make permanent the VA’s Child Care Pilot Program and expand it so that all veterans who are primary caretakers have a safe, reliable, and cost-free option for child care when they use VA healthcare.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley released a statement on passage in the U.S. House of Representatives of H.R. 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2018.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, released a statement on the introduction of the bipartisan Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley issued a statement commending passage in the U.S. House of Representatives of H.R. 2156, legislation she co-sponsored that will establish a memorial for the 1928 Saint Francis Dam disaster.

Today, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee adopted two amendments offered by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village), which would help to prevent human trafficking and enforce veterans’ hiring preference at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The amendments were adopted as part of the 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2997). At Congresswoman Brownley’s request, the bill also includes language to improve travel for veterans with disabilities.

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Veterans Expanded Trucking Opportunities Act (H.R. 2547), legislation introduced by Congressman Rob Woodall (R-GA) and Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) that would make it easier for veterans to return to the civilian workforce by removing bureaucratic barriers to employment in the trucking industry.

Today, House Committee on Veterans Affairs Ranking Member Tim Walz and Subcommittee on Health Ranking Member Julia Brownley released a statement after Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Dr. David Shulkin announced that the VA will soon take steps to adopt the same electronic health record (EHR) system as the Department of Defense.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley released a statement after President Donald Trump announced his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement signed by 194 other countries.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley will host a dedication ceremony officially naming the federal postal facility in Port Hueneme as the “U.S. Naval Construction Battalion ‘Seabees’ Fallen Heroes Post Office Building” in honor of the Seabees during their 75th Anniversary.  Captain Chris Janke, Commanding Officer of Naval Base Ventura County, and Captain Mike Saum, Commodore of Naval Construction Group One, will also be in attendance.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced funding for several Ventura County projects through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including for Channel Islands Harbor, Ventura Harbor, and the Port of Hueneme.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) announced that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded two grants to Cal Lutheran University totaling an estimated $3 million over five years through the Upward Bound Program, a federal TRIO program.

Yesterday, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed the Veterans Expanded Trucking Opportunities Act (H.R. 2547), legislation introduced by Congressman Rob Woodall (R-GA) and Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA).

Today, House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Julia Brownley met with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin to discuss their shared priorities and goals to improve VA healthcare and other VA programs that support our nation’s veterans. 

Today there are more than 200,000 women serving in active duty and the number of women veterans continues to grow. Addressing the needs of our growing population of women veterans is one of my top priorities and I am proud to support the Deborah Sampson Act that will expand VA services for women veterans including mental healthcare and peer to peer support groups.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) announced NeighborWorks America, a public non-profit established by Congress, has awarded a $415,333 grant to Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation to foster community development and create more affordable housing in Ventura County.