114th Congress

Today, Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA) introduced the Honor Our National Guard Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, legislation that would prohibit the recoupment of bonuses given to National Guard members.  Additionally, it would require the Department of Defense to repay those who have already returned their bonuses, as well as the penalties incurred, with interest.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley released a statement on the Pentagon’s decision to temporarily suspend efforts to seek repayment of enlistment bonuses and benefits given to California National Guard members.

By Brendan McGarry and Amy Bushatz Originally Appeared on Millitary.com Days after a news organization reported the Defense Department is forcing National Guardsmen from California to pay back bonuses received in error, lawmakers and advocates are calling on officials to forgive their debt. Rep. Julia Brownley, a Democrat from the state, is among a growing […]

Congresswoman Julia Brownley released a statement regarding recent reports that the Department of Defense is seeking repayment of enlistment bonuses from over 9,700 California National Guard servicemembers and veterans.

By Editorial Board Originally Appeared in The Ventura County Star It’s not easy these days trying to get anything done if you’re a Democrat in the fractious, Republican-controlled House of Representatives, especially if your eyes are set on major national issues and broad reforms. But the representative’s job can be much more than that — […]

By Staff Appeared Originally in The Camarillo Acorn U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley has announced that the Coast Guard will make its operating base at Naval Base Ventura County permanent. The guard had moved to NBVC due to the closure of the Air Station Los Angeles facility at Los Angeles International Airport. The new facility, now […]

By Kelsey Gerckens Originally Appeared on KEYT.com OJAI, Calif. – The Matilija Dam in Ojai will soon become a thing of the past.  The main reason why officials plan on tearing the Matilija Dam down is because it is no longer useful. Plans to tear down the Matilija Dam have been in the works since […]

Today, Representative Julia Brownley (CA-26) announced the enactment of her bill, the Veterans Medical Access Act, which was approved by Congress as part of the Fiscal Year 2017 Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act (H.R. 5325).  The law was signed yesterday by President Obama.

Today, Representatives Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME) introduced H.R. 6220, a bill that would authorize the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to move forward with 24 healthcare facility leases that are currently backlogged in Congress, including the proposed 47,200 square foot Oxnard Community Clinic.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley issued a statement after the House passed the FY2017 Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act (H.R. 5325).  The bill funds the Department of Veterans Affairs and military construction projects for upcoming year, provides funds to address the Zika crisis, and funds other government agencies at FY2016 levels through December 9, 2016.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded over $3.2 million in grants to local colleges and universities to support activities and programs to increase the number of Latino and low-income students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) degree programs at Hispanic-Serving Institutions in Ventura County.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced a $1.6 million grant from the National Park Service (NPS) to the City of Ventura for the construction of the newly proposed Kellogg Park. The funding would cover landscaping, construction of the playground, open space, picnic areas, and fitness equipment.

Today, Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA) urged congressional colleagues to address the bureaucratic roadblock that hinders Congress’ ability to authorize leases for new Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities during the House Veterans Affairs’ Committee (HVAC) mark-up.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced that the Coast Guard has decided to make their current operating base at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) permanent. The Coast Guard move to NBVC is due to the previously announced closure of the Air Station Los Angeles facility at Los Angeles International Airport. (Please see the attached letter from the Coast Guard).

A bill that would establish a national memorial to honor the victims of the St. Francis Dam disaster was endorsed Tuesday by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. The bill has passed the House and is pending in the U.S. Senate. Rep. Julia Brownley, who appeared before supervisors to seek their support, said afterward that […]

Zachary Walker had his doubts about seeing a Department of Veterans Affairs doctor in Sepulveda through a two-way camera and television screen. The Navy veteran from Ventura wondered how she would check him over or listen to his heart. But his concerns about telemedicine were trumped by the frustrating alternative: It would take two months […]

Military veterans in Ventura County needing specialty medical care are increasingly seeing their providers through a Skype-like app. The Department of Veterans Affairs calls it “telehealth.” Traffic on the highways between the V.A. outpatient clinic in Oxnard and the veterans hospital in Westwood is a big reason for the change. It simply took too long […]

Rep. Julia Brownley got a firsthand look at the operations of Oxnard's outpatient facility for veterans on Tuesday, greeting patients and speaking with staff about their needs. The outpatient clinic on Universe Circle has been identified as having one of the worst backlogs for patient appointments. Compared to other Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinics, […]