115th Congress

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the House-Senate conference agreement to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (H.R. 302), including provisions authored by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) to support veterans and to curb human trafficking. The bill also includes critical funding for our nation’s aviation system and helps address airplane noise in our community. It is expected to be passed by the Senate and signed into law in the coming days.

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Disaster Recovery Reform Act. This bill, which is expected to pass the Senate and be signed into law in the coming days, will help communities better mitigate against and respond to disasters like wildfires and earthquakes. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) has been fighting for this legislation to better prepare for and prevent disasters like the Thomas Fire.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) today voted in support of the House-Senate conference agreement to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through 2023 and help reduce airplane noise concerns in Ventura County and across the country. The bill passed the House of Representatives today and is expected to be passed by the Senate and sent to the President’s desk for signature in the coming days.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) today welcomed passage in the U.S. House of Representatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2018, which extends critical veterans programs through September 2019, including the VA’s child care pilot program, women veterans retreats pilot program, and support services for homeless veterans.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) welcomed the White House’s announcement that Sergeant Major (Ret.) John Canley of Oxnard will receive the prestigious Medal of Honor for his heroism during the Vietnam War. Brownley’s legislation making Canley eligible to receive the medal, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, was signed into law in January.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) announced more than $8 million in federal grant funding for community development, homelessness, and affordable housing programs throughout Ventura County.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) toured Smiths Interconnect, located in Thousand Oaks, a company that designs, manufactures, and tests precision antennas and antenna systems, on Tuesday. She met with Smiths Interconnect employees and saw firsthand the critical role local manufacturers play in our region’s economy as part of her “Julia at Your Job” series.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) announced that Chabad of Camarillo received a $125,000 Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grant from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to help prevent youth substance abuse.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) welcomed passage yesterday in the U.S. House of Representatives of new federal funding for projects in Ventura County. The funding, which comes in the Fiscal Year 2019 Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act (H.R. 5895), supports dredging at Channel Islands Harbor and Ventura Harbor, “donor port” funds for the Port of Hueneme, and new infrastructure projects at Naval Base Ventura County.

Brownley, top Democrat on the House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee, said in a statement the estimated 160,000 transgender veterans in the United States are deserving of coverage and “have put their lives on the line in order to protect our constitutionally protected freedoms.”

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) announced that the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) will receive $9.9 million in federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to upgrade its Positive Train Control (PTC) system in Ventura County and throughout Southern California to further improve rail safety. PTC systems help prevent collisions and derailments. This announcement comes ahead of the 10-year anniversary of the Metrolink crash in Chatsworth that took place on September 12, 2008 and killed 25 people, including 21 Ventura County residents.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) announced that San Miguel Produce, based in Oxnard, will receive $250,000 in federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help create jobs in Ventura County and support California’s leafy green growers.

Today, 83 bipartisan Members of Congress, led by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA), called on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to end its ban on medically necessary treatments for our country’s transgender veterans.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) announced that the Port of Hueneme received $360,000 for security enhancements through the Department of Homeland Security’s Fiscal Year 2018 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP).

This community was tested during the Thomas Fire – but from first responders and emergency personnel, to the many organizations and volunteers who supported the evacuation and relief effort, Ventura County came together to support friends and neighbors in need. While this area is on the road to recovery, we must remain vigilant and start planning ahead because we don’t know when another disaster may strike. But we need the Senate’s help to do that.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) announced her office is hosting a series of information nights across Ventura County to help students and their families learn more about attending a service academy and the Congressional nomination process.

Today, House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Annie Kuster (D-NH) requested that the VA Inspector General investigate recent reports of undue influence by unaccountable outside individuals on the operations of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Brownley and Kuster also called for the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee to hold a hearing on whether these “advisors” to President Trump have violated any laws.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) announced that she will serve as the co-chair of the Congressional Range and Testing Center Caucus, which serves as a forum to educate Members of Congress about Department of Defense major range and test facilities, like Naval Base Ventura County, and advocate for policies that support these critical national security assets.