Jobs, Economy, and Small Business

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the reintroduction of three bills aimed at strengthening the workforce that serves our nation’s veterans, improving the delivery of health care, and addressing service-related needs. The bills include the VA Marriage and Family Therapists Equity Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs Continuing Professional Education Modernization Act, and the Veterans Law Judge Experience Act.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a total of $42,287,893 to the Port of Hueneme through its Clean Ports Program, made possible by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced an award of $3,806,152 for the City of Oxnard to replace aging cast iron waterline pipes at risk of failure throughout the city. The 60-year-old pipes have reached the end of their useful life, and are constantly in need of repairs, which is disruptive and costly to the residents of the city. With this funding, the city will be able to deliver clean water to the residents of Oxnard while creating good-paying jobs in the region.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the inclusion of 13 community projects totaling more than $10.3 million that she secured in the Fiscal Year 2024 funding bills for the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies; Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. This legislation will ensure the federal government remains open, and it also includes targeted investments that address the climate crisis, strengthen critical infrastructure, provide essential resources to our local law enforcement agencies, and create good-paying jobs. 

Congresswoman Julia Brownley and Congressman Salud Carbajal announced a grant award of $12 million for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across Ventura County. With this funding, the County of Ventura will make critical investments to ensure that residents, businesses, and visitors to the region are able to take part in a cleaner, greener, and safer future, while creating jobs and strengthening the local economy.  

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley introduced the Biliteracy Education Seal and Teaching Act, legislation that establishes a federal grant program to help states create, implement, and improve Seal of Biliteracy programs that encourage and recognize high school students who achieve proficiency in both English and at least one other language, which will better enable young people to compete in the global workforce. Senator Brian Schatz introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. 

26th District Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Ventura County) issued a statement just minutes after the vote. Brownley also described the compromise as “by no means perfect.”

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)  introduced the Veteran Entrepreneurs Act, which reduces barriers to entrepreneurship by lowering upfront costs for veterans operating small businesses.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley applauded House passage of H.R. 5376, the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower working families’ costs, create millions of good-paying jobs, reduce the national deficit, and take significant action on climate change. 

California Congresswoman Julia Brownley visited the Ventura Port District recently to celebrate the federal appropriation of $5,516,000 for the maintenance dredging of Ventura Harbor.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the inclusion of nine community projects totaling more than $27 million in the Fiscal Year 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2471) that passed the House of Representatives by a 260-171-1 vote.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) applauded the House of Representatives’ passage of the America COMPETES Act, a bold and transformative legislative package to bolster American production of semiconductor chips, support our national supply chains and American manufacturing, advance U.S. scientific research and innovation, and position American interests and values to strengthen our global competitiveness, while prioritizing and investing in a sustainable future.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (R-IN) announced the recent introduction of the Veteran Entrepreneurs Act, legislation to help support veteran entrepreneurs by reducing barriers to starting a small business.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley released the following statement on the House passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684), which makes the largest federal investment in our nation’s infrastructure in decades.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded the Port of Hueneme over $5 million to make critical long-term infrastructure improvements and dredge a berth at the port, which will enable container vessels to load heavier with cargo at each visit.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation (INVEST) in America Act.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley reintroduced the VOW to Hire Heroes Extension Act, which would permanently extend the work opportunity tax credit (WOTC) for companies that hire veterans and allow qualified tax-exempt organizations to receive a credit against payroll taxes for hiring a veteran.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced $6.3 million in federal funding for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects for the Port of Hueneme and Ventura Harbor.