Local Issues

Representative Brownley (CA-26) and Congressman George Whitesides (CA-27) announced new Congressional action urging the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to strengthen its methane reduction policies for landfills to protect public health and reduce climate-related costs for Californians.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley joined Congressmen Scott Peters, Dan Goldman, and Raja Krishnamoorthi in introducing the Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act, a bill to make our communities safer by establishing a stronger standard for Federal immigration agents’ use of force.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley, who represents sections of Ventura County, addressed the impacts the federal government shutdown is having on local residents during a press conference held Nov. 3 at Santa Paula City Hall. Brownley’s shutdown concerns centered around the halt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and ongoing health care coverage. 

More than 35,000 people in a congressional district encompassing much of Ventura County would see their health insurance premiums skyrocket and thousands would drop coverage without the tax credits that are part of the standoff over the government shutdown, U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley said in a Camarillo news conference.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley released the following statement in response to reports of a serious incident involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Oxnard.

Congresswoman Brownley joined 153 Members of Congress in a public comment letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin in opposition to the EPA’s proposal to rescind the landmark 2009 Endangerment Finding that greenhouse gases threaten public health and welfare. The Members called on Administrator Zeldin to stop his attacks on pollution protections for the American people.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley joined Congressman Adriano Espaillat and Congressman Salud Carbajal in a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons expressing serious concern about large scale immigration raids conducted across multiple counties in California during the week of July 8-12.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley joined Congresswoman Norma Torres, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, Congressmen Derek Tran, Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Adam Schiff, and the entire California Democratic Congressional Delegation in demanding the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) immediately release nearly $7 billion in Congressionally-appropriated funding for K-12 schools and adult education — including $928 million owed to California.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley joined Congressman Dan Goldman and Congressman Adriano Espaillat in announcing the introduction of the No Secret Police Act, legislation that would prohibit law enforcement officers and agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from concealing their identities during immigration enforcement operations.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons demanding answers about recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations conducted in Ventura County, California. These operations, which took place at a farm in Camarillo, have sparked widespread fear and raised serious concerns about the agency’s tactics, transparency, and adherence to due process.

Brownley, D-Westlake Village, said she had not received any information from federal officials about any actions or detentions. “That has been (the case) since the very beginning of the Trump administration,” said Brownley, as she drove to the site. Brownley called the recent immigration enforcement actions egregious and immoral.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley released the following statement in response to recent immigration enforcement activities and large federal agent presence at a farm in Ventura County. This raid comes amid a broader escalation of immigration enforcement actions across Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and Southern California.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley and Congressman Salud Carbajal released the following statement regarding reports of recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations throughout Ventura County, California. These operations follow a wave of escalated enforcement in neighboring Los Angeles County and are spreading fear, chaos, and distress across the region.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced Angela Liu from Westlake High School as the winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for California’s 26th Congressional District. Liu’s piece, “Get on the Bus,” will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol complex for one year. 

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced nine students from California’s 26th Congressional District, who she nominated to the U.S. Service Academies and who have accepted appointments to attend these prestigious institutions of higher learning in the fall.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley joined Congresswoman Luz Rivas, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (CA), and 33 of her Democratic colleagues in urging U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to reconsider the termination of the legal status of S.G.V. (identified by her initials for privacy reasons). S.G.V. is a four-year-old girl from Bakersfield living with short bowel syndrome who is facing deportation and could die if she loses medical care at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced that Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner will be her guest at this year’s Joint Address, taking place on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 9:00 PM Eastern/6:00 PM Pacific. Chief Gardner leads the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD), an all-hazards department of 658 personnel dedicated to protecting Ventura County. Chief Gardner has served with VCFD since 1998.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley was proud to join Planned Parenthood California Central Coast at its annual Power of Love Brunch to celebrate the organization’s work in Ventura County. Below are Congresswoman Brownley’s remarks as prepared.