Local Issues

By Tom Kiskin Originally Appeared in The Ventura County Star Patients wait far less for appointments at an Oxnard Veterans Affairs clinic that a year ago struggled with staffing shortages and was considered among the worst in the nation for wait times, according to new VA records. In February, veterans who were returning patients at […]

By Tracy Lehr Originally Appeared on KEYT CAMARILLO, Calif. – Hundreds of people packed a town hall meeting hosted by Rep. Julia Brownley on Tuesday night at the Camarillo Library. The hot topic was health care. Brownley invited a panel of health care professionals to talked about health care needs and the Affordable Care Act. […]

Chairman Dent, Ranking Member Wasserman Schultz, and distinguished members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today about my priorities for the Fiscal Year 2018 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act. The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs portfolio includes a number of important priorities for my district, and I’m pleased to […]

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.

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 […]

WASHINGTON — An alarm that should have notified a Plains All American Pipeline operator of a rupture had been turned off, delaying the response to a devastating oil spill a year ago at Refugio State Beach, officials with the federal pipeline safety agency said Thursday. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration released its final investigative […]

Today, the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) approved Congresswoman Julia Brownley’s (D-Westlake Village) bill, the Protect Veterans from Financial Fraud Act (H.R. 2975). Brownley’s bill was approved as an amendment to the Fair Treatment for Families of Veterans Act (H.R. 4087).

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) hosted a discussion with community stakeholders on the status of veterans’ healthcare services and plans for immediate improvements at the VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Oxnard.

On Monday, May 9, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) will host a discussion with community stakeholders on the status of veterans’ healthcare services and plans for immediate improvements at the VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Oxnard.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D – Westlake Village) and the Port of Hueneme Board of Harbor Commissioners announced the launch of Phase II of the Port’s Grid-Based Shore Power Project. Brownley secured a $500,000 grant for this project that will significantly reduce diesel emissions from refrigerated cargo vessels.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley released a statement regarding the final Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General review of improper handling of veterans’ claims.

On Thursday, April 7th, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) presented Sgt. Emmet Cullen, a local high school teacher, with the Bronze Star Medal that he earned during his service in Iraq. Sergeant Emmet Cullen, now a Buena High School social studies teacher, received the Bronze Star with Valor for his exceptional actions in protecting his platoon and saving the lives of fellow servicemembers during his deployment in Mosul, Iraq in 2006. 

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) hosted an event with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator Sarah E.Feinberg to announce a $1.5 million grant for the Rice Avenue rail safety project.  They were joined by other local officials to discuss this grant to the state of California to fund the design of a bridge to carry vehicular traffic on Rice Avenue over railroad tracks.

At the front of a room filled with Vietnam veterans, a blue banner offered this message Tuesday: “A grateful nation thanks and honors you.” Bill Rowley, wearing his Army 1st Calvary Division cap, remembered people glaring at him as he walked through a San Francisco airport on his way back from the Vietnam War in 1970. […]