Media Center

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the inclusion of two additional community projects totaling more than $2.7 million that she secured for California’s 26th Congressional District in the Fiscal Year 2024 funding bills. This funding, included in the most recent government funding package, responds directly to some of the most pressing needs in Ventura County and the Conejo Valley including investments in critical infrastructure and resilient energy sources. 

In recent weeks, Ventura County has been struck with flooding, rains, and mudslides which have upended the lives of many members of our community. The impacts have been felt throughout the region, including the Santa Paula and Upper Ojai areas. 

Congresswoman Julia Brownley issued the following statement in response to President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.’s State of the Union address.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced that health care clinician, Cara DelVecchio, will be her guest at this year’s State of the Union Address, which will take place on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 9:00 PM Eastern/6:00 PM Pacific. DelVeccio serves as the Lead Clinician for Planned Parenthood California Central Coast’s health center in Thousand Oaks, where she  provides direct patient care. 

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 announced Congressional action calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to investigate the ongoing and widespread outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and the oversight of depopulation methods used to kill affected birds.

Recently, the Counties of Ventura and Los Angeles have experienced devastating flooding and rains impacting the lives of many members of our community and throughout Southern California. During these extreme weather events, my team and I are keeping a close watch on the conditions and coordinating with local, state, and federal officials to ensure that all the necessary resources are available to support our community.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the introduction of the Improving Coordination of Agriculture Research and Data Act, legislation that would better facilitate the coordination of agriculture climate research, data collection, and monitoring, as well as expand adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices. 

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 announced Team Infect-ID, comprised of Jason Xie, David Wan, Vaibhav Sridhar, and George Wang of Oak Park High School, as the winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge for California’s 26th Congressional District. The student group created Infect-ID, an interactive app that helps visualize the spread of diseases to keep communities informed and safe.  

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the introduction of the Fix FEDVIP Age Act, legislation which would allow children of federal workers and retirees to remain eligible for health care coverage under the Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) until the age of 26, like the coverage benefit under the Affordable Care Act for private-sector insurance plans, as well as the military’s TRICARE program. 

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. 

Today, Representative Julia Brownley announced Congressional action to urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen the New Source Performance Standards and Emissions Guidelines for municipal solid waste landfills under Section 111 of the Clear Air Act. Brownley was joined by Representatives Kathy Castor, Gerald Connolly, and Paul Tonko in sending a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan to request EPA strengthen landfill regulations.

The drive for the award started in 2005 and hit snags that included bureaucracy and missing paperwork. Ligato and others kept pushing. U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Westlake Village, led the drive in Congress, authoring a bill waiving the five-year deadline for the award. In 2018, Canley put on his Marine blues and received the award as his Marines and others yelled “Ooorah.”

I am writing to remind you that, due to federal election laws, my ability to stay in touch with you will be somewhat limited beginning Friday, January 5, through the primary election on Tuesday, March 5.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2670, the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes several key legislative priorities she authored that support Naval Base Ventura County, ensure continued funding for critical firefighting response aircraft, and support our service members, while also investing in future capabilities that make the United States safer and stronger.

“VA isn’t going to solve this problem by itself,” said Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif. “This program could be wildly successful, but it could be a financial failure as well. We have to approach this in a data-driven, continuous improvement model, to make sure every grantee is continually improving that program. And I don’t know if VA has the capability to do that.”

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley issued the following statement following House passage of the Elizabeth Dole Home- and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act (H.R. 542), a comprehensive bill authored by Brownley that will be the single largest expansion of long-term care services at VA in decades. This legislation would significantly improve and expand home- and community-based services for disabled or aging veterans.