April 2022
Good afternoon. I would like to provide you with a few updates about recent developments in Congress and share some important information.
House's America COMPETES Act Conference Committee
The America COMPETES Act will invest in technology, create millions of jobs, and ensure that the United States remains the world's leader in science and technology in the 21st century. The bill includes several provisions inspired by my Endless Frontier Act with Majority Leader Schumer, Sen. Young, and Rep. Gallagher including the establishment of a new Directorate at the National Science Foundation to advance research and development in key technology focus areas and create at least ten technology hubs across the country.
I am honored to be named a conferee by Speaker Pelosi for the House's America COMPETES Act to get this bill over the finish line and signed into law by President Biden. No one should have to leave home to find a good paying job in the modern economy. This bill will spread opportunities across the country while also strengthening our supply chains and lowering costs for hardworking Americans. The American people are relying on us to get this passed to create an economy that works for everyone.
Protecting our Country's Data and Critical Government Systems
With the capability of quantum computing advancing, I introduced the bipartisan Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act to ensure that encryption used by the federal government to keep our systems and valuable data safe are quantum proof and establish Congress' oversight role in the process.
Even though classical computers can't break encryption now, our adversaries can still steal our data in the hopes of decrypting it later. That's why I believe that the federal government must begin strategizing immediately about the best ways to move our encrypted data to algorithms that use post-quantum cryptography. I'm a strong supporter of federal funding for quantum computing and believe the technology can one day help us solve many of the world's problems. Like with any new technology, however, we have to plan ahead for potential nefarious uses. A world where all of our encrypted data is exposed would have catastrophic implications for national security and the economy. That's why I'm proud to introduce this legislation with Reps. Connolly and Mace to tackle this before it's too late.
Op-ed with Senator Brown: A Commitment to Making Things in America
This month, I joined forces with Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio for an op-ed on American manufacturing in CNBC. Although Senator Brown and I represent vastly different parts of the country, we share the same fundamental belief: investments in research, development, and innovation mean little if they only lead to jobs in a few cities on the coasts or in factories overseas, and don't benefit American workers in all parts of the country.
Our nation is increasingly divided — by party, and by region. But most Americans still want the same things — opportunity and a chance to leave a better life for their children. By revitalizing American manufacturing and production, we take steps to renew our nation's promise of economic opportunity by spreading good paying jobs across the whole country.
Intel, a company headquartered in Silicon Valley, just provided a roadmap to closing this divide with the announcement of a $20 billion dollar investment in Ohio. Its investment is not only a commitment to creating opportunity in places beyond major metropolitan hubs, it is also a commitment to making things in America.
We can help close this divide through investing in American manufacturing and production by sending the America COMPETES Act to President Biden's desk. Click to read the full article.
CNN'S State of the Union Appearance
I joined Dana Bash on CNN's State of the Union to discuss how to bring down costs for hard working Americans and get our economy back on track. I introduced the Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax with Senator Whitehouse to protect Americans from soaring gas prices. My bill will provide an incentive to cap gas prices and put money back in the pockets of consumers.
Building Resilient Food Systems
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) and I introduced the Security of the Economy, Climate, and other U.S. interests with Recent and Existing Food alternatives (SECURE Food) Act, which would require the Director of National Intelligence to submit an intelligence report on the effects of increased production and consumption of alternative proteins on American national security. The report would address plant-based and cultivated proteins' impacts on food security, water supplies, climate impacts, public health, the agricultural sector, and the American economy as a whole. Additionally, the study would include a detailed explanation of whether, and to what extent, progress in the production and consumption of alternative proteins made by foreign countries constitutes a competitive threat to American economic interests.
Increasing the production of alternative proteins will help us build more resilient food systems, tackle the climate crisis, and strengthen the US economy by creating new jobs. The SECURE Food Act is a step toward prioritizing food sustainability and resiliency in our national security strategy. I'm proud to lead this effort with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi.
Videos
Way Forward on Inflation and the Economy
Funding for Santa Clara Bicycle Projects
Constituent Services
Caseworkers in my Santa Clara office are available to help Silicon Valley residents navigate the bureaucracy of federal agencies and any other concerns during the COVID-19 crisis. My staff can help you solve problems with immigration, visas, Social Security payments and VA paperwork, among other areas. Please call my office at (408) 436-2720 between 9:00am and 5:00pm Monday-Friday if you need assistance. Your call will be promptly answered (remotely) by my staff. You can also contact me online at any time at Khanna.house.gov/contact. While we are unable to meet in-person at this time due to the pandemic, my staff is ready to help. Visit my website for more information.
Updates in the District
After two years of COVID restrictions, I am truly energized to be able to get out in the community more on my visits home. I toured both an 80-unity affordable housing community in San Jose and the Agrihood Santa Clara construction site, where 181 below-market homes will be adjacent to an urban farm. I went to several grocery stores to hear from constituents stretching their budgets to cover food and other basic needs. It was an honor to attend a commemoration for those lost in the Armenian Genocide, and inspiring to attend Earth Day celebrations in Milpitas and Cupertino. My spirits were raised by attending several Ramadan iftar events in San Jose and Fremont, and by doing a bit of "laughter yoga" at an Indian American senior living community. I was able to see the new Cupertino Library extension, for which I secured $1M in FY2022 Community Project Funding (CPF) and am now looking forward to touring the fifteen newly proposed FY2023 CPF sites in the coming weeks. To see the fruits of our labor really benefit my CA17 constituents is most gratifying.
Facebook Live Town Halls
Thank you to all who participated in this month's Facebook Live town hall. In May, I will host a town hall on May 19 at 6pm Pacific. Please be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @RepRoKhanna.