January 2021
Good afternoon. I would like to provide a few updates about recent developments in Congress and share some important information.
Welcoming the Biden Administration
I welcome the Biden Administration and look forward to working with the President to address COVID-19, economic relief, health care, climate change, and much more.
I applaud the actions President Biden has already taken in the short time he has been in office. That includes his executive actions to deliver COVID relief, the extension of the eviction and foreclosure moratorium, the pause on student loan repayments, rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement, and the repeal of the Muslim ban, just to name a few.
I am hopeful about all we can accomplish in the 117th Congress, along with the President, to ensure that all Americans achieve a dignified and prosperous life for themselves and their families.
Updates in the District
As the Administration works to expand production and distribution of the COVID vaccine, our goal should be ensuring that every American receives it as soon as possible in order to save lives and bring an end to the pandemic. Please refer to these important links regarding vaccine distribution:
Santa Clara County Vaccine Dashboard
Alameda County Vaccine Dashboard
Federal casework has been the primary focus of my district staff for the first few weeks of the new year. We processed 170 requests, ranging from immigration to distribution of stimulus checks, since January 1st.
Also, I hosted Episode 2 of our Series on Race on Facebook Live. This episode featured Dr. Clayborne Carson, director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University. Dr. Carson has also managed the Martin Luther King Papers Project since 1985. I was honored to host Dr. Carson as a special guest to celebrate Dr. King's life and teachings.
Promoting Peace and Diplomacy
One of the last acts of the outgoing Trump Administration was designating the Houthis rebels in Yemen as a terrorist organization. I believe that decision was reckless and only further imperils hope for a peaceful solution to the conflict. Millions of Yemenis are on the brink of starvation. We cannot afford to exacerbate the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
That is why I joined with some of my colleagues in the Congressional Progressive Caucus to formally denounce the Houthis' designation as terrorists. We advanced a War Powers Resolution in the House and Senate in 2019 to bring an end to U.S. participation in the Saudi-led war in Yemen. Now, we call on the Biden Administration to reverse the designation and remove all obstacles preventing the Yemeni people from accessing food, medicine, fuel and other necessary goods and services. We are committed to reasserting Congress's rightful constitutional authority over war and peace and support a UN-brokered peace negotiation.
Facebook Live Town Halls
Thank you to all who participated in this month's Facebook Live town halls. In February, I will host Facebook Live town halls on February 22nd, noon Pacific. Please be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram@RepRoKhanna.
The U.S. Government Needs to Invest in Digital Design
In my latest Op-Ed, I argue that our failure to invest in information technology has severely limited COVID-19 response. That's why the country needs a new federal officer in charge of the America's digital experience—a chief experience officer of the United States. Investing in better digital infrastructure is the most efficient and cost-effective way to improve the delivery of government services to the American people.
Videos
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, my staff is ready to help. Visit my website for more information.