July 2018
Good afternoon. I would like to provide a few updates about recent developments in Congress and share some important information.
Standing up for Unions
I was honored to participate in a panel discussion at the America Needs Unions town hall meeting in San Jose, hosted by Local 521 of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, State Assemblyman Ash Kalra, and I heard directly from workers in health care, home care, building security, food service, and child care about how their unions helped them when they were in need. Hearing about their experiences reinforced my determination to stand up for working people and to keep fighting for unions.
Report from Congress
Last week, I introduced the Job Opportunities for All Act, which invests in putting Americans back to work. There are eight million Americans who want to work but cannot find jobs, and another 4.7 million who want full-time jobs but can only find part-time work. In response, my bill builds on the legacy of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Economic Bill of Rights by directing federal funds to grants and programs providing Americans with private and public sector job opportunities with a focus on economically distressed communities. No one should be denied the opportunity to earn a living in the richest country on Earth.
The House recently passed the 2018 Department of Defense spending bill. The final bill included my amendment requiring an investigation into U.S. participation in alleged Yemen torture prisons run by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Reports of American complicity in these torture prisons is appalling. We need to get to the bottom of this, which is why I have also challenged U.S. military assistance to the UAE and Saudi coalition's bombings of Yemen.
Town hall
It was great to see so many of you and to answer your questions at my July town hall meeting in west San Jose. I hope to see you at my next town hall starting at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, August 22 at the Newark Pavilion in Hall 1. If you can't make it, you can watch on Facebook Live. Please be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @RepRoKhanna.
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Calling All CA-17 Coders – the Congressional App Challenge is Back!
Are you a middle or high school student living in CA-17 with an idea for the next great app? The Congressional App Challenge is back for the fifth year in a row. Students interested in participating must register online by September 10th. Last year's winner was Recollect, an app designed by three seniors from Cupertino High School. The app helps people with Alzheimer's Disease keep their mind active to fight off symptoms of the disease. Further registration and participation details can be found on my website.
Latin American Foreign Policy with Danny Glover
Many know Danny Glover as an accomplished actor, but many do not yet know that he has developed a humanitarian profile to fight for noble causes. He and I recently met to discuss the current immigration crisis at our southern border. Real solutions will require acknowledging our government's historic role in sowing unrest in Latin America, and a commitment to moral foreign policy built on equitable relationships with our southern neighbors. Read our full op-ed in The Nation.
Modernizing Government Websites
I believe that the government can do a lot of good for its citizens, so it frustrates me when I visit a federal agency online, and it feels like I'm surfing the web using 20 year-old technology. When a person visits HealthCare.gov to learn about the Affordable Care Act, or browses USAJobs.gov to apply for work in public service, they should have an experience on-par with private sector websites. Read my op-ed with Republican Rep. John Ratcliffe on our plan to modernize your federal digital experience.
Videos
Announcing the Medicare for All Caucus
Defense Spending Is Out of Control
Constituent Services
Case workers in my Santa Clara office are available to help Silicon Valley residents navigate through the bureaucracy of federal agencies. My staff can assist with immigration or visa issues, Social Security payments and VA paperwork, among other areas. Visit my website for more information.