May 2018
Good afternoon. I would like to provide a few updates about recent developments in Congress and share some important information.
Education Round Table Today
This afternoon in Santa Clara, I will convene a group of teachers, administrators, superintendents, and school board members from schools throughout Silicon Valley for an education round table. We will discuss how the federal government can work with our local school districts to prepare students for the future of work. Education is the catalyst for continued success in the 21st century, and it is vital that we prepare our children to excel in the new digital economy. You can follow the conversation live on my Facebook page, @RepRoKhanna, starting at 1 PM Pacific.
Notes from Washington, DC
As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I introduced to two amendments to the Defense Department spending bill that were passed by the full House last week. The first required the Pentagon to investigate whether U.S. allies in Yemen are involved in torturing detainees and if U.S. personnel has any role in the interrogations. The other amendment clarified that the bill cannot be used in any way to justify U.S. support for military force against North Korea. As tensions rise with nuclear negotiations, we must always use diplomacy. Earlier this year, I introduced the No Unconstitutional Strike against North Korea Act and wrote an op-ed in the San Francisco Chronicle proposing a strategy for a peaceful resolution to the nearly seventy year-old conflict with the Kim regime.
In other news, the Farm Bill was rejected with bipartisan opposition. This legislation is considered every five years, renewing nutrition programs, farm subsidies and other USDA initiatives. I voted against this bill because it cut $23 billion from low-income food assistance, including school meals for 265,000 children. Our priority should be supporting our farmers and the most vulnerable Americans instead of passing corporate tax breaks at their expense.
Town hall
It was great to see so many of you and to answer your questions at my May town hall meeting in Cupertino. I hope to see you at my next town hall starting at 1:30 PM on Saturday, June 2nd in the theater at Mission San Jose High School, 41717 Palm Drive, in Fremont. If you can't make it, you can watch on Facebook Live. Please be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @RepRoKhanna.
Ro
Campaign Finance Reform to Empower the People
Powerful corporate and special interests have corrupted American politics by pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into campaigns and superPACs. To combat this deluge of money threatening the integrity of U.S. elections, I'm working on a bill to return power where it should be: in the hands of everyday Americans. Please read my op-ed on the Democracy Dollars Act with former Senator Russ Feingold, co-author of the landmark 2002 McCain-Feingold Campaign Reform Act.
Bringing the Government into the Digital Age
This past month, I introduced a bipartisan bill to make government work better for everyone. The 21st Century IDEA would lower federal costs and increase efficiency by digitizing government processes and establishing minimum standards for federal websites, including mobile-friendly interfaces in compliance with the latest security protocols. Working with the government should be simple and easy, not a mountain of paperwork and red tape. Watch my video on the bill here.
Investing in Tech Training for Young People in Middle America
I traveled to the campus of West Virginia Tech to visit engineering students, many of whom come from coal mining families. These students are studying for jobs in STEM fields with the hope of fulfilling tech careers that can revitalize their hometowns across Appalachia. One of my goals in Congress is to apply the Silicon Valley's formula for success across the country. In the 21st century, we should not have an economy that centralizes power and wealth in a few locations while leaving millions behind.
Videos
WATCH: What West Virginians Want for Their Future
WATCH: We Must Stop Our Support for Saudi War Crimes in Yemen
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.