September 2021
Good afternoon. I would like to provide you with a few updates about recent developments in Congress and share some important information.
Cybersecurity Bill Passes
I am proud to report that my bill, the Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program Act, passed in the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support, in a vote of 410-15.
The bill will establish the Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program (FRCWP), which would allow senior tech industry workers and other cybersecurity experts to enter government for a set period of time and rotate through multiple federal agencies to enhance their expertise. The Office of Personnel Management will hold jurisdiction over the FRCWP and would be required to distribute a list of open cybersecurity positions to federal government employees.
If we want to continue the era of excellence in American innovation, we need to make a bold investment in our cyber workforce. As a America's largest employer, the federal government must use this cybersecurity program to set the pace for American competitiveness in cyberspace and build a more robust cybersecurity infrastructure across the country.
Ending U.S. Complicity in the Saudi-led War in Yemen
My amendment to the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) prohibiting U.S. military support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen recently passed the House.
The amendment would terminate U.S. logistical support, and the transfer of spare parts to Saudi warplanes conducting aerial strikes. It would also enshrine into law the Biden Administration's decision to end intelligence sharing that enables offensive strikes and ends any U.S. effort to command, coordinate, participate in the movement of, or accompany Saudi-led coalition forces in the war.
The amendment will now head to NDAA conference negotiations, and I will continue to push for its inclusion in the final conference report so that President Biden can sign it into law. It is time to do what is morally right, hold Saudi Arabia accountable, and fully end U.S. complicity in the Saudi-led coalition's bombing of Yemeni civilians.
Investigation of Fossil Fuel Industry Disinformation
As Chairman of the Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on the Environment, I sent letters to the top executives at leading fossil fuel producers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, requesting documents on the reported role of the fossil fuel industry in a long-running, industry-wide campaign to spread disinformation about the role of fossil fuels in causing climate change. In addition, I requested that those executives testify before the Oversight and Reform Committee on October 28, 2021.
Four fossil fuel companies—BP, Shell, Chevron, and ExxonMobil—reported nearly $2 trillion in profits between 1990 and 2019. During this same period, the global climate crisis, that Big Oil is overwhelmingly responsible for, became increasingly dire, with devastating impacts on Americans and the world.
Public reporting indicates that these companies and their allies in the fossil fuel industry have worked to prevent collective action on climate change by lying to the American public about documented dangers of fossil fuels and misrepresenting the scale of their efforts to develop alternative energy technologies.
Congress must hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for its coordinated climate disinformation attacks organized by polluters and their lobbyists.
Supreme Court Term Limits
I partnered with Reps Don Beyer (VA-08), Barbara Lee (CA-13), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-13) to reintroduce the Supreme Court Term Limits Act. This bill would fundamentally reform the power of our nation's highest court by establishing 18-year term limits on any Supreme Court Justices approved after this bill's passage. After their 18-year terms, justices would then be allowed to continue their service on lower courts.
Current justices would be exempt from the term limits. Going forward, the bill would then create a regular appointment process to allow every president to nominate a new justice to the Supreme Court during each odd year, guaranteeing each president the opportunity to nominate two justices per four-year term.
The high-stakes and highly politicized confirmation hearings that occur every time there is a vacancy on the Supreme Court undermine the reputation of our highest judicial body. This legislation will address that issue by creating a regular, fair process that doesn't reshape the Court for decades at a time. There is broad support among the American people for reform and this bill would be a meaningful step towards standardizing and democratizing the Supreme Court.
President Biden's Build Back Better Agenda
On Saturday, Speaker Pelosi announced October 31st as the deadline for a House vote on the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package and an agreement on President Biden's Build Back Better Act, otherwise known as the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill.
Originally, the House was set for a vote by the end of September, but more time is needed to ensure the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill passes along with the infrastructure bill. While the bipartisan infrastructure bill includes important investments in roads, rail, and broadband, the vast majority of the President's agenda is in the Build Back Better Act, which includes: paid family leave, childcare, Medicare expansion, affordable housing, universal pre-k, free community college, and clean renewable energy.
The President's Build Back Better agenda is about investing in economic growth and opportunity for the American people, and I fully support that agenda. We can't afford to pass up this historic opportunity to ensure the Build Back Better agenda is signed into law. I am hopeful that a deal will be reached with the Senate and we can pass both the infrastructure package and the budget reconciliation by the end of the month.
Updates in the District
This summer I had numerous opportunities to visit with folks in our district. I toured Fremont, Newark, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and Cupertino with those cities' mayors. I attended school openings, celebrated Mexican Independence Day in San Jose, welcomed local families who evacuated under harrowing circumstances from Afghanistan, and toured a housing navigation center and several community service centers that help feed those in need. I met with teachers, health care providers, labor leaders, County Supervisors and City Council members. I especially enjoyed attending the National Night Out events where I could engage with many of you personally. I was reenergized by those conversations and I look forward to more events where I can socialize with you while taking COVID safety precautions.
Facebook Live Town Halls
Thank you to all who participated in this month's Facebook Live town hall. In October, I will host a town hall on Thursday, October 7th at noon Pacific. Please be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @RepRoKhanna.
Repeal Fossil Fuel Subsidies
In my latest op-ed in the San Francisco Chronicle, Rep. Blumenauer and I argue that we should eliminate subsidies and special tax loopholes for the fossil fuel industry. The fossil fuel industry is overwhelmingly responsible for the climate crisis, we should not be propping it up. Instead, we should end their special privileges and support the clean energy sources of the future.
No to Defense Budget Increases
I voted, for the first time, against advancing the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act to the floor after the House Armed Services Committee adopted an amendment to add $23.9 billion above President Biden's Pentagon budget request. I support a strong and robust defense budget and appreciate the important investments in technology and innovation that have been included in this budget. However, I cannot advance a defense budget that spends far more than what the Pentagon asked for. We just ended the longest war in American history, now is the time to decrease defense spending, not increase it.
Strengthening COVID-19 Guidelines
I sent a letter to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encouraging the agency to strengthen its national Covid-19 guidelines. As students reenter classrooms around the country, a surge in the Delta variant puts children of all ages at risk –- particularly younger children, who are not yet eligible for the vaccine. The letter, signed by 17 other Members of Congress, asks the CDC to recommend all individuals 2 years and older, regardless of vaccine status, to wear masks in indoor public spaces when in physical proximity to others outside their household, and in all high-density outdoor settings. Also, I ask that the CDC update Covid-19 guidance to publicly recognize aerosol transmission, require tracking and reporting of Covid-19 infections for essential workers, and track infections in people who are fully vaccinated, including mild and asymptomatic infections.
Videos
Backing the President's Infrastructure Agenda
Birth Control for Military Families
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.