Newsletter: March 2015

Statement

Dear Friend,

Here is a brief update on my work on behalf of Ventura County's veterans, local businesses, and schools, as well as Naval Base Ventura County.

My number one goal has always been to provide the highest level of constituent services possible. If you need help with a federal agency, please do not hesitate to contact my district office.

I hope that you will reach out to me to express your views about legislation and issues important to you. It is with your input that I can best advocate for our community.

It is an honor to serve as your voice in Congress.

JULIA BROWNLEY

Member of Congress

Brownley Statement On Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate Permanent "Doc Fix" And CHIP Reauthorization

I am pleased that both the House and the Senate passed -- and the President signed into law -- a permanent "Doc Fix" that will ensure that millions of children and tens of thousands of low-income families have access to healthcare, and that seniors who rely on Medicare have access to their doctors. I am hopeful the spirit of bipartisanship that allowed this bill to pass the House and Senate shows a way forward toward addressing our nation's many challenges.

Brownley Travels To Selma And Calls For Renewal Of Voting Rights Act

Earlier this month, I was humbled and inspired when I visited Selma with my colleagues to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the march from Selma to Montgomery. This event is important in U.S. history, being directly responsible for the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Hopefully, the attention called to the issue will encourage Congress to pass a renewed Voting Rights Act, so that all American citizens can freely exercise their constitutional right to vote.

Brownley Announces Over $1 Million For Early Childhood Education In Ventura County

As a strong supporter of Early Head Start programs, I was pleased to announce that the Child Development Resources of Ventura County (CDR) will receive a grant for over $1 million from the Department of Health and Human Services. With these new resources, CDR will be able to create and expand comprehensive, high-quality early learning systems to serve families with young children in Ventura County.

Brownley Hosts Aviation Roundtable At Camarillo Airport

Recently, I hosted an aviation roundtable with key stakeholders throughout the region to discuss general aviation challenges in Ventura County. I would like to thank Todd McNamee, Director of Airports for Ventura County, for his hospitality and for helping to bring together this insightful and experienced group of aviation professionals. As a new member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I look forward to working with local stakeholders to improve conditions for economic growth in our community.

Brownley Meets With Oxnard Community-Based Outpatient Clinic Program Manager And Leadership Team From Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Healthcare Administration

Last month, I met with new Oxnard Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) Program Manager Mary Hershey and the leadership team from the VA's Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. We discussed the many ways that we can improve healthcare access for veterans throughout Ventura County.

I was pleased to learn that my request to bring VA management to the Oxnard CBOC is moving forward, as I believe it will lead to greater accountability and better customer service for our veterans.

Brownley Emphasizes Regional Importance Of Naval Base Ventura County During Meeting with RDP-21

I was so pleased to meet with Ventura County Supervisor John Zaragoza, Port Hueneme Councilman John Sharkey, Camarillo Councilmember Charlotte Craven, Regional Defense Partnership for the 21st Century (RDP-21) Co-Chairman Gene Fisher and other RDP-21 representatives to discuss how we can continue to work together to strengthen Naval Base Ventura County.

Brownley Reintroduces Innovation, Research, And Manufacturing Act

This month, I reintroduced the Innovation, Research, and Manufacturing Act. It is critical that Ventura County remains on the cutting-edge of innovation, and my bill will help businesses, both big and small, by allowing them to take advantage of R&D tax credits and make investments in new technologies. I am proud to represent a community in Congress that is home to innovative businesses, such as biotech and precision manufacturing, which help make Ventura County a great place to live and work.

Brownley Leads Bipartisan Letter To VA Secretary Bob McDonald Urging Easing Of 40-Mile Rule Under Veterans Choice Program

After I spearheaded efforts to expand access to the Veterans Choice Program, I was pleased that the VA made adjustments to the 40-mile rule, which measures the distance a veteran must live from a VA facility to be eligible for non-VA care. However, I believe there is still more the VA can do to expand the Veterans Choice Program so more veterans can access care closer to home. Our nation's veterans deserve convenient access to the quality medical care that they have earned. This month's VA announcement is a positive step in the right direction but it is clear that more needs to be done. Read the full letter by clicking on the image below.

Brownley Speaks On House Floor About Her Bill, the Veterans Medical Access Act

I recently re-introduced the Veterans Medical Access Act, which would improve blinded and severely disabled veterans' access to care at VA specialty rehabilitation clinics. The Blinded Veterans Association estimates that one of four beds at VA specialty rehab clinics is empty because veterans who are eligible to receive care cannot afford the cost of transportation. I hope that my colleagues will join me and support this critical legislation, which would close the gap and pay for needed travel benefits. Watch my remarks on the House floor below.

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