Thompson Applauds Expanded Telehealth Benefits Based on His Legislation Will help more people connect with doctors, cut down on Coronavirus spread
Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05), a senior member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, announced that the Administration has put out guidance to expand the use of telehealth as authorized by Thompson’s legislation included in the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which passed the House earlier this month. Increased use of telehealth will help more people speak with a doctor during this public health crisis and decrease the spread of the virus as fewer people will have to be in waiting rooms, emergency departments, and other health care facilities to receive care
Thompson Votes to Pass Families First Coronavirus Response Act Bill boosts government response to virus, offers safety net for families impacted by pandemic
Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05), a senior member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, voted to pass H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. This bill addresses the health and financial effects of the spreading Coronavirus on families in America. A statement from Thompson is below. Thompson also addressed the President’s Emergency Disaster Declaration.
Thompson, Matsui, Garamendi and Huffman Introduce Bill Introduce Bill Requiring Reimbursements for Cancelled Cruises Bill would help address cancellations due to coronavirus
Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05), Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-06), Rep. John Garamendi (CA-03), and Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02) announced they have introduced legislation to require cruise lines to reimburse passengers whose trips have been cancelled due to the Coronavirus. This would apply for tickets purchased on or before February 1, 2020 and to cancellations both from the cruise line itself and by the passenger because of concerns over the ongoing public health emergency. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised that travelers defer all cruise ship travel at this time.
Chairman Thompson Announces Record Bipartisan Support for NICS Funding 196 Members voice support for background checks funding
Washington – Today Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chairman Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced that a record 196 Members of Congress have signed his letter to Appropriators requesting $100 million to fund the National Instant Background Checks System (NICS). Funding will allow states to update their databases and improve communication between states and the NICS system. A copy of the letter is below and a signed version is attached.
Thompson, Eshoo Announce PHONE Act Approved by Subcommittee Bipartisan disaster relief bill lets survivors keep phone numbers
Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) and Rep. Anna Eshoo (CA-18) announced that Thompson’s bipartisan PHONE Act has been referred by the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology to the full committee for consideration, the final step before a vote on the House floor. H.R. 1289, the PHONE Act, would allow residents who lost their homes to natural disasters, such as wildfires, to keep their phone numbers at no cost to them while they rebuild.
Thompson Votes to Pass Coronavirus Funding Package That Includes His Telehealth Legislation Bill provides $8.3 million to combat Coronavirus
Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) voted to pass the bipartisan Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act. The package included Thompson’s legislation to waive existing telehealth restrictions during the Coronavirus public health emergency. This bipartisan provision would suspend some Medicare telehealth restrictions to allow seniors to get medical care via telehealth. Many Medicare beneficiaries would also be able to get health care in their own homes via telehealth. This increases health care opportunities for those who are sick and helps to slow the spread of the virus.
Thompson Announces 2020 Congressional Art Competition Encourages local high schoolers to submit artwork
Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced that he is now accepting submissions for his 2020 Fifth Congressional District Art Competition, which is open to all local high school students. Each year, this competition gives young artists the chance to have their talent recognized. The winning piece of art from the district will be displayed in the United States Capitol.
Thompson Announces Paid Wounded Warrior Fellowship Invites all eligible local veterans to apply
Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced he is now accepting applications for the House of Representatives’ paid Wounded Warrior Fellowship. Interested applicants can apply to work in any of Thompson’s district offices, including Napa, Santa Rosa, and Vallejo
Thompson Introduces Women’s History Month Resolution Legislation recognizes Sonoma County’s Contribution to national movement
Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced the introduction of his bipartisan National Women’s History Month Resolution. This legislation honors the often-forgotten contributions of women and the work to add these stories to our nation’s history. Thompson introduces this resolution each year to mark March as Women’s History Month and to spotlight his district’s critical contributions to the cause. This year’s resolution has 115 original cosponsors, including 5 Republicans.
Chairman Thompson Marks One Year Since House Passage of H.R. 8 Bipartisan bill would expand background checks, save lives
Washington – Today Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chairman Mike Thompson (CA-05) marked one year since the House passed H.R. 8, his Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. This legislation would expand background checks and is widely agreed to be the quickest and most effective legislation to help prevent gun violence. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has not given the bill a vote in the Senate, despite widespread and bipartisan support. A statement from Thompson is below.
Thompson’s Phone Act Heard in Critical Subcommittee Witnesses testify on bipartisan bill to help disaster survivors
Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced that his bipartisan PHONE Act was considered in an Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing, a critical step on the way to a House vote. H.R. 1289 would allow residents who lost their homes to natural disasters to keep their phone numbers at no cost to them while they rebuild. Santa Rosa Fire Chief Anthony Gossner testified before the subcommittee on Thompson’s bill and the need for strong communications infrastructure during disaster scenarios.
Thompson Reacts to Deadly Shooting in Milwaukee
Washington – Today Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chairman Mike Thompson (CA-05) put out the following statement on the deadly shooting in Milwaukee that killed at least six and injured others.
Thompson Bill to Prevent FEMA from Clawing Back Disaster Funds Clears Committee Bipartisan bill would prevent revictimization of disaster survivors
Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced that H.R. 5953, the bipartisan Preventing Disaster Revictimization Act has been approved by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and is ready to be considered for a vote by the full House of Representatives. This bill would prevent the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from attempting to recoup funds from disaster recovery on the backs of disaster survivors. A statement from Thompson is below.
Thompson Lauds Revised Tariffs That Could Have Hurt US Wine Community Saves American jobs and wine industry
Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05), co-chair and founder of the Congressional Wine Caucus, lauded the decision by the United States Trade Representative not to increase tariffs on wine imports, a revision for which Thompson fought. A statement from Thompson is below.
Thompson Reacts to President’s Budget Statement Calls cuts to health care, social programs unacceptable
Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) issued the following statement in reaction to the President’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget proposal that was released today.
Thompson Reacts to the Conclusion of the Senate Impeachment Trial Calls it a sad and solemn day for our nation
Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) issued the following statement as the Senate finished its impeachment trial of the President with the majority voting to acquit him.
Thompson Announces Andrew Blackshear as 2020 State of the Union Guest Blackshear to highlight pre-existing conditions protections
Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05), a senior member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, announced that his guest to the 2020 State of the Union will be Andrew Blackshear, a Benicia resident who lives with a pre-existing condition. Blackshear suffered from a health scare in 2015 that required two emergency surgeries, including open-heart surgery. The Affordable Care Act allowed him to purchase insurance and live without medical debt, despite his pre-existing condition. Blackshear’s story will highlight the need for protections for Americans like him who live with pre-existing conditions.
Thompson Reacts to 2020 State of the Union Address Calls on President to address health care, gun violence
Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) issued the following statement in response to the President’s State of the Union address. Thompson was chosen by Pelosi as a designated survivor for the House of Representatives and watched the speech from offsite.
USMCA Trade Agreement Becomes Law Includes key changes negotiated by Thompson and fellow Working Group Members
Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05), a member of the eight-person United States Mexico Canada (USMCA) Working Group, marked the implementation of the USMCA trade agreement, a landmark trade agreement that replaces NAFTA and boosts American trade interests across the hemisphere. Thompson released the following statement after the implementing legislation was signed into law.
Co-Chairs Thompson, Newhouse, 106 Wine Caucus Members Urge USTR Not to Target Wine in Trade Disputes Highlight potential negative impact on American wineries, local economy
Washington – Today Congressional Wine Caucus Co-Chair Mike Thompson (CA-05), Co-Chair Dan Newhouse (WA-04) and 106 bipartisan Members of the caucus wrote to United States Trade Representative Robert E. Lighthizer asking him to refrain from including wine in potential retaliatory tariffs in response to the European Union’s illegal Airbus subsidies. Signers highlighted the potential harmful effects on the American wine community, which has a year impact of $220 billion on our economy.