Political Watch

• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) introduced a bicameral bill that would increase access to internet and telephone services for low-income urban and rural Americans, according to an Oct. 6 statement from Padilla’s office. The Promoting Access to Broadband Act would help states increase awareness and enrollment in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Lifeline program […]

• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) delivered remarks on the Senate floor honoring the life and legacy of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, according to a Sept. 29 statement from Padilla’s office. In his remarks, Padilla paid tribute to “her leadership, her grace, and her unparalleled dedication and contributions” to California and the United States. Feinstein […]

• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) announced the Health Equity and Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Community Inclusion act, legislation that would help make sure the federal government accurately recognizes the experiences and needs of members of MENA communities, according to a Sept. 22 statement from the senator’s office. This bill would help make […]

• U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-California) and Mike Braun (R-Indiana) introduced bipartisan legislation to streamline veterans’ access to their benefit claim files, according to a Sept. 14 statement from Padilla’s office. The Wounded Warrior Access Act would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain a secure online tool or website to […]

• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) introduced two bipartisan bills aimed at helping the Central Coast curb the threat of forever chemicals in communities near regional airports, according to a Sept. 8 statement from the congressman’s office. Carbajal’s Clean Airport Agenda, which he unveiled at San Luis Obispo Regional Airport on Sept. 7, includes […]

• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) spoke at Pioneer Park with Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne to highlight delivering $1.26 million in federal funding to support park renovations, including a new playground and baseball fields, according to an Aug. 30 statement from the congressman’s office. “Parks and green spaces are essential to the quality of […]

• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) and several Senate and House colleagues applauded the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s release of the draft designation for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary off the Central Coast, according to an Aug. 23 statement from Carbajal’s office. In 2020, Carbajal, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, and then Sen. […]

• U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-California) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) announced the first-ever congressional resolution to celebrate National Farmers Market Week from Aug. 6 to 12, according to a statement from Padilla’s office. The bipartisan resolution recognizes the vital role that farmers markets play in bringing communities together, supporting livelihoods, and enriching the lives of […]

• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) voted to move the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency (SCERT) Act out of committee and into the Senate for consideration. The committee action follows recent public reports detailing potentially unethical behavior by members of the Supreme Court, highlighting the lack of transparency and enforceable ethics standards for the […]