Newsletter: 07/24/2014

Statement

Dear Friend,

Welcome to my Washington Update, an e-newsletter for the constituents of California's 28th Congressional District. This e-newsletter provides a way for you to keep me informed of your views and interests. In addition to participating in the survey, I would encourage you to send any more detailed thoughts by email.

PLEASE NOTE: I also recently launched an Instagram account, where I will provide "behind the scenes" photos and insights into what I'm doing in Washington and back home every day. Follow @RepAdamSchiff or follow me here. You can always share your thoughts with me through Facebook or Twitter, as well.

Rep. Schiff Secures $5 Million in Appropriations Bill to Deploy Full West Coast Earthquake Early Warning System

Earlier this month, Rep. Schiff was able to secure $5 million in funding in the Fiscal Year 2015 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill to help building out an Earthquake Early Warning System, the first time Congress has ever provided funding specifically for the system. Earlier this year, Schiff led a group of 25 Members from California, Washington and Oregon in organizing a request that the committee fund an early earthquake warning system. A limited system developed by Caltech, UC-Berkeley and University of Washington, in conjunction with the United State Geological Survey (USGS), has already been deployed and has proven that the early warning technology is sound. This $5 million in funding will allow those developing the statewide system to begin purchasing and installing additional sensors, hire new staff members, and come closer to deploying comprehensive early earthquake warning coverage throughout earthquake prone regions of the West Coast. The Schiff language included in the Appropriations bill reads: "…the Committee provides $5,000,000 from within the funds provided for Earthquake Hazards to transition the earthquake early warning demonstration project into an operational capability on the West Coast."

"It's critical that the West Coast implement an earthquake early warning system that will give us a heads up before the "big one' hits, so we can save lives and protect infrastructure," said Rep. Schiff. "We are constantly reminded of our vulnerability -- with tremors, earthquakes and aftershocks rattling our homes and businesses -- and even a few seconds of warning will allow people to seek cover, automatically slow or stop trains, pause surgeries and more. This first phase of funding will allow the work to begin expanding the system, and we will continue to work to secure future funding along with our other federal, state and local partners."

Reps. Schiff and Huffman Pass Amendment Directing USDA to Update Rules Protecting Captive Orcas and Other Marine Mammals

Rep. Schiff recently joined with one of his California colleagues to attach an amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations Act to require the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct and update the science necessary for Animal Welfare Act regulations on captivity of orcas and cetaceans. The amendment would direct the Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service -- which regulates animal captivity, sale, and exhibition-- to update and finalize captive marine mammal regulations that have languished for 20 years. The amendment passed with unanimous bipartisan support. In 2002, USDA sought public comment on an update to captive marine mammal standards for indoor facilities, outdoor facilities, water quality, space requirements, and swim-with-the-dolphin programs. During the public comment period, USDA received numerous comments from the animal exhibitor industry, animal welfare groups, the scientific community, and the general public, recommending changes to tank sizes and otherwise improving facilities for marine mammals. Yet twelve years later, USDA still has not finalized these regulations.

"For almost 20 years, USDA has failed to review and update the Animal Welfare Act regulations for captive orcas and other marine mammals. These rules certainly should have been revised in light of new data twelve years ago when USDA opened up the rulemaking process. Unfortunately, they dropped the ball--so it's time to try again," Rep. Schiff said. "Our amendment reminds USDA that inaction is unacceptable -- the American people want to see these regulations reviewed and updated to reflect the growing scientific and public concern about the effect of captivity on these animals."

Rep. Schiff Praises President for Signing Executive Order Banning Discrimination Against LGBT Workers

This week, President Obama signed an executive order prohibiting federal contractors and agencies from discriminating against employees on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Rep. Schiff previously had led an effort urging President Obama to issue such an Executive Order. The announcement is an important step towards ending discrimination against LGBT employees and ensuring that they are judged based on the quality of their work and not because of who they are or who they love. The executive order, when implemented, will only protect employees of federal contractors and federal agencies.

"The President was right to act to protect LGBT workers in the federal government from being discriminated against. We should be using every avenue available to fight discrimination -- it's just the right thing to do," said Schiff. "Nevertheless, this does not free Congress from the responsibility to pass ENDA and protect all workers from discrimination ..."

Rep. Schiff: Returning Jihadists from Syria "Most Significant Threat Since Core Al-Qaeda of the Last Decade"

One of the most significant threats facing the United States comes from those Americans and Europeans going to the Middle East to join terrorist organizations, like ISIL in Syria, and then returning home. Europeans can enter the United States without a visa, and their ease of entry into our country makes them prime recruiting targets for terrorists.

Rep. Schiff recently spoke with CNN New Day's Chris Cuomo about the growing threat. During the interview, Schiff stated: "The big threat is you have thousands of these foreign fighters, some of them from the United States, many from Europe, many who could come back to Europe and then come to the United States very easily. So this is a grave concern that some of those people may come back from Europe on planes, attempting to bring bombs. Others may come back from Europe and attempt another kind of a Boston bombing, low-tech but nonetheless pretty devastating attack in our homeland."

News You Can Use

Rep. Schiff to Host Identity Theft Forum in August --On Monday, August 4th, Rep. Schiff will host an Identity Theft Forum at the Los Angeles Zoo's Witherbee Auditorium at 7 pm. Identity theft -- when someone steals your personal information and uses it without your permission -- is one of the most common threats faced by consumers, especially seniors. This crime can wreak havoc with personal finances, credit history and reputation. It can also take significant amounts of time, money and patience to resolve. Representatives from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Social Security Administration and US Postal Inspection Service will be on hand with Congressman Schiff to discuss concrete ways to protect your identity, and combat identity theft. Residents wishing to attend should RSVP to CongressmanSchiff.RSVP@mail.house.gov, or call (818) 450-2900 or (323) 315-5555. Entrance and parking are free for the event.
Protect Yourself and your Kids Online -- It is always important to protect yourself and your personal information when you're online. But it's especially important for your kids - particularly in the summer, when it's easy to get "bored" and spend more time on the internet. Know where to go to get safety tips and how to report hacking, fraud, or exploitation, understand how your child may be vulnerable online, and find out what constitutes cyber-bullying, and how to prevent it.
Small Business Administration Events in LA -- The Small Business Administration (SBA) will be hosting events in the Los Angeles area to help business help access the capital they need to expand. On Thursday, July 24, the SBA will host businesses and faith-based leaders to learn how to leverage SBA resources to propel your business and maximize technology to engage parishioners and customers alike -- 8 am to 3 pm at California Science Center (700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037). Register here: SBA Los Angeles District Office - 2nd Annual Faith-Based Summit. On Friday and Saturday, August 15 & 16, the SBA will host Boots to Business: Reboot -- an entrepreneurial education program offered to veterans by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The program provides assistance to veterans exploring self-employment opportunities by leading them through the key steps for evaluating business concepts and the foundational knowledge required for developing a business plan. It will be held at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, Lincoln Room (1816 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015) from 8 am to 4:30 pm. Register for the event here.
Be Safe in the Sun -- July is UV safety month, and it never hurts to have a reminder about the importance of being sun-safe. Always wear sunscreen: Make sure it offers "broad spectrum" protection, is water resistant, and has a SPF of at least 15 or higher. Limit sun exposure: If possible, avoid the sun between 10am and 2pmwhen its rays are strongest. Don't forget your eyes: Wear sunglasses that offer 100% UVA protection.

Source