News Clips
Here you will find recent news articles featuring Congressman Xavier Becerra (CA-31). Note: by following these links you will be directed to non-governmental newspaper Web sites; some of these sites may require you to register before viewing the articles, and some links may become inactive over time. We apologize for any inconvenience.
New Law Takes Step To Latino Museum
05-09-08 | Washington Post
"How do you spell 'relief'?" said a gratified Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), who has been pushing the legislation for five years. "Now the real work begins." A central question facing the commission is whether the proposed museum should be part of the Smithsonian Institution... Click here to read article.
Lawmakers being forced to give up gas-guzzling cars
05-01-08 | Los Angeles Times
Becerra's 2006 Prius, which gets about 46 mpg and emits about 4 tons of greenhouse gases annually, scored a 10. The lease requirement passed narrowly last August after a brief debate, with most Democrats -- including Becerra... Click here to read article.
Museum to honor Latino culture and history advances
04-30-08 | Los Angeles Times
The driving force behind the proposal is Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles), who introduced the plan almost five years ago. "Like any good idea in Washington, it takes a few years to percolate to the top," he said. "It's a good idea whose time has come... Click here to read article.
Lawmakers to debate health care at Children's
04-28-08 | Cincinnati Enquirer
Today's panelists share a goal of access to high-quality, affordable health care for every American, but they do not agree on paths to achieve it. The Democratic representatives are Kathy Castor of Florida, Xavier Becerra of California... Click here to read article.
LA Unified parents rally against governor's proposed budget cuts
04-12-08 | Daily Breeze
Xavier Becerra, D- Los Angeles. "In the end, parents and voters must take responsibility for having elected folks who do not send their kids to public schools and then expecting them to respect public education."... Click here to read article.
Leaders support gun stamping law
03-19-08 | Los Angeles Times
City and county leaders voiced support Tuesday for a proposed federal law that would require semiautomatic pistols sold after January 2010 to have "micro-stamping" technology that allows police to match bullet casings with weapons... Click here to read article.
Dems to focus on 'jobs, jobs, jobs'
03-11-08 | MSNBC
Xavier Becerra (CA) blamed the credit card mentality of the Bush Administration: "How can we invest in new industries...if we are going it at someone else's ... Click here to read article.
A Crime-Fighting Opportunity
02-15-08 | New York Times
Sponsored by Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and Representative Xavier Becerra of California, both Democrats, the legislation would not require weapons manufactured before 2010 to be brought back to a gun shop for retrofitting... Click here to read editorial.
Stimulus Deal Spurred by Fears Of Voter Backlash
01-26-08 | Wall Street Journal
Recognizing that Mr. Bernanke could swing the debate, Rep. Xavier Becerra, a California Democrat, told the Fed chairman, tongue in cheek: "I'm going to give you one last chance to retract your statements that you made today... Click here to read article.
Bush calls for tax rebates
01-19-08 | Los Angeles Times
Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles), a member of the House's tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, said the biggest compromise occurred this week, when Bush set aside his desire to make the tax cuts permanent -- a goal repeatedly thwarted by Democrats... Click here to read article.
A Conversation with California Congressman Xavier Becerra
01-18-08 | The Nonprofit Quarterly
California Congressman Xavier Becerra is the only Latino on the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee. But it is his distinctive voice and perspective, not his ethnicity, that has vaulted him to a position of visibility on issues of charity and philanthropy... Click here to read article.
Economic Stimulus Quotes
01-17-08 | The Associated Press
Xavier Becerra, D-Calif. "While I'm pleased with the appropriate government agencies are focusing on the issues, I do want to issue a word of caution. ...Click here to read article.
Californians call shots, set agenda in the 110th
12-13-07 | The Hill
Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) said. The cooperative spirit exhibited during the fires was unusual, as several members said there is little bipartisan ... Click here to read article.
It’s Looking Like Blue Skies All over Again
11-25-07 | CQPolitics.com
Xavier Becerra , the appointed House leadership deputy of Speaker Nancy Pelosi , a colleague in California’s delegation. “There are some issues where time ... Click here to read article.
Jefferson High School Program Aims to Ease Tensions, Broaden Horizons
11-20-07 | KPCC 89.3
The mostly black and Latino neighborhood around Jefferson is in Congressman Xavier Becerra's district. Becerra told the students at this assembly about his working class roots, his work as a federal lawmaker, and the important role college played in moving him between the two. After that talk, Becerra said adults need to offer more time and attention to help young people succeed... Click here to listen to the segment.
Needy get a smaller slice of charity
11-18-07 | Christian Science Monitor
Xavier Becerra (D) of California questioned whether gifts to such institutions as art museums and universities should receive the same tax benefits as ... Click here to read article.
House passes trade pact with Peru
11-08-07 | Los Angeles Times
Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles) said. "This is a different deal now. This is a deal that takes into account the insecurities of working men and women, ... Click here to read article.
Getting Away With Murder (Editorial)
10-23-07 | New York Times
California has set a laudable example for other states, and for Congress. Two Democrats, Representative Xavier Becerra of California and Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, are presently preparing federal legislation to make microstamping a nationwide requirement, much as it should be. ...Click here to read editorial.
Partying, Seriously
10-11-07 | Washington Post
Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) for their commitment to building a Latino museum; seismologist Ines Cifuentes, who works to improve science programs in public ... Click here to read article.
Officials form committee to restore museum
10-04-07 | Los Angeles Wave
Xavier Becerra, D-Los Angeles, Assemblyman Fabian Nuñez, D-Los Angeles, Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, D-Pasadena, and Suzanne Lummis, granddaughter of the ... Click here to read the article.
DNA Rights and Wrongs
09-07-07 | Washington Post
Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) introduced the Genomic Research and Accessibility Act of 2007 (HR 977) to prevent future patenting of human genetic material. ...Click here to read letter to the editor.
Senate approves bill to 'microstamp' pistol cartridges
09-07-07 | San Diego Union Tribune
A federal bill, modeled on California's, is being considered by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Los Angeles... Click here to read article.
Glitz and Gravitas as Latino Artists Honored
09-06-07 | Washington Post
So Rep. Xavier Becerra and Sens. Mel Martinez and Ken Salazar were on hand to push for the proposed Latino museum...Click here to read article.
Support growing for trade pacts, US Democrats say
09-05-07 | ABC News
Xavier Becerra, a California Democrat, said at a conference on US trade and investment relations with Latin America. Becerra, like most other Democrats in ...Click here to read article.
Dems seize on draft of Iraq report
09-03-07 | Politico
Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), who serves as assistant to the speaker. "No decision has been made yet by leadership about what to put on the floor. ... Click here to read article.
Calif. bill would adopt technology to track gun crimes
08-14-07 | San Jose Mercury News
A federal bill, modeled on California's, has been introduced by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Los Angeles, who attended a similar... Click here to read article.
It’s seniors vs. youths in health care debate
07-31-07 | Buffalo News (NY)
Xavier Becerra, D-Calif. “Providing health care for five million uninsured children keeps that promise. This Congress also understands the need to improve...Click here to read article.
House Earmarks for Social Programs Follow Power and Political Needs
07-26-07 | Congressional Quarterly
The disparity can be seen by comparing the proposed disbursements to Xavier Becerra of Los Angeles, who represents the fourth-poorest House district as ... Click here to read article.
In House, a Bottom-Up Immigration Push
06-26-07 | Washington Post
Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), was designed as an implicit rejection of how things are often done in the other chamber, where a small number of senators iron... Click here to read article.
Bar Is Set High for Immigration Bill in House
06-21-07 | New York Times
Democratic leaders are holding six “listening” sessions in which House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, D-S.C., and Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., are discussing legislative options.... Click here to read article.
Solving the Alternative Minimum Tax Problem
06-12-07 | KPCC | RealPlayer required.
House Democrats are now moving to lessen the impact of the AMT by increasing taxes for America's wealthiest households. Larry Mantle talks with Democratic Congressman Xavier Becerra, conservative tax reform advocate Ryan Ellis, and Eugene Steuerle, of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center... Click here to listen to the segment.
Democrats Seek Formula To Blunt AMT
06-08-2007 | Washington Post
Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), a Ways and Means Committee member whose Los Angeles district is populated by working poor. "We're trying to come up with a fix ...Click here to read article.
Rep. Becerra on the Tavis Smiley Show
06-04-2007 | KCET
Tavis: Glad to have you here. Your story is, again, as I said, part of the mosaic, part of the fabric of what makes this immigration debate about reform so interesting. Before I get into the debate itself, tell me how your personal experience, your upbringing, your life, your parents, informs your view of this as a member of Congress now... Click here to read transcript and hear audio segment.
California gun bill leads the way (Editorial)
05-31-2007 | Denver Post
Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., and Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., have said they plan to introduce microstamping bills of their own in Congress. States are the laboratory of government innovation these days, and we hope the California Senate passes the bill and that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signs it... Click here to read editorial.
A Few Thoughts on the Politics of Immigration Reform
05-31-2007 | MyDD.com, By Jonathan Singer
Xavier Becerra (D-CA), who carries the title of Assistant to the Speaker; Simon Rosenberg, who heads NDN; and Clarissa Martinez De Castro, who heads The Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CCIR). Here are a few thoughts on the call and the politics of immigration reform ... Click here to read blog post.
Assembly OKs micro-stamp on some guns
05-30-2007 | San Francisco Chronicle
The idea of "micro-stamping" is catching on at the federal level. Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Los Angeles, and Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Massachusetts, said earlier this month that they, too, will craft a micro-stamping bill in Congress... Click here to read article.
Senators in Bipartisan Deal on Broad Immigration Bill
05-18-2007 | New York Times
Representative Xavier Becerra, Democrat of California, a former chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said he had grave concerns about the Senate ... Click here to read article.
Bullet Cartridges Could ID Criminals
05-18-2007 | Washington Post
Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., arranged for Friday's demonstration in a basement firing range in the Rayburn House Office Building. He and Sen. Kennedy ... Click here to read article.
Tougher rules being sought by freshmen
05-18-2007 | The Hill
Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), who added that he now was comfortable with the proposed legislation and would vote for it on the House floor. ... Click here to read article.