12/19/2008 BECERRA APPLAUDS NOMINATION OF HILDA SOLIS AS LABOR SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D.C.—Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), House Democratic Vice Chair-elect and the only congressional member from Southern California on the House Committee on Ways and Means, today praised President-elect Barack Obama's selection of Representative Hilda Solis (CA-32) to be Secretary...

12/19/2008 BECERRA STATEMENT ON THE WHITE HOUSE PLAN TO HELP AUTO INDUSTRY WASHINGTON, D.C.—The White House announced today a plan to give General Motors and Chrysler 13.4 billion in short-term loans while they restructure their companies to become viable. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), House Democratic Vice Chair-elect and the only congressional member from...

12/16/2008 BECERRA STATEMENT ON CONTINUING TO SERVE IN CONGRESS LOS ANGELES—This evening Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31) announced his intentions to continue his service as the representative of California’s 31st Congressional District and to devote his energies to the challenges ahead of him as the incoming Vice Chairman of the House Democratic...

12/12/2008 BECERRA STATEMENT ON THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION CHANGES TO H-2A PROGRAM WASINGTON, D.C.—The Bush Administration announced new regulations on the H-2A Guestworker Program on Thursday that would depress wages and working conditions for agricultural workers in America. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), House Democratic Vice Chair-elect and the only congressional...

12/10/2008 REP. BECERRA VOTES FOR AUTO RESTRUCTURING PLAN WASINGTON, D.C.—Today the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7321, the Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act, by a vote of 237 to 170. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), House Democratic Vice Chair-elect and the only congressional member from Southern California on the House Committee...

12/3/2008 REP. BECERRA PRAISES SELECTION OF BILL RICHARDSON AS COMMERCE SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D.C.—Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), House Democratic Vice Chair-elect and the only congressional member from Southern California on the House Committee on Ways and Means, today praised President-Elect Barack Obama's selection of Governor Bill Richardson (NM) to be Secretary...

11/26/2008 CONGRESSMAN XAVIER BECERRA CONGRATULATES CECILIA MUÑOZ WASHINGTON, D.C.—Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), House Democratic Vice Chair-elect and the only congressional member from Southern California on the House Committee on Ways and Means, today congratulated Cecilia Muñoz upon the announcement of her appointment as Director of Intergovernmental...

11/18/2008 BECERRA ELECTED VICE CHAIR OF DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31) was elected Vice Chairman of the Democratic Caucus in the House of Representatives for the 111th Congress. After the vote Rep. Becerra released the following statement: “I am honored by the confidence my colleagues have placed...

10/9/2008 BECERRA-AUTHORED LEGISLATION TO PROTECT AMERICAN FILM PRODUCTION JOBS IS SIGNED INTO LAW WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last Friday, the president signed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (H.R. 1424). Included in the bill was the Runaway Productions Prevention Act (H.R. 3951), legislation authored by Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the only...

10/3/2008 REP. BECERRA VOTES AGAINST FLAWED ECONOMIC RESCUE BILL WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the House of Representatives passed the Economic Rescue Plan (H.R. 1424) by a vote of 263 to 171. Identical legislation passed the Senate Wednesday. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the only congressional member from Southern...

9/29/2008 CONGRESSMAN BECERRA VOTES TO PROTECT AMERICAN WORKING FAMILIES WASHINGTON, D.C. - By a vote of 206 to 227 the United States House of Representatives voted against HR 3997, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, a controversial $700 billion financial rescue plan. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the only congressional...

9/27/2008 BECERRA-AUTHORED TRIBAL CHARITIES FAIRNESS BILL PASSES WITH CHARITY ENHANCEMENT ACT WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the House of Representatives passed the Charity Enhancement Act (H.R. 7083). The legislation includes language authored by Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the only congressional member from Southern California on the Ways...

9/26/2008 REP. BECERRA VOTES TO SEND TAX RELIEF AND GREEN JOB CREATION BILL TO THE SENATE WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the House of Representatives passed the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Tax Act (H.R. 7060) by a bipartisan vote of 257 to 166. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the only congressional member from Southern California on the...

9/26/2008 REP. BECERRA’S STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF DIONICIO MORALES WASHINGTON, D.C. – Upon learning of the death of community and civil rights activist Dionicio Morales, Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31) issued the following statement: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a pioneering champion of equal opportunity for all Americans, Dionicio...

9/24/2008 REP. BECERRA VOTES FOR EXPANDED ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday the House of Representatives passed the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (H.R. 6983) by a vote of 376 to 47. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the only congressional member...

9/23/2008 REP. BECERRA VOTES FOR CREDIT CARDHOLDERS BILL OF RIGHTS WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the House of Representatives passed the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights (H.R. 5244) by a vote of 312 to 112. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the only congressional member from Southern California on the Ways and...

9/17/2008 REP. BECERRA VOTES FOR COMPREHENSIVE COST-CUTTING ENERGY INDEPENDENCE BILL WASHINGTON, D.C. — Late yesterday the House of Representatives passed the Comprehensive American Energy Security & Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 6899) by a vote of 236 to 189. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the only congressional member from Southern...

9/4/2008 BECERRA, GARCETTI DEDICATE IMPROVEMENTS TO ENHANCE SAFETY, KEEP TRAFFIC MOVING AT SANTA MONICA AND WESTERN INTERSECTION LOS ANGELES — Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the only congressional member from Southern California on the Ways and Means Committee and Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti joined today with community members from the Santa Monica-Western...

7/31/2008 BECERRA-AUTHORED LIBRARIAN ACT PASSES WITH HIGHER EDUCATION BILL WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4137, the Higher Education Opportunity Act, by a vote of 380 to 49. The legislation includes language authored by Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the only congressional member from Southern...

7/30/2008 BECERRA & STARK INTRODUCE BILL TO PROTECT IMMIGRANT FOSTER CHILDREN WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Representatives Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and Pete Stark (CA-13), Chairman of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee introduced H.R. 6649 the “Foster Children Opportunity Act.” This legislation would ensure abused and...

7/23/2008 HOUSE PASSES COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO MORTGAGE CRISIS WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the House of Representatives passed the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act (H.R. 3221) by a vote of 272 to 152. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the only congressional member from Southern California on...

7/15/2008 CONGRESS OVERRIDES PRESIDENTIAL VETO OF CRITICAL MEDICARE LEGISLATION WASHINGTON, D.C. — By an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 383 to 41, the House of Representatives overrode President Bush’s veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 6331) today. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House, the...

6/25/2008 HOUSE VOTES TO PROTECT MIDDLE-INCOME TAXPAYERS FROM ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX WASHINGTON, D.C. – By a vote of 233 to 189, the United States House of Representatives voted today to protect middle-income Americans from a tax increase this fiscal year by passing H.R. 6275, the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Relief Act of 2008. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant...

6/24/2008 HOUSE-PASSED MEDICARE LEGISLATION TAKES A PAGE FROM BECERRA BILL WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today the House of Representatives passed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331) by a bipartisan vote of 355 to 59. The legislation includes similar language authored by Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the...

6/20/2008 REP. BECERRA VOTES AGAINST IRAQ WAR FUNDING & FOR GI BILL OF RIGHTS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY WASHINGTON D.C. — Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the only congressional member from Southern California on the House Committee on Ways and Means, voted against legislation last night that would provide $165 billion to fund the wars in Iraq and...

6/12/2008 REP. BECERRA LAUDS HOUSE PASSAGE OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE EXTENSION WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the House of Representatives voted to extend unemployment insurance benefits by passing the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008 (H.R. 5749) by a vote of 274 to 137. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the...

6/5/2008 REP. BECERRA LAUDS PASSAGE OF FY2009 BUDGET RESOLUTION WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the House of Representatives passed the fiscal year 2009 federal budget conference agreement, S.Con.Res.70. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House, the only congressional member from

5/21/2008 BECERRA-AUTHORED LEGISLATION PROTECTING DOMESTIC FILM PRODUCTION PASSES HOUSE WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6049, the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008 by a vote of 263 to 160. The bill includes legislative language authored by Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the only congressional...

5/20/2008 “FACES OF LOS ANGELES” TAKES TOP PRIZE AT REP. BECERRA’S ANNUAL STUDENT ART COMPETITION Rep. Becerra awards first place to Christopher Paguio. Rep. Becerra with the top three winners. "Faces of Los Angeles" LOS ANGELES — Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House, joined parents and teachers in celebrating local student...

5/13/2008 REP. BECERRA VOTES TO SUSPEND FILLING PETROLEUM RESERVE TO LOWER CONSUMER PRICES WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House of Representatives passed the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 6022) tonight. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the only congressional member from Southern California on the...

5/13/2008 REP. BECERRA’S LATEST TAX BILL PROVIDES FOR EQUAL TREATMENT FOR TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS AND CHARITIES WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last Thursday, Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the only congressional member from Southern California on the Ways and Means Committee, introduced H.R. 6005, the Tribal Charities Fairness Act of 2008. “This modest bill would...

5/8/2008 ON REP. BECERRA’S MUSEUM BILL BECOMING LAW WASHINGTON, D.C. – On learning that the president today signed S.2739, legislation that includes the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino Act (H.R.512/S.500), Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and author...

5/1/2008 REP. BECERRA VOTES TO PROHIBIT GENETIC DISCRIMINATION, URGES PASSAGE OF GENE PATENTING BAN WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the House of Representatives passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (H.R.493/S.358) by an eye-popping vote of 414-1. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House, the only congressional member from Southern California on the...

4/29/2008 REP. BECERRA’S LATINO MUSEUM LEGISLATION IS NOW HEADED TO THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States House of Representatives tonight voted to give final approval to the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (S.2739), which passed in the Senate April 10. Contained within S.2739 is the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the...

4/23/2008 REP. BECERRA PRESSES FOR PLAN OF ACTION ON SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BACKLOG WASHINGTON, D.C. — At a hearing today of the House Ways and Means Committee, Representative Xavier Becerra, Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the only congressional member from Southern California on the committee, sharply questioned Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Michael...

4/15/2008 BECERRA-AUTHORED PROVISIONS INLCUDED IN HOUSE-PASSED TAXPAYER ASSISTANCE LEGISLATION WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States House of Representatives today passed the Taxpayer Assistance and Simplification Act of 2008 (H.R. 5719). The legislation incorporates important provisions from Representative Xavier Becerra’s (CA-31) H.R. 5716, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act. Rep. Becerra,...

4/12/2008 REP. XAVIER BECERRA TO DELIVER NATIONAL HISPANIC RADIO ADDRESS WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the only member of Congress from Southern California on the Ways and Means Committee, will deliver the Democratic Hispanic Radio Address Saturday, April 12, 2008. He will discuss the president’s...

4/10/2008 'WHAT WAS ONCE A DREAM IS NOW A REALITY' WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate today took up and passed S. 2739, the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008. Contained within that bill was the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino Act (H.R. 512/S.500), legislation which passed...

4/8/2008 WITH TAX DAY LOOMING, REP. BECERRA INTRODUCES TAXPAYER BILL OF RIGHTS WASHINGTON, D.C. — With April 15 a week away, Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the only congressional member from Southern California on the Ways and Means Committee, introduced today the Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act of 2008. “Tax season can...

4/2/2008 REP. BECERRA VOTES TO BOOST FUNDING TO FIGHT AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly today to pass the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act (H.R. 5501). Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker...

3/31/2008 REP. BECERRA ON THE LEGACY OF CESAR CHAVEZ WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in remembrance of the late labor and civil rights leader Cesar Estrada Chavez, Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31) released the following statement: “Senator Robert F. Kennedy called him ‘one of the heroic figures of our time.’ Cardinal Roger...

3/19/2008 REP. BECERRA STATEMENT ON THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WAR IN IRAQ WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the fifth anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq, Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House, issued the following statement: “Five years ago today, President Bush led us into a war in Iraq that I believe lacked a valid rationale,...

3/18/2008 LOCAL & NATIONAL LEADERS, LAW ENFORCERS ENDORSE BECERRA-AUTHORED MICROSTAMPING LEGISLATION LOS ANGELES – Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House, announced today that his legislation, the National Crime Gun Identification Act (H.R. 5266), has received the endorsement of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Los Angeles...

3/14/2008 REP. BECERRA VOTES FOR FISA BILL THAT RESPECTS RULE OF LAW WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives passed the FISA Amendments Act (H.R. 3773) today following debate in a closed session yesterday evening. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House and the only congressional member from Southern California on the...

3/13/2008 REP. BECERRA APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE BUDGET WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the House of Representatives passed the federal budget resolution for fiscal year 2009, H.Con.Res 312. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House, the only congressional member from Southern California on the Ways and Means Committee, and...

3/6/2008 BUDGET VOTED FAVORABLY OUT OF COMMITTEE FOLLOWING MARK-UP WASHINGTON, D.C. – Late last night, the House Budget Committee voted to favorably report a fiscally responsible 2009 budget to the House. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House, the only congressional member from Southern California on the Ways and Means Committee...

3/5/2008 REP. BECERRA PRAISES FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE 2009 HOUSE BUDGET WASHINGTON, D.C. – Right now, the House Budget Committee is debating the 2009 budget resolution that rejects President Bush’s proposed cuts to health, environmental and public safety programs, while adhering to pay-as-you-go budget rules. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant...

2/27/2008 HOUSE PASSES RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT, CLOSES TAX LOOPHOLES FOR BIG OIL WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives voted today 236 to 182 to pass H.R. 5351, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act, legislation that shifts subsidies to big oil companies toward investments in clean, renewable energy. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant...

2/7/2008 BECERRA'S LIBRARIAN ACT PASS WITH HIGHER EDUCATION ACT REAUTHORIZATION WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the House of Representatives voted 354 to 58 to pass H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act, legislation that reauthorizes the Higher Education Act for the first time in 10 years. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House...

2/7/2008 REP. BECERRA AND SEN. KENNEDY INTRODUCE GUN MICROSTAMPING LEGISLATION WASHINGTON, D.C. – Close to 40 percent of all homicides nationwide go unsolved each year. To help improve this gravely disappointing statistic, Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House, today introduced the National Crime Gun Identification Act of 2008. Senator...

1/23/2008 FACED WITH A CHANCE TO INJECT A LAYER OF ECONOMIC STIMULUS, HOUSE REPUBLICANS UPHOLD CHILDRENS' HEALTH CARE VETO WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives this morning voted 260 to 152 to override President Bush’s veto of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program reauthorization bill, falling 30 votes short of the two-thirds majority needed. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant...

1/17/2008 BECERRA-BERNANKE BACK-AND-FORTH AT BUDGET HEARING WASHINGTON, D.C. – At a hearing today of the House Budget Committee, Ben Bernanke, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, endorsed the need for an economic stimulus package in accordance with the “timely, targeted and temporary” principles advocated by Democrats in congress and a broad range...

1/16/2008 BECERRA.HOUSE.GOV ONCE AGAIN RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE BEST SITES IN CONGRESS WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier this week, Representative Xavier Becerra’s (CA-31) Web site was honored by the Congressional Management Foundation, a non-profit, non-partisan consulting and research organization, for being one of the best in Congress. Becerra.House.Gov was among the 618 Web...

1/4/2008 BECERRA-AUTHORED PROVISION WILL PROTECT GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM AT MLK HOSPITAL WASHINGTON, D.C. – The spending bill for fiscal year 2008 signed into law by President Bush December 26, 2007, included a provision that protects the Medicare-funded graduate medical education residency positions allotted to Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital. This will ensure that any future...