Find out what Congressman Ken Calvert is working on for Riverside County and the people of the 41st Congressional District

I voted this week to end the government shutdown. For more than 40 days Democrats in Congress held the American people, especially those dependent on SNAP benefits and federal workers, hostage in a desperate attempt to achieve their political goals. This week, we released the hostage. Ending our government shutdown is vital, but it’s also important for Americans understand that Republicans refused to pay a ransom. The Democrats who waived the white flag and voted to end the shutdown did so because we called their bluff. Paying our troops, providing food assistance, and having fully staffed air traffic control operations aren’t bargaining chips. They are vital government functions.

The passage of three full-year appropriations bills marks important progress in our annual appropriations process. House and Senate appropriators must maintain this momentum to complete our work on the nine remaining full-year appropriations bills. The bills passed today implement Trump Administration priorities, reflect fiscal restraint, and implement stable funding for critical agencies. I’m especially pleased that the bill fully funds veterans’ health care programs, as well as fully funds veterans’ benefits and VA programs.

Our veterans answered the call for our country, so it’s only right to make sure the VA answers the call when our veterans are looking for help. This week, I introduced the Stuck on Hold Act to modernize the VA phone system. The bill would require the VA to implement a new and improved customer service telephone system that informs callers of their estimated wait times and, if the wait is estimated to be longer than 10 minutes, gives the caller the option of receiving an automated call back when it is their turn in line. Click HERE to read more.

On Monday, the Marine Corps celebrated its 250th Birthday. For 250 years, the world has come to learn that there is no better friend and no worse enemy than a United States Marine. Happy 250th Birthday, Marines. On behalf of a grateful nation – thank you!

It was great to be in Orange County on Friday speaking to a packed room at the ACWA Southern California Water Forum. By working together we can achieve a reliable and affordable water supply for California. I will continue working with our local water agencies towards solutions that improve our local water infrastructure.

Unsubscribe  Privacy Policy