Calvert RSS Articles

Rep. Calvert Statement on SOPA/PIPA

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Rep. Calvert Statement on SOPA/PIPA

"I have received many calls on SOPA and PIPA - bills that seek to address online piracy and counterfeiting. While I believe that foreign infringing activity is a substantial problem, I also believe that any solution must vigilantly preserve an open and vibrant global Internet. That is why I am currently not a cosponsor of SOPA (PIPA is the Senate version of SOPA). Your calls and posts have resonated on Capitol Hill – a consensus must be reached among all interested parties on this issue and I appreciate your input. Currently there is no vote scheduled in the House on SOPA, the Senate is debating and voting on PIPA next week."

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Rep. Calvert Applauds Initial TIFIA Funding for 91 Freeway Project

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA) was pleased that the Department of Transportation (DOT) selected the 91 Freeway Corridor Project for a $20 million grant in the third round of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grants (TIGER III). The $20 million will be utilized to leverage a loan from DOT’s Transportation Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program. The financing from TIFIA will satisfy a portion of the needed financing for a $1.3 billion freeway widening on the 91 Freeway between the I-15 and the Orange County Line.

Rep. Calvert strongly advocated for the 91 Freeway Corridor Project via meetings, phone calls, multiple letters of support for the project, an op-ed, etc. Rep. Calvert worked with state and local officials, the Orange County and Inland Empire congressional delegations, particularly the Dean of the delegation Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA), and with U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein to support this project. The 91 Freeway Corridor Project will create as many as 16,000 jobs during the five-year time-span of construction.

“I am pleased by the Department of Transportation’s decision and look forward to working with the Riverside County Transportation Commission and DOT in the future to satisfy the remaining balance of the needed funding,” said Rep. Calvert. “The 91 freeway is a bottleneck that hinders goods movement to the rest of the country and it is a local commuter nightmare. Widening the 91 freeway is a priority and a project of national significance.”

The 91 freeway serves as the main connector between the Inland Empire, Orange County and Los Angeles and is also a major trade corridor to transport goods into the interior of the U.S from the Ports of L.A. and Long Beach. A study conducted by the Riverside County Transportation Commission showed that completion of the project would yield roughly an extra three days worth of time per year commuters will not have to spend in their car stuck in traffic.

The Transportation Infrastructure Financing Innovation Act (TIFIA) was created by Congress to provide “federal credit assistance to nationally or regionally significant surface transportation projects, including highway, transit and rail. The program is designed to fill market gaps and leverage substantial private co-investment by providing projects with supplemental or subordinate debt” (U.S Department of Transportation, www.dot.gov).

“With unemployment over 13% in the Inland Empire new jobs are vital to our area. In addition to the much-needed relief from improving the 91 freeway, we also welcome the job creation potential of the project,” said Rep. Calvert.

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MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Medicare Open Enrollment

The Medicare Open Enrollment is happening now! New prescription drug and health plan choices are offered every year. You could save money, get better coverage, or both.

The open enrollment period is October 15 through December 7, 2011. Go to www.Medicare.gov to compare plans and find one that fits your needs.

You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE for help or mail to:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore MD 21244-1850

Social Security COLA

Recently the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that seniors will receive a 3.6% Cost of Living Adjustment for 2012. Starting January 2012, 55 million Social Security beneficiaries will see an increase in their benefits.

To learn more about the Social Security COLA, visit www.ssa.gov/cola. You can also visit your local SSA Office:

Social Security Administration
7880 Mission Grove Pkwy
Riverside, CA 92508
1-800-772-1213

Social Security Administration
26051 Acero Road
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
1-800-772-1213

Rep. Calvert Visits Afghanistan, Thanks Troops for Service

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Last week Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, joined Reps. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), Charles Bass (R-NH), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jo Bonner (R-AL), and Peter Welch (D-VT) on a congressional delegation trip to Afghanistan.

“It was an honor to visit with our troops in theater and witness first-hand the progress they are making in Afghanistan,” said Rep. Calvert. “It is always valuable and insightful to get the perspective from those on the ground doing the hard day-to-day work. Morale among the troops was high and I let them know that all of us back home are extremely proud, and thankful, for their service.”

The delegation visited Kabul and Kandahar and met with U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker, General John R. Allen, Commander, International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF)/ U.S. Forces and Major General John Toolen, Commander of the 2nd Marine Division as well as other military and civilian leaders of the international force.

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Honoring Our Heroes on Veterans Day

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT

FROM THE DESK OF REP. CALVERT:

So far this year, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed 13 bills to provide better support America’s veterans and ensure improved healthcare and programs through the Department of Veterans Affairs. I have voted YES on all these bills. I am dedicated:

To protecting veterans from budget cuts:

Funding for our military and veterans are among our highest priorities. That will remain the case in the tight budget years ahead.
Mandatory spending for veterans’ programs were protected from any cuts in the Budget Control Act passed earlier this year.

To getting our veterans out of unemployment lines and into the workforce:

Currently, 1 million veterans are out of work. Sixty-six percent of those are over the age of 34 and are facing an increasingly competitive job market.
That is why I voted for the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act (the VOW Act, H.R. 2433) to provide our veterans with the skills and training needed to compete in the 21st Century and to ensure that our servicemembers have a job when they come home.
Through the VOW Act, we will create the most qualified veteran workforce since World War II.
In addition, we passed the VOW Act without increasing the federal deficit.

To standing with America’s veterans to ensure they receive the benefits they have so rightly earned:

I voted to keep our student veterans in the college of their choice through the Restoring GI Bill Fairness Act, which was signed into law this summer. Without this change, student veterans across the country would have been subject to severe reductions in tuition payments.
I voted to start reforming the disability compensation claims process through the Veterans’ Benefits Act. Our veterans face an average claims processing time of 230 days. This is unacceptable. We must turn the corner and ensure that claims are processed accurately the first time they are submitted and in a timely manner.
I voted to protect veterans, their families, and VA employees from sexual assault in VA facilities through the Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention and Health Care Enhancement Act. When our veterans are at their most vulnerable, we must do everything possible to
ensure their safety.
And, I voted to improve the aging VA infrastructure around the country to provide better care for our veterans through the Veterans Health Care Facilities Capital Improvement Act of 2011.

Rep. Calvert Bill for Distinguished Flying Cross Memorial at March Air Field Museum Passes House

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:00:00 GMT

Today Rep. Calvert’s (R-CA) bill, H.R. 320, which would designate the memorial at March Field Air Museum, in Riverside, California, as the Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial, passed the House.

“Distinguished Flying Cross recipients have received this prestigious medal for their heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Armed Forces,” stated Rep. Calvert on the floor in support of the bill. “March Air Reserve Base is adjacent to the location of the memorial at the March Field Air Museum. Visitors are able to witness active operational air units providing support to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, which is an appropriate setting that honors the many aviators who have distinguished themselves by deeds performed in aerial flight.”

Rep. Calvert introduced H.R. 320 on January 19, 2011. His full floor statement is included below.

Statement of Rep. Ken Calvert

Mister Speaker I rise in support of H.R. 320, a bill to designate a national Distinguished Flying Cross Memorial in Riverside, California.

I am honored to represent the Inland Empire Chapter of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society which is the primary sponsor of the memorial. The memorial honors all current and former members of the Armed Forces who have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

In the 111th Congress, I introduced H.R. 2788 which passed the house unanimously, and today, I stand again, in support of H.R. 320 which would designate a memorial, at March Field Air Museum as the Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial. The legislation is supported by the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, Military Officers Association of America, the Air Force Association, Air Force Sergeants Association, The Association of Naval Aviation, The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, and the China Burma Indian Veterans Association. I’d like to point out language in the bill specifically states that the designation shall not be construed to require or permit federal funds to be expended for any purpose related to the national memorial. Funds have been and will continue to be raised through private means for these purposes.

Distinguished Flying Cross recipients have received the prestigious medal for their heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Armed Forces. There are many well known people that have played a vital role in the history of military aviation and have received the award. This renowned group includes: Captain Charles L. Lindbergh, former President George H. W. Bush, Brigadier General Jimmy Doolittle, General Curtis Lemay, Senator McCain, Jimmy Stewart and Admiral Jim Stockdale to name just a few.

The March Air Reserve Base, which hosts the C-17As of the 452nd Air Mobility Wing is adjacent to the location of the memorial at the March Field Air Museum. Visitors are able to witness active operational air units providing support to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, which is an appropriate setting that honors the many aviators who have distinguished themselves by deeds performed in aerial flight.

I’d like to thank those who have worked tirelessly to ensure this memorial is built and is properly designated in honor of the distinguished aviators that have served this great nation. In particular I’d like to recognize, Jim Champlin, his late wife Trish, Distinguished Flying Cross Society’s President, Chuck Sweeney, and the Society’s historian, Dr. Barry Lanman, who have been instrumental in this effort.

Again, I hope you will join me in supporting the designation of the National Distinguished Flying Cross Memorial at the March Field Air Museum and H.R. 320.

Thank you and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Despite New State Law Rep Calvert Pushes For Mandatory Federal E-Verify Law

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. October 14, 2011 – Earlier this week California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law AB 1236, making it illegal for the state and California municipalities to voluntarily use the E-verify system.

“Right now, across America, various states and local governments are enacting mandatory E-Verify. Meanwhile, California is going the other way by enacting a ban on voluntary E-Verify, and in fact the Governor is signing laws to preempt the use of E-verify. This is an outrage,” said Rep. Calvert.

Under the new California law, neither the state of California nor any of municipalities, can require an employer to use E-Verify as a condition of receiving a government contract, applying for or maintaining a business license. However, California employers are able to use E-verify on a voluntary basis or as required by federal contracts.

“The illegal population looking for work will now head to states that are ignoring the problem and away from states like Arizona and Alabama which have taken a proactive role to fill the vacuum the federal government has left with regard to immigration policy.

“People will understandably go where they can find work. However, in a state with 12.1% unemployment, we cannot afford the burden on our schools and social services the influx brings.

“The United States needs a uniform system that ensures ALL workers in America are legal and paying into the system that they are using. That is why I support and am a sponsor of H.R. 2885, the Legal Workforce Act.”

E-Verify, created by Rep. Calvert in 1996 through legislation, is the only tool available to employers to check the legal status of newly hired employees. It is web-based, 99.5% accurate and free to employers.

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Reps. Calvert and Lewis Spearhead Effort to Hold Hearing on Devastating Impacts of Sana Ana Sucker Critical Habitat Desigation

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:00:00 GMT

On September 22, 2011, Reps. Ken Calvert (R-CA) and Jerry Lewis (R-CA) sent a letter to Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA), and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Water and Power, Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA), requesting a field hearing on the recent revision to the Santa Ana Sucker’s critical habitat designation. In response to Reps. Calvert and Lewis’ request (link) the House Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power will hold a field hearing in Highland, California entitled “Questionable Fish Science and Environmental Lawsuits: Jobs and Water Supplies at Risk in The Inland Empire” on October 18, 2011,

“The hearing will highlight one of many job killing regulations that also threaten the water supply of three million Americans,” said Rep. Calvert. “As Congress searches for ways to put America back to work, we hope this hearing sends a message to the Administration that cutting through the red tape and creating opportunities for job growth should be a top priority. Protecting our natural resources and supporting job growth in America are not mutually exclusive.”

The hearing will examine the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s recent designation of nearly 10,000 acres of critical habitat for the Santa Ana sucker fish to the detriment of jobs, local economies and precious water supplies. Local analyses have calculated the economic effect of the designation at a more than $4 billion loss to the region. Rep. Calvert, who is the former Chairman of the House Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power, will be participating in the hearing. The current Chairman of the Water and Power Subcommittee Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) and Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA), along with other Members of Congress, local water districts and representatives from the local business community will also be participating.

WHAT: Subcommittee on Water and Power Oversight Hearing:
              “Questionable Fish Science and Environmental Lawsuits: Jobs and Water Supplies at Risk in the Inland Empire”

Witnesses: TBA

WHERE:   Highland City Hall
                 27215 Base Line
                 Highland, CA 92346

WHEN:   Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
                10:00 A.M.

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Rep. Calvert Praises Committee Passage of Mandatory E-Verify

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:00:00 GMT

Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA), the original author of legislation that created the E-Verify program, praised the Judiciary Committee passage of H.R. 2885, the Legal Workforce Act. Rep. Calvert was an original cosponsor of the bill along with Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) and others.

“Yesterday marked the first step towards ensuring that American jobs are going to American workers and legal residents,” said Rep. Ken Calvert. “I commend the Committee for passing the bill but I am disappointed that a vital provision was stripped out. Chairman Smith, and all of us involved in crafting the legislation, were sensitive how the legislative impacts the agriculture industry and that is why a prior employment exemption was originally included. The result of omitting that language will only make it harder on the agriculture community. I look forward to discussing possible floor amendments to the bill in order to increase chances of Senate passage. However, the most important aspects of the bill remain intact; namely to mandate all employers in the U.S. use E-Verify and ensure they are following the law when hiring their workforce.”

E-Verify allows employers to electronically verify that newly-hired employees are legally authorized to work in the United States. Specifically, the Social Security numbers (or Employment Authorization Numbers for legal residents) of new hires are checked against Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security records in order to eliminate fraudulent numbers and help ensure that new hires are genuinely eligible to work. The program quickly confirms 99.5% of work-eligible employees.

Below is a summary of some of the major components in H.R. 2885.

Replaces I-9 System: Replaces the current paper-based I-9 system with a completely electronic work eligibility check.

Gradual Phase-In: Phases-in mandatory E-Verify participation for new hires in six month increments beginning on the date of enactment. Within six months of enactment, businesses having more than 10,000 employees are required to use E-Verify. Within 12 months after enactment, businesses having 500 to 9,999 employees are required to use E-Verify. Within 18 months after enactment, businesses having 20 to 499 employees must use E-Verify. And within 24 months after enactment, businesses having 1 to 19 employees must use E-Verify.

Agriculture: Requires that employees performing “agricultural labor or services” are only subject to an E-Verify check within 36 months of the date of enactment.

Federal Preemption: Preempts state laws mandating E-Verify use for employment eligibility purposes but retains the ability of states and localities to condition business licenses on the requirement that the employer use E-Verify in good faith under the federal law.

Safe Harbor: Grants employers safe harbor from prosecution if they use the E-Verify program in good faith, and through no fault of theirs, receive an incorrect eligibility confirmation.

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Rep. Calvert Votes for Debt Deal to Avoid Default

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 04:00:00 GMT

Today Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) voted in favor of the Budget Control Act of 2011 to avoid default and put America on a path of fiscal discipline.

“The debate on the debt limit increase should not have come to this, an 11th hour solution that requires a quick vote on complex legislation,” said Rep. Calvert. “The House passed two bills in plenty of time but unfortunately the Senate could not even bring up their own bill, let alone the House bill and President Obama failed to ever produce a plan on paper.

“Having said that, I commend Speaker Boehner and all our leaders in the House for securing a deal that immediately cuts spending and does not increase taxes on the American people. Since Republicans took over the House in January, we have been able to change the dialogue in Washington from ‘How much money can we spend?’ to ‘We must stop spending money we don’t have and address the drivers of our debt.’ However, our work does not end here. As the Joint Committee moves forward in identifying cuts, I hope they first answer a vital question: what is the first responsibility of government? In short, it is the defense of our nation and the safety of our citizens. Steep cuts to defense spending would be disastrous for our country. I realize that everything must be on the table: including tax reform that does not raise taxes and entitlement reform that ensures that Medicare and Social Security are solvent for future generations. Like any budget, it is a question of priorities and I will be watching the progress of the Committee closely to ensure that the core principles of smaller government, strong national defense and low taxes are part of the end product.”

The Budget Control Act of 2011 would create and enforce discretionary spending caps to cut and restrain spending over the next ten years, provide a mechanism for increasing the debt limit from between $2.1 trillion and $2.4 trillion in two steps (subject to congressional disapproval and more than dollar-for-dollar spending cuts), establish a Joint Committee to produce deficit reduction legislation, and provide for automatic sequestration of mandatory and discretionary spending to achieve cuts equal to a debt limit increase if the deficit committee’s legislation is not enacted or falls short of the amount of the debt limit increase. According to CBO, the bill would reduce deficits by at least $2.117 trillion over ten years with the possibility of greater reductions based on the enactment of legislation produced by the Joint Committee. Debt limit increases authorized by the bill could not exceed the amount of deficit reduction achieved either through the enactment of deficit reduction legislation proposed by the Joint Committee or through automatic sequestration (Source: House GOP Conference).

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