Press

Congressman Farr Awarded for Support of Organic Industry

Rep. Farr has supported organic industry for over three decades from Sacramento to Washington

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) today was awarded the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA) Public Servant Award during OTA’s Policy Conference & Hill Visit Days, for his three decades of support of the organic industry. Congressman Farr currently co-chairs the House Organic Caucus, and is Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Agriculture. In these roles, he provides strong, continuous leadership on issues facing the organic industry.

Rep. Farr Hails U.S.-EU Organic Agreement

Over 48,548 acres of organic produce is grown on the Central Coast, with the European Union among top export destinations

WASHINGTON, DC –Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) today hailed an agreement signed by the U.S. and the European Union to allow organic products certified in the U.S. or in Europe to be sold as organic in either region. The agreement partners the world’s two largest organic producers, and establishes a platform to promote organic agriculture, the organic industry and related jobs.

STATEMENT: President's 2013 Budget

WASHINGTON, DC –Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) issued the following statement on President Barak Obama’s Fiscal Year 2013 Budget:

“As our nation recovers from the greatest economic downturn since the Great Depression, President Obama has proposed a budget that is a reflection of an economy on the rebound—making investments that support teachers and education, job creation and infrastructure projects. The President’s proposal also ensures the promise made to seniors by preserving the Medicare guarantee, while working to live within our means.

STATEMENT: Passage of STOCK Act

WASHINGTON, DC –Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) issued the following statement after the House passage of the STOCK Act:

“By passing the STOCK Act today, the House took a positive step forward to restore trust and confidence in Congress. But I am disappointed that my Republican colleagues failed to seize the opportunity to present the strongest piece of legislation possible, and instead put forth a watered down version.

Sam scores a 97% on the LCV Environmental Scorecard!

The League of Conservation Voters works to turn environmental values into national priorities. LCV has issued a National Environmental Scorecard every Congress since their founding in 1970. This document provides objective, factual information about the most important environmental legislation considered in 2011 and the corresponding voting records of all members of Congress. The Scorecard represents the consensus of experts from about 20 respected environmental and conservation organizations who selected the key votes to be scored.

It appears April Fools came early this year --

"Contrary to this morning's Monterey County Herald headline—I have not retired or resigned and have no plan to do so. California’s 20th (formerly 17th) Congressional seat is not vacant.

I continue hard at work in our nation’s capitol and on the CentralCoast, to serve my constituents and address the dire issues facing our communities."

STATEMENT: House Rejection of Senate Payroll Tax Holiday

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) today released the following statement after the House Republican Majority refused to allow a vote on the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act, and instead voted to conference the bipartisan Senate bill:

“I am beyond disappointed that once again Congress has been derailed by extreme Tea Party politics at the expense of middles class families. The stakes for our nation are too high to get drawn into these games of political brinksmanship.

Rep. Farr Hails Milestone Progress on Sanctuary Trail

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) today hailed the decision by the Surface Transportation Board to allow the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (SCCRTC) to purchase the Union Pacific rail line along the proposed route of the Santa Cruz portion of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Trail. The decision paves the way for the RTC to purchase the rail line for the trail and to increase transpiration alternatives for the region.

Rep. Farr Bill to Upgrade Pinnacles to Park Status

The Pinnacles National Park Act would upgrade the area to recognize its diverse ecosystems, geology and cultural history

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) today introduced H.R.3641, the Pinnacles National Park Act—legislation to upgrade the Pinnacles National Monument in San Benito County to ‘National Park’ status. The status upgrade of the area would recognize and preserve its diverse ecosystems, geology, and cultural history, and would place it under the National Park System. The bill was previously introduced in the 111th Congress as H.R.3444.

UCSC Grad and Shooting Victim Honored

Gabriel Zimmerman is the first staffer to be murdered while in the line of duty; the legislation passed the House with a unanimous vote

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) today voted in support H.Res. 364, legislation that will name a meeting room in the U.S. Capitol in honor of Gabriel Zimmerman, a UC Santa Cruz graduate and staff member of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords who was killed in the January 8th shooting in Tucson, Arizona. H.Res. 364 designates room HVC 215 of the Capitol Visitor Center as the “Gabriel Zimmerman Meeting Room”.