The Program from November 30, was Brendan Sweeney, Field Representative, Mike Thompson - Member of Congress, 4th District, California.
We had the pleasure of hearing Brendan Sweeney speak at our club this past Thursday. Brendan is a field representative for Congressman Mike Thompson. He discussed in detail all the hard work that the Congressman and his small but mighty team have accomplished so far.
Brendan wears several hats in his position. He meets with other members of the community and leaders. Sweeney is also a case worker who serves as an excellent conduit for the community who need resources from our federal agencies. Have an issue with your Medicare benefits or getting your tax return? Give him a call!
Brendan did a thorough job outlining some of the cornerstone bills that have been tirelessly worked on and passed by the Congressman.
Brendan explained the Inflation Reduction Act which gives people tax credits to cover electric vehicles and retrofit their homes. This represents the largest investment in saving the planet in our country's history. Brendan urges us to check out the tax credits if we're retrofitting your homes.
He expressed the Congressman's passion around telehealth. There is a bill called the Connect Act which gives basic Medicare beneficiaries full access telehealth services. They are hoping to make this a permanent benefit.
Other projects that the Congressman is focused on are a bill for a tax credit for more affordable housing and a bipartisan infrastructure law to create electrical grid undergrounding and expansion of electric vehicle charging stations. A bill closest to Congressman Thompson’s heart is the largest expansion of VA healthcare to make it easier for vets and family to access services due to exposure of toxic chemicals.
Brendan discussed Fire Survivors Tax Relief Bill. Survivors have been faced with obscene taxation on settlement proceeds throughout CA. This bill will exempt settlement proceeds. Unfortunately, Senator McConnel filibustered and halted the bill from going through; however, they are still working on running this bill and it has passed by the House. There is optimism it will pass by the senate. This bill will also benefit survivors of hurricanes and the train derailment earlier this year in Ohio.
Another important topic that is a focal point of Congressman Thompson is mental health. He is working on legislation where there is more funding for research to find ways to prevent mental illness.
He has also created the House and Violence prevention task force. He is focused on gun control legislation where there are universal background checks on all gun dealers. This will affect other states that currently allow unlicensed dealers to not do background checks on their customers.
Brendan went into detail about the constant threat of government shut down and how it effects government employees' livelihoods as well as our economy. Many government employees will continue to work for free, affecting their livelihoods, and tragically, no government agencies can be accessed by those who need it during this shut down.
Brendan urged us to call his department and let him know what needs to be fixed. An example of the community banding together and calling Congressman Thompson resulted in the Phone Act. Now disaster survivors can keep their original phone numbers when they rebuild. This was stripped away from many people, especially those who lived in Coffey Park following the loss of their homes from the Tubbs Fire.
Last, Brendan discussed their involvement with youth. They have created engaging programs to expand knowledge such as a summer reading challenge, an art challenge where students' pieces are judged, and the winner's piece is displayed at House of Congress for a year in D.C. as well as a coding challenge where students apps are share with businesses and shareholders in Washington D.C.
It is definitely apparent that both Brendan and Congressman Thompson have a robust agenda that probably does not include a long night's sleep.
Click HERE to view a limited time recording of Brendan Sweeney's presentation.
