Great to tour a local tractor dealership to discuss its service and contributions to our local agriculture industry.

Open-water lifeguards don’t run away from danger, they run into it. Through constant training, lifesaving care, and a willingness to put their own lives on the line, they keep people safe. That’s why I support a bipartisan resolution recognizing open-water lifeguards as essential first responders.

Great to meet with young men and women who worked so dang hard to show their livestock at the California Mid-State Fair. As the Co-Chair of the Future Farmers of America Congressional Caucus, I’m proud to continue my work to support the next generation of producers and agricultural leaders in CA-19.

Always appreciate the opportunity to meet with constituents and discuss my work in Congress to support the 19th Congressional District.

Great to meet with the UC Santa Cruz Chancellor to discuss how Congress can best support our students in the 19th Congressional District.

We must continue to make federal investments in rehabilitating our National Forests and reduce wildfires. My bipartisan REPLANT Act, which was signed into law, will help with those efforts. However, we must build on this legislation and protect our forests and communities across our country.

California is losing its forests faster than it can replant them — and no one has enough seeds, staff, or money to catch up

California needs to ramp up reforestation to keep pace with wildfires — instead, funding and staff keep shrinking.

calmatters.org

I recently signed onto the discharge petition to bring the American Dream and Promise Act to the floor and protect eligible Dreamers and TPS recipients.

During an emergency, Californians should not have to worry whether they have access to essential phone services. That’s why I joined my colleagues from California to urge the FCC to deny any attempts to stop landline service in our state.

Thank you to Petty Officer Higuera and all of our active-duty servicemembers from California’s 19th Congressional District who serve our country.

Creston local serves aboard Navy warship during Pacific exercise

Higuera joined the Navy three years ago after graduating from Atascadero High School – Petty Officer 3rd Class Hanna Higuera, a native of Creston, is […]

pasoroblesdailynews.com

Good to meet with a local business owner about his work to support his employees and his commitment to our communities in the 19th Congressional District.

The termination of the Affordable Care Act tax credit subsidies has forced far too many working families to worry about whether they can afford lifesaving treatment. As more people forgo elective procedures and preventative care, hospitals are taking in less revenue and facing rising...

The Rising Number of Uninsured Patients Starts to Hit Hospitals

wsj.com

California wineries are paying the price for a trade war they didn’t start. Quebec’s ban on American wine has cut off a $434 million market. I joined a bipartisan group of Californians in Congress to urge Quebec to lift its ban, and I will continue working to support our immense bounty in CA-19.

Commentary: O, Canada! Caught in crossfire, California wineries despair over Trump tariffs

As exports plummet owing to a ban on U.S. wine and liquor, California lawmakers ask Quebec's premier to sidestep the president, lift the prohibition and promote free trade. Her response: Non!

latimes.com

Proud of the selfless actions of 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams to save a young boy at Seabright Beach. Our local lifeguards represent the best of our communities here on the Central Coast and help ensure that all can enjoy our beautiful coastline safely.

Floods are making it harder for farmers to put food on our tables. That’s why I introduced the bipartisan FLOOD Act to mitigate future flood damage through voluntary easements. www.montereyherald.com/2026/07/28/n...

New legislation to mitigate flood risk on ag lands

The Farmers Lifeline Options for Overcoming Disasters (FLOOD) Act expands opportunities for proactive mitigation measures like creating floodplain buffer zones in high risk areas.

montereyherald.com

As a former prosecutor, I know that all Americans, including our vulnerable immigrant communities, deserve trustworthy and reputable legal representation. That’s why I’m proud to support @RepBillFoster’s Protecting Immigrants from Legal Exploitation Act to crack down on those who...

American grown flowers and foliage bring beauty to our homes, businesses, and public spaces, while strengthening our local economies. That’s why I’m proud to support the bipartisan Don Young American Grown Act to ensure that American grown flowers are displayed in our federal buildings.

The quick, dogged, and heroic actions of the 16-year-old Santa Cruz lifeguard to save a young boy at Seabright Beach were absolutely remarkable. However, that’s what our many lifeguards are trained to do here in Santa Cruz County to keep our beaches secure and beachgoers safe...

The push toward renewable energy must be accompanied by safe and secure battery storage technology. That’s why I introduced the bipartisan BESS Act, which would allow necessary improvements for the research, development, and testing of critical battery storage and clean energy systems.

Beyond The Grid: Panetta leads federal effort to improve battery storage safety | BenitoLink

Beyond The Grid: Panetta leads federal effort to improve battery storage safety

benitolink.com

On July 30, 1965, Medicare and Medicaid were signed into law, expanding access to healthcare for millions of Americans. Six decades later, we are still fighting to protect and strengthen these vital programs. I’m proud to have successfully passed the REAL Health Providers Act into law, which...

Great to see Monterey County’s agriculture industry produced $4.8 billion in crops in 2025. Our farmers continue to demonstrate the immense strength and resilience of our communities throughout California’s 19th Congressional District. www.montereyherald.com/2026/07/07/m...

When grieving the loss of a loved one, the last thing you want to deal with is the IRS. When a constituent was having difficulty securing her late mother’s tax return, I stepped in and pressed the IRS to do its job. Proud to get this message from her once she received her check.

The bipartisan vote for my Combating Illicit Xylazine Act out of the Energy and Commerce committee demonstrates the bipartisan consensus around stopping the illicit spread of fentanyl. This bill would give law enforcement the tools they need to save lives and prevent fentanyl from tearing through...

Rep. Jimmy Panetta champions bill cracking down on illicit xylazine

“We do see runs of usually a month or so at a time where there’s an increased fraction of xylazine in the drug supply,” said Santa Cruz County Deputy Health Officer Karissa LeClair-Cortez. “It…

santacruzsentinel.com

Thanks to AARP California for inviting me to participate in their Telephone Townhall to discuss scam prevention and how our tax code can protect seniors from these increasingly advanced attacks. I appreciate everyone who took the time to join and ask questions. www.facebook.com/watch/live/?...

Our farmers put food on the table for working families, and it is critical that Congress support them through disasters and hardship. That’s why Rep. Randy Feenstra and I introduced the FLOOD Act, which would increase access to floodplain easements and help farmers prepare before disaster strikes...

I held another townhall in which we heard from seniors from across CA-19 concerned about increasingly complex and coordinated scams. Although recovering stolen funds can be hard, my staff can help victims report crimes involving federal jurisdiction and navigate the appropriate federal agencies...

We greatly appreciate the work of the 16-year-old lifeguard who did his job to save a young boy at Seabright Beach. Our beaches are an important part of CA-19, and it is critical that all those who live here and visit take the necessary precautions to enjoy our coastlines safely and responsibly.

Video captures dramatic lifeguard rescue at Santa Cruz's Seabright Beach

A dramatic rescue at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz was caught on video.

nbcbayarea.com

I support the Drug Deal Disclosure Act to ensure transparency and oversight when it comes to deals with manufacturers, and I will continue to work in Congress to ensure that our government actually makes healthcare more accessible for working families in CA-19 and across the country.

The witnesses of the Houston shooting have been in ICE custody and have applied for U-Visa protections. However, due to arbitrary caps, there is at least a seven-year backlog on these visas. That’s why I introduced the Immigrant Witness and Victim Protection Act to remove these caps...

Judge orders immigration officials to release key witness in Texas ICE shooting

A federal judge has ordered U.S. immigration authorities to release a key witness in the fatal shooting of a Mexican homebuilder by a U.S.

apnews.com

Always good to attend the California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles. The Mid-State Fair has long been a pillar of the Central Coast, and I appreciated the opportunity to join community members and producers from CA-19 and across the state at this iconic event.

Affordable housing continues to be the No. 1 issue facing CA-19. That’s why Congress must pass bipartisan solutions, including my More Homes on the Market Act and First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act. I will continue to work across the aisle to ensure all our neighbors can afford to call CA-19 home.

Santa Cruz County saddled with unaffordable housing crown for fourth straight year

For the fourth consecutive year, the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metropolitan district, which includes the entire county, was named the most expensive rental market in the nation by the National Low…

santacruzsentinel.com