WASHINGTON — This week, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it will relieve veterans of more than $272 million of medical co-pay debt accrued due to technical errors within the VA’s payment processing system. This policy follows the key provisions of Rep. Adam Gray’s STRIVE Act, which passed the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs with unanimous support earlier this year. Upon announcement of the action, Rep. Gray issued the following statement:
“I’m glad to see President Trump and VA Secretary Collins enact the key portion of my STRIVE Act and get serious about relieving our veterans of debt they never should have accrued,” said the Merced Democrat, who represents a portion of Turlock in the 13th Congressional District. “After their service, our veterans deserve high-quality, affordable care, not more red tape and ridiculous bills. My STRIVE Act and these efforts at the VA both move us closer to that reality.”
Gray is urging House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) to move the bill forward.
“Speaker Johnson must now bring my bill to the House floor for a vote to codify these commonsense measures,” said Gray. “I look forward to continuing my work across the aisle to bring down costs for our veterans.”
Also this week, Gray was part of a bipartisan effort — teaming with Brad Finstad (R-Minnesota), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), and Jimmy Panetta (D-California) — that introduced the PRECISE Act to expand farmers’ access to precision agricultural tools through existing Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds. The bill would incentivize private sector investment and fund research efforts through cost-sharing programs to improve access to precision agricultural technology for farmers.
“The San Joaquin Valley is the center of cutting-edge agricultural innovation,” said Gray. “This critical technology must be readily available to our farmers. The PRECISE Act would make this a reality: expanded federal support for technology purchases for farmers will help us stay competitive on the world stage. Our Valley is the most productive agricultural region in the world, and I will work across the aisle with whoever is serious about making sure our producers have the tools they need to succeed.”
Governor signs Senator Caballero’s SB 80 to advance fusion energy in California
SACRAMENTO — Senator Anna M. Caballero (D-Merced) announced that Governor Gavin Newsom has signed her legislation, Senate Bill 80, into law. SB 80 directs the California Energy Commission to establish the Fusion Research and Development Innovation Fund to support work to accelerate the development of fusion energy, a clean, safe and reliable power source to grow good, clean energy jobs and keep California at the forefront of innovation.
“Fusion energy has the immense potential to provide consistent, clean baseload power on demand that will help us meet our clean energy goals,” said Senator Anna M. Caballero (D-Merced). “This is why I am proud to have authored SB 80, which provides an avenue for the state to invest directly in California’s fusion energy economy and help retain talented researchers in our state. By signing SB 80, the Governor has affirmed California’s commitment to advancing fusion energy research.”
California already leads the nation in fusion energy research, with more than 20,000 people employed in the industry and billions of dollars invested in development. With SB 80 signed into law, the state will strengthen its position at the forefront of fusion technology, support collaboration across sectors, and build a skilled workforce prepared for a fusion-powered future.
