Press Releases

SHERMAN OAKS - Congressman Brad Sherman said home buyers in the San Fernando Valley will benefit from a higher cap announced Tuesday on the value of mortgages that may be purchased by government-backed enterprises designed to encourage home ownership.

œThis is a step in the right direction, but many more middle-class homeowners in Southern California and other high-priced housing markets deserve a fairer shake, Sherman said.

Washington, D.C. - The House on Friday approved nearly $1 million for transportation and economic development projects in the San Fernando Valley, Congressman Brad Sherman announced.

Washington, D.C. - House Republicans are poised to hand out more tax breaks for the wealthy after voting 217 to 215 early Friday to cut $50 billion from student loans and health care for seniors, the disabled and poor.

"The gall," said Congressman Brad Sherman. "This is Robin Hood in reverse. They are taking from the poor to give to the rich."

Washington, D.C. - In a stinging rebuke to Republican leaders, the House on Thursday voted down a bill to cut $1.5 billion from critical education, health care and job training programs.

œThe House sent a clear message to the Republican leadership and to President Bush, Congressman Brad Sherman said. œYouve gone too far. Your priorities are out of whack. You have lost touch with the American people. Its time to stop showering the wealthy with tax breaks while shortchanging schools, health clinics and job training programs.

Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Census Bureau has agreed to a request by Congressman Brad Sherman to compile demographic data about the San Fernando Valley next year.

The Census Bureau had wanted to wait until the next decade to report on the Valleys population and economic data, but Sherman pressed the director to speed up the process.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky led the effort at the board of supervisors to have the Census Bureau issue a special report on the Valley.

Washington, D.C. - The House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday considered legislation by Congressman Brad Sherman to offer tax relief to individuals who donated to relief groups helping victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

œI believe this is the least we can do as a country to show our appreciation to the unselfish outpouring of support for the victims of these two major natural disasters and to encourage additional contributions from ordinary Americans, Sherman said in presenting the legislation to the panel that writes tax laws.

WASHINGTON " In an embarrassing rebuff, House Republican leaders Thursday were forced to scrub a scheduled vote on a budget that would slash spending on student loans and cut health care for seniors, the disabled and the poor.

œThis budget was so bad that some of Speaker Hasterts usually loyal band of lockstep yes-men said ˜No, Congressman Brad Sherman said.

Washington, D.C. - The House on Wednesday voted for proposals by Congressman Brad Sherman to restore the Bull Creek channel in the Sepulveda Basin and to fund youth programs in Northridge and Van Nuys.

Sherman won $2 million for the Bull Creek project located in a section of the Sepulveda Basins Anthony C. Beilenson Park. œThis project will restore wildlife and native habitat in the channel and add new trails and a pedestrian bridge, Sherman said.