Summary
Current Position: US Representative of CA District 20 since 2017 (formerly 19th)
Affiliation: Democrat
District: most of Santa Cruz County and parts of Santa Clara County, Monterey County and San Luis Obispo County
Upcoming Election:
Quotes:
Americans deserve a nonpartisan inquiry into the #January6th attack on our democracy. I voted for the independent commission, but that was rejected. Now, we must allow the Select Committee investigation to hold those responsible to account.
Congressman Panetta Speaks on the House Floor in Support of the HOSPICE Act
OnAir Post: Jimmy Panetta CA-19
News
About
Source: Government page
United States Representative Jimmy Panetta proudly serves California’s 19th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. His diverse and beautiful district stretches from south San Jose in Santa Clara County, over the hills into Santa Cruz County, down the coastline of Monterey County, and into northern San Luis Obispo County. First elected in 2016, he is serving his fourth term in Congress. He currently serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means, the House Committee on Armed Services, and House Committee on the Budget. He also serves as a Chief Deputy Whip in the 118th Congress.
Having grown up on the central coast of California, Representative Panetta understands the importance of giving back to the community and country that gave his Italian immigrant grandparents, his family, and him so much opportunity. He was instilled with a sense of public service and its importance to our communities and democracy and his work is reflective of the values of the people who entrusted him to be their voice in our nation’s capital.
During his time in Congress, Representative Panetta has fought for affordable housing, immigration reform, the continued protection of our pristine coastline and environment, accessible health care, our agriculture industry and its farmers and farmworkers, the reduction of gun violence, a fairer tax code, major infrastructure investment, sustainable conservation practices, our military installations that are an integral part in our community and our country’s security, and the deserved and promised benefits to our veterans.
Through policy implementation in Congress and service to constituents, Representative Panetta remains committed to being that bridge for the people of California’s 19th Congressional District to the federal government and its resources. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he secured $1.4 billion in relief for communities and families in California’s 19th Congressional District and ensured relief was available for schools, local small businesses, as well as farmers and farmworkers. He has passed into law legislation to promote clean energy, protect California’s forests and pollinators, support frontline health care workers, tackle hunger among military families, and provide legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness.
Prior to Congress, Representative Panetta served his community as a prosecutor in Monterey and Alameda Counties and served our country as an Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. In 2007, Congressman Panetta volunteered for active duty and was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service. Upon returning home, he served as a board member of the Veterans Transition Center, helped open Monterey County’s first Veterans Treatment Court, and worked to establish the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery on the former Fort Ord.
Representative Panetta attended local public schools and Monterey Peninsula Community College. He graduated from the University of California, Davis with an undergraduate degree in International Relations and earned his law degree from Santa Clara University. His wife, Carrie Panetta, is a Superior Court judge in Monterey County, and they have two daughters who are being educated at the same local public schools attended by Representative Panetta.
Personal
Full Name: James ‘Jimmy’ Varni Panetta
Gender: Male
Family: Wife: Carrie; 2 Children: Siri, Gia
Birth Date: 10/01/1969
Birth Place: Washington, DC
Home City: Carmel Valley, CA
Religion: Catholic
Source: Vote Smart
Education
JD, Santa Clara University, 1993-1996
BA, International Relations and Affairs, University of California at Davis, 1989-1991
AA, Monterey Peninsula College, 1987-1989
Political Experience
Representative, United States House of Representatives, California, District 19, 2023-present
Representative, United States House of Representatives, California, District 20, 2017-2023
Candidate, United States House of Representatives, California, District 19, 2022
Professional Experience
Prosecutor/Deputy District Attorney, Monterey County District Attorney’s Office, 2010-2016
Intelligence Officer, United States Navy Reserve, 2003-2011
Prosecutor/Deputy District Attorney, Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, 1996-2010
Outreach Coordinator, Legal Services for Seniors, 1993
Research Associate, Monterey Institute of International Studies, 1992-1993
Ordinary Seaman, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 1992
Clerk, United States Department of State, 1992
Offices
Washington, DC Office
406 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-2861
Fax: 202-225-6791
Salinas Office
142 W. Alisal Street
Room E116
Salinas, CA 93901
Phone: 831-424-2229
Fax: 831-429-1458 (Santa Cruz)
Santa Cruz Office
701 Ocean Street
Room 318C
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: 831-429-1976
Fax: 831-429-1458
Contact
Email: Government
Web Links
Politics
Source: none
Finances
Source: Open Secrets
Committees
Committee Assignments
- House Committee on Ways and Means
- The Ways and Means Committee is the chief tax-writing committee in the House of Representatives. As an Executive Committee, members of Congress historically serve exclusively on Ways and Means. The Committee has jurisdiction over all taxation, trade, tariffs, and other revenue-raising measures, as well as Social Security, Medicare, unemployment benefits, child and family support laws, and adoption and foster care programs. The committee has six subcommittees pertaining to issues in health, human resources, oversight, tax policy, social security, and trade.
- The Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade is responsible for matters related to international trade, including customs, tariffs, reciprocal trade agreements, and international trade rules and organizations. The subcommittee also addresses issues involving market access, competitive industry conditions, export policy, and bilateral trade relations including trade with developing countries.
- House Committee on Armed Services
- The House Armed Services Committee s responsible for funding and oversight of the Department of Defense (DoD) and the United States Armed Forces, as well as substantial portions of the Department of Energy. Every year, the committee considers and passes into law the National Defense Authorization Act which sets priorities for national security which impact Central Coast defense installations as well as the wellbeing of servicemembers and their families.
- The Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations has jurisdiction over Department of Defense policy and programs and accounts related to military intelligence, national intelligence, countering weapons of mass destruction, counter-proliferation, counter-terrorism, other sensitive military operations, and special operations forces.
- The Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces has jurisdiction over Navy and Marine Corps acquisition programs and accounts related to shipbuilding and conversion, reconnaissance and surveillance, tanker, and airlift aircraft, ship and submarine-launched weapons, ammunition, and other procurements; Air Force programs and accounts related to bomber, tanker, and airlift aircraft; Army programs and accounts related to waterborne vessels; and Maritime policy and programs and accounts
- House Committee on the Budget
- The House Committee on the Budget’s chief responsibility is to draft an annual concurrent resolution on the budget that provides a Congressional framework for spending and revenue levels, the federal surplus or deficit, and public debt. The budget resolution can contain reconciliation instructions directing authorizing committees to change laws in their jurisdiction to change revenues or mandatory spending levels. The resolution also can include mechanisms that aid in enforcing budget procedures in general or for particular purposes. In drafting the budget resolution, the Committee examines the President’s annual budget request, as well as economic and fiscal projections from the Congressional Budget Office. The Committee also has jurisdiction over budget process laws and tracks the budgetary effects of legislative action.
Leadership Assignments
- Chief Deputy Whip
- House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee
Caucus Memberships
- Co-Chair and Founder: Agriculture Research Caucus
- Co-Chair and Founder: For Country Caucus
- Co-Chair and Founder: Naval Education Caucus
- Co-Chair: Sportsmen’s Caucus
- Co-Chair: Cut Flowers Caucus
- Co-Chair: Physical Activity Caucus
- Co-Chair: Advanced Air Mobility Caucus
- Co-Chair: America’s Languages Caucus
- Co-Chair: Service Organization Caucus
- Co-Chair: Naval Education Caucus
- Co-Chair: Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus
- Co-Chair: Physical Activity Caucus
- Co-Chair: Golf Caucus
- Co-Chair: Explosive Ordnance Caucus
- Co-Chair: Offshore Wind Caucus
- Co-Chair: Agriculture Workforce Caucus
- Co-Chair: Future Farmers of America
- California Democratic Congressional Delegation
- Equality Caucus
- Asian Pacific American Caucus
- Bus Caucus
- California Aerospace Caucus
- Cannabis Caucus
- Cybersecurity Caucus
- Diabetes Caucus
- Endangered Species Act Caucus
- Friends of Australia Caucus
- Gun Violence Task Force
- Kazakhstan Caucus
- Land-Grant and Public Research Universities Caucus
- Medicare for All Caucus
- Military Mental Health Caucus
- National Service Congressional Caucus
- Navy Marine Corps Caucus
- Oceans Caucus
- Organic Caucus
- Pro Choice Caucus
- Quiet Skies Caucus
- Travel & Tourism Caucus
- U.S.-Russia Joint Commission on Prisoners of War and Missing in Action
- Wine Caucus
- Work for Warriors Caucus
- Abraham Accords Caucus
- Ethiopia Caucus
New Legislation
Learn more about legislation sponsored and co-sponsored by Congressman Panetta.
Issues
Source: Government page
More Information
Services
Source: Government page
District
Source: Wikipedia
California’s 19th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California, currently represented by Democrat Jimmy Panetta.
Following redistricting in 2021, the district includes most of Santa Cruz County and parts of Santa Clara County, Monterey County and San Luis Obispo County. The new 19th district includes the south side of San Jose and the entire cities of Santa Cruz, Monterey, Seaside, Paso Robles, and Atascadero. Most of the area was previously part of the 20th district, which moved to the Central Valley.
For much of the 20th century prior to the early 1990s, the district had encompassed areas to the south and much of Los Angeles County, California. Gradually it was redefined to take in central and northern counties instead.
Wikipedia
James Varni Panetta (/pəˈnɛtə/ pə-NEH-tə; born October 1, 1969) is an American lawyer, politician, and former Navy intelligence officer from the state of California. A member of the Democratic Party, he is the U.S. representative for California’s 19th congressional district. Formerly his district was numbered the 20th congressional district. His current district includes southeast San Jose and much of California’s Central Coast, including Monterey, Santa Cruz, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Paso Robles to the south.[1] Panetta was first elected in 2016, after working as a deputy district attorney for Monterey County. He is the son of former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, and holds the same congressional seat his father once held.
Early life and career
Panetta graduated from Carmel High School in Carmel, California.[2] He then attended Monterey Peninsula College and the University of California, Davis, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in international relations. He then interned at the United States Department of State. Panetta received his J.D. degree from Santa Clara University School of Law. He joined the United States Navy Reserve as an intelligence officer and completed a tour of duty in the War in Afghanistan in 2007 while attached to Joint Special Operations Command, for which he was awarded the Bronze Star.[3][4] Panetta worked in the Alameda County, California, prosecutor’s office and as a deputy district attorney for the District Attorney’s office of Monterey County, California.[5]
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2016
After incumbent U.S. Representative Sam Farr announced in November 2015 that he would not seek reelection, Panetta announced his candidacy to succeed Farr in the 2016 election.[5][6] His father had represented the district from 1977 to 1993.
Panetta defeated Republican Casey Lucius in the November general election.[7] Democrats, in the persons of the Panettas and Farr, have held the seat and its predecessors without interruption since 1977. It is one of California’s most Democratic districts outside Los Angeles and the Bay Area; Republicans have only garnered as much as 40% of the vote twice since 1977.
2018
Panetta was reelected, defeating an independent challenger with 81.4% of the vote.[8][9]
2020
Panetta was reelected to a third term, defeating Republican challenger Jeff Gorman, a financial adviser,[10] with 76.8% of the vote.[11][12]
Tenure
Panetta was sworn into office on January 3, 2017.[13][failed verification] House Democrats selected him to be a regional whip for Northern California, the Central Coast, Hawaii and the U.S. Pacific Islands.[14]
Twice, in 2018 and in 2019, Panetta introduced a bill commonly stylized as the KITTEN Act, a legislative proposal to curtail certain types of animal testing.[15][16]
As of October 2021, Panetta had voted in line with Joe Biden‘s stated position 100% of the time.[17]
In February 2023, during the Russo-Ukrainian War, Panetta signed a letter advocating for President Biden to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.[18]
During May 2024, Panetta joined a bipartisan House delegation that traveled to Taiwan to signal support for the newly elected pro-Taiwanese independence government in the aftermath of Chinese military exercises that simulated a blockade of Taiwan.[19]
Committee assignments
For the 118th Congress:[20]
Caucus memberships
- Congressional Arts Caucus[21]
- Climate Solutions Caucus[22]
- Work for Warriors Caucus[23]
- Congressional Progressive Caucus[24]
- For Country Caucus, Founder and Former Co-Chair[25]
- New Democrat Coalition[26]
- Medicare for All Caucus
- Problem Solvers Caucus[27]
Political positions
Abortion
As of 2020, Panetta has a 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America and a F rating from the Susan B. Anthony List for his abortion-related voting history.[28][29] He opposed the overturning of Roe v. Wade.[30]
Big Tech
In 2022, Panetta was one of 16 Democrats to vote against the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022, an antitrust package that would crack down on corporations for anti-competitive behavior.[31][32]
Personal life
Panetta is the youngest of the three sons of Leon Panetta, the former United States Secretary of Defense.[4] His wife, Carrie, is a judge on the Monterey County Superior Court. They have two daughters.[33]
References
- ^ “Final Maps”. CA.gov. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ Larson, Amy (March 17, 2016). “Rep. Sam Farr endorses Jimmy Panetta for Congress”. KSBW-TV. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
- ^ Curry, Tom (March 24, 2017). “Jimmy Panetta Takes a Hard Line on Military Spending”. Retrieved February 8, 2019 – via www.rollcall.com.
- ^ a b Hennessey, Virginia (July 30, 2013). “Jimmy Panetta following in father Leon’s footsteps”. San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
- ^ a b “Election 2016: Jimmy Panetta launches his campaign for Congress”. Monterey Herald. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
- ^ Herrera, James (November 17, 2015). “Election 2016: Jimmy Panetta launches campaign for Congress”. Santa Cruz Sentinel. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
- ^ Lesniewski, Niels (November 9, 2016). “New Member: Democrat Jimmy Panetta Elected in California’s 20th District: Son of former Defense secretary Leon E. Panetta is heading to Congress”. Roll Call. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
- ^ “2018 California primary election results” (PDF). Retrieved June 10, 2019.
- ^ “2018 California general election results” (PDF). Retrieved June 10, 2019.
- ^ Szydlowski, Joe (October 15, 2019). “Watsonville man challenges Central Coast congressman Jimmy Panetta in primary election”. The Californian. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
- ^ “STATEMENT OF VOTE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION MARCH 3, 2020” (PDF). California Secretary of State Alex Padilla. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2020. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- ^ “November 3, 2020, General Election – United States Representative” (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- ^ Herrera, James (January 3, 2017). “Freshman Congressman Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, sworn into office amid House ethics plan reversal”. Santa Cruz Sentinel. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
- ^ Wire, Sarah D. (December 5, 2016). “This congressman will sleep in his office, and other tales from the incoming California freshmen”. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
- ^ “Rep. Jimmy Panetta honored for leadership in ending ‘USDA kitten lab’“. Monterey Herald. January 8, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ “Paws off these cats: Bill seeks to stop gov’t ‘slaughter’ of kittens”. NBC News. March 7, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ Bycoffe, Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron (October 22, 2021). “Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?”. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ “Seven more lawmakers — including six Democrats — have signed on to a letter pushing Joe Biden to send F-16 jets to Ukraine”. Politico. February 21, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
- ^ Ball, Molly. “U.S. Lawmakers Meet With New Taiwan President Amid Tensions With China”. WSJ. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ “Jimmy Panetta”. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ “Membership”. Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
- ^ “90 Current Climate Solutions Caucus Members”. Citizen´s Climate Lobby. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
- ^ “Membership”. Work for Warriors Caucus. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
- ^ “Caucus Membrs”. US House of Representatives. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ “Panetta, Bipartisan For Country Caucus Endorse Legislation to Improve Benefits for Gold Star Families”. Congressman Jimmy Panetta. May 15, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
- ^ “Members”. New Democrat Coalition. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
- ^ “Featured Members”. Problem Solvers Caucus. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
- ^ “Congressional Record”. NARAL Pro-Choice America. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ “Jimmy Panetta”. SBA Pro-Life America. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ Panetta, Jimmy (June 24, 2022). “Overturning Roe revokes the right to choose that women have relied on for 50 years. A majority of Americans support this right and are against this decision. The House passed the Women’s Health Protection Act, but now all of us must fight to make our voices heard in November”. Twitter. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ “House passes antitrust bill that hikes M&A fees as larger efforts targeting tech have stalled”. CNBC. September 29, 2022.
- ^ “H.R. 3843: Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022 — House Vote #460 — Sep 29, 2022”.
- ^ “Carrie Panetta appointed to Monterey superior court bench”. Monterey Herald. August 29, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
External links
- Congressman Jimmy Panetta official U.S. House website
- Jimmy Panetta for Congress campaign website
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- Jimmy Panetta at Curlie
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
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