Carbajal, Salud RSS Articles

Carbajal Highlights $20 Million Federal Grant for UCSB Advanced Research Lab

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

On Friday, August 21, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) hosted a press conference at UC Santa Barbara’s (UCSB) OASIS Facility to highlight a $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF grant will go towards UCSB’s COAST PCL, one of 20 facilities in a new national network of programmable cloud laboratories. Carbajal was joined by Dr. Rachel Segalman, Vice Chancellor for Research at UCSB; Dr. Ram Seshadri, Associate Dean for Research in The Robert Mehrabian College of Engineering; Dr. Javier Read de Alaniz, Co-Director of COAST PCL; and Dr. Chris Bates, Co-Director of COAST PCL.

Following the speaking program, Carbajal and the university leaders toured the COAST PCL laboratory.

Download photos here.

The $20 million grant will be used to create a remotely accessible, AI- and robotics-enabled laboratory for discovering new polymers and soft materials. Researchers anywhere in the country will be able to design experiments online, have robots conduct the experiments at UCSB, and receive and analyze the results without having to travel to the university.

The initial research focus will be sequence-defined polymers and biomolecular materials, with potential applications in medicine, energy, electronics, aerospace, and other advanced technologies. Additional background is available here.

“As a proud Gaucho, I am thrilled to highlight this $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation to support UC Santa Barbara’s COAST PCL project,” said Rep. Carbajal. “With this federal investment, UC Santa Barbara will host state-of-the-art programmable cloud laboratories, allowing researchers from across the country to perform experiments completely remotely. The work conducted right here on the Central Coast will revolutionize materials research and lay the foundation for breakthroughs across many industries, from medicine and construction to advanced aerospace and energy technology. I will keep fighting in Congress to bring our tax dollars back home to support world-changing projects like this one.”

"We are grateful to Congressman Salud Carbajal for his unwavering support of UC Santa Barbara and the pioneering research made possible through federal investment," said Rachel Segalman, UC Santa Barbara’s vice chancellor for research and a professor of materials and chemical engineering,” said Rachel Segalman, UC Santa Barbara’s vice chancellor for research and a professor of materials and chemical engineering. “AI is changing how we approach scientific discovery, but it cannot discover new materials on its own. AI needs high-quality experimental data to learn from and validate its predictions. COAST creates a powerful connection between AI, computation and experimentation, allowing researchers to generate new data, learn from it, and move more quickly toward materials that could have applications ranging from medicine and water purification to microelectronics.”

“COAST PCL is a testament to The Robert Mehrabian College of Engineering’s proud tradition of materials discovery,” said Ram Seshadri, the associate dean for research and a distinguished professor of materials, and chemistry & biochemistry. “For decades, our faculty have advanced the fundamental understanding of materials while building a culture of collaboration and shared infrastructure that allows ambitious ideas to flourish. This new investment builds on that legacy and on Dean Umesh Mishra’s vision for OASIS as a bridge between laboratory discovery and real-world impact. COAST PCL will be a key part of realizing that vision and shaping how the next generation of materials are discovered.”

“What excites me most about COAST PCL is the opportunity to rethink how experiments are designed and carried out,” said materials professor Chris Bates, who will serve as co-director of COAST PCL. “By automating workflows and making them remotely accessible, we can move toward a model where sophisticated materials research is available to anyone, anywhere, at any time. That has the potential not only to accelerate discovery, but to fundamentally change how the next generation of scientists and engineers approaches experimentation.”

“COAST PCL is about changing what is possible in materials research. A researcher anywhere in the country will be able to design an experiment remotely, have our automated systems carry it out here at OASIS, and use the resulting data to decide what to test next,” said Javier Read de Alaniz, co-director of COAST PCL and a professor of chemistry & biochemistry. “By combining remote access, robotics, and standardized data, we can accelerate discovery while giving a much broader community of researchers access to capabilities they otherwise might never have.”

Carbajal Announces $4.6 Million in New Federal Funding for SLO Airport

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, announced $4,609,282.00 in new federal funding for the San Luis Obispo County Airport for a range of infrastructure upgrades. Specifically, the funding will go towards modernizing Runway 11/29’s safety system, upgrading Taxiway A, and creating a plan to identify wildlife around the airport and assess how to protect aircraft from potential wildlife hazards, such as bird strikes.

“As SLO County continues to welcome more visitors each year, it’s essential that we invest in our local airport to maintain the highest levels of safety for passengers and crew,” said Rep. Carbajal. This $4.6 million federal investment will allow SLO County Airport to launch important infrastructure upgrades to enhance the overall travel experience.”

“We are deeply grateful to Congressman Carbajal and the U.S. Department of Transportation for this important investment, which will strengthen our airport, support our regional economy and help ensure San Luis Obispo County has the infrastructure needed to thrive for generations to come,” said San Luis Obispo County 3rd District Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg.

“This significant federal investment in safe, reliable airport infrastructure is an investment in the long-term economic vitality, connectivity and resilience of our region, and we are grateful to Congressman Carbajal and the federal government for recognizing the importance of our airport to San Luis Obispo County’s future,” said Courtney Johnson, San Luis Obispo County Director of Airports.

This funding is from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program, which provides federal grants for airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, signage, lighting, and markings.

Since its passage in 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has delivered more than $1 billion in funding to projects up and down the Central Coast of California. As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Carbajal played a key role in crafting and passing the landmark legislation in partnership with the Biden Administration.

In May 2026, Carbajal announced over $2 million in federal funding for the San Luis Obispo County Airport to improve the baggage screening system.

Last fall, Carbajal announced over $3 million in funding for two airports in San Luis Obispo County for infrastructure improvements. SLO County Airport received $2,725,597 to construct a new 315-foot Taxiway B3 to bring the airport into conformity with current standards. Oceano Airport received $313,500 to reseal 2,325 feet of existing Runway 11/29 pavement to extend its useful life.

Carbajal Statement on Diablo Canyon Receiving Federal Funding for Extended Operations

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) released the statement below following the Department of Energy’s (DOE) decision to distribute $271 million in Civil Nuclear Credit Program funds to help support Diablo Canyon Power Plant’s extended operations. This federal funding comes after the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s determination that the plant can continue to operate safely.

The Civil Nuclear Credit Program was created and funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Carbajal played a key role in crafting and passing the landmark legislation in partnership with the Biden Administration.

“This announcement marks another important milestone in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. Diablo Canyon has long been a critical source of carbon‑free electricity, and this $271 million award will help ensure that Diablo Canyon remains a stable part of our power grid as California continues its transition toward renewable energy. Maintaining this facility is essential for meeting our climate goals, protecting grid reliability, and supporting good‑paying jobs on the Central Coast. I will continue working to ensure that local communities benefit from Diablo Canyon’s extended operations and that safety remains the top priority every step of the way.”

Carbajal Announces Over $1 Million in Federal Funding for Santa Barbara Airport

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, announced $1,304,418.00 in federal funding for the Santa Barbara Airport for a range of infrastructure upgrades. Specifically, the funding will go towards installing new signage and markings on Runway 7/25, reconstructing on-site pavement, and upgrading Taxiways A, B, and C.

“The Santa Barbara Airport serves as a vital gateway to our community, welcoming both visitors and business travelers. Because the airport plays such a significant role in Santa Barbara’s economy, continued investment in its infrastructure is essential,” said Rep. Carbajal. “This federal funding will help ensure the airport can meet future needs and continue delivering reliable air service to our region.”

“The Santa Barbara Airport is grateful for this continued federal investment in our infrastructure. These funds will support critical pavement and taxiway rehabilitation projects that keep our airport safe, reliable, and ready to serve the Central Coast for years to come,” said Christopher Hastert, Airport Director.

This funding is from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program, which provides federal grants for airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, signage, lighting, and markings.

Since its passage in 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has delivered more than $1 billion in funding to projects up and down the Central Coast of California. As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Carbajal played a key role in crafting and passing the landmark legislation in partnership with the Biden Administration.

Carbajal, Cut Flower Caucus Co-Chairs Introduce Resolution to Recognize July as American Grown Flower and Foliage Month

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) led Congressional Cut Flower Caucus co-chairs Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), and Jeff Hurd (R-CO-03) in introducing a bipartisan resolution to officially recognize the month of July 2026 as “American Grown Flower and Foliage Month”. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) leads a companion resolution in the U.S. Senate.

“California produces nearly three quarters of all American-grown cut flowers, and I’ve seen firsthand the vital role these farms play in supporting local jobs, small businesses, and the long-term strength of our agricultural sector,” said Rep. Carbajal, co-chair of the Congressional Cut Flower Caucus. “By designating July as ‘American Grown Flower and Foliage Month’, we are recognizing the invaluable contributions cut flowers make to our specialty crop sector.”

“California is proud to lead the nation in flower production, thanks to the hardworking growers who cultivate some of the world's highest-quality blooms right here in our state,” said Senator Padilla. “I’m proud to lead this Senate resolution designating July as American Grown Flower and Foliage Month to honor their contributions and encourage more Americans to support flowers and foliage grown here at home.”

“Across the country, from Maine to Hawaii, America’s cut-flower and foliage growers create jobs, support local economies, and bring beauty and vibrancy to our communities,” said Rep. Pingree, co-chair of the Congressional Cut Flower Caucus. “By recognizing their contributions and encouraging the use of American-grown flowers, we can help ensure these farms and farmers continue to thrive for generations to come.”

“American-grown flowers and foliage bring immense beauty while supporting growers, small businesses, and jobs across the country,” said Rep. Panetta, co-chair of the Congressional Cut Flower Caucus. “This resolution builds on our bipartisan Don Young American Grown Act, which would ensure that flowers and greens displayed at prominent federal buildings are grown right here in the United States. This July, we proudly celebrate the growers in California’s 19th Congressional District and across the country who strengthen American agriculture and cultivate the beauty of our nation.”

The text of the American Grown Flower and Foliage Month resolution can be found HERE.

Last year, Carbajal led a bipartisan group of members in introducing the Don Young American Grown Act. The bipartisan bill requires any cut flowers or cut green plants officially on display in public areas of the Executive Office of the President, Department of Defense, or Department of State be grown in the United States, District of Columbia, or U.S. territory.

Representative Don Young of Alaska, who passed away in 2022, was the lead sponsor of the Don Young American Grown Act in both the 116^th and 117^th Congresses. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) leads companion, bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate.

Founded in 2014, the Congressional Cut Flower Caucus was created to help address, support, and represent the economic interests and opportunities facing America's flower farmers.

The Congressional Cut Flower Caucus is a bipartisan coalition established to set the agenda and educate Congress on the cultural and economic value of flower and green farms.

Carbajal Joins Cisneros, 60+ Colleagues in Calling on Republican Leadership to Address DACA Renewal Delays

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) joined U.S. Representative Gil Cisneros (D-CA-31) and 62 colleagues in a letter to House Republican leadership urging stronger support for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients commonly referred to as Dreamers. In the letter, the lawmakers ask Republican leaders not to obstruct legislation that protects Dreamers from work authorization lapses and the threat of deportation, including through a permanent, codified legal status.

“We write in support of all Dreamers who live and contribute to our districts and to our great nation. Healthcare workers, teachers, police officers, students, and many more from our communities are seeking assistance with their Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal applications. Administrative inefficiencies at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have led to unprecedented backlogs and delays in processing DACA renewal applications,” wrote the lawmakers. “We urge you to work with us and not obstruct legislation that protects DACA recipients from work authorization lapses and the threat of deportation by directly addressing the severe administrative backlogs at USCIS and through a permanent, codified legal status for Dreamers”.

The lawmakers outline how DACA renewal applications are facing prolonged processing times, impacting millions of Dreamers and their families.

“Until this year, most renewals were granted well before the status expired. We now have DACA recipients waiting as long as nine months for their renewal applications to be approved, even after filing 120-150 days before expiration as recommended by USCIS, undergoing background checks, and paying filing fees. These prolonged wait times have caused work authorizations to expire and put DACA recipients, their employers, families, and communities at risk. Nearly 1.7 million Dreamers are trained and employed in critical industries such as construction, manufacturing, and healthcare. Their wages contribute an estimated $76 billion to our economy each year with an additional $24 billion each year to local, state, and federal taxes. Denying DACA recipients and Dreamers the opportunity to contribute only harms America and our economy,” the lawmakers continued.

The letter concludes with the lawmakers demanding congressional action to resolve the application backlog.

“Congress must act, through immediate measures to resolve the renewal backlog at USCIS and through a pathway to citizenship and comprehensive immigration reform. President Trump himself has previously expressed openness to legislation supporting Dreamers, as have several members of your Republican Conference. This sentiment is shared by an overwhelming majority of Americans at over 80%. Unfortunately, our attempts at legislative action are denied and blocked. This is why we write to urge you to allow legislation to come to the floor that supports DACA recipients and Dreamers and ask that you eliminate any legislative obstructions,” concluded the lawmakers.

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

Dear Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Scalise, and Majority Whip Emmer:

We write in support of all Dreamers who live and contribute to our districts and to our great nation. Healthcare workers, teachers, police officers, students, and many more from our communities are seeking assistance with their Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal applications. Administrative inefficiencies at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have led to unprecedented backlogs and delays in processing DACA renewal applications. We urge you to work with us and not obstruct legislation that protects DACA recipients from work authorization lapses and the threat of deportation by directly addressing the severe administrative backlogs at USCIS and through a permanent, codified legal status for Dreamers.

DACA recipients actively follow the rules and contribute to our communities and our economy and should not be penalized by government inefficiency. Until this year, most renewals were granted well before the status expired. We now have DACA recipients waiting as long as nine months for their renewal applications to be approved, even after filing 120-150 days before expiration as recommended by USCIS, undergoing background checks, and paying filing fees.

These prolonged wait times have caused work authorizations to expire and put DACA recipients, their employers, families, and communities at risk. Nearly 1.7 million Dreamers are trained and employed in critical industries such as construction, manufacturing, and healthcare. Their wages contribute an estimated $76 billion to our economy each year with an additional $24 billion each year to local, state, and federal taxes. Denying DACA recipients and Dreamers the opportunity to contribute only harms America and our economy.

Congress must act, through immediate measures to resolve the renewal backlog at USCIS and through a pathway to citizenship and comprehensive immigration reform. President Trump himself has previously expressed openness to legislation supporting Dreamers, as have several members of your Republican Conference. This sentiment is shared by an overwhelming majority of Americans at over 80%. Unfortunately, our attempts at legislative action are denied and blocked. This is why we write to urge you to allow legislation to come to the floor that supports DACA recipients and Dreamers and ask that you eliminate any legislative obstructions.

No eligible DACA recipient should lose their status, job, or ability to contribute to the country they call home. We hope you work with us to support Dreamers. Thank you for your time.

Carbajal Speaks Out Against Sable Offshore Provision in Defense Budget Bill

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

During last night’s House of Representatives debate on the annual national defense policy bill, also known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) spoke out against the Hunt amendment, which would grant the federal government unprecedented access to California-owned public lands associated with the Santa Ynez Unit and Las Flores Pipeline System.

Download a video clip of Carbajal’s full debate here.

Background on the Hunt amendment

Specifically, the Hunt amendment would authorize the Secretary of Defense to use federal eminent domain to acquire permanent easements across California-owned lands and submerged lands under the Santa Ynez Pipeline system, the pipeline that caused the 2015 Refugio oil spill off the coast of California.

This amendment broadly preempts California law by eliminating state permitting requirements and blocking state injunctions. It also requires the Secretary to grant the operator an irrevocable license that cannot be revoked by California courts, state agencies, or future administrations, except under extremely limited circumstances

A rough transcript of Carbajal’ opening remarks is available below:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Mr. Garamendi.

I oppose this amendment.

We know that the military does not need this provision to ensure a stable supply.

We already are the largest oil producer in the world, producing nearly 14 million barrels of oil a day.

So let’s be clear: this is not about energy independence or national security.

It is about giving Big Oil special treatment at the expense of California.

Under this amendment, a single certification from the Secretary of Defense unlocks sweeping legal protections for fossil fuel projects.

States and local governments cannot interfere.

Courts are told to presume that delaying this project harms national security on the Secretary's word alone. And we know what that means.

Challengers cannot dispute the Secretary's determination.

And developers receive procedural advantages that no other litigant enjoys – including the ability to essentially choose which federal court will hear a challenge.

It is interesting to me that this amendment is sponsored by Congressman Hunt, from Houston, where Sable Offshore Oil’s headquarters is located.

Sable Offshore, of course, is the operator of the Santa Ynez Pipeline System, which the Trump administration forced back online over the objections of California.

This is the pipeline that caused the devastating Refugio oil spill in 2015 in my district.

My constituents, who must live with the risk this operation poses, are overwhelmingly opposed.

But the Trump administration used the Defense Production Act to preempt state law.

The state of California is challenging that authority in court.

I guess Sable is worried about losing in court—as they should be—because this amendment would allow the company to avoid accountability by moving to a more favorable court, blocking the California lawsuit, and preventing any court from issuing an injunction against this project.

So let me be clear again: this isn’t about national security.

It is a bailout for polluters.

I oppose this amendment and I urge my colleagues to also vote no.

Carbajal Statement on Massie Amendment to GOP Foreign Aid Budget Bill

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) released the statement below following his “yes” vote on the Massie Amendment to H.R. 8595.

“Today, I voted yes on Representative Massie’s amendment to not give Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration funding for more offensive weapons. While I do not agree with the entirety of the amendment, including its potential impacts to humanitarian funding, I cast a yes vote in recognition that we cannot continue to provide Netanyahu a blank check. I remain deeply opposed to how Netanyahu has conducted this war. His administration's strategy has fueled a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and resulted in the tragic loss of an inordinate number of civilian lives.

“While I have always been and will continue to be a steadfast supporter of Israel, I cannot support Netanyahu's extremism, including his push for illegal settlements and condoning settler violence in the West Bank. These actions are untenable and harm the future security of both Israelis and Palestinians.

“For many across the Central Coast, this issue is deeply personal. I have read your letters and listened to your calls urging our country to take stronger action and hold Netanyahu’s extremist government accountable. While today’s vote was blocked by the House Republican majority, I will continue to fight for more rigorous oversight of our military assistance programs and push for more humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza. I stand firmly behind a two-state solution that secures the security, rights, and prosperity of both Palestinians and Israelis, for I believe that to be a sustainable path for durable peace in the region.”

Carbajal Announces Funding for Central Coast Water Projects Passed House Committee

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) announced the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced a bipartisan bill containing more than $66 million for Central Coast water projects. The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026 will now need to be considered by the full House and Senate for final passage.

“Like many communities across the nation, the Central Coast has some water systems that are aging beyond their intended service life or must be upgraded to accommodate our region’s growth. As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I’m proud to have secured federal funding in this committee-passed bill to strengthen water infrastructure throughout the Central Coast. As the bill moves toward final consideration, I will continue working to ensure this essential investment is delivered to our communities,” said Rep. Carbajal, a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

The following projects and authorizations have been included in the committee-passed bill.

$30,000,000 for the Los Olivos Community Services District (LOCSD). The funding will be used for a new septic-to-sewer project. Once completed, the proposed project will collect wastewater from the LOCSD and send the waste approximately 3.5 miles to a connection point with the City of Solvang. The City of Solvang will then treat and dispose of the LOCSD’s wastewater at their regional facilities.
$25,000,000 for the City of Ojai. The project would replace the metal pipes that service the City’s storm water collection system. These pipes are at the end of their expected life, having been in place since the early 1960s.
$3,200,000 for Summerland Sanitary District to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure.
$6,300,000 for the City of Lompoc. The City’s projects include the modernization of the City’s water treatment plant and construction of a stormwater treatment and flood control system.
$2,000,000 for the City of Solvang to improve its water and water supply infrastructure, including the distribution systems.
Authorization of the City of Morro Bay’s seawall repair and harbor enhancements project.

“The City of Solvang is grateful for Congressman Carbajal’s leadership and continued advocacy for Solvang. His support helps advance important infrastructure priorities that are essential to the long-term health, reliability, and resilience of our community,” said Mayor David Brown.

“The legislative language advocated by Congressman Salud Carbajal will ensure the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lives up to its responsibility to repair and maintain breakwater, revetment, and seawall infrastructure that is vital to ensuring safe navigation and operations in Morro Bay Harbor. We appreciate Rep. Carbajal’s leadership and his hard work in Washington, D.C. on behalf of Morro Bay and California,” said Mayor Carla Wixom.

“The Summerland Sanitary District is incredibly grateful to Congressman Carbajal for his continued advocacy for our coastal infrastructure. Securing this $3.2 million authorization in the draft WRDA bill is a vital milestone in rehabilitating our ocean outfall. This federal partnership establishes the critical pathway we need to protect our local environment and ensure reliable wastewater services for our community,” said Diantha Glaser, General Manager of the Summerland Sanitary District.

“Building a sewer system to solve a problem that has persisted for more than 50 years isn't glamorous, and it certainly is not easy. We are deeply grateful to Congressman Salud Carbajal for his leadership and support in helping secure funding for this critical community infrastructure. This investment gives Los Olivos a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build the solution our community has long supported while ensuring that local decisions remain in local hands. It allows us to move forward with a project that reflects the needs and priorities of the people who live and work here,” said Los Olivos Community Services District President Julie Kennedy.

“Congressman Carbajal’s work to continue advancing the Lower Mission Creek Flood Control Project through WRDA 2026 is a very welcome shot in the arm. He has been an essential and long-time champion of the project. With construction now over 50% complete, renewed Federal investment is critical to finishing this complex and urgently needed project to protect our densely developed urban core from recurring flooding,” said Santa Barbara County Public Works Director Chris Sneddon.

“Safety and infrastructure have been central priorities for this Council and City staff, with enhanced public participation, deferred maintenance budgeting, and focused timelines as key progress indicators. We are extremely grateful for our Federal agencies in partnering with the City of Ojai to bring our storm systems to proper order, helping to sustain a community that can remain resilient, safe, and efficient now and for decades to come,” said Ojai’s Mayor Andy Gilman.

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out critical water infrastructure projects nationwide, including flood risk reduction, ecosystem restoration and navigation improvement. WRDA is biennial legislation crafted by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. By authorizing these projects through WRDA, Congress helps unlock future federal funding.

The bill supports locally-driven projects that also deliver regional and national benefits to strengthen U.S. global competitiveness and supply chain, grow the economy, move goods throughout the country, protect communities from flooding, and more. In addition, investments in water infrastructure help lower everyday costs for Americans. Modernizing aging infrastructure reduces water loss and lowers maintenance expenses, helping keep water rates more affordable for households and businesses.

Click here for legislative text and here for a summary of WRDA 2026.

Carbajal Joins Schiff, Lofgren, and Coalition of 40+ Lawmakers in Demanding Trump Administration Scrap Politicized Scientific Grant Rule

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) joined U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), U.S. Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), and 41 members of the California congressional delegation in demanding the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) rescind their proposed regulation for federal financial assistance, emphasizing the crucial need for federal funding for scientific research to remain independent given California’s leadership as the innovation capital of the world and a top recipient of federal research funding.

“The rule is unprecedented, expansive, and applies across the federal government to every agency that reviews grants and other financial assistance proposals. It would allow political appointees to control all aspects of the grant review process, setting the stage for politically motivated decision-making that places the whims of the President over the well-being of the American people,” the lawmakers wrote.

The California lawmakers highlight how the administration’s proposed regulation will weaken U.S. scientific research across all fields and impact California stakeholders, undermining OMB’s essential role in coordinating the advancement of federal grants in a nonpartisan manner. California leads the nation in scientific advancements across sectors – including biomedical engineering and quantum computing – and is deeply committed to investing in cutting-edge research in engineering, science, and medical research.

“The proposed rule would weaken the scientific foundations of experimental research, slowing the development of new treatments, strategies for environmental protection, technologies to expand our knowledge of space, and solutions to some of our most pressing questions,” the lawmakers continued.

Specifically, the lawmakers point to several areas of research that will be significantly impacted by OMB’s proposed rule:

National Competitiveness and the STEM Talent Pipeline: In light of the administration’s unlawful suspending of millions in funds for U.S.-based scientific research, the proposed rule will threaten our status as a world leader in science by harming the STEM talent pipeline, create additional barriers for international students and domestic businesses that contribute to our economic viability, and weaken the nation’s ability to compete with China and other countries.

Biomedical and Scientific Research and Development: The proposed rule will politicize agencies’ longstanding science-based review process and prevent major research development of life-saving therapies, medicine, and preventive interventions for millions of Americans – as well as threaten clinical research efforts for future medical breakthroughs.

Higher Education: California’s universities rely on grants to fund schools and resources – which will all be on the line under the politically motivated restrictions in the proposed rule, jeopardizing the long-term future of our academic research institutions.

State and Local Governments: From disrupting public services to putting vital community projects on hold, the proposed rule abandons vulnerable populations.

“The effects of this rulemaking could reverberate for generations. With such funding uncertainty and unpredictability, California and the rest of the country will backslide behind other nations in the areas of health, innovation, research, and scientific development. As such, we strongly urge you to rescind your proposed rule,” the lawmakers concluded.

In addition to Carbajal, Schiff, and Lofgren, the letter was signed by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) and U.S. House Representatives Pete Aguilar (D-CA-33), Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44), Ami Bera (D-CA-06), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Gil Cisneros (D-CA-31), Lou Correa (D-CA-46), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10), Laura Friedman (D-CA-30), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Adam Gray (D-CA-13), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA-34), Josh Harder (D-CA-09), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02) Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Mike Levin (D-CA-49), Sam Liccardo (D-CA-16), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), Dave Min (D-CA-47), Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11), Scott Peters (D-CA-50), Luz Rivas (D-CA-29), Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25), Linda Sánchez (D-CA-38), Brad Sherman (D-CA-32), Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), Mark Takano (D-CA-39), Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), Norma Torres (D-CA-35), Derek Tran (D-CA-45), Juan Vargas (D-CA-52), Maxine Waters (D-CA-43), and George Whitesides (D-CA-27).

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

Dear Director Vought:

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) serves the critical role of ensuring that federal agencies administer funding to advance federal policy goals in an objective and fair manner. We write as members of Congress with the distinct honor of representing California – the innovation capital of the world and a top recipient of federal research funding. Our state leads the country in scientific advancements across sectors – from biomedical engineering and quantum computing, to fusion energy and more – because of robust federal funding. This investment is critical to early-stage scientific discovery across fields that the commercial marketplace cannot yet support due to the long timelines and inherent uncertainties of basic research. Nevertheless, these foundational research activities ultimately serve as the essential pipeline for future commercial innovation, spinning off into market-ready technologies and new domestic industries that drive economic growth and directly improve the lives of all Californians, and by proxy all Americans.

OMB’s federal grantmaking procedures were established to provide agencies with guidance on grant management and as such, this guidance has historically emphasized the importance of performance metrics, transparency, and unbiased review. We are gravely concerned by the extent to which OMB’s proposed “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance” would drastically alter federal grantmaking procedures and undermine the transparency and unbiased review which is central to the success of the federal grant process. The rule is unprecedented, expansive, and applies across the federal government to every agency that reviews grants and other financial assistance proposals. It would allow political appointees to control all aspects of the grant review process, setting the stage for politically motivated decision-making that places the whims of the President over the well-being of the American people.

Merit-based, independent scientific review is the foundation of the United States’ and California’s leadership in science. For over 75 years, federal agencies including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Department of Energy have used merit-based review as a competitive process to award grants to California’s leading institutions in scientific, engineering, and medical research based on quality and impact. This review process has driven discoveries and critical progress in medicine, national security, technology, and economic competitiveness. At a time when U.S. companies are already publicly expressing uncertainty about accepting federal funding from this administration, citing fears of “conditions” the administration may place on their research, it is critical that federal funding of scientific research remain independent.

Therefore, we strongly urge OMB to rescind its proposed regulation and preserve the rigor and objectivity of its grantmaking processes so that federal grantmaking can remain free of partisanship and political agendas. This should include an emphasis on peer review of grants over the political and partisan bias of any administration, the establishment of transparent evaluation criteria, and other robust safeguards to protect the independent judgment of career civil servants. OMB’s proposed revisions to the Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance undercut each of these critical guardrails necessary to protect the advancement of U.S. scientific research across all fields.

The proposed rule would weaken the scientific foundations of experimental research, slowing the development of new treatments, strategies for environmental protection, technologies to expand our knowledge of space, and solutions to some of our most pressing questions. The following implications for several areas of scientific research are particularly significant:

National Competitiveness and the STEM Talent Pipeline

Viability of Research

This proposed rule adds to the ever-growing uncertainty that scientists and researchers in California broadly face over federal funding. This administration has already unlawfully frozen millions of dollars in NSF funding, impounded NASA resources, and slashed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) clean energy grants. These investments are critical to finding the next cures, protecting our access to clean air, and furthering our understanding of the universe. And yet, the administration’s actions will hinder our state’s best and brightest minds while denying funding to entire scientific fields the administration does not believe to be in service of their ideological and political priorities.

Harms to the STEM Talent Pipeline

These barriers, coupled with growing financial uncertainty, have forced American researchers, including those in California, to reevaluate the viability of continuing their studies in the United States. Countries like China are offering millions of dollars in research funding to our nation’s leading planetary scientists, engineers, and PhD candidates, hoping to capitalize on our nation’s unparalleled STEM talent pool. The continued slashing of NSF, NASA, and EPA funding will further damage our pipeline of future researchers and scientists, threatening our status as a world leader in STEM, and ultimately the nation’s ability to develop and innovate in the United States.

Additional Barriers on International Students and Domestic Businesses

The proposed regulation outlines new requirements for award eligibility, including mandatory participation in the Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program, which would create significant administrative barriers, not just for higher education institutions, but for farmers, small businesses, and construction industries. For higher education institutions, this would hinder progress for international students and researchers providing critical contributions to American and California-led scientific progress. For farmers and small businesses, mandating E-Verify would significantly harm their ability to fill roles and conduct their day-to-day work. Furthermore, E-Verify comes with extensive administrative burdens and inaccurate information about employees. Punishing farmers, small businesses, and construction companies for a system known to be flawed in its accuracy will negatively impact these institutions’ and companies’ economic viability and their contributions to the American economy.

Competition from China

The proposed rule is a form of national self-destruction. Funding reductions will seriously weaken the United States’ ability to compete with other countries, especially as China is already laying out ambitious plans to become a leader in science – particularly in space science - by 2050. China has already invested in missions to explore Neptune and return samples from Mars, and yet OMB’s proposed rule gives non-experts the power to direct NASA’s future. We cannot compete with China on the world stage if we do not channel our resources into credible and technically sound scientific endeavors. Further, we cannot grant such a significant responsibility as grantmaking authority to political appointees with no technical expertise. Doing so would erode the efficacy, integrity, and respect of these programs and cede power and influence to our competitors abroad.

2. Biomedical and Scientific Research and Development

Politicization of Scientific Peer Review

OMB’s proposed rule would upend U.S. biomedical and scientific research agencies’ long-standing, apolitical, and science-based review process. Peer-review systems employed by NIH, NSF, and other research agencies have long been the top benchmark for identifying the most promising scientific opportunities. Replacing scientific judgment with political review risks directing resources away from the most meritorious research. California’s universities and medical centers conduct research that benefits patients nationwide, and any reduction in merit-based funding decisions could delay the development of life-saving therapies, diagnostics, and preventive interventions for millions of Americans.

OMB should carefully consider whether codifying these restrictions serves the long-term public interest. The result would not simply be administrative inefficiency; it would mean slower progress against cancer, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, infectious diseases, and other conditions affecting millions of Americans. Federal research policy should be guided by scientific evidence, scientific experts, and public health needs, not structured in a manner that unnecessarily limits future administrations' ability to support scientific innovation and respond to emerging health, public safety, and other challenges.

Erosion of Research Infrastructure and Scientific Collaboration

Provisions favoring institutions with lower indirect cost rates, combined with restrictions on publication and conference costs under the proposed rule, threaten the infrastructure that makes scientific research possible and arbitrarily penalizes research that requires higher overhead costs. For example, research universities and academic medical centers maintain laboratories, clinical trial networks, biosafety systems, data security protections, and patient oversight programs that are essential to safe and effective research.

This research ecosystem serves as a national resource, attracting talent and fostering collaboration across states. Limiting the ability of researchers to share findings and collaborate would slow the translation of discoveries into treatments that improve public health nationwide. NIH-supported research has made America the global leader in biomedical innovation. Weakening the stability, predictability, and scientific integrity of federal research funding across U.S. research agencies threatens that leadership and risks slowing the pace of discoveries that improve and save lives.

Threats to Future Medical Breakthroughs

The proposed rule would permit scientific agencies to terminate research grants based on expansive ‘national interest’ determinations. Biomedical research often requires years of continuous support to recruit patients, conduct clinical trials, collect data, and validate results. California’s institutions lead large clinical research efforts, including studies involving cancer immunotherapies, neurodegenerative diseases, rare diseases, and emerging infectious threats. If compliant grants can be terminated unexpectedly, patients may lose access to promising therapies, research findings may be delayed, and taxpayers may lose the value of prior federal investments.

Ultimately, the greatest impact of this rule would be borne by patients. Every delay in biomedical research means longer waits for earlier diagnoses, more effective therapies, preventive interventions, potential cures, and avoidable deaths. Americans confronting cancer, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, mental illness, rare disorders, and other serious conditions depend on continued scientific progress.

3. Higher Education

Limitations on Resources

Universities and institutions across California rely on grant-funded indirect cost recoveries to share their discoveries and advance the leading edge of science. OMB’s proposal would render publication costs, including open access fees for journal and periodical access, unallowable “unless such costs are expressly required by statute or approved in advance by the Federal agency on a case-by-case basis.” This change would be uniquely harmful to California-led innovation, as University of California (UC) researchers conduct 8.3 percent of all U.S. academic research. The dissemination of knowledge and academic collaboration is the foundation of these breakthroughs across critical sectors, including biotechnology, computing, semiconductors, telecommunications, and agriculture.

Politically Motivated Restrictions on Research Topics

OMB’s proposed regulations would prohibit the use of federal awards to support or promote theories of disparate-impact liability based on protected characteristics like race, sex, or age. These rules unnecessarily weaponize reasonable diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and undermine the free speech rights of federal grantees. They allow political appointees to dictate the topics researchers are permitted to investigate, hampering intellectual freedom and vastly narrowing the scope of higher education research. Instead of supporting research that amplifies underrepresented voices, the administration is empowering political appointees to cancel grants with any mention of race or gender. Outside of the higher education system, these dangerous provisions would also restrict federal funding to crucial environmental justice work to address pollution and toxic chemical impacts on disadvantaged communities, fenceline communities adjacent to industrial facilities, and communities of color.

The destructive and chaotic consequences of this approach have already been made clear under this administration, as seen by actions taken by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to abruptly terminate hundreds of millions of dollars in active research funding using overbroad, automated keyword searches for subjective terms. A federal judge recently ruled that cuts carried out by DOGE violated the Constitution and created a broad “chilling effect” on research. Codifying these harmful practices into government-wide OMB regulations would do a disservice to diverse communities as well as to our institutions of higher learning.

Long-Term Uncertainty

Federal funding is the largest and most important source of support for UC research, and the UC system is awarded more NIH and NSF funding than any other institution in the country. In FY 2024, UCs received $7.719 billion in total research awards, $5 billion of which were federal awards. The proposed restructuring of federal grant administration will undoubtedly threaten ongoing, cutting-edge research and successful grant programs across the state and the country. OMB’s proposed rule widens the administration’s ability to terminate grants that have already been obligated and are in progress. If enacted, these proposed changes would allow political appointees to interrupt, suspend, or permanently terminate active research projects on the cusp of major discoveries if they determine the award is “no longer in the Federal interest.” Under these proposed changes, an already-approved grantee could see an agency terminate the grant months later, leaving multi-stage projects unfinished with little or no explanation and jeopardizing their scientific research. Already this is impacting the future of American science.

4. State and Local Governments

Disruption of Public Services

OMB’s proposed rule poses a severe threat to the fiscal stability of counties and local governments across California and the country, which budget carefully and deliberately for year-long programs that rely on federal awards to deliver critical social services. Expanding the discretionary authority of political appointees to suspend or terminate active grants mid-cycle based on shifting administrative priorities introduces unprecedented unpredictability into local governance who have varied and limited capacity to shoulder new costs. Under this proposal, local communities may experience abruptly halted federal funding, leaving vital local infrastructure projects unfinished and abandoning vulnerable populations who rely on these services.

New Compliance Burdens

Local governments frequently operate as pass-through entities responsible for administering and distributing federal funds to community subrecipients. This vital role would become significantly more punitive under this regulation, as OMB’s proposal introduces sweeping oversight, monitoring, and documentation requirements that would severely strain thin local administrative resources. Most troubling, the proposed rule stretches compliance risks to unprecedented levels by tying overall grant eligibility to local enforcement of federal executive orders, potentially endangering funding over events held on county property. Forcing resource-constrained local authorities to act as federal compliance monitors for the administration or face catastrophic funding terminations creates an unworkable landscape that will ultimately reduce the reach of federal assistance.

The effects of this rulemaking could reverberate for generations. With such funding uncertainty and unpredictability, California and the rest of the country will backslide behind other nations in the areas of health, innovation, research, and scientific development. As such, we strongly urge you to rescind your proposed rule.

Ventura/Santa Barbara County Telephone Town Hall

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 21:30:00 GMT

Residents of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties! – Join me on Wednesday, July 27th at 5:30 PM PDT for a live telephone town hall!

This is a chance for you to ask me questions, and get an updates from me on what I've been working on to help you and your family.

Sign up to be a part of this event at: https://carbajal.house.gov/live/

If you are a resident of San Luis Obispo County, I will be hosting a telephone townhall on July 20th to answer questions and address concerns for your region.

San Luis Obispo County Telephone Town Hall

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 21:30:00 GMT

San Luis Obispo County residents! – Join me on Wednesday, July 20th at 5:30 PM PDT for a live telephone town hall!

This is a chance for you to ask me questions, and get an updates from me on what I've been working on to help you and your family.

Sign up to be a part of this event at: https://carbajal.house.gov/live/

If you are a resident of Santa Barbara or Ventura County, I will be hosting a telephone townhall on July 27th to answer questions and address concerns for your region.