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.”

Masuda stresses commitment to running despite Prop. 50 legal challenge

The U.S. Justice Department announced last week that it filed legal action against Gov. Gavin Newsom and Secretary of State Shirley Weber for California’s newly adopted redistricting plan enacted with the passage of Proposition 50. The suit alleges that the plan mandates racially gerrymandered congressional districts in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Michael Masuda, a Democrat running for Congress, wants voters in the 5th District to know that his campaign is moving forward no matter what happens in the courts.

“Maps may change. Court rulings may shift timelines. None of that changes my commitment to this district,” said Masuda, who is trying to unseat Rep. Tom McClintock (R-El Dorado Hills). “I am running to represent the 5th District because the people here deserve leadership that shows up and listens.”

Masuda emphasized that voters deserve stability at a time when national politics feels chaotic.

“Families in our  region are dealing with rising costs, wildfire threats, and shrinking economic opportunity,” said Masuda. “These challenges do not wait for a court schedule and neither will I.”