Today the Social Security Administration announced that monthly Social Security benefits will receive a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase of 3.6 percent starting January 1, 2012. "Social Security is the promise of a dignified retirement for all Americans. COLA increases are critical to keeping that promise, " said Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34). "In this time of economic uncertainty, two out of three retirees rely on Social Security for half or more of their income, and one in three ... Read more

Today, Rep. Roybal-Allard led 41 of her colleagues in asking the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to update their outdated and narrow definition of what constitutes rape. "The FBI defines rape as 'the carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will,' which omits all cases where victims are drugged or are under the influence of alcohol as well as those who are violated in ways excluding intercourse," said Rep. Roybal-Allard. "This 80 year old definition has led to consistent unde... Read more

Today members of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation (CDCD) sent a letter to President Obama urging him to act immediately to address our country’s troubled housing market. “Today I joined my colleagues in the California Democratic delegation in urging President Obama to take immediate action to address our nation’s troubled housing market," said Rep. Roybal-Allard (CA-34). "Too many of my constituents are struggling to keep a roof over their head during these trying economic time... Read more

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) today congratulated the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on their award of approximately $9.8M in Community Transformation Grant (CTG) funds from the Department of Health and Human Services. “This Community Transformation Grant will help L.A. County address the impact of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes in our communities. By promoting a healthy lifestyle, this grant will reduce health disparities in ou... Read more

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) announced that California has been awarded with a State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant in the amount of $2,540,924. This funding is expected to target 700 California small businesses with a projected outcome of $25 million in new exports. “We know that small businesses, particularly in the manufacturing sector, are critical to improving the national economy and creating good jobs here in America. Nearly 50,000 members of our 34th Congressional ... Read more

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) received the HERO award for her work on behalf of small businesses in Los Angeles at the Valley Economic Development Center (VEDC). “I was honored to receive the HERO Award from VEDC,” said Royal-Allard. “With our national economy in crisis, VEDC’s work supporting new and existing business creation and expansion is more critical now than ever before. VEDC is doing its part for the small business community and now the federal government must also enact ... Read more

One year after the Patient’s Bill of Rights in the Affordable Care Act began to go into effect, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard announced that millions of Americans are benefiting from the improved health care coverage and lower costs. The protections of the Patient’s Bill of Rights became effective for all plan years beginning on or after September 23, 2010. That means that, by now, one year later, all Americans with private health plans are now receiving the protections of the Bill of Righ... Read more

Today Environment California released a new report showing that the Los Angeles metropolitan area is the third smoggiest metropolitan area in the country. Smog is a harmful air pollutant that leads to asthma attacks and exacerbates respiratory illnesses, especially among children and the elderly. The new report, Danger in the Air: Unhealthy Air Days in 2010 and 2011, also found that there were 110 days in California when at least part of the state experienced smog levels exceeding the national h... Read more

In observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place September 15 to October 15, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) gave the following speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. The text is below. Click here to watch video of Congresswoman Roybal-Allard’s speech. “Mr. Speaker, September is the month in which we celebrate the many contributions Latinos have made, and continue to make, to our great country. Hispanic Americans are our teachers, religious lead... Read more

On behalf of the American Planning Association, Downey resident and Cal Poly Pomona student Matthew Stafford met with Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) to thank her for her support of critical federal housing and transportation programs that help to build and maintain strong communities. Matthew traveled to Washington, D.C. as part of the association’s Planner’s Day on Capitol Hill. A senior, Matthew is studying Urban and Regional Planning and plans to pursue a career in Urban Planning... Read more