As we close out 2025, I want to take a second to reflect on the past year – my first one as your congressman.
When I took office, I made a commitment to stay focused on the issues that matter most to our community: lowering costs, improving public safety, strengthening government accountability, and making sure federal agencies deliver for the people they serve. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together.
Since January, my office has responded to more than 24,000 emails, calls and letters, ensuring that every constituent can reach us and receive support. Through casework, we’ve helped veterans secure overdue benefits, assisted families with delayed tax refunds, and resolved challenges with Social Security, Medicare, passports, and Veterans Affairs.
We’ve returned more than $15.4 million directly to residents this year. That’s real money back into the pockets of families across the Santa Clarita Valley, the Antelope Valley and the San Fernando Valley thanks to the amazing work of my casework team.
Out in the community, our three field representatives have shown up at events across the entire district. From Coffee with Vets to high school graduations to resource fairs and everything in between, they have attended more than 1,000 events and presented over 20,000 congressional certificates recognizing the work and achievements of students and local leaders.
This year began with major wildfire emergencies across Southern California. In early January, I spoke with CNN’s Jake Tapper about the Hurst Fire and the urgent need to strengthen our wildfire preparedness. Soon after, I introduced legislation with several California colleagues to speed up disaster recovery in Los Angeles County, cutting through red tape so residents and small businesses can rebuild faster. When pollutants from the fires raised serious concerns about air and water quality, I also urged the new EPA administrator to track hazardous contaminants and give the public clearer guidance on how to stay safe.
One of the most pressing local challenges we faced this year was the ongoing crisis at Chiquita Canyon. In February, I introduced a tax relief bill for affected residents, and tried to insert it as an amendment into the budget in May. I’ve continued to press federal agencies for transparency and answers, and I remain committed to securing relief for families living with unacceptable impacts from the landfill.
A major focus of mine throughout the year has been lowering costs and creating well-paid jobs in our district. In May, I urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to move forward legislation that tackles the cost of living head-on. I helped launch the bipartisan Build America Caucus to prioritize practical outcomes in infrastructure investments. And this summer, I secured multiple wins for our district in the National Defense Authorization Act – funding that will help reduce housing costs, expand local aerospace and manufacturing jobs, support education and workforce development, and improve wildfire response capabilities.
I’ve also pushed back against attempts to weaken America’s scientific and data institutions. This spring, I led a letter opposing proposed cuts to agencies like NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health. In August, I introduced a bill to protect the independence of federal statistical agencies, ensuring Americans can trust the government data that drives major economic and policy decisions.
In addition to policy work, I have focused on restoring trust and raising ethical standards in Congress. Earlier this year, I sold all my individual stock holdings, because elected officials should not be able to profit from the work they do. And in September, I helped introduce bipartisan legislation to ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks, because public service should always come before personal financial interests.
Closer to home, I introduced legislation to name the Castaic Post Office in honor of the life of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, whose service and sacrifice continue to mean so much to our community.
It has been an honor to serve this district during my first year in Congress. I will continue focusing on the practical, bipartisan work needed to lower costs, strengthen public safety, improve government services, and grow opportunities for every family who calls our region home. Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in me, and I look forward to delivering even more for our communities in the year ahead.
Rep. George Whitesides represents California’s 27th Congressional District. “Democratic Voices” appears Tuesdays and rotates among several local Democrats.
