WASHINGTON, D.C. - Beginning August 1, Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) will accept applications for nomination to one of the nation's service academies. Operated by the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and Navy, these academies provide a college education in exchange for a commitment to serve as a commissioned officer.

For all service academies (except the Coast Guard), applicants must be nominated by one of several federal officials including the U.S. representatives, U.S. senators and the vice president.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The governors of California, Oregon and Washington on Tuesday released their Ocean Action Plan outlining strategies to coordinate management of coast and ocean resources.

The plan will implement ecosystem-based management similar to provisions in Oceans-21 (H.R. 21), a bill introduced by Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel). Rep. Farr released the following statement:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Peace Action and Peace Action West, two foreign policy advocacy groups that lobby for civic activism as a solution to global problems, recently released their Congressional Scorecard for 2007. The organizations awarded Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) a 100 percent rating.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The King City Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded an Assistance to Firefighters Grant worth $162,242 from the Department of Homeland Security. The grant can be directed toward training, equipment and personal protective equipment.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security. The program awards around $500 million each year to fire departments and EMS organizations to enhance their response capabilities.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) was joined by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the State Department on Wednesday to officially unveil a Civilian Response Corps intended to help stabilize and rebuild parts of the world facing conflict and distress. The rapid-response team introduced Wednesday afternoon is the first of two groups included in a bill written by Rep. Farr.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House and Senate voted today to override a presidential veto that would have slashed Medicare reimbursement rates to doctors across the country. The override means that the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act is now law.

"Today, both chambers of Congress sent a clear message to the president: When it comes to our seniors and our health care providers, the two parties stand together," Rep. Farr said. "I've worked closely on Medicare reimbursement issues for years and I'm pleased that we were able to avoid this painful cut."

The legislation will

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) today joined his colleagues from both sides of the aisle in calling for President Bush to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in an effort to lower oil prices.

"The president has one tool that could immediately lower the price of gas, drawing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve," Rep. Farr said. "But he refuses to consider this common-sense proposal, even though members of his own party agree the move is necessary."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A letter from Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) and Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) was delivered to Gov. Schwarzenegger this afternoon asking him to request a disaster declaration from the Small Business Administration.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) this week introduced the "Clean Cruise Ship Act," a bill aimed at limiting damage caused by cruise ship pollution.

The legislation will create coastal zones where cruise ships are prohibited from dumping waste, strengthen current waste treatment standards and increase surveillance to ensure compliance by the industry.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) on Tuesday introduced a resolution honoring the sacrifice and hard work of the thousands of firefighters battling California wildfires. The resolution was brought before the full House of Representatives Wednesday afternoon and was passed unanimously.