Monterey Times

Jimmy Panetta, a member of the U.S. Congress representing California's 19th district, has been vocal on several issues affecting his constituents. His recent tweets address trade policies, healthcare cuts, and government funding concerns.

On March 11, 2025, Panetta tweeted about a meeting with vintners from California's 19th district. He emphasized the importance of "trade policies that protect and promote our world-class wines." Panetta highlighted the local wine industry's role in supporting jobs and driving tourism, stating that it "represents the best of American agriculture" and stressed the need for fair trade and market access to ensure their success. "Great to meet with vintners from CA-19 to discuss trade policies that protect and promote our world-class wines. Our local wine industry supports jobs, drives tourism, and represents the best of American agriculture, we must ensure fair trade and market access for their success."

On March 12, 2025, he addressed proposed cuts to Medicaid and Medi-Cal during a town hall meeting. He expressed concern that these cuts would negatively impact working families, children, and seniors in his district. Panetta pledged to continue fighting for healthcare access as a right rather than a privilege. "At my town hall, we made it clear: the Majority’s proposed cuts to Medicaid and Medi-Cal would hurt working families, children, and seniors in our district. I'll keep fighting to protect the health care that so many rely on because access to care isn’t a privilege; it’s a right."

Later on March 12, Panetta criticized a partisan government funding bill for including what he described as harmful cuts to essential services such as housing assistance, food aid for seniors, and services for veterans. He stated that these cuts would adversely affect hardworking families at a time when they most need support. Consequently, he voted against the bill to protect his constituents in CA-19 as well as all Americans. "The majority’s partisan government funding bill includes harmful cuts to housing assistance, food aid for seniors, services for veterans, and more. These reckless cuts will hurt hardworking families when they need support most. I voted no to protect CA-19 and all Americans."