On the Issues
Transportation
Reliable, accessible public transportation and ensuring our region has the infrastructure it needs to grow safely are among my top priorities in Congress. We must continue to make needed investments in our transportation infrastructure in order to boost our economy, create jobs, and plan for the future.
In November 2021, the House passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which makes historic investments to rebuild America’s infrastructure, create millions of family-sustaining jobs and support American workers.
I worked hard to include vital funding and policies to address some of Sacramento’s most pressing needs. I worked with my colleagues to ensure the package included crucial funding for the Army Corps of Engineers and flood protection infrastructure that our region needs. And I fought to secure crucial energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy upgrades at our public schools. The bill also includes investments for wildfire risk reduction and will make much needed enhancements in our power infrastructure, helping to ensure grid resiliency under extreme weather.
I continue to address our region’s transportation needs and collaborate closely with Federal, State, and local agencies to secure much-needed funds and approvals to move Sacramento’s transportation projects forward. Whether it is procuring federal grant dollars to build a new bridge connecting both sides of the river, expanding public transportation and beyond, or bringing together local entities to explore a potential streetcar system, I am committed to improving Sacramento’s transportation infrastructure so that it remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
Technology
Technology is rapidly changing and always evolving. Innovation has always been America’s competitive edge. To stay ahead in the 21st Century economy, we need to support research, development, and new technological breakthroughs to create family-sustaining jobs here in Sacramento.
I’m committed to bringing more innovation and equality to technology. That means ensuring every American has access to fast, affordable broadband no matter where they live; harnessing AI to create jobs; and reining in Big Tech. These advances will mean better connectivity, more sophisticated healthcare, and lasting job opportunities for our children.
As Chair of the High-Tech and Spectrum Caucuses I’m working to expand broadband access across the country and ensure the swift and responsible deployment of next generation technologies.
As ranking Member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee in the House, I have a unique opportunity to increase innovation and equity in technology.
I’m proud to have led the CHIPS Act in the House. As the lead Democrat, I helped secure $52 billion in semiconductor investments that will boost our economy and strengthen national security.
From Bosch to Intel and many companies in between, this federal funding is creating jobs and growing our region’s economy. There are going to be many opportunities for local companies to secure federal funding and as the lead House Democrat, I’m working to bring that funding home.
I worked to include $42.5 billion in the IIJA for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program to close the digital divide. Under BEAD, California will receive $1.86 billion to increase connectivity. The IIJA also included the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to help low-income consumers afford a home broadband connection. This program provides a $30 benefit for qualifying low-income households.
The CHIPS Act, IIJA, and IRA create new opportunities for Sacramento to keep innovating.
I’m also proud to have taken steps to rein in Big Tech. My Algorithmic Justice and Online Platform Transparency Act will ensure that websites are acting responsibly and prohibit discriminatory algorithms. From election misinformation to the mental health of our children, I’m committed to maintaining strict oversight on Big Tech.
Seniors
Those who work hard and play by the rules deserve a dignified and secure retirement. I am committed to improving the health and well-being of Older Americans. In Congress I serve as the Co-Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging and Families , where I lead efforts to protect and strengthen Medicare and Social Security for seniors in Sacramento and the rest of the nation. I have also advocated for reforming our systems so that all Americans can achieve retirement security, and championed efforts to support family caregivers. I will continue working to make sure that our aging population can gain the fiscal and social stability they deserve and have worked so hard to acquire
Jobs & Economic Security
Rebuilding our economy and putting our region’s residents back to work remains my number one priority. During the height of the COVID pandemic, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act that provided millions in direct payments, unemployment benefits, and small business support. The bill provided a lifeline for the hardest-hit small businesses with Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) grants, expanded PPP eligibility, and more.
I will continue supporting legislation that will create jobs and move our economy forward by investing in the growing industries of health care, clean energy, and technology. This will not only make our economy stronger today, but make our future brighter tomorrow.
I also believe that while we must strengthen the economy, we must also ensure our economy works for everyone. I am pleased that California raised the minimum wage, and I strongly support raising the national minimum wage to keep pace with rising costs.
I voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act which closed tax loopholes, imposed a minimum tax on all large corporations with profits over $1 billion, and created a new tax on all stock buybacks. The IRA also provided funding to step up enforcement of tax fraud among the wealthiest 1.8% of Americans. This legislation will help level the playing field for small businesses and middle-class families by ensuring the largest corporations and wealthiest Americans are paying their fair share.
And, while the unemployment rate was under 4% at the end of 2023, we know that can be an incomplete picture. We need to ensure those with work receive a living wage and that their salaries are growing as costs go up. The recent investments from the IIJA, IRA, and CHIPS Acts are already bringing federal funding to our region that will help support the jobs and industries of tomorrow.
With the large role women play in today’s workforce, the success of our economy relies on the economic security of women. That is why I joined my colleagues in launching “When Women Succeed, America Succeeds: An Economic Agenda for Women and Families.” This Economic Agenda includes legislation enabling women to achieve greater economic security, raising wages for women and their families, and allowing working parents to support and care for their families. From legislation ensuring equal pay for equal work to paid sick leave to protections for pregnant workers, I strongly support legislation that will help women succeed, because when women succeed, America succeeds.
Health Care
Tremendous efforts have been made to ensure all Americans have access to affordable, quality health care. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) not only opened up access to health insurance for millions of Americans, it also improved the quality of insurance, providing new consumer protections and cost savings.
I have worked closely with our region’s health care and safety net providers to ensure that Sacramentans have access to the health care they need. As a result of our hard work, local clinics and health care providers have received millions in federal grants and reimbursements under the ACA to expand access to care and provide more services. I will continue fighting to build on the Affordable Care Act and its protections for consumers, so that all hard working American families can benefit from and access affordable health care.
I joined Democrats in the House to pass the Inflation Reduction Act which took important steps to make healthcare more accessible and affordable by:
- Allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices for some prescription drugs, saving consumers money.
- Lowering insulin costs for 4 million seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes by capping a month’s supply of each covered insulin at $35.
- Projecting savings for nearly 19 million seniors of an average of $400 per year when the
- A $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs goes into effect in 2025.
As a leading Member of the House Telehealth Caucus, I have been a strong advocate for expanding access to Telehealth in the Medicare program. I understand that virtual care is convenient for patients, saves time and money, and improves the quality of care. I led the way on the bipartisan CONNECT for Health Act and the Protecting Access to Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Act, both of which are designed to permanently eliminate restrictions on the use of telehealth in Medicare.
I also championed the passage of the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education and Research (FASTER) Act, legislation that required sesame to be labeled on packaged foods, which was signed into law by President Biden. In addition, I Co-Chair the Congressional Food Allergy Caucus.
I have been a long-time supporter and advocate for improving our nation’s mental health care. Too often mental health takes a back seat to the issue of physical health. Mental health must be treated on a level playing field with the rest of our nation’s health care system.
I have advanced crucial legislation to build and expand our mental health infrastructure, ensuring that Americans can access the care they need, when they need it. To that end, I’ve also championed efforts to expand access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment via telehealth, and co-led legislation that provides support for the key crisis response efforts deployed by health provider partners across the Sacramento region.
Flood Protection
Tremendous efforts have been made to ensure all Americans have access to affordable, quality health care. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) not only opened up access to health insurance for millions of Americans, it also improved the quality of insurance, providing new consumer protections and cost savings.
I have worked closely with our region’s health care and safety net providers to ensure that Sacramentans have access to the health care they need. As a result of our hard work, local clinics and health care providers have received millions in federal grants and reimbursements under the ACA to expand access to care and provide more services. I will continue fighting to build on the Affordable Care Act and its protections for consumers, so that all hard working American families can benefit from and access affordable health care.
I joined Democrats in the House to pass the Inflation Reduction Act which took important steps to make healthcare more accessible and affordable by:
- Allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices for some prescription drugs, saving consumers money.
- Lowering insulin costs for 4 million seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes by capping a month’s supply of each covered insulin at $35.
- Projecting savings for nearly 19 million seniors of an average of $400 per year when the
- A $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs goes into effect in 2025.
As a leading Member of the House Telehealth Caucus, I have been a strong advocate for expanding access to Telehealth in the Medicare program. I understand that virtual care is convenient for patients, saves time and money, and improves the quality of care. I led the way on the bipartisan CONNECT for Health Act and the Protecting Access to Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Act, both of which are designed to permanently eliminate restrictions on the use of telehealth in Medicare.
I also championed the passage of the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education and Research (FASTER) Act, legislation that required sesame to be labeled on packaged foods, which was signed into law by President Biden. In addition, I Co-Chair the Congressional Food Allergy Caucus.
I have been a long-time supporter and advocate for improving our nation’s mental health care. Too often mental health takes a back seat to the issue of physical health. Mental health must be treated on a level playing field with the rest of our nation’s health care system.
I have advanced crucial legislation to build and expand our mental health infrastructure, ensuring that Americans can access the care they need, when they need it. To that end, I’ve also championed efforts to expand access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment via telehealth, and co-led legislation that provides support for the key crisis response efforts deployed by health provider partners across the Sacramento region.
Climate Change & Clean Energy
The Climate Crisis is an existential threat to our way of life – it is the defining challenge of the 21st Century. The climate crisis is a global problem, but its consequences have been felt locally with atmospheric rivers, flooding, wildfires, droughts, and more. That’s why I support an aggressive, whole-of-government approach to address this crisis. Sacramento has been at the core of the innovative policies in the state of California. Every day, we serve as an example that we can embrace bold climate solutions, while creating good-paying jobs and growing our economy.
That is why I am spearheading efforts to put us on that path at the federal level.
Clean energy is a growing industry in the Sacramento region, filled with both promise and potential. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I have made it a top priority to bring clean energy technology to Sacramento, and to support companies who aim to create good-paying, clean-tech jobs to our region.
Energy efficiency must continue playing a large role in our energy future. I have introduced legislation to support our local clean-tech businesses while also reducing our dependence on foreign oil. As a result, the Sacramento region has been transforming into a clean energy hub.
This is an opportunity to right the wrongs of the past—by cleaning up legacy pollution, by preventing new pollution, and by creating family sustaining, 21st century jobs in under-resourced communities. That’s why I am proud to have supported the Inflation Reduction Act—the largest investment in clean energy technology and good paying jobs in our nation’s history.
I also supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which included funding for public transit, clean school buses, a national EV charging network, U.S. battery manufacturing, clean hydrogen, western water infrastructure, and wildfire prevention.
I had two bills that were included in the Infrastructure Law:
- The Healthier and Greener Schools Act, which created a 500-million-dollar grant program to fund energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean vehicles at K-12 schools.
- The POWER ON Act, which created a 2.5-billion-dollar grant program to harden our electric grid against wildfires and other natural disasters.
I am also proud to have authored the CHIPS Act, which will ensure clean energy technologies have a reliable supply of American-made semiconductors to power the clean energy transition.
I have also been a long-time champion of tree-planting and other natural climate solutions. I lead the TREES Act, a bill inspired by our city’s own tree-planting program which would provide federal funding for urban tree-planting and I am leading efforts to advocate for greater protections for old growth and mature forests on federal lands.
Education
I am a firm believer in the power of education, and strengthening our nation’s education system to expand educational opportunities to every student must be a top priority.
I proudly supported the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which replaced “No Child Left Behind,” and ensures public schools provide a quality education for all kids. We must continue to work towards closing the achievement gap for American students by supporting our schools and teachers with the tools and resources they need to educate a 21st century workforce. We also must make changes to ensure higher education and skills training opportunities are affordable and accessible for all students.
The unfortunate reality is that skyrocketing college costs are putting a college education out of reach for many families. To help address this, I have supported legislation that prevented student loan interest rates from doubling, and locked in rates for new student loans to prevent rates from skyrocketing in the future.
This is an important step, but the job is far from finished. Over 45 million borrowers in the United States collectively owe more than $1.75 trillion in student loan debt. This is a crisis that prevents people of all ages from saving, owning a home, and living fulfilling lives. We cannot allow our education system to become synonymous with generational debt. That’s why I have consistently supported the Biden/Harris Administration’s actions in addressing the student debt crisis.
Unfortunately, the conservative majority on the Supreme Court ruled against the Administration’s plan to provide student debt relief to millions. That ruling inflicted devastating hardships on the students and young adults who suffer under the crushing weight of student debt.
Thankfully, the Biden-Harris Administration responded by announcing the income-based repayment SAVE Plan to reduce monthly payments and pause interest from accruing while repaying debt.
I am a cosponsor of legislation that would codify the SAVE plan and give borrowers certainty. While it is good that the administration is acting, I will continue to push congress to establish more durable student loan practices in law.
I am also a cosponsor of legislation that would double Pell Grant awards to help everyone afford a quality education.
I will keep working to ensure that we can make education and workforce training affordable and accessible for everyone.