May 15, 2019

Accomplishments For Workers & Small Businesses

Building An Economy For All

I understand that the path to the middle class starts with a good job, which is why I am working to help businesses and workers to get their fair share. As a Member of Congress, I have supported legislation to drive innovation and support our local businesses and entrepreneurs. When we support our local businesses and entrepreneurs, we help our neighbors and our communities thrive. I understand that a strong economy is the backbone of a strong nation, and helping people achieve the American Dream depends on good jobs. 

  • Helping Immigrants: I cosponsored H.R. 2690, Agricultural Worker Program Act, which authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to confer blue card status upon an alien who has performed specified periods of U.S. agricultural employment or is a qualifying alien's spouse or child, has been physically present in the United States for a qualifying period,  applied for such status during the application period,  is not ineligible under specified grounds for such status, has passed security and law enforcement clearances, and has paid the required fees and penalties.
  • Helping Veterans: I introduced H.R.5486, Veteran Employment and Child Care Access Act of 2018, which would create a federal program to help ensure that veterans transitioning to civilian life can access affordable child care during their job seeking process, which is especially important for low-income veterans, those on the cusp of homelessness or those already homeless. I cosponsored H.R. 3345 Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act, which amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a new business-related tax credit for the start-up expenses of a veteran-owned small business in an underserved community. I voted “Yea” for H.R.4451 Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2018, which extends through FY2022 the Department of Labor's: homeless veterans reintegration programs, and homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children reintegration grant program. I voted “Yea” on H.R. 2547 Veterans Expanded Trucking Opportunities, which was a bipartisan bill that would streamline the process of veterans with experience driving trucks becoming civilian truck drivers. 
  • Helping Youth: I cosponsored H.R.1748, Opening Doors for Youth Act of 2017, which provides at-risk and disconnected youth with subsidized summer and year-round employment and to assist local community partnerships in improving high school graduation and youth employment rates, and for other purposes. 
  • Job Creation:I cosponsored H.R. 3858 Transportation Infrastructure for Job Creation Act, which would provide $7.5 billion in supplemental FY2017 appropriations to the Department of Transportation to remain available through FY2022 for national infrastructure investments under a competitive grant program. I also cosponsored H.R. 3859 Drinking Water Infrastructure for Job Creation Act, which provides $7.5 billion in supplemental FY2017 appropriations to the Environmental Protection Agency to remain available through FY2022 for capitalization grants to the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds.
  • Voted for Job Creation: I voted “Yea” on H.R. 39 TALENT Act of 2017, whichcodifies provisions establishing the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program to encourage successful entrepreneurs, executives, and innovators to join the government and work in close cooperation with government leaders to create meaningful solutions that can help save lives and taxpayer money, fuel job creation, and significantly improve how the government serves the American people. I voted “Yea” on H.R.2842 Accelerating Individuals into the Workforce Act, which amends title IV (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act to require the Administration for Children & Families (ACF) to make grants to states for demonstration projects that provide wage subsidies to enable low-income individuals to enter and retain employment.