May 15, 2019

Working For The 46th Congressional District

My Legislative Accomplishments

After serving in the California State Assembly and Senate, it is an honor and a privilege to represent California’s 46th Congressional District in Congress. I came to Washington, DC to make your voices heard and work in a bipartisan manner to bring people closer together and not further apart. I ran to serve you, and I am proud to report the following accomplishments since I arrived in January 2017.  

  • My Legislation Passed the House:I have worked in a bipartisan manner to have a number of bills pass the House. H.R.1365, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acquisition Innovation Act, passed the House unanimously. H.R. 1365 would modernize how the Department selects and pays for goods and services to promote efficiency and eliminate waste, saving taxpayer dollars. Additionally, my legislation H.R. 4433, Securing DHS Firearms Act, passed the House unanimously. H.R. 4433 requires DHS to develop and implement policies to secure firearms and sensitive DHS equipment. In addition, my bills H.R. 4334 Improving Oversight of Veterans’ Care Act, H.R. 4335 Servicemember Family Burial Act unanimously passed the House.  
  • Post Office Naming:My bipartisan bill to name a United States Post Office in Orange, California, after Army Specialist Trevor Anthony Win’E passed the House. When given the opportunity to serve, SPC Win’E volunteered to go to Iraq where he was needed most. Tragically, SPC Win’E passed away due to critical injuries from an attack by an improvised explosive device. Naming this post office serves will serve as a tribute to his service and remind future generations. 
  • Protecting Immigrants:Following the implementation of the President’s Muslim travel ban Executive Order, I immediately introduced H.R. 858, DREAMers, Immigrants, and Refugees (DIRe) Legal Aid Act, which would create grants to provide legal services to individuals affected to ensure due process. As a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I have stood with immigrant families, and continue to fight for DREAMers and advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Furthermore, I have joined a bipartisan coalition demanding a vote on legislation to protect dreamers. 
  • Keeping DHS Accountable: I led a 123-member letter to make sure that DHS reunited children and their parents after they separated them due to the administration’s zero-tolerance policy. I called on the Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security to hold hearings on the administration’s action that separated thousands of children from their families.
  • Fighting to Save Your Healthcare:I voted against the House healthcare repeal bill because it would have left 22 million Americans without healthcare coverage. I have opposed deep cuts to Medicaid, which is a government insurance program for people of all ages who cannot afford health care. I have supported legislation to ensure that community health clinics continue to be funded. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that all individuals and families have access to quality healthcare.  
  • Helping our Veterans:Due to veterans’ concerns regarding the use of cannabis and its effect on their health benefits, I clarified with the Department of Veteran Affairs on whether benefit protections exist for veterans who use medical marijuana in states where medical marijuana is legal. Additionally, I introduced a resolution urging the VA to research medical cannabis. I am also working to highlight the importance of bringing home veterans who were deported after being honorably discharged and telling their stories. I have introduced legislation to increase oversight of women veterans’ accessibility to healthcare. In addition, I have introduced legislation to make sure that active-duty servicemember’s immediate family can receive a burial if they pass away before the servicemember. Furthermore, I have supported the CHOICE funding bill, which will strengthen and provide care for our veterans.   
  • Guaranteeing Clean Air and Water for Our Community: I have worked with my colleagues to ensure that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adheres to standards that will protect the environment so that our children can have access to clean air and water. In addition, I worked with my colleagues to make sure the EPA maintains scientific integrity and uses the latest research to protect and conserve our environment. 
  • Making Government Accessible for Everyone:After President Trump took down the White House Spanish option from its website, I introduced H.R. 1852, White House Accountability for Language Diversity Act, which would require the White House and federal agencies to provide resources in multiple languages so that people can read information in the language they are most comfortable. 
  • Creating Opportunities for Everyone: My amendment passed the House that required the Department of Defense to conduct a study to determine how they can attract and recruit individuals from Hispanic Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Asian American and Native American Pacific and Islander Serving Institutions with educational backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including the fields of artificial intelligence, and machine learning, and cybersecurity. 
  • Protecting Constituents Against Cyber Attacks:Due to Russia’s meddling in our electoral system and the urgent need to protect our democracy, I introduced the Enhance Partner Cyber Capabilities Act (H.R. 2812). It would require the federal government to update its current cyber strategy and draft a strategy for offensive cyber capabilities to safeguard our nation’s critical infrastructure and protect people from cyber-attacks. Additionally, I offered an amendment that would have required the Department of Defense to report to Congress any instance in the last two years in which Russia or hackers supported by the Russian Government attempted to breach into DoD systems. Although my two amendments were included in the NDAA bill and passed the House, they were not included in the final NDAA Conference Report. 
  • Strengthening Homeland Security:I worked in a bipartisan manner to improve innovation and acquisitions for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), assess our maritime needs for drug interdiction, and authorize and fund canine teams to seize drugs at the border. My amendments to improve the bill passed the Committee. 
  • Equifax:Following the data breach at Equifax that affected 143 million people, I introduced the Cyber Breach Notification Act to ensure the public is notified as soon as possible when there is a data breach to mitigate harm. This bill creates rules that would require the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Federal Trade Commission to be notified of a breach within 48 hours to investigate and require entities to report cyber breaches within 30 days. 
  • Town Halls:In keeping with my promise for more government accountability and transparency, I have held over a dozen town halls in the district to inform constituents of federal policy updates and my work in Congress. 
  • Federal Funding Awarded to our District:In order to address the needs of our district, I supported federal funding for our community including train safety, preventative and diagnostic care for the Vietnamese Community of Orange County Health Clinics, HIV emergency relief, and reauthorization for the College Preparatory Program, Upward Bound. In addition, Community Garden Partners was awarded a renewal of the Congregate Housing Program grant, which will further ensure the elderly and persons with disabilities are taken care of. 
  • Honoring Our Youth:Each spring, I presented awards to our graduating high school seniors for their dedication to an education. Our young men and women are the future of this great nation, and I remain committed to providing opportunities for their success. 
  • Young Congressional Leaders Program:This program provides a unique opportunity for students to learn about the federal government, meet local leaders, and develop leadership skills. All students attending high school within the 46th Congressional District are welcome.
  • Honoring Women and Small Businesses:Each year, I honor women who are visionaries and leading the way to strengthen our community. 
  • Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month:I honor influential members from the Hispanic community and for their contributions to our country.