Judy Chu

Getting an idea off the ground isn’t always easy. Having access to local resources like advice on how to develop and grow a small businesses can make all the difference.

That is why I’m proud to have brought the first two Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) to the San Gabriel Valley. Small Business Development Centers are Small Business Administration (SBA) administered partnerships, typically with local colleges and universities that provide free, confidential services to small business owners. Any person who wants to start or expand their small business can get a business plan or a feasibility study.  They can get help in marketing and most importantly in finding financing.  

Where once the closest SBDC was in Long Beach, I am proud to say that thanks to all of our efforts, we now have two fully operational SBDCs – one at Pasadena City College and the other at the University of La Verne. These small business development centers have already helped many entrepreneurs get their ideas off the ground, and they can be of service to you too, so don’t hesitate to contact them for free advice and support. 

When the civil liberties of any group are violated, we all suffer Protecting the ideals of justice and equal protection under the law is necessary to ensure our country is one where all people are treated equal.

Our civil rights were earned by the blood, sweat and tears of those who came before us. I believe that all Americans deserve to have their rights protected and enforced. History has shown time and time again that systematic discrimination against any group of Americans is a threat to the freedom of all Americans.  Congress must work to end all forms of government-sanctioned discrimination, so every American can be treated equally and has a meaningful opportunity to participate in our democracy.

For these reasons, I am committed to standing up against racial and ethnic profiling, ensuring that all American citizens have the right to vote, supporting equal rights and opportunities for women, protecting marriage equality for all Americans, ensuring equal rights in the workplace and in housing, and fighting for meaningful campaign finance reform. 

Protecting the Voting Rights of All Americans
The right to vote is one of our most sacred rights and is fundamental to American democracy.  Unfortunately since 2011, there has been a concerted effort by state legislatures to pass laws that suppress the voting rights of Americans (over 160 laws have been introduced). These measures have made it harder for millions of Americans to vote – especially the elderly, our youth, the disabled and minorities.

For more than 40 years, the Voting Rights Act (VRA) has been one of our best tools for combating discrimination—particularly in places with a history of discrimination. However, in 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court significantly weakened the VRA in its decision in Shelby County v. Holder by striking down the formula used in the VRA to determine which states and local governments would need to obtain court approval before changing their voting laws or practices. Although the VRA was designed to prevent abusive practices in areas that had a history of voting discrimination, the Court held that the formula was implemented based on data that was too old. Without new legislation to undo the damage done by Shelby, minority communities are now at risk of being disenfranchised.

• Restoring the Voting Rights Amendment Act (VRAA). I am a co-sponsor of the Voting Rights Amendment Act, a bipartisan bill which modernizes the VRA to address current circumstances. The bill would work to prevent discrimination on the basis of race, color, or membership in a language minority group, and would also require public notice and transparency regarding any changes to: (1) voting prerequisites, standards, or procedures; (2) polling place resources; or (3) demographics and electoral districts.

Protecting Democracy for All Americans
American democracy has been centered on the fundamental principle of one person, one vote and the notion that we all have an equal voice and say over government decisions that affect our lives and our nation. However, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission in 2010 eroded this principle by allowing corporations to spend unlimited amounts of money on American elections. The decision has very dangerous implications for the rights of Americans, as corporations are now able to make unlimited campaign donations without disclosing who they are.  In 2014, the Supreme Court further expanded the influence of money in politics, in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, which invalidated aggregate limits on how much a single donor could spend per an election cycle, making it easier for the very the wealthy to influence elections.

I am working to ensure every American has an equal voice in our elections by:

• Overturning endless political spending under Citizens United. I am a cosponsor of the Democracy for All Amendment which would amend the U.S. Constitution to reverse the effects of Citizens United and McCutcheon decisions, and limit the ability of corporations and the wealthiest donors to buy unlimited influence in our elections. This constitutional amendment would allow Congress and the States to regulate and set reasonable limits on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence elections.

• Fighting for open and transparent campaign funding. I voted for H.R. 1 – a landmark anti-corruption bill. This bill would clean up our campaign finance laws to take dark money out of politics and increase disclosure requirements, both of which help voters understand what influences our decision making. And it also puts more power into the hands of our own auditors, the Office of Government Ethics to conduct more oversight and enforcement and put in stricter lobbying requirements. It’s not enough for us to demand integrity, we have to demonstrate it as well. This transparency will help our government run more efficiently and honestly, which is better for all of us.

Expanding Access to Capital

Investing in Main Street

A shocking 73% of small businesses are turned away for conventional loans by banks.  This is why we rely on loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to seek sources of capital. I introduced the Investing in Main Street Act to address this very problem. The Small Business Investment Companies Program, or SBIC, is an investment program with an SBA guarantee that increases access to capital for high-growth, start-up businesses. Already, SBIC funding has helped companies like Tesla, Apple, and Intel get off the ground when they were considered to be small businesses. But a 60 year-old law – the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 - put a cap on how much banks or federal savings associations may invest in SBICs. The Investing in Main Street Act amends that outdated law to increase the percentage of capital and surplus that a bank or federal savings association may invest in SBICs.

This bill was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives in 2019. I am working towards getting it through the Senate and signed into law. 

Education is a proven pathway for success. As a former educator and school board member in our community, I understand the needs of our schools. We need to fully fund education programs, give our teachers and students the resources they need, ensure our schools are environments for learning, and guarantee equal opportunity for all children.

Early Childhood Education

Investments in early education, when a child’s brain is rapidly developing, can lead to better academic and personal achievement lasting a lifetime. That is why every child and family must have access to quality childcare and early education. Through investments in programs like Head Start and by taking new steps to offer affordable childcare to families of all income levels, we can ensure that every child starts life on a level playing field with equal chances for a healthy, successful life.

K-12 Education

A child’s zip code should never determine the quality of their education. That is why I am committed to increasing federal investment in our public schools to guarantee equitable opportunities for every student. That means investing in school infrastructure to ensure that students are learning in safe and updated classrooms, reducing class sizes, training teachers, and fulfilling our promise to students with disabilities. That is why I introduced the Equal Access to Quality Education Act, a bill which will assist low-income schools in recruiting, training, and retaining profession-ready teachers. We also must prepare our students for a 21st century world by expanding science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) opportunities and ensuring access to arts and music education. 

Post-Secondary Education

Colleges and universities are engines of our economy, but the rapidly rising costs of tuition have excluded too many students from attendance. And countless students who do attend find themselves saddled with crushing debt. That is why I believe every student should have access to a debt-free degree. That means increasing investment in financial assistance programs like the Pell Grant, allowing student debt to be refinanced and discharged in bankruptcy, and protecting Public Service Loan Forgiveness and income-based repayment plans. And with more job opportunities requiring an advanced degree, I believe we must also protect access to postgraduate education. My bill, the POST GRAD Act, would help make advanced degrees more affordable by reinstating subsidized loans for graduate students.

Our economy is inextricably intertwined with our long-term energy and conservation strategies. By investing in renewable energy and protecting our natural wonders, we can address climate change while modernizing our economy. 

I am committed to taking aggressive action to reverse the effects of climate change. That is why I am committed to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, promoting policies that keep our air and water clean, supporting a marketplace where green energy technologies and jobs can thrive, protecting our environment through conservation, and connecting communities to the outdoors.

Protecting the San Gabriel Mountains and Rivers

The San Gabriel Mountains are often the only place that the two million urbanized residents of the San Gabriel Valley can go to hike, camp, and enjoy the outdoors. These rugged mountains provide over 70% of LA County’s open space and host over 3 million visitors a year. Meanwhile, the surrounding region is one of the most park-poor in the country.

As beautiful as these mountains are, they are in critical need of safe and proper facilities, clean up efforts, and educational programs. San Gabriel Valley residents and environmental groups have pushed for additional conservation, resources, and facilities in the Mountains and throughout the San Gabriel River Watershed to protect the natural resources we have left and expand recreational opportunities for communities in the region. 

My efforts to protect San Gabriel Valley’s natural resources include:

• Introduced legislation to expand federal resources and protections for the San Gabriel Mountains. I introduced the San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act, which would establish a comprehensive national recreation area in the foothill communities and river corridor, expand the boundaries of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, and expand wilderness within the mountains. Now I am urging Congress to pass this bill to secure permanent protections for the mountains. 
  
  In October 2014, President Obama acted on my call for permanent protection for the San Gabriel Mountains and declared 346,000 acres as the nation's newest national monument! Immediately after the new status was announced, over $4 million were pledged by various groups to help improve this area. This change, the biggest since 1908, is a crucial step at making our treasured mountains, rivers, and forests a national priority, but it is just a first step. I will continue to push for more protections and resources through my NRA bill. You can see the map of the new San Gabriel Monument here. 

Climate change is an existential threat that demands our bold, immediate action. As a member of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, I support measures to phase out the use of fossil fuels, increase investments in clean energy technology, and place a price on greenhouse gas emissions. 

I am continually supporting strong protections for our public lands, waters, and natural resources here in Congress. I am also defending our environment from attacks under the Trump Administration. 

Pollutants significantly threaten public health by contaminating our air and water. Reducing pollution will lead to trillions in savings from fewer healthcare costs and lost work days, less environmental cleanup, and less environmental damage down the line. It also creates jobs as facilities upgrade and new technology develops. That is why I have spoken out against the Trump Administration’s rollbacks of environmental protections and any policies that attack the environment.

Opposing Reckless Exploitation of Our Natural Resources

Healthy oceans are an integral part of a healthy environment. Our oceans and coasts are also major contributors to our economy, food supply, and recreation opportunities for local communities and visitors alike. In California, our active coastline is one of our greatest natural treasures, and a critical source of business through trade, tourism, and fishing. 

That is why I have consistently opposed offshore oil drilling in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic waters around the United States. These are fragile, volatile environments where oil spill mitigation is difficult and no measures are currently in place to provide a rapid, adequate response in an emergency. An oil spill in the Pacific would ravage our shipping and fishing lanes, and oil on our shores would cripple our booming tourist economy.

Likewise, new or expanded oil drilling into protected public lands like the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge will hurt native communities, destroy priceless habitats and ecosystems, and lead to worsening global warming.

Foreign Aid 

I believe America has an indispensable role to play in promoting health, human rights, opportunity, and freedom around the world. And therefore, I believe a strong commitment to foreign aid is vital. 

We already spend less than 1% of our federal budget on foreign aid, but our small investments in humanitarian, health, and education assistance reap rewards for the American people by helping to reduce violence and promote stability. 

Foreign aid also helps our country build new friendships abroad and to create a more prosperous and peaceful world. Even military leaders say diplomacy and development are key components of maintaining American security. 

That is why I believe we should be investing more in foreign assistance. Each year, I support requests of billions of dollars in appropriations for clean water, the Peace Corps, international basic education, global health programs, and other forms of economic and material aid that have been shown to save lives and promote peace for very little investment on our part.

Nuclear Weapons

I do not believe that nuclear weapons should be considered as a first option, nor do I believe they should be used hastily. That is why I cosponsored legislation to prohibit the president from conducting a first-use nuclear weapon strike without congressional approval. A nuclear strike is a clear act of war and therefore, the power rests with the United States Congress. 

Nuclear proliferation is also a serious threat, which requires early action to prevent. That is why I’m supportive of diplomatic efforts to stop burgeoning nuclear programs in unfriendly countries like North Korea and Iran. Past experiences have shown that diplomacy can be an effective means of reducing the threat of a nuclear conflict. I believe the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which effectively stopped Iran’s nuclear program, was a success of diplomacy and peace and should be supported. I oppose President Trump’s attempts to weaken this agreement by pulling out of it. That decision risks conflict with our allies while paving the way for Iran to resume their nuclear program. 

Armenia

I’m committed to strengthening the U.S.-Armenia relationship. Our countries share deep economic ties, and I’m proud to support our foreign aid to Armenia each year. But I know we can do more. That is why I have also called for a new double tax treaty to help businesses here who also do business in Armenia to thrive and bring our countries closer in mutual prosperity. 

Standing with Armenia also means standing with the people of Artsakh who have been under attack by Azerbaijan since their peaceful call for self-determination. Azerbaijan’s violent response is unacceptable. That is why I condemned the violence and joined my House colleagues to send a letter to the president urging him to work with both sides to bring peace to the people of Artsakh. I have also called to suspend aid to Azerbaijan if they continue in their aggression against the people of Artsakh. 

Finally, it is time we recognize the historical reality of the Armenian Genocide. The horrific and intentional murder of Armenians will not be forgotten and cannot be ignored. I’ve been a proud cosponsor of the House resolution to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide each Congress. This resolution would put the U.S. on the right side of history, and I will continue to speak out until our government does the right thing and acknowledges the tragedy of the Armenian Genocide.

Israel

The US and Israel share a great friendship based on common security interests and shared values. I believe we must stand by Israel by continuing our robust foreign assistance, speaking out against those who try to delegitimize Israel through boycotts, divestments, and sanctions, and supporting the goal of a two-state solution that will finally bring peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.  

But steps like the destruction of Palestinian villages in the West Bank in order to build settlements make a negotiated two-state solution more difficult, which is why I have supported calls for Israel to halt these destructions. I am also troubled by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and President Trump’s decision in early 2018 to withhold more than 80 percent of U.S. contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA). This aid is critical to providing services in Gaza, where more than 50 percent of the children live beneath the poverty level and 95 percent of tap water is not safe to drink. The decision to cut aid will exacerbate humanitarian and security issues. 

Ultimately, I continue to believe that a negotiated agreement that establishes two states living side-by-side in peace and security remains the only solution to the ongoing conflict. Questions of borders, governance, terrorism, and refugees loom large. But these problems can be resolved through the Israelis and Palestinians sitting down to negotiate together.

I am committed to keeping our communities safe.  As legislators, it is essential that we  ensure law enforcement has all the tools it needs to stop crime and violence.
While in Congress, I have focused my efforts on promoting policies that keep guns out of dangerous hands, curb the financing of drug crimes, and equip our local law enforcement with the federal funding and programs needed to effectively fight crime.  

 Many law enforcement agencies across the country have implemented hiring freezes for both sworn officers and civilian positions. Federal funding can help address these concerns and more by getting more cops on the street and providing more safety equipment for our police officers. I am pushing for full funding of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and have consistently voted against efforts to cut funds from this essential program. I also strongly support the successful Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program - the leading source of crime fighting assistance funds for state and local law enforcement.  Byrne JAG is crucial for supporting victim and witness protection programs, providing resources to investigate and prosecute crimes, and equipping our police officers with the technology and equipment to keep our neighborhoods safe. 

Finding ways to reduce juvenile crime rates and keep our youth from ever entering the system is also a priority of mine.  I support policies that will shift our country away from the ineffective policies of punishment and incarceration, and towards proposals  devoted to prevention and intervention. We should focus on efforts like offering individualized treatment plans, hiring of more youth-oriented police officers, and partnering with local community groups who are best able to reach youths in need. With these resources, we can truly make a difference and move these at-risk youth away from gangs and crime and towards schools and jobs.

Gun Violence

I believe that as a nation, we are not doing enough to keep guns out of the hands of individuals who seek to cause harm in our communities. The epidemic of mass shootings show us how dangerous it can be when guns land in the wrong hands. Enough is enough. That’s why I support giving the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) the authority to research gun violence, reinstating the assault weapons ban, preventing those who are on the No-Fly list from being able to buy a gun, and instituting criminal background checks for every gun sale. Implementing these common-sense steps to prevent gun violence, that the majority of Americans overwhelmingly support, will make our country a safer place for all of us and our future generations. 

Healthcare should be affordable and accessible for all. That means nobody should be denied life-saving treatments because of preexisting conditions, nor should anybody have to choose between paying for medicine or paying their bills. As a Member of the House Ways and Means Committee and its Health Subcommittee, I am committed to working to protect and expand the Affordable Care Act, as well as protecting the Medicare program so we can ensure our Seniors have quality care they can count on.

The ACA made considerable improvements to our nation’s healthcare system, which includes putting in place protections for people with pre-existing conditions, preventing health plans from charging women more than men, and requiring that all health plans cover a minimum set of Essential Health Benefits, like hospital visits and prescription drugs.

Instead of attacking the ACA as Republicans have since it was passed, Congress should be working together to improve the system we have, like continuing to invest in public health and expanding Medicaid. I also believe we should be doing more to address the underlying costs of healthcare, like the skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs.

Finally, I believe we should be looking forward in healthcare, not backwards. That is why I am one of the founding members of the Medicare for All Caucus. The purpose of this Caucus is to begin discussions about how to improve and expand healthcare coverage for everyone in our country.

Additionally, one of my top priorities in Congress is to ensure equal access to healthcare, no matter your race, background, or zip code. Every Congress, members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the Congressional Black Caucus, collectively known as the Tri Caucus, introduce the Health Equity and Accountability Act. This bill is focused on eliminating health disparities in minority populations and ensuring that healthcare is not out of reach for anyone. As Chair of CAPAC, I work help introduce this bill each Congress.

If you are looking to enroll in health insurance, our state’s exchange is called “Covered California.” Open enrollment is through November-January; check Covered California for specific dates. Purchasers may be eligible for subsidies to help cover the costs of the premiums.  To learn more, visit www.coveredca.com or call 1-888-975-1142. Paper applications are also available in Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and other languages here (https://www.coveredca.com/apply/). 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health

I am also deeply concerned about the impact the opioid crisis and addiction have on our community, and every community across the country. I believe that we need to focus on all aspects of this crisis: prevention, treatment, and recovery. To prevent more individuals from becoming addicted, I am committed to helping patients access non-addictive alternatives to opioids to treat pain. I have worked to pass bills that would expand treatment options for those suffering from addiction, including those in the senior population. Finally, I believe we need to ensure that those in recovery have a safe and supportive environment to rebuild their lives. Rest assured that I am working on all of these issues in my role in Congress.

Immigration is a strength. Immigrants grow our economy by starting businesses in greater numbers and laying roots in our communities. But, our immigration system is outdated and in dire need of reform.  We have more than 12 million immigrants currently living in the United States without legal status, and over 4.4 million close family members waiting abroad to join their loved ones through the family-based immigration system. The current administration has exacerbated the immigration system by ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for individuals from countries that are still unstable, detaining asylum seekers and separating their children from them, and processing fewer legal immigrant visas for fully vetted individuals. 

Dreamers

I strongly support the bipartisan DREAM and Promise Act to enable young undocumented students and workers who were brought to this country as children to remain here. The DREAM Act and Promise Act establishes a process for eligible DACA, Temporary Protected States (TPS), and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients with a pathway to citizenship. This has the potential to provide immigration relief for over 2.5 million individuals, including 130,000 Asian American and Pacific Islander immigrants. Dreamers can apply for legal permanent residency if they came to the United States before the age of 18 and have been in the country for at least 4 years. Individuals who were eligible for TPS and DED on January 1, 2017 and who have been in the United States for at least 3 years are also eligible to apply for legal permanent status. 

 Immigration Reform

I believe Congress must consider comprehensive immigration reform to fully address the issues that hamper our immigration system in a permanent manner. Businesses and farmers aren’t able to get legal access to the workers they need to stay competitive, which hurts our economy. There is also a huge backlog of family-based visas that must be cleared so that families can be reunited. We must make it easier for employers to bring the best and the brightest to the U.S. by eliminating country-specific limits on employment-based visas and exempting high skilled immigrants such as those with advanced degrees in science, technology and engineering. Passing these reforms will help bolster the U.S. economy and provide candidates for positions that are currently difficult for employers to fill. 

Family Separation and Border Policy

We must do more for families seeking asylum at the border. I have visited family detention centers and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing centers, witnessing firsthand the hopelessness and despair immigrants are experiencing in those settings. We need a more humane way of processing asylum cases by making sure that everyone fleeing horrific conditions or persecution is allowed to make their case before an immigration judge and held in less restrictive settings. I do not believe that immigrants seeking refuge in the United States should be labeled as criminals. They should be afforded fair proceedings and due process rights as dictated by our laws. 

Children who enter the country either unaccompanied or with family should never be separated from their loved ones. The Trump Administration’s “zero-tolerance” policy of separating children, including those under the age of five, from their parents is cruel and has caused irreversible trauma and heartache in these children’s lives. We need to do more to help children and their families who have no choice but to flee dangerous conditions and seek refuge in the United States. 

Muslim Ban

The Muslim Travel Ban is tearing families apart and causing misery and psychological trauma. Spouses and fiancés are separated.  Weddings, funerals, graduations have all been missed.  Over 5,000 adopted children of US citizens cannot join their families. That is why I introduced the NO BAN Act. This bill would repeal all three versions of President Trump’s Muslim Ban, putting an immediate end to this family separation. It requires a report on the total number of waivers that were granted and the total number that were denied, so we know the truth about what’s happening.  And it says that if a President does want to implement such a ban, they will have to produce actual evidence of a threat, so that in the future, no individuals are denied entry into the U.S. solely based on their religion

Protect Our Workers from Exploitation and Retaliation Act (POWER Act)

I introduced the POWER Act to stop disreputable employers from exploiting immigrants. Immigrants from across the country report that some employers threaten them with deportation to intimidate workers from protecting themselves against abuse.

While current law does protect all workers, regardless of immigration status, it doesn’t go far enough to protect the victims of this abuse. The POWER Act would change that. My bill allows worker protection agencies to ask the Department of Homeland Security to provide immigrants with temporary lawful status and an employment authorization if they have filed a workplace claim against an unscrupulous employer.

Transportation is one of my top priorities in the San Gabriel Valley. We need a transportation system that will ease our impact on the environment and create jobs. That’s why I am fighting to quickly expand our transit options and turn our region into a model for the 21st century.

Residents of the San Gabriel Valley commute many miles to work and often sit for hours in traffic.  Our region deserves the same transportation options as the rest of the county: a functioning light rail system, a robust bus network, and freeways with smooth interchanges and carpool lanes.

I’m proud of the progress made to build out the light rail system in our region. The first extension of the Foothill Gold Line to the Azusa/Glendora border saw such high ridership that LA Metro had to add additional trains to the schedule. I am committed to seeing the Gold Line Extension completed all the way to Claremont, and hopefully one day, to Ontario Airport. I will continue to work with local and regional transit partners to support the construction of the second phase of the Gold Line extension. 

Additionally, I strongly support the Alameda Corridor East (ACE) Project.  Forty percent of our nation’s shipping containers come through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and sixty percent of those goods travel through the San Gabriel Valley, and then go out all across the country. To move those goods faster and safer, we need to separate the trains from the car traffic through grade separations, which redirect the traffic to go below or above the railroad crossing.  This is exactly what ACE is doing.  Tremendous progress has been made, most recently with the opening of the San Gabriel Trench, near the San Gabriel Mission. I’m so proud that 52 percent of ACE project funding comes from the federal government and I will work to bring more federal funding to our region for these types of projects.

Finally, I believe that we need to invest in America’s infrastructure with public funds and a long-term commitment. Our bridges, roads, railways and tunnels need repair and upkeep, and I believe that Congress should commit to building an infrastructure system for the 21st Century. And I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to support robust funding to build today the infrastructure we need for tomorrow.

Seniors are the bedrock of our communities.  They have worked hard all their lives and built our nation.  Now, like so many Americans, they are struggling and face particular challenges including high health care costs and income insecurity.  America pioneered a social safety net to provide for people as they enter retirement – and they have earned it!  We must never neglect that responsibility to our seniors.

I share seniors strong concerns about protecting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. That’s why I have continually fought to protect these programs that provide vital resources for retirees who have worked hard and rely on them in their golden years.

Protecting Social Security
Eighty years ago, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Social Security into law, creating an enduring promise to America’s seniors that the retirement program they paid into their entire working lives would provide them a stable source of income.

One of my top priorities is to preserve — not privatize — Social Security.  

In an effort to protect Social Security from cuts and to strengthen it for years to come, I support:

• H.Res.393 – Resolution expressing support for policies to protect and expand Social Security and secure its long-term future in a fair and responsible manner.  In my district, 108,000 seniors depend on Social Security, and I intend to make sure it’s always there for them and also for their children. With an average benefit of $1,188 a month, Social Security keeps beneficiaries in my district able to afford necessary expenses and maintain their independence in their golden years. 

• The One Social Security Act (H.R. 3150)to prevent benefit cuts in 2016. Social Security's Disability Insurance Fund is set to start running out of money in late 2016, which would require a 20 percent cut in benefits and impact 11 million people.  This is simply unacceptable.  This bill would merge the two trust funds, Disability Insurance and Social Security, into a single trust fund covering all of Social Security.  This action would prevent a benefit cut to all Social Security beneficiaries. I will continue to support legislation that puts seniors first and prevents benefit cuts.  

Protecting Medicare
Medicare is our promise to American seniors.  After a lifetime of work, Americans can count on the stability and security of reliable, dependable, high-quality health insurance. As a member of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over much of the Medicare program, I am committed to making Medicare work for American seniors. 

• I oppose efforts to cut or privatize Medicare to pay for deficits created by the Republican Tax Cut.  Since 2011, Republicans have been including in their budgets plans to privatize Medicare through a voucher system, also known as “premium-support”.  A voucher system would mean less benefits and higher out of pocket health care costs.  Beneficiaries would receive a premium-support payment that may not completely offset the premium for the Medicare plan of their choice.  This would leave many beneficiaries out in the dark as they struggle to figure out how they would foot their medical bills. This is clearly a terrible deal for seniors. 

I also do not believe that our deficits should be balanced on the backs of our Seniors. We cannot ask America’s seniors to pay for tax cuts for corporations and billionaires. 

• I support expanding Medicare benefits to support our seniors. I believe that Medicare should cover basic services like vision, hearing and dental, and that we should be working to improve services in the Medicare program. I have authored several bills that would expand Medicare access to mental health providers like psychologists, access to Medical Nutrition Therapy for individuals diagnosed with eating disorders, and coverage for custom breast prosthetics for Medicare beneficiaries who undergo mastectomies. 

Prescription Drugs for Seniors

America’s seniors are suffering under the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs in this country. No one should be forced to ration their medication or skip meals in order to afford the medication that keeps them alive and healthy. That is why I support a number of policy proposals aimed at reducing the prices of prescription drugs for our seniors:

• I support giving Medicare the authority to negotiate directly for prescription drug prices. This would allow Medicare to use its considerable negotiating power to get a better price for American Seniors. 

• I support increasing the availability of generics, and ending pay-for-delay agreements wherein a brand name drug company pays a generic company to keep their product off the market. 

• I support transparency in the prescription drug market and at the pharmacy counter. That is why I support ending pharmacist “gag clauses,” which prevent pharmacists from letting patients know if there is a cheaper, generic option available to them at the pharmacy counter. 

Space exploration is critical to our understanding of the universe around us, and investment in NASA has spurred innovation and cutting-edge new technologies that create whole industries here on Earth.  I believe we must continue to support space exploration because it is crucial for advancing science, which means economic growth and skilled job creation at home.

Space exploration is not just far-off science fiction for my constituents and me. It is a major economic driver here in the San Gabriel Valley, thanks to the work of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).  Caltech is an unparalleled center of education and innovation. It attracts the best talent and produces the brightest minds in the world. It is also a major generator of spin-off technologies that not only boost our economy, but also help solve some of our most pressing questions and needs. JPL, which is run by Caltech for NASA, is one of the bedrocks of our community, and a global leader in space exploration. JPL’s 5,000 employees help propel our national economy through scientific, technological and engineering inventions. That is why I am committed to supporting the vital, cutting-edge work that JPL conducts for NASA, like its missions to Mars.

Protecting Funding for JPL’s Missions to Mars

The cutting-edge work provided by the NASA Mars program means investment in the economy and thousands of jobs – not only at JPL, but in spin-off industries and businesses, and throughout the community. That is why I support increasing funding for NASA’s science and exploration programs in Congress’s annual appropriations process. I have also testified before the House Appropriations Committee to emphasize the importance of JPL’s work urge them to increase funding for the Mars program.

Thanks to these efforts, funding has  increased for NASA’s science programs. I am committed to fighting for the highest level of funding possible as these bills move through the legislative process so that the Mars Program can continue to plan for its long-term future and retain the talented people who have made it a success.

Supporting NASA Space Technology 

In addition to backing the Mars mission, I also support scientific research and investment in other areas critical to Space Exploration. I advocated full funding and independence for NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, which is key to developing the next generation of advanced technologies – such as propulsion, robotics, satellite servicing, deep-space communications, power systems, and entry, descent, and landing – that will enable us to reach further into deep space.

Fighting for Cutting-Edge Science Like an Early Earthquake Warning System

Caltech is one of the leaders, along with the University of California Berkeley and the Universities of Washington and Oregon, in developing an advanced Earthquake Early Warning System (EEW) for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). This system issues alerts, enhances public safety, and reduces losses and emergency response times through rapid forecasting. Until now, most natural disasters have been predictable via advances in radar and meteorological technology. That means hurricanes, tornados, even heat waves, can be anticipated, people can take shelter, protect their property, transportation systems can shut down, and emergency services can activate auxiliary power.

But we have not had this same ability with earthquakes. Caltech and its partners are changing that through a highly advanced network of censors linked to an automatic alert system. So far they have achieved an impressive six second advanced alert time! This allows people to take protective action and trigger automatic responses to safeguard critical infrastructure. For example:

• allow people to drop, cover and hold on and grant businesses time to shut down and move workers to safe locations,
• give medical professionals time to stop delicate procedures,
• protect travelers by providing time for trains to slow or stop, for elevator doors to open, for bridge traffic to clear, for slowing or stopping traffic, and even stopping landings and take-offs at airports, and
• enable emergency responders to prepare by opening fire station doors and starting generators.

And now, the EEW is available to the public through the ShakeAlert LA app. I encourage constituents to visit http://www.shakealert.org for more information and to download this application, which can provide up to 60 seconds of warning before shaking begins. But in order to expand, and be even more effective, this system needs additional resources. That is why I have requested funds through the House Interior Appropriations bill for EEW expansion on the West Coast. This system is not only critical for our communities; it is also a pivotal model for other seismically active areas in the U.S. and abroad, with the potential to help save billions from fewer economic losses, damage to property and infrastructure, and critical injuries.

Now that many of our service members have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan, we are faced with new challenges in providing quality health care and helping new veterans transition back to the workforce. It’s important that we care for them when they return home. We also have an ongoing obligation to older veterans to ensure they receive the services they need to avoid homelessness and receive health care. I am committed to improving access to health care, as well as strengthening veterans’ benefits, and expanding job training and transitional services.

Veterans Health Clinic

After nine years with no VA health clinic in the San Gabriel Valley, I’m thrilled to announce the opening of the San Gabriel Valley Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). The SGV CBOC, located at 7 West Foothill Boulevard in Arcadia, will offer Veterans access to primary care, mental health care, telehealth, and basic laboratory services on an interim basis for the next three to five years until a larger, full-service clinic in the San Gabriel Valley is completed. 

More information, including directions and appointment scheduling, for the San Gabriel Valley VA Clinic can be found here. 

Protecting Veterans Benefits

From tuition to pensions, and everything in between, veterans’ benefits are indispensable lifelines for our nation’s heroes. These benefits provide access to a wide variety of resources to help veterans and their families. That is why I support efforts to protect and strengthen veterans’ benefits.

I am committed to ensuring that veterans in the San Gabriel Valley get the health care they have so rightfully earned. Any delay of treatment, whether through claims backlogs or waiting lists, is unacceptable.  We must make sure that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals in every city ensure timely care, not only for the visible wounds, but also for the invisible wounds. 

That is why I voted for H.R. 3055, Commerce, Justice, Science, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, Interior, Environment, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2020. This bill included $217.5 billion in funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, which will help fund programs like medical care, mental health services, suicide prevention and outreach activities, and homeless assistance programs.  This Democratic-led appropriations bill invests in the services and healthcare our veterans need. 

Helping Veterans Transition Back to Work
Many veterans struggle to find a job that meets their skills after returning home from war. It can be difficult for veterans to adjust to a new workforce, but after the sacrifice they have made for us, we need to be there for them. 

I have consistently supported bills – like the Veterans Skills to Jobs Act signed into law in 2012 – to enhance veterans’ job training resources, and let veterans translate military training and skills into civilian credentials and licenses. It is vital that we recognize any relevant training a veteran received while serving in the Armed Forces if he or she applies for any federal license requiring special training or credentials.  This recognizes the value of our veterans’ skills in the civilian economy. And we must encourage the private sector to do the same. Our veterans have impressive, unparalleled training be it as medics, mechanics, truck drivers, electricians, and many other highly skilled professions.

Ending Veteran Homelessness

I am also especially concerned about the high rates of homelessness among our nation’s veterans. Veterans who are unable to secure employment often end up becoming homeless. I support legislation and programs that seek to reduce homelessness among our veterans by providing access to housing, employment assistance, reintegration services, and more. I have repeatedly urged appropriators to give the highest possible funding for programs such as the HUD-VA Supportive Housing, or HUD-VASH, which offers vouchers for homeless veterans to find stable and supportive housing.