As the most senior California member of the House Transportation Committee, I worked to write the The FAST Act, a five-year, fully paid-for surface transportation of federal highway, transit, highway safety, motor carrier safety, hazardous materials, and passenger rail programs. The bill provides long-term certainty for states and local governments, strengthens Buy America provisions that create jobs and boost American manufacturing, and increases funding for freight projects, public transit, Amtrak and transportation alternatives.

Specifically, I was able to secure for California over $26 billion to fix crumbling roads, bridges, and transit systems and the bill also including the following:

1. Increase percentage of funds that flow directly to local regions (instead of the State) within the Surface Transportation Program (STP) from the current 50% to 55% 

2. Provide $13 billion over 5 years distributed to state and local governments for repairs and upgrading of rail and bus rapid transit systems.

3. For Railway / Highway Grade Crossing Programs, increase funding by $5 million/year to $245 million in 2020.  California Transportation agencies, including the Alameda Corridor East Construction Authority in our San Gabriel Valley strongly support this program because safety issues around highway rail grade crossings are a big concern.

4. Provide $199 million for positive train control grants that commuter railroads can apply for. This was a big priority of Metrolink as they are currently developing and implementing positive train control safety systems.

Because of the Affordable Care Act also known as Obamacare, over 48 million Americans are now covered by mental health and parity laws, and insurance companies can no longer deny coverage for patients needing these lifesaving services. We do need tougher enforcement on this, but I am proud of the hard work our mental health consortium did to ensure these protections for San Gabriel Valley residents and all Americans. Parity is working. It has reduced stigma and led to higher numbers seeking treatment for mental health needs.”

After listening to input from mental health professionals and advocates at local Mental Health Consortium meetings, I inserted provisions in the 2010 health law to end discriminatory practices by insurance companies and make mental health an essential part of basic coverage. Now mental health and substance use disorders are covered equal to other medical illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure.  

In Congress I will work to strengthen and fix Obamacare and oppose efforts to rollback and repeal these critical health care services we have worked hard to put in place.  

In order to preserve our history, national identity, and culture, we must create a modern, 21^st century legal immigration system that reflects our legacy and values. I am committed to fighting for principled, comprehensive reform that provides an earned path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants living in the U.S, including a permanent solution for all DREAMers; implements an employment verification system that avoids fraud and authenticates the legal status of employees; and creates a logical future approach to legalimmigration which facilitates economic needs, secures the border to help prevent future crossings, and keeps families and loved ones together. This common-sense proposal serves America’s interests, promotes fairness and the rule of law, and contributes effectively and meaningfully to our economic well-being. It is supported by evangelicals, businesses, and law enforcement, as well as the majority of Americans.

In Congress, I have worked in bipartisan manner to secure over $80million in federal funds for cleaning up local San Gabriel Valley groundwater and making it safe to drink.  

Most recently in September, as the most senior Californian on the Transportation Water Subcommittee, I helped write and pass S. 3021, the America’s Water Infrastructure Act.

This bill focuses on the Army Corps of Engineers' water supply work in dry regions, like Southern California. It is a jobs bill that authorizes $450 million in grants to cities over the next two years to plan, design, and construct storm water, water recycling, and sewer overflow projects.

This is critically important in LA County, which is addressing a new MS4 storm water permit and implementing water recycling projects as solutions to combat long-term drought and climate change. The bill also increases water workforce training to address new technologies and a retiring workforce, and it creates a national standard for water-efficient products. I am proud to have worked with Chairman Shuster, Ranking Member DeFazio, and Chairman Graves in a true bipartisan manner to meet the water infrastructure needs of communities throughout America.

Specifically, I worked to include in the bill key provisions for Southern California:

• Section 4106 authorizes $450 million in grants to cities over the next 2 years to plan, design, and construct storm water, water recycling, and sewer overflow projects. 
• Section 1222 requires the Army Corps of Engineers to study and assess which of their dams can be operated through forecast-informed operations in an effort to capture more storm water for local water supply, an issue at Whittier Narrows and Prado dams.
• Section 1146 makes permanent a pilot program that I created in the prior water bill (WIIN Act/WRDA 2016 bill) that has allowed public agencies or private companies to remove sediment from Army Corps dams. This allows dams to be more efficient for water supply and flood control operations. Sediment build-up was a particular problem in the Santa Fe Dam and the San Gabriel River dams.
• Section 1164 requires the Army Corps of Engineers to work with local governments on incorporating local watershed management plans in their feasibility studies for operating Army Corps dams and facilities.
• Section 4304 authorizes the EPA to create a grant program for educational institutions, workforce development organizations, unions and water agencies to provide training in the water sector. This is needed as many employees in the water workforce are retiring and as new technologies are being added to the water sector. The bill authorizes $2 million for this program.
• Section 4306 authorizes the EPA to continue and improve the WaterSense program which creates a national standard for the labeling of water-efficient products. Local, state, and federal agencies can then give rebates to individuals and businesses who purchase these WaterSense approved products in order to decrease overall water supply demands. This provision was authored first by me and former Senator Barbara Boxer four years ago as a part of the Water in the 21st Century Act but had not passed into law until inclusion in this bill.  

I have always and will continue to work with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to advance bi partisan bills to serve our San Gabriel Valley residents.  For example, in 2002, I established the Congressional Mental Health Caucus and have worked with a Republican Co-Chair ever since to pass and enact bills to boost funding to address mental health and behavioral health issues. 

I have worked with my republican colleagues to secure critical federal funds for local San Gabriel Valley projects such as the construction of the Metro Foothills Goldline, San Gabriel Valley groundwater clean up facilities, San Gabriel Valley/Alameda Corridor East grade separation projects at rail crossings, and construction to relieve current congestion at the State Routes 57/60 freeway confluence.

In addition to the bi partisan water and transportation bills I mentioned in this questionnaire's prior answers, I have also worked with Republican colleagues to pass bills that would direct more federal funding to San Gabriel Valley cities - Glendora, LaVerne, San Dimas, Azusa, Duarte, and Monrovia - along the historic Route 66 to preserve historic landmarks and prepare for the commemoration of its 100th anniversary.

In Congress, I have and will continue to focus on finding common ground with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle so that we can continue to invest in projects that help grow our San Gabriel Valley.