Consumer Protection

Over the course of my career I have fought, and continue to fight, to maintain consumer safeguards and protect them from all forms of abuse, fraud, and predatory practices

I currently serve as the Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Consumer Protection

In the days following the 2008 financial crisis, I was among the leaders behind the formation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which protects consumers from unfair banking and lending practices, such as deceptive overdraft practices

Fighting for Seniors

Since coming to Congress, I have worked to preserve Social Security, strengthen pensions, and improve Medicare

My voting record in Congress against efforts to privatize Social Security and my work to improve Medicare benefits have earned me 100-percent ratings from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security, the Medicare and the Alliance for Retired Americans and AARP

Below are some of the issues I am working on in Congress to protect our social security, Medicare and seniors

Fighting for the Right to Choose

We are witnessing an alarming escalation in the assault on women’s reproductive rights.

Since my arrival in Congress, I have worked to protect the constitutional right to abortion.

My voting record in Congress has consistently earned me 100% ratings from NARAL Pro Choice America and Planned Parenthood for over a decade.

I am also a member of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, which addresses important issues affecting the right to choice.

Below are some of the recent issues I have been working on in Congress to fight for the right to choice.

Foreign Policy

Currently in the 117th Congress (2021-2023), Congressman Brad Sherman is the second-ranked Democrat in the House Foreign Affairs Committee and has been a member for 25 years

Congressman Sherman's House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee Assignments currently include:

- Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific

- Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa, and Global Counterterrorism

 - International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact

He is also Chair of the Sindh Caucus, Co-Chair of the Israel Allies Caucus and an active member of caucuses related to: Aremnia, Hellinic Issues, Tamil Issues, Sri Lanka, Sikh, and other foreign policy issues

Labor - Working for Working Americans

My efforts in Congress to support American working families have earned me an "A" or 100% rating from the AFL-CIO, Teamsters, SEIU, UFCW, UAW and virtually every other labor organization which rates voting records for Members of Congress

Protecting Animals

“Kudos to Congressman Sherman for his wonderful help with animal protection legislation across-the-board!” said Sara Amundson, President of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He has once again demonstrated his compassion, earning a 100% on our annual scorecard and reflecting his constituents’ humane values on issues ranging from wildlife trafficking to horse soring to puppy mills. We count on his consistent support every year , and so do the animals.”

My work in Congress has consistently earned me a 100 percent rating from the Humane Society, which has awarded me the “Humane Champion” or the “Humane Advocate” award for ten consecutive years.  

Despite state and federal prohibitions, animals are still subject to cruelty and torture. I joined my colleagues in introducing and passing into law the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, which banned the creation, sale, and distribution of videos that depict the intentional heinous abuse of animals.

Animal cruelty continues to persist in the cosmetics and agriculture industries. I cosponsored the Humane Cosmetics Act to phase out the testing of cosmetics on live animals and the sale of animal-tested cosmetics. I also wrote to the Department of Agriculture requesting greater funding and enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act.

Protecting Dogs and Puppies

I have also worked to protect the thousands of puppy mill puppies that are sold directly to the public, over the internet, without any federal oversight.

These puppies are often malnourished and ill due to overcrowded conditions and improper care. Breeding dogs at puppy mills often spend their entire lives in constant confinement.

To address these cruel practices, I have cosponsored the bipartisan Puppy Protection Act, which requires commercial dog dealers provide adequate housing, veterinary care, socialization, and access to nutritious food and potable water. It would also require breeders use safe breeding practices and find humane homes for retired breeding dogs.

Protecting Horses and Burros

Despite the passage of the Horse Protection Act, the practice of soring continues due to the lack of self-policing of the horse industry.

I am working to crack down on the cruel practice and, last Congress, joined my colleagues in passing the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, which would amend existing federal law to eliminate the cruel practice.

I cosponsored and helped pass into law the Horse Transportation Safety Act, which prohibits unsafe double-deck trailers that haul horses in interstate commerce.

I am also a cosponsor of the Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2022. This bill would eliminate the use of helicopters in wild horse gathers, which can often be deadly to animals.

Protecting Big Cats

It is critical that we enhance protections of wild animals as well as wildlife under public and private care.

I am a cosponsor of the Big Cat Public Safety Act, which prohibits the private possession and trade of lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, cougars, or any hybrid of these species. This prohibition exempts zoos, sanctuaries, and universities.

I am also a cosponsor of the PREPARED Act, which would require entities that care for animals, such as zoos, sanctuaries, and research facilities, to follow a contingency plan to care for and coordinate the transport of animals in the event of an emergency or disaster.

Fighting Wildlife Trafficking & Protecting Biodiversity

I am committed to eliminating wildlife trafficking and illegal practices due to harm to animal populations and biodiversity, which threaten our environment.

I am a strong supporter of the bipartisan Wildlife Conservation and Anti-Trafficking Act. The bill would strengthen enforcements against poachers, traffickers, and the global trade in illegal wildlife and provide funding for conservation efforts. 

I am also a cosponsor of the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act which makes it illegal to possess, buy, or sell shark fins.

I have also cosponsored the Migratory Bird Protection Act, which would prohibit the practice of “incidental” taking (e.g., capturing or killing) of migratory birds. This bill would protect bird populations by holding companies accountable for large-scale “accidental” bird kills, such as those caused by oil spills.

Along with working to protect animals’ rights, I have worked to protect our environment and improve conservation efforts for wildlife. Providing clean air and water, holding polluters accountable, and supporting land conservation efforts are vital to protecting animals and their habitats.

I have also received a 100 percent rating from every other group that rates voting records and is dedicated to animal protection. Below are some of my recent efforts in Congress to pass meaningful legislation to protect animals from cruelty. 

Protecting Our Environment

My efforts in Congress to protect our environment has consistently earned me a nearly 100 percent rating from the Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters

I have also received the Sierra Club Los Angeles Chapter's Public Policy Award for helping to secure federal funds to protect open space in the Santa Monica Mountains

Below are some of my recent efforts in Congress to protect our environment and preserve our planet for future generations

Since its original introduction, I have supported the Green New Deal to establish a 10-year national mobilization effort to reduce the use of fossil fuels, provide clean air, create millions of high-paying jobs, and support infrastructure investments while promoting justice and equity. 

I co-sponsored the Climate Emergency Act, which will require the President to declare a national climate emergency under the National Emergencies Act, and take active steps to mitigate the climate crisis.

I also co-sponsored The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. The bill imposes a fee on the carbon content of fuels, including crude oil, natural gas, and coal, or any other product derived from those fuels that emits greenhouse gases.

The carbon fee increases each year, and 100% of the net revenues are returned to the American people.

I co-sponsored The West Coast Ocean Protection Act, which would prohibit the Department of Interior from issuing a lease for the production of oil or natural gas off the coast of California.     

I co-sponsored the End Polluter Welfare Act, which would save American taxpayers up to $150 billion over the next ten years by abolishing dozens of tax loopholes, subsidies, and other special interest giveaways for polluters in the federal tax code.

I joined with Congresswoman Yvette Clarke to introduce the CLOSE Act, which closes a loophole in the Clean Air Act that allows oil and gas producers to skirt emissions regulations.

The bill repeals the current exemption for emissions coming from oil and gas sources.

I joined with Congressman Alan Lowenthal to introduce the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act, which creates new requirements and incentives to reduce the production of plastics, and increases recycling efforts by making producers of single-use plastics financially responsible for collecting and recycling their products after consumer use.

We need more investment in water recycling and water reuse projects.

I have once again co-sponsored the Water Recycling Investment and Improvement Act, to make permanent the Bureau of Reclamation's grant program, which will increase federal funding for critical water reuse and recycling efforts.

I helped introduce the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act, which gives the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to protect groundwater sources by cracking down on harmful hydraulic fracturing, otherwise known as fracking.

I joined with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky to introduce the Safe Hydration is an American Right in Energy Development Act, which amends the Safe Drinking Act to require the testing of underground sources of drinking water that could be potentially contaminated by hydraulic fracturing operations.

I supported the Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act, which will reauthorize funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

I joined my colleagues in formally requesting an increase in funding for these vital conservation programs.

During my first year in Congress, I passed the Sherman Amendment to the Budget Resolution to provide an additional $700 million to the Land and Water Conservation Fund to buy new lands for our national park system.

I also co-sponsored the F-AIR Act, which directs the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure the minimization of impacts of the use of airspace on the environment.

Climate Change has increased the severity of wildfires in California and across the West Coast. 

Air quality in Southern California has been severely impacted during these catastrophic fires, which is why I cosponsored The Smoke Planning and Research Act.

This bill requires that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) research and mitigate the effects of the massive smoke emissions that have resulted from increased catastrophic wildfires. 

The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is the nation’s largest urban national park, providing a variety of outdoor activities for millions of visitors.

Over the years, I have taken the lead in securing federal funds to acquire and preserve critical open space and complete the 65-mile Backbone Trail.

There is a crucial need to preserve sensitive habitat and recreational trails in this treasured national park.

This is why I joined Congressman Adam Schiff in re-introducing The Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act.  

This legislation would add over 191,000 acres of open space to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, protecting it for future generations. 

Supporting Education

I am proud that my work in Congress has earned me a 100% rating from the California Teachers Association, the National Education Association, and the American Federation of Teachers.

Supporting Our LGBTQ+ Community

Since first coming to Congress, I have fought tirelessly for human rights, civil rights, and civil liberties

I am proud to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community on the issues important to LGBTQ+ Americans because discrimination and hate have no place in our society

I am a member of the Congressional Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Equality Caucus and have consistently earned a 100 percent rating from the Human Rights Campaign for my voting record in Congress on issues important to the LGBTQ+ community

Below are some of the recent issues I have been working on in Congress to support and protect our LGBTQ+ community

In 2015, the Supreme Court came down on the right side of history, ruling in favor of marriage equality for all.

However, federal law still does not provide consistent non-discrimination protections based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

Rather, the patchwork nature of current laws has left millions of Americans subject to discrimination.

To ensure LGBTQ+ individuals are protected under the law, I joined my colleagues in reintroducing the Equality Act which would amend existing federal statutes to provide protections against discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in the areas of credit, education, employment, federal funding, housing, jury service, and public accommodations.

My colleagues and I, on both sides of the aisle, helped pass this bill through the House with bipartisan support, where it now awaits passage in the Senate.

I have also co-sponsored the Fair and Equal Housing Act to provide non-discrimination protections by adding “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” as protected characteristics under the Fair Housing Act.

I also joined with Rep. Rosa DeLauro to introduce the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would amend the Fair Labor and Standards Act to address wage discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation, and provide legal remedies to victims of pay discrimination.

During the pandemic, I supported the Federal Eviction Moratorium and its subsequent extension to help people stay in their homes during the pandemic – an issue that disproportionately affects the LGBTQ+ community due to the lack of federal protections against housing discrimination.

As many state eviction protections expired, I fought for an extension of Federal eviction protections.

Another ongoing area of anti-LGBTQ discrimination that must be addressed is discrimination in the adoption system.

Many taxpayer-funded child welfare agencies still discriminate against qualified, licensed LGBTQ+ foster and adoptive families, refusing to place youth with these families or forcing them to go through a more extensive, time-consuming, and costly process before allowing placement.

This is why I co-sponsored the John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act which would prohibit any child welfare agency receiving federal financial assistance from discriminating against any potential foster or adoptive family on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.

It would also prevent these taxpayer-funded child welfare agencies from engaging in such discrimination by allowing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to withhold federal funding if evidence indicates that such discrimination has occurred.

We continue to have enormous work to do to secure equity and safety for the transgender, gender nonconforming, and gender-diverse community.

The transgender community, particularly transgender women of color, continue to face an epidemic of violent hate crimes.

We also saw a renewed assault on the transgender community under Trump administration policies, with the outrageous ban on transgender individuals from military service and the rolling back of anti-discrimination protections for transgender people within the homeless shelter system.

When these heinous policies were announced, I took action by cosponsoring a Congressional Resolution expressing opposition to banning service in the Armed Forces by openly transgender individuals.

I helped pass this Resolution through the House with bi-partisan support. I commend President Biden’s work to undo these harmful policies.

I joined my colleagues in reintroducing the International Human Rights Defense Act. This bill establishes a permanent Special Envoy in the Department of State for the Human Rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.

This person shall serve as the principal advisor regarding human rights for the LGBTQ+ community and represent the United States in diplomatic matters relevant to such rights.

We need a dedicated individual at the State Department to champion these important discussions.

I also cosponsored the Global Respect Act, which would place sanctions on foreign persons responsible for violations of internationally recognized human rights against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) individuals, and bar such persons from obtaining visas or admission to the United States. 

Supporting Veterans

I am working hard to ensure that our nation’s veterans have access to quality health care and benefits, as well as jobs, education, and affordable housing.

My voting record in Congress has been rated 100% consistent with the policies of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion.

Veteran's Healthcare

In California's 30th Congressional District, there were 8,000 veterans signed up to receive healthcare from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in 2020.

The VHA spent $85 million in 2020 providing healthcare to 5,000 veterans in the district, according to the Veterans Health Administration.

My colleagues and I helped pass an appropriations bill which provides $97.6 billion for veterans’ healthcare, an 8% increase over 2021.

This increase will provide an additional $40 million in funding for veterans’ healthcare in the San Fernando Valley.

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

I was proud to help pass President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes many provisions that help veterans and their families.

The new law addresses unemployment among veterans by investing in infrastructure across the country, creating job opportunities for the nearly 200,000 servicemembers who transition to the civilian work force each year.

Additionally, the American Jobs Act invests in small businesses, supporting more than 2.5 million veteran-owned small businesses, according to the Small Business Administration.  

Supporting our Veterans, Servicemembers, and Families

My colleagues and I recently passed the 2022 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which provides critical investments in health care, including a record $97.5 billion for veterans’ medical care.

This includes $13.2 billion for mental health care, providing treatment and support for the nearly 2 million veterans who receive mental health services through the VA.

It also includes $599 million to fund suicide prevention outreach and services like the Veterans Crisis Line.

The bill also enhances the VA’s ability to reach homeless veterans with $2.2 billion for Homeless Assistance Programs.

Improving the West LA VA Campus

This Congress, my California House and Senate colleagues and I helped pass and sign into law the West Los Angeles VA Campus Improvement Act.

This law allows the VA to contribute land-use revenues generated at the West LA VA campus to the development of supportive housing and services for homeless veterans.

Currently, the VA can only use lease proceeds for campus beautification. It also increases the time period for enhanced use leases on the campus from 75 to 99 years.

Increasing the length of leases will help streamline the construction of 1,200 units of supportive housing on campus while reducing its long-term costs.

Senator Dainne Feinstein, who helped write the bill said, “With around 4,000 homeless veterans in LA, the city faces a huge challenge to find homes and resources for this at-risk population. Allowing funds that are generated on campus to build housing is a no-brainer.”

Improving the Sepulveda VA

I have continued to work to ensure the VA effectively and efficiently fosters the health care and housing needs of San Fernando Valley veterans.

Thousands of veterans rely on the Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center in North Hills for medical care.

However, much more work is needed to ensure that Valley veterans get the world-class hospital infrastructure they deserve.

I have successfully fought to return MRI services to the facility so veterans would no longer be forced to travel to West L.A.

Over the last few years, thousands of MRIs have been completed in North Hills.

Help for Valley Veterans

Our office is dedicated to serving Valley veterans.

My staff regularly assists veterans who need help with VA disability benefits, veterans’ and survivors’ pensions, VA medical services, burial benefits, obtaining and correcting military records, and awarding overdue or lost military service medals.

We have also helped many Valley veterans cut through red tape and delays to get the medical appointments they need.

Don’t hesitate to contact our Constituent Services Office (818) 501-9200 or visit BradSherman.house.gov/Help

Additional Resources for Assistance

The following information is for veterans. Please contact our office for assistance with any questions or problems you may have.

• How can I contact the Department of Veterans Affairs?

• How can I get education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill?

• How can I get medical benefits?

• How can I get information on suicide prevention?

• How can I get a home loan?

• How can I get life insurance?

• How can I get vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits?

• How can I get survivor benefits?

• What drug benefits are available?

• How can I get a copy of my military records?

• How can I apply for a medal, award, or decoration that I earned while in the service?

• What other services are available to me?

• Where can I get more information on Federal benefits for veterans?

• Where can I get more information on CALIFORNIA benefits for veterans?

• Where can I get help getting my veterans benefits?

Related Content

Information for Military Personnel

Additional resources, including birth certificates, consumer protection, disaster preparedness, and unclaimed property.

Taxes

Prior to serving in Congress, Sherman served as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Tax Attorney and a Certified Tax Law Specialist

"As CPAs we bring a unique approach to fiscal issues" ~ Congressman Brad Sherman

Currently, Congressman Sherman Co-Chairs the Congressional CPA Caucus that examines standards for financial reporting and auditing in the private sector, the process around the auditing of federal government agencies, and tax accounting issues

Below are some of the recent issues Sherman has been working on in Congress concerning Taxes

Congressman Sherman introduced the Tax Filing Simplification Act to ease the tax filing process for millions of American taxpayers and reduce their costs.

Sherman’s bill is a companion to legislation reintroduced today by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

Tax prep companies like Intuit have gotten away with these Free File scams by deploying hordes of lobbyists – including revolving door hires. 

For decades, Intuit lobbyists have defended a failed tax filing system that places corporate profits over taxpayer needs.                                                           

Sherman teamed up with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA) to put an end to such abusive practices.

The lawmakers said in a letter to Intuit CEO Sasan Goodarzi that TurboTax offers products that "scam American taxpayers into paying for services that should be free." 

Moreover, Sherman, Porter and Warren together urged Federal watchdogs to investigate the abusive practices that allowed Intuit to protect their scam tax filing schemes. 

The lawmakers are working on legislation to crack down on such abusive practices and make the tax filing process cheaper and easier. 

Trade

Washington’s trade policy in the past few decades has failed the American middle class and industrial base. For far too long, we have seen the U.S. export jobs rather than products.

We can no longer afford to continue on this path.

We must abandon these failed, so-called “free trade” policies of the past and take a new direction that creates more jobs here at home in America. 

We need balanced trade. That is why I have opposed NAFTA, CAFTA, MFN for China, TPP and a host of bad trade deals we have adopted over the last 20 years.

U.S. - Armenia Relationship

For over two decades, I have served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where I have fought to strengthen ties between the United States and Armenia

As a member of the Congressional Armenian Caucus for the past 25 years, I have strongly advocated for recognition of the Armenian Genocide, accountablity for Azerbaijan and Turkey, recognition of Artsakh, and increased aid for the Armenian people

Below are some of the recent issues I have been working on in Congress in order to strengthen the U.S.-Armenia relationship

Sherman Awarded State Order of the Republic of Armenia

On the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Republic of Armenia, myself, Speaker Pelosi, and other members of Congress were awarded the State Order of the Republic of Armenia for our roles in strengthening ties between the two countries.

It was awarded to us by the decree of then- Armenian President Armen Sarkissian.

I was honored to receive Armenia’s State Order medal from Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Lilit Makunts and President of the Armenian National Assembly Alen Simonyan.

President Biden Recognizes the Armenian Genocide

Since first arriving to Congress in 1997 I have urged both Democratic and Republican Presidents alike to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide.

I have consistently joined my colleagues in Congress every year until its recognition, in introducing resolutions calling for formal recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

I have always made clear that we need to learn from the past so history does not repeat itself, because genocide denial is both the last step of a genocide and the first step in the next genocide.

Our most successful effort came when I joined with Rep. Adam Schiff and others in introducing a resolution to recognize the Armenian Genocide, H.Res.296- Affirming the United States record on the Armenian Genocide.

The resolution passed the House by a vote of 405-11, with 226 Democrats and 176 Republicans having voted in favor, finally recognizing the genocide in the US Congress.

On the 106th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, President Joe Biden became the first U.S. President to formally recognize the systematic murder of approximately 1.5 million Armenian women, men, and children by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923, as a genocide.

A long overdue, yet historic and positive step, the United States should now continue to strengthen its relationship with Armenia and increase support for the Armenian people.

Commemorating the February 1988 Sumgait Pogroms

I stand in solidarity with the Armenian American community in commemorating the February 1988 Sumgait Pogroms. In the Azerbaijani town of Sumgait, Azerbaijani mobs targeted and assaulted peaceful Armenian residents on the basis of their ethnicity and committed unspeakable crimes.

The violence left hundreds of Armenian civilians dead and injured, women and girls were raped, some victims were burned alive, and thousands were forced to flee their homes.

This tragic anti-Armenian massacre helped touch off a wave of anti-Armenian violence that spread to Kirovabad in November 1988 and to Baku in January 1990, which culminated in the forcible expulsion of 390,000 Armenians from Azerbaijan and the 1991-94 war over Artsakh.

This stark reminder remains evident today as the government of Azerbaijan continues its state-sponsored policy of aggression against Armenia and Artsakh.

The world witnessed the consequences of Azerbaijan’s unchecked hatred against Armenians during the invasion of Artsakh in 2020 as Azeri forces committed horrendous war crimes against Armenian civilians, including women and the elderly, and illegally imprisoned Armenian POWs after the cessation of hostilities.

Many POWs are still held by Azerbaijan. As we honor their memory, we continue to call for the safe and unconditional release of all Armenian POWs illegally detained by the Aliyev regime in Azerbaijan.

Assistance for Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk

Since 1997, I have repeatedly endorsed direct U.S. aid to Armenia, Artsakh, and the Javakhk region of Georgia. In fact, I am responsible for the first-ever appropriation providing U.S. assistance to Artsakh.

The people of Artsakh are facing an ongoing humanitarian crisis resulting from the unprovoked Azerbaijani and Turkish attack, which led to six weeks of devastating fighting that killed over 5,000 people and forced more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee their homes.

In the face of this devastation, I called for immediate U.S. assistance to Armenia and Artsakh. Many in Artsakh are still badly in need of housing, food, water, and medical assistance.  

I am working to secure additional U.S. support to the Armenian people, including economic assistance, aid for the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and other funding to support democratic governance and the rule of law. 

The recent fighting in Artsakh also reversed much of the progress to clear land mines from the area, and there is a continued need for funding this important effort. When the future of the program was in jeopardy, I led the request to USAID urging the administration to continue U.S. assistance. 

More still needs to be done. The people of Artsakh have the right to self-determination.  In my first year in Congress, I helped lead the first effort ever to provide $12 million in assistance to the people of Artsakh, thereby implicitly recognizing the independence of Artsakh. Now, we need to explicitly recognize Artsakh’s independence.

Standing Up to Azerbaijan

Shockingly, Azerbaijan received over $100 million in U.S. military assistance in Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019 through an assistance program known as Section 333.

This is unacceptable given Azeri aggression, including Azeri troops recent violation of international law by crossing into Armenian territory.

U.S. - Greece Relationship

As a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and as a member of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, I am a supporter of a strong U.S.-Greek relationship

I have worked on several initiatives to improve U.S. relations with the Hellenic world, including support for Cypriot reunification, Greek Cypriot rights in the Exclusive Economic Zone, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, and Greek debt relief

At the 33rd annual Cyprus and Hellenic Leadership Conference in June 2017, I was conferred with the prestigious Frizis Award, awarded each year to a prominent member of the Jewish community who has made significant contributions to Hellenic issues

U.S. - India Relationship

“When it comes to U.S. - India relations, they are of course based on our shared dedication to democracy, but also our strategic interests. We’ve conducted military exercises on an unprecedented scale, including the large Malabar naval exercises, which also included the Japanese navy. And of course India has become a major purchaser of American weapons… We’ve seen joint initiatives between the United States and India, including the U.S.-India joint strategic vision for the Asia-Pacific region. India has been recognized as a major defense partner, and India and the United States signed the Logistics Supply Agreement [in 2016].” - Congressman Brad Sherman’s remarks at the India Association of Los Angeles Independence Day event, Aug 26, 2017.

As the Democratic Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, I have been a longtime advocate of a strong U.S.-India relationship

As a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, former Chair of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, and as a Caucus Chair, I am working to support U.S. collaboration with India to emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, build ties, and secure future prosperity

Below are just a few of the recent issues I've been working on to continue to strengthen the U.S.-India relationship

In 2018, I became the Democratic Co-Chair of the Caucus on India and Indian Americans, which is dedicated to promoting and strengthening relations between the United States, the world’s oldest continuous democracy, and India, the world’s largest democracy.

This caucus is the single largest caucus dedicated to U.S. relations with one of our many allies and partner countries in the world.

As chair, I have facilitated direct engagement between the Indian Ambassador in Washington D.C. and Members of the U.S. Congress to strengthen security ties, expand trade, and assist India with its COVID-19 response.

In a time of rising regional threats, we must strengthen America’s defense and security relationship with India.

We have come a long way - America’s arms sales to India went from nearly nothing, to $15 billion over the past decade.

The U.S. and India have also shared state-of-art technology, held regular 2+2 meetings between India and America’s top diplomats and defense officials, and announced a groundbreaking agreement to share intelligence in real time.

However, the uptick in Chinese aggression in India’s Ladakh region underscores the importance of further expanding U.S.-India security cooperation.

As Co-Chair of the India Caucus, I have been working for years to strengthen U.S.-India security cooperation, including my NDAA amendment expanding defense cooperation with India which passed through the House.

Trade between the United States and India has exploded in recent years, growing from $19.1 billion in 2000 to over $110 billion in 2021.

We celebrated India opening its market to certain U.S. agricultural products, further strengthening our ties.

Still, I believe there is plenty of room for growth and will continue to work to find ways to expand balanced trade and mutually beneficial investment with India.

When the devastating Delta wave swept through India, I worked hard to increase U.S. assistance to India to address the COVID surge.

I sent a letter to President Biden formally requesting that the White House increase its assistance for India’s battle against COVID-19, urged the Administration to make available the raw materials necessary for India to manufacture additional vaccines, and worked directly with the Indian Ambassador in Washington D.C. to lead over 50 Members of Congress to send another letter to President Biden requesting the White House further increase aid and provide specific, needed medical equipment to support India through the COVID crisis.

By early May 2021, the United States had provided more than $100 million worth of medical supplies to India, including oxygen support, personal protective equipment (PPE), rapid diagnostic tests, and therapeutics, according to the White House. USAID also facilitated the delivery of 440 oxygen cylinders and regulators to India, generously donated by the State of California.

I also introduced a resolution, along with the India Caucus Republican Co-Chair, recognizing the devastating impact of COVID-19 in India, standing with the people of India as they worked to combat the deadly surge, and urging the Administration to facilitate private, in-kind medical supply donations to India and deliver additional, urgently needed medical supplies. This resolution was agreed to in the House with bipartisan support.

I continue to work with the Congressional India Caucus, the Indian Embassy, the Administration, and the Indian-American community to strengthen the bonds between the United States and India.

India is a natural American partner with which we share a unique bond based on common democratic values, and I will continue to work for a stronger U.S.-India relationship in the years to come.

U.S. - Israel Relationship

For over 25 years, I have served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee where I am the second ranking Democrat.

Throughout my time in Congress, I have worked to support U.S. friendship and increased cooperation with Israel, our closest ally in the Middle East.

I currently serve as the Co-Chair of the House’s Israel Allies Caucus, where I work to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Since 1997, I have spoken at every annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference in Washington D.C.

Israel faces an unprecedented magnitude and variety of threats, from Hamas to Hizballah to Iran. Hamas is firing rockets to kill as many Israeli civilians as they can. Each rocket is a war crime, whether it achieves Hamas’ bloody objective, or not.

Accordingly, Congress is committed to maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge (QME) and its ability to defend itself, by itself, against persistent threats. U.S. aid to Israel is only ½ of 1% of our national security budget, is the best investment we can make in our own security.

U.S.-Israel cooperative missile defense programs, including the Iron Dome, Arrow 3, and David’s Sling systems, are critical to saving countless Israeli civilian lives while preventing further escalation of hostilities.

After Hamas launched 4,500 rockets targeting Israeli civilians during the spring of 2021, I sent a letter to the Department of Defense urging the Biden Administration to continue its support of Israel’s safety and security by replenishing the Iron Dome.

I was proud to vote for this supplemental funding to replenish the Iron Dome and was pleased that it passed with overwhelming support in the House.

When this critical funding was blocked by a Republican Senator, I sent a letter urging President Biden to put his weight behind this issue by specifically requesting that Congress include supplemental funding for Israel’s Iron Dome in an appropriations bill so as to circumvent Senate delays.

I sent a second letter to the Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee urging the $1 billion in Iron Dome replenishment funding to be included in the upcoming FY2022 appropriations bill.

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy released a statement by Leon Panetta, David Petraeus, and others, which states in part: “for the sake of our diplomatic effort to resolve this crisis, we believe it is vital to restore Iran’s fear that its current nuclear path will trigger the use of force against it by the United States.”

I’ve joined the authors of the statement in urging the Biden Administration to continue aggressively pursuing a diplomatic solution to bringing Iran back into compliance with the JCPOA, while also giving more leverage to its diplomatic efforts by establishing a credible threat to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

We must also work to address Iran’s other destructive policies.

I signed a letter to President Biden urging the Administration to also address issues outside of Iran’s nuclear program, including Iran’s involvement in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, its support for terrorism, Iran's domestic human rights abuses, and especially its ballistic missile program.

All too often when people think of Israel, they think of a recent terrorist attack. When people think of Israel they should think not of tsuris, but of science. 

I authored the legislation that established the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Program. Since its inception, Congress has provided $39.7 million for the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperative Agreement program, fully matched dollar for dollar by the Government of Israel.

Since 2009, the program has leveraged over $47 million in private sector investment.

The U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Program supports joint U.S.-Israel research and development in energy efficiency and alternative power, including biofuels, energy storage, new solar and wind projects, electric vehicles, and increased grid efficiency.

Congress established two new cooperative initiatives to leverage U.S.-Israel collaboration to address the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as enhance development cooperation in the areas of water resources, agriculture and energy storage between USAID and Israel in developing countries.

I led two letters to the Appropriations Committee, signed by more than 80 bi-partisan Members of Congress, to request funds for cooperative bi-national COVID-related and health technologies research, and to continue U.S.-Israel cooperation to address sustainability challenges in the developing world.

The U.S.-Israel COVID-19 and health technologies partnership is not an aid program. This initiative leverages a relatively small government investment to incentivize innovation in pursuit of a critical objective: defeat COVID-19.

Innovative and cutting-edge technology is increasingly necessary to keep us all safe. The U.S.-Israel BIRD Homeland Security program facilitates cooperative projects between two-partner entities, one from the U.S. and one from Israel, and leverages government investments through partnerships with the academic and private sector to identify gaps in critical capabilities while building stronger connections between the U.S. and Israel. 

Normalizing relations between Israel and its regional neighbors has been an enduring goal of the United States, and one I continue to work towards.

I cosponsored the Israel Relations Normalization Act. This bill will be integral in creating strategies to strengthen and expand peace and normalization agreements in the region, as well as monitoring the emergence of laws that would hinder this critical goal.

I also continue to promote normalization efforts through my meetings with foreign dignitaries as a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. 

I met with the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita and Ambassador Lalla Joumala and discussed the progress of Morocco-Israel diplomatic ties following Morocco’s agreement to normalize relations with Israel where we discussed Morocco’s commitment to enacting the steps outlined in this agreement including their plans for opening an embassy in Israel and the start of direct flights.

Valley Transportation

I secured federal funds to initiate several improvements at the 101/405 interchange – one of the busiest bottlenecks in the nation.

Improvements include the extension of the northbound 405 carpool lane between Burbank Boulevard and Ventura Boulevard, a new lane on the northbound 405 freeway, widening the Van Nuys Boulevard off ramps and developing plans to improve the southbound 405 connector to the 101 Freeway.

Below are some of the recent issues I am working on in Congress to continue improving our community's transportation issues

The need for long-term investment in our infrastructure is clear. I was proud to help pass President Joe Biden's historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that will make life better for millions of Californians, create a generation of good-paying union jobs and economic growth, and position the United States to win the 21st century.

Specifically, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will help our community by:

-Repairing and rebuilding our roads and bridges with a focus on climate change mitigation, resilience, equity, and safety for all users, including cyclists and pedestrians.

-Improving healthy, sustainable transportation options

-Building a network of electric vehicle chargers to facilitate long-distance travel and provide convenient charging options.

-Preparing more of our infrastructure for the impacts of climate change, cyber-attacks, and extreme weather events.

As our nation emerges from the pandemic, now is the time to think boldly – and this transformative legislation represents an important step toward building a stronger, cleaner, fairer future for the San Fernando Valley and the United States.

Reducing congestion and improving transit service in the San Fernando Valley is critical to the competitiveness of our regional economy as well as our quality of life. 

Recently, I testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to increase federal funding for the Sepulveda Pass Corridor Project. Linking the Valley to the Purple Line in West Los Angeles, with a future connection to LAX, provides the best opportunity to draw large numbers of commuters out of their cars and lessen traffic on the 405 freeway.

Metro is currently conducting an environmental review of both monorail and heavy rail alternatives.   

I am pleased to have secured federal funds for Metro’s G Line (Orange Line), which now carries a daily average of 30,000 riders along a dedicated bus way from Woodland Hills to North Hollywood. 

Throughout my time in Congress, I have fought and secured millions in federal funds for road improvement and mass-transit projects for the Valley.

Most recently, I secured through a select committee the advancement of over $21 million in federal funds for major transportation improvement projects throughout our community, including funding for numerous projects to improve local road safety throughout our community

I am fighting to secure funding for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor, funds for pedestrian safety and the infrastructure needed for electric vehicles. 

Working for a Peaceful World

During my 25 years on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, I have advocated for a just and effective foreign policy that utilizes America’s unique international influence to help the world’s most vulnerable populations

Below are just some of the recent issues I have been working on to help shine a light on some of the darkest regions of the world

For decades, U.S. foreign aid has contributed to economic development, helped build democracy, and provided a lifeline to the world’s most vulnerable populations. As the world continues to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, I have worked to ensure that critical Covid relief is a focus of U.S. foreign aid.

The House passed my resolution, H.Res.496, calling on President Biden to deliver urgently needed medical supplies to India and neighboring countries during the height of the Delta wave that tragically took a quarter million Indian lives.

I also helped introduce H.Res.245, which calls on the U.S. government and all G-20 members to further invest in vaccine distribution across Africa.

I will continue to advocate for more robust U.S. foreign aid to the populations most in need, particularly in light of the devastation created by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 1953, the parties to the Korean War – the United States, North Korea, and South Korea – signed an Armistice Agreement.

While the conflict ended in 1953, nearly 70 years later we technically remain in a state of war with North Korea. This is why I introduced the Peace On the Korean Peninsula Act.

My legislation, which has been championed by the American Friends Service Committee and Women Cross DMZ, would create an end of war declaration and start serious, urgent diplomatic engagement with North Korea to lower tensions and avoid confrontation.

It also addresses the urgent need to reunite the 100,000 Korean American families with their loved ones after decades of separation following the war.

I led 22 of my colleagues in sending a companion letter to President Biden urging him to pursue a diplomatic solution.

My efforts affirm the sense of the No Unconstitutional Strike against North Korea Act, which I helped introduce to ensure no strike would be launched against North Korea without congressional authorization.

Due to a blockade of humanitarian aid by the Ethiopian and Eritrean governments, Ethiopia’s Tigray region is facing the worst global famine in decades.

Tens of thousands of civilians have died, 2 million have been displaced, and 35,000 ethnic Tigrayans have been rounded up in concentration camps.

This crisis gets overshadowed by a number of other events, including of course the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian threats to Ukraine, but it remains one of the most dire humanitarian crises in the world.

We must get humanitarian aid into Tigray. I cosponsored and helped pass through the House Foreign Affairs Committee H.Res. 445, which condemns atrocities in Ethiopia and calls for an immediate ceasefire.

I also helped introduce H.Res. 842, which condemns the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war in Tigray.

I cosponsored the Ethiopia Stabilization, Peace, and Democracy Act, which authorizes sanctions on individuals committing these atrocities. The bill passed out of the Foreign Affairs Committee with my amendment conditioning the suspension of sanctions on the end of ethnically motivated mass detention of civilians.

Since 2014, the Chinese government has engaged in brutal, oppressive campaign against the Uyghur Muslims. The Chinese government has imprisoned over a million Uyghurs in Xinjiang and has subjected them to forced labor and torture while the Chinese Communist Party derogatorily calls Islam “an illness”.

As a vocal opponent of these crimes, I cosponsored and helped pass through the House H.Res.317, which condemned the ongoing crimes against humanity committed against Uyghurs by China.

I also cosponsored and helped to pass through the House the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act to ban the import of goods from the Xinjiang region that were made with Uyghur forced labor. I cosponsored the Uyghur Policy Act, which expands resources at the State Department to advocate for the Uyghur community.

Lastly, I cosponsored and helped pass through the House the Combatting International Islamophobia Act, which will create an office at the State Department to monitor and combat Islamophobic violence abroad - such as that committed against the Uyghurs in China and the Rohingya in Myanmar.

Working to End Gun Violence

I remain committed to fighting the scourge of gun violence that has shattered communities across our country.

During my twenty-five years in Congress, I have consistently earned a 100 percent vote rating for my voting record in Congress from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and other groups fighting against gun violence.

I have consistently been awarded an “F” from the NRA for my voting record in Congress.

Below are some of the recent issues I am working on to combat the scourge of gun violence that continues to plague our country.

There is an urgent need for communities to do all they can to identify the early warning signs of looming violence by mentally unstable or violent people and keep firearms out of their hands.

That is why I have continued to support legislation, like the Keeping Guns from High-Risk Individuals Act, which would prohibit the sale to or possession of firearms by individuals considered “high-risk.”

Keeping firearms and assault weapons out of the hands of high-risk individuals is essential to ending the preventable, mass gun violence tragedies that plague this nation.

After a 15-year-old shot and killed four teens at Michigan’s Oxford High School last year, his parents came under scrutiny for their negligence after it was determined that he successfully and easily gained access to their firearm.

While the Oxford tragedy was one of the most prominent recent shootings that resulted from the negligent storage of guns in a household where a minor was present, it wasn’t the only one that devastated a community.

These tragic cases have underscored the urgent need to strengthen gun storage requirements in homes where minors are present.

That’s why this year I co-sponsored Ethan’s Law, named for a Connecticut teenager who accidentally shot and killed himself with a neighbor’s unsecured gun, which would require storage of a weapon in a “secure gun storage or safety device” in a residence where a minor under age 18 could potentially gain access.

Background checks are the foundation of a comprehensive gun violence prevention strategy.

The current system has blocked more than three million attempts to buy guns by individuals barred under law from purchasing them, according to the Justice Department.

However, there is still work to be done to strengthen, expand and close loopholes in the background check system.

That is why I co-sponsored two recent measures to strengthen background check laws, which passed the House this Congress.

The Bipartisan Background Checks Act would expand background checks to be required on all firearm sales, closing the gun show and online sales loopholes.

This common sense, bipartisan legislation requires all gun sellers — including private and online vendors and sellers at gun shows — to conduct background checks on potential buyers.

I also co-sponsored the Enhanced Background Checks Act, which addresses the Charleston loophole.

Under current law, gun dealers are permitted to sell a firearm to an individual if the FBI background check has not been completed within three business days.

This bipartisan bill extends the time the FBI has to complete the initial background check from three to ten business days.

No private person should possess an automatic or semiautomatic military-style weapon, nor a device that turns a semi-automatic rifle into the equivalent of a machine gun.

That is why I continue to support the Automatic Gunfire Prevention Act, legislation I joined my colleagues to introduce in Congress, which would ban the manufacture, possession, transfer, sale, or importation of bump stocks that can turn semi-automatic rifles into the equivalent of machine guns.

I also supported the Assault Weapons Ban, which passed the House this Congress and would make it a crime to knowingly own or sell a semiautomatic assault weapon or large capacity ammunition feeding device.

Weapons of war have no business place in our streets, schools or communities. 

Economy

Good jobs and a strong economy are very important to our district and to my work in Congress. Learn more about my views on this issue.

Home Finance

Keeping Affordable Home Mortgages Available

Under a new provision championed by Congressman Sherman, those buying or refinancing a home in the Valley will be eligible for an FHA-insured mortgage of up to $729,750.  FHA loans offer a lower down payment and a much lower interest rate. It also increases the likelihood that someone buying a home will get approved for a loan, and that those trying to sell their home will find an eligible buyer. Without this provision we would have seen another sudden decline in Valley home prices, severely harming the Valley economy.

The increased limits do not require a dime of additional spending by the federal government.  The FHA operates entirely from its self-generated income and costs the taxpayers nothing.

Protecting the Mortgage Interest Deduction

Congressman Sherman strongly supports preserving the current tax deduction for mortgage interest.  Various tax proposals to eliminate this critical deduction would saddle middle-class Californians with a huge tax increase, and could cause home prices to fall even further -- a disaster for the Valley economy.  The home mortgage deduction provides benefits for everyone by spurring economic activity.  A change in tax laws that undercuts home values hurts all residents, including senior citizens whose equity in their homes is critical to retirement plans.  Congressman Sherman will continue working to ensure this deduction is preserved.
 

Refinancing at Lower Rates for Those with Low Equity (or No Equity)

Mortgage rates are at historic lows and many homeowners want to refinance to reduce their monthly payments by hundreds or even thousands of dollars.  But many homeowners do not have the 20 percent equity required to refinance, and some owe more than the current value of their home.

Congressman Sherman cosponsored the HOME Act which allows those with mortgages owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to refinance – even if they owe more than their home is currently worth.  Even if you write your check to a major bank, your mortgage is probably owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

This provision will help create jobs in the San Fernando Valley.  Homeowners who save hundreds of dollars each month are good customers for local Valley businesses.  Furthermore, it does not expose the federal government to additional risk because these mortgages are already guaranteed or owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

Energy Independence

I am working to ensure that BP pays to clean up the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.  I joined with my colleagues to pass S. 3473, a bill that amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and authorizes more money to go to clean-up efforts.  President Obama signed this bill into law on June 15, 2010.   I have also cosponsored the SPILL Act (H.R. 5503) which passed the House in July.  The bill will reform maritime liability laws to ensure that the families of those killed or injured in the BP spill and other such tragedies are justly compensated for their losses.  The bill awaits action in the Senate.  ...more
 

Fighting the Trump Agenda

Since taking the oath of office, President Trump has continued to issue harmful executive orders, make inflammatory statements, and push a regressive domestic and international agenda.  As a senior Democrat in the House of Representatives, I am working to preserve our democratic values and critical programs that the White House has targeted.  Here are a few ways I am working to combat these counterproductive initiatives:

Why I Filed Articles of Impeachment

I believe that filing Articles of Impeachment was necessary for me to fully comply with my oath to defend the Constitution. I filed H.Res.438 on July 12, 2017, because our Constitution calls for the impeachment of a President who has committed High Crimes and Misdemeanors.  Obstruction of Justice is a felony under § 1512 (b)(3) of the United States Criminal Code.  It applies when anyone uses threats to hinder a federal criminal investigation.  While this section is commonly applied to witness intimidation, the Courts have consistently ruled that it is also applicable when one threatens an FBI agent or other law enforcement official. Click here to read my Op-Ed, 'The Case For Impeaching Donald J. Trump'.

Combating Harmful Executive Orders

Since Donald Trump took office he has signed a long and ever-growing list of harmful executive orders, in an attempt to circumvent Congress, fulfill a number of his campaign promises, and undo many of President Barack Obama's policies.

Last year alone, Trump signed three different executive orders that aimed to block citizens of predominantly Muslim countries from entering and traveling to the United States.  Circuit courts and two federal courts struck down these travel bans—ruling that discrimination against someone on the basis of religion or nationality runs contrary to our nation’s founding values.   

On June 26 of last year, we experienced a setback.  The Supreme Court announced that it would allow the Administration to move forward with a limited version of the ban on travel from six mostly Muslim countries to the U.S.  The court announced that justices will hear arguments this April and issue a ruling by the end of June. Until then, the court said, Trump’s ban on visitors from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen can be enforced for visitors who lack a “credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States.” 

Due to the destructive nature of these executive orders,  I joined with Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) to introduce H.R.724, the Statue of Liberty Values Act (SOLVE), and H.R.1503, the SOLVE Act 2.0 of 2017.  These bills seek to defund Trump’s travel ban by prohibiting federal funds from being used to implement, administer, or enforce any policy related to Trump’s executive orders.

Preserving our Democratic Values

Our democracy is facing many threats. Some are new, like cyberhacking threats to our voting machines. While others are longstanding like crazy gerrymandered districts, the undue influence of money in elections, and the undemocratic structure of the Electoral College system. 

Preventing Russian Interference. In 2016, Russian agents tried to mislead voters with phony internet ads and tweets and targeted voting systems in at least 21 states in a hopefully unsuccessful effort to alter the election outcome. This unprecedented attack from Russia has exposed serious vulnerabilities in our election infrastructure. Election security is national security. Ensuring that every election machine leaves a voter-verified paper trail is the most important reform we can make to protect the integrity of our elections. I am proud to report that California keeps a paper trail of votes available for recount.

However, we need to adopt this system nationwide. I have cosponsored the Election Security Act to ensure that foreign agents cannot infiltrate our voting machines. This bill requires voting machine vendors to follow strong cybersecurity standards and provides funding for states to upgrade their IT systems, train personnel on cybersecurity, and use voter-verified paper ballots that can be recounted.

Gerrymandering. Federal courts recently ruled that Congressional maps in North Carolina and Pennsylvania were unconstitutional because of gerrymandering. In many states, state legislatures have the task
of drawing the Congressional districts. Unfortunately, legislatures often draw convoluted district borders for partisan gain, disenfranchising voters. 

In California, an independent commission draws Congressional districts. I believe that voters should choose their elected officials, politicians shouldn’t choose what voters make up the district. That’s why I joined with colleagues to introduce the Redistricting Reform Act to require every state to form an independent citizen redistricting commission to put this undemocratic practice behind us.

Campaign Finance. Eight years ago, the Supreme Court ruled in Citizens United v. FEC, thus opening our elections to a flood of unlimited campaign spending by corporations and wealthy individuals. I have cosponsored the Democracy for All Amendment that would reverse the Citizens United Supreme Court decision that has given corporations and the wealthiest Americans undue influence. This amendment would allow reasonable and fair limits on political contributions.

Electoral College. The Electoral College is fundamentally undemocratic. Today, the people select every important elected office in America, by popular vote, except the President. That is why I have cosponsored the Every Vote Counts Amendment, which would abolish the Electoral College and amend the Constitution to require that the President and Vice President be directly elected by the people.  Presidential candidates will then campaign in every state, rather than just a few swing states.