A former labor lawyer, Linda T. Sánchez represents California’s 38th congressional district – but the first thing her family and friends will tell you is that she’s never stopped “kicking ass for the working class.” Most of all, she is also a proud mom, dog lover, and Dodgers fan.
Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002, Sánchez is the first Latina to serve on the powerful House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Judiciary Committee. A lifelong progressive, Sánchez has devoted her career to helping working people get ahead: advocating for families, improving America’s education system, and bringing jobs to Southern California.
We are already witnessing the devastating effects of climate change. The science is clear that if we do nothing to reduce and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, these effects will continue to worsen. Both current and future generations will pay a heavy price for our inaction. Fortunately, California continues to lead the fight against climate change as the world’s fifth largest economy. That is why I am fighting to preserve our state’s authority to take action where the federal government has failed: from fuel economy standards to
Pollution disproportionately hurts minority communities, especially here in Los Angeles County. Latino children are 40 percent more likely to die from asthma than non-Latino white children. In my largely Latino district, my constituents bear the brunt of our nation’s environmental burdens. Thirty-one percent of Latinos live within 30 miles of a power plant. Equally alarming is the fact that Latinos are also one hundred and sixty-five percent more likely to live in counties with unhealthy levels of particulate matter pollution.
That is why I am a strong supporter of legislation to protect our air and water, recommit our nation to the global fight against climate change, and strive for environmental justice.
Expanding carbon-free energy is one of the most important ways to mitigate climate change. As a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, I am fighting for a tax code that makes clean energy more affordable and accessible to working families. As we accelerate the deployment of renewable energy, reducing our consumption of energy represents a win-win for consumers, business, and our planet. That is why I have reintroduced legislation to incentivize insulating pipes and mechanical equipment to make buildings more energy efficient while supporting good-paying union jobs. I was proud to see that incentive included in the larger infrastructure bill passed by the House of Representatives.