February 08, 2023

ICYMI: President Biden Celebrates Democratic Wins During State of the Union, Many Led or Supported by Congressman Cárdenas

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, during his State of the Union address, President Biden touted the legislative accomplishments of Democrats – from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the CHIPS Act – over the last two years and laid out a bold vision for the future.  Many of the successes and goals mentioned by the President are top priorities for Congressman Cárdenas. 

“Last night President Biden made it clear that he will continue working with Congress in a bipartisan way to deliver for the American people,” said Congressman Cárdenas. “I’m proud of all the work that Democrats did last Congress to build a better America, and I will continue to work with my colleagues – including my colleagues across the aisle – to pass legislation that makes life better for families in my district and across the country. As the President said in his speech, ‘let’s finish the job.’”

President Biden on priorities led by the Congressman:

Health care:

  • Referring to law enforcement officers, the President said, “To be counselors, social workers, psychologists; responding to drug overdoses, mental health crises, and more. We ask too much of them. [...] We also need more first responders and other professionals to address growing mental health and substance abuse challenges.” 
    • Congressman Cárdenas’ 988 Implementation Act includes mobile crisis response funds and crisis care workforce provisions 
    • On helping the nation’s children who are facing mental health crises, the President said, "Let’s do more on mental health, especially for our children. When millions of young people are struggling with bullying, violence, trauma, we owe them greater access to mental health care at school.” 
      • Congressman Cárdenas is a leading advocate for funding to improve mental health services in schools, including through his bill H.R. 1803, the Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Act of 2021, and through his support of Project AWARE grants.

Energy and the Environment:

  • “The Inflation Reduction Act is also the most significant investment ever to tackle the climate crisis. Lowering utility bills, creating American jobs, and leading the world to a clean energy future. …[W]e are rebuilding for the long term…clean energy to cut pollution and create jobs in communities too often left behind.” 
    • Congressman Cárdenas voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which included provisions of his bill related to clean school buses and affordable solar, to cut pollution in vulnerable communities and throughout the nation.

Transportation and Infrastructure: 

  • “We came together to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the largest investment in infrastructure since President Eisenhower’s Interstate Highway System. Already, we’ve funded over 20,000 projects…. these projects will put hundreds of thousands of people to work rebuilding our highways, bridges, railroads, tunnels, ports and airports, clean water, and high-speed internet across America.” 
    • Congressman Cárdenas voted to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Cárdenas secured billions of dollars in funding for clean vehicles.20,000 projects have been funded thus far, including projects in CA-29, like $763,000 for Van Nuys Airport to improve facilities, update technology and make flying safer and more efficient.
    • “We came together to pass the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act. We’re making sure the supply chain for America begins in America.”
      • Congressman Cárdenas voted to pass the CHIPS and Science Act.

Taxation:

  • “Let’s also restore the full Child Tax Credit, which gave tens of millions of parents some breathing room and cut child poverty in half, to the lowest level in history.” 
    • Congressman Cárdenas has called for restoration of the Child Tax Credit repeatedly and signed a letter to leadership supporting a renewed expansion of the credit in any year-end spending package in 2022.

Immigration:

  • “... At least pass my plan to provide the equipment and officers to secure the border. And a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, those on temporary status, farm workers, and essential workers.” 
    • Congressman Cárdenas was an original cosponsor and voted to pass the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021 and the U.S. Citizenship Act.

Consumer Protection and Telecommunications:

  • “We’re making sure that every community has access to affordable, high-speed internet.”
    • Congressman Cárdenas supported and helped pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” which created the Affordable Connectivity Program,the nation’s largest broadband affordability program.
    • “…As we emerge from this crisis stronger, I’m also doubling down on prosecuting criminals who stole relief money meant to keep workers and small businesses afloat during the pandemic. Before I came to office many inspector generals who protect taxpayer dollars were sidelined. Fraud was rampant. Last year, I told you the watchdogs are back. Since then, we’ve recovered billions of taxpayer dollars.” 
      • Congressman Cárdenas’ Consumer Protection and Recovery Act would restore the FTC’s ability to obtain injunctive and equitable relief, including monetary redress for consumers who have been victims of fraud.

Public Safety and Gun Violence Prevention: 

  • When Congress and the President were asked to act on gun violence, they did, “passing the most sweeping gun safety law in three decades. That includes things that the majority of responsible gun owners support, like enhanced background checks for 18 to 21-year-olds and red flag laws keeping guns out of the hands of people who are a danger to themselves and others.”  
    • Congressman Cárdenas was a cosponsor of and voted to pass H.R.8, Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021
  • “Ban assault weapons once and for all.” 
    • Congressman Cárdenas was an original cosponsor of and voted to pass H.R.1808, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 
  • “Give law enforcement the training they need, hold them to higher standards, and help them succeed in keeping everyone safe. […] [We need] more resources to reduce violent crime and gun crime; more community intervention programs; more investments in housing, education, and job training.
    • Congressman Cárdenas was a supporter of and voted to pass the Public Safety package in the 117th Congress:
      • The Invest to Protect Act funds the police, with grants to help small, local law enforcement agencies retain and recruit officers.
      • The Mental Health Justice Act will help send unarmed mental health professionals to respond to mental health crises in our neighborhoods.
      • The Break the Cycle of Violence Act invests in effective, evidence-based community violence intervention initiatives.
      • The VICTIM Act will bolster the ability of police forces to solve homicides, sexual assaults, shootings and other violent crimes.
  • “With the support of families of victims, civil rights groups, and law enforcement, I signed an executive order for all federal officers banning chokeholds, restricting no-knock warrants and other key elements of the George Floyd Act.” 
    • Congressman Cárdenas was an original cosponsor of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in the 117th Congress.

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