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Jobs & Economy

Too many Americans have been left behind in this economy. Congress must do more to ensure everyone in our country can earn a good-paying job that helps them provide for their families.

Tax Policy

As the ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee’s tax subcommittee, I am committed to reforming our tax code to ensure it works for every American. Our tax code should work to support low-income and middle class families, it should make raising a family and getting ahead easier, and it should ensure that everyone pays their fair share.

In 2017, the Republican majority rammed through a massive tax cut that overwhelmingly benefited large corporations and rich individual taxpayers. That bill was not paid for and added an estimated $2.3 trillion to our national debt. Now, Republicans are proposing even more extreme measures, including abolishing payroll and income taxes, eliminating the IRS entirely, and leaving it up to states to enforce tax laws – all of which will collectively add trillions to the national debt.

Meanwhile, by contrast, Democrats have put forward tax policies to boost American families - like the Child Tax Credit, which cut child poverty in half, and makes it easier for families to afford childcare and other services needed for the parents to remain in the workforce. We have also put forth plans to ensure that all Americans pay their fair share in taxes – far too many rich individuals and corporations get away with indefensibly low tax payments, and the gap between taxes owed and taxes collected has grown consistently as Republicans defunded the IRS.

Growing the Middle Class
Middle income wages have not kept pace with the rising cost of living. We must have an economy that builds from the bottom up and middle out. A strong middle class translates into a strong United States, and I am focused on ensuring that our economic policies deliver for hard-working American families.

Small Business
Small businesses are a key driver of our economy. I've long supported simplifying the tax code for our small businessowners so they can spend more time growing their businesses and less time on accounting. Please know I'll do everything I can to support our district's small businesses.

Infrastructure
Fixing our roads, bridges, waterways, and ports is one of the best ways to create jobs and put Californians to work. It would also lower hidden taxes on people who drive cars, our businesses, and communities caused by traffic congestion, vehicle collisions and increased auto maintenance. In the 117th Congress, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $550 billion for new infrastructure investments, including nearly $30 billion for California’s highways and bridges, $100 million for high speed internet in California, over $9 billion for expanded public transit in California, and nearly $400 million for electric vehicle charging stations in California. This $1.2 trillion law is the most significant investment in our infrastructure since the Eisenhower Administration. I continue to work to bring investment from this law to our district to ensure we have the funds needed to improve our roads, bridges, public transit, and more.

Fire Recovery
The fires that have swept through our district in recent years hit middle class families hard and I'm committed to helping survivors get back on their feet. I worked hard to secure federal grants that help displaced families find housing and meet other basic needs. I was also an original cosponsor and voted to enact the California Wildfire Disaster Tax Relief Act. This law makes it easier to rebuild a home using money from a retirement account, makes it easier to claim deductions for uninsured property and helps fire-damaged businesses keep paying their employees. In addition, I've authored the Small Business Disaster Relief Act of 2019, which would provide local businessowners with access to disaster assistance loans and grants through the Small Business Administration.

Wildfires and other disasters continue to threaten our community. We must be prepared for the next disaster. I strongly support resiliency investments and am working hard to ensure citizens in our district and across the country can protect their homes, which is often their most valuable asset. I have introduced legislation that would provide a tax credit to homeowners who invest in disaster mitigation activities to protect their homes to make these protective measures more affordable.

Everyone in our country deserves a fair shot at the American Dream. Please know I'll never stop working to grow our middle class while growing our economy.