Immigration

Women's Issues

ENSURING FAIR PAY

Although women make up a nearly half of the American workforce, women in Indiana still earn only about 75 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts. Because this issue of discrimination affects women and families, I support the Paycheck Fairness Act.

I also support the Equal Employment Opportunity Restoration Act which would ensure fairness for the millions of women across the country facing workplace discrimination by providing victims of employment discrimination access to challenge inequitable treatment.

Each of these bills would serve as an important step towards complete pay equity.  However, there is still significant work to be done to ensure workplace equality.  I remain dedicated to the passage of legislation that further protects the workplace for all Americans, regardless of gender.

WOMEN’S HEALTH

Protecting women’s health means protecting access to cancer screenings and wellness visits, providing comprehensive family planning, forbidding insurers from charging women more than men, guaranteeing access to contraception, and preserving the Constitutional right to an abortion protected by Roe v. Wade.

Providing everyone with access to affordable health care continues to be a top priority for me. I supported passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to do just that. Instead of waiting to get sick, women and their families now have access to cancer screenings, wellness visits and educational information so that they can be proactive in prevention. With coverage of individuals suffering from pre-existing conditions and bans on insurers imposing lifetime limits or charging women more than men, women in Indiana who find themselves sick will have access to treatment.

I strongly support efforts to increase both prevention and research, especially for diseases like breast cancer, which one in eight women are diagnosed with over their lifetimes.

I am dismayed that healthcare for women and families is increasingly under attack. Unfortunately, both the state of Indiana as well as the Trump Administration are undermining critical protections for women’s health, replacing science and facts with an ideological agenda that harms women. I believe that abortion is a difficult decision that is best made by a woman and her doctor and I will continue to oppose attacks on women that would cut access to quality health and reproductive care services. I also believe that every effort should be made to reduce the frequency of abortions, especially by providing adequate funding for domestic and international family planning programs, especially the Title X Family Planning Program.

PREVENTING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Domestic violence is a serious matter. Since the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was first passed to increase awareness and provide transitional support services for victims of domestic violence, reporting of incidents have increased 51 percent. This means that more victims are able to find assistance in their time of need.  I strongly support legislation that would reauthorize VAWA and provide increased protections for the most vulnerable groups. I am committed to continuing investments in these programs, which includes opposing proposals to eliminate the Office of Violence Against Women.

As a former law enforcement officer, I have seen firsthand the devastating impacts that domestic violence has on women and their families. Throughout my time in Congress, I have made funding for important programs at the Department of Justice a priority. I supported expanding the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program and have advocated for funding of several other important programs that benefit our community, including the Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County. I will continue to support the good work being done in our community to address domestic violence.

PROMOTING FAMILY LEAVE

I believe that our families are the backbones of our communities. Unfortunately, most women do not have the job flexibility necessary to take time off from work for the birth of a child or to care for a sick family member.  To better assist these working parents, I have continuously supported improvements to family medical leave.  I cosponsored the legislation to ensure all women are able to take appropriate leave from work to care for their children or dependent loved ones.  In addition, I support legislation that would allow working women and men to take leave under the Family Medical Leave Act even if they are only working part time—as long as they have been with their employers for at least twelve months.  This is important as many families depend on two working caretakers to provide their basic needs.  I am also a cosponsor of the Healthy Families Act which allow employees to earn at least one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked and to use that time flexibly to address the medical needs of themselves and their families.

As I continue to work hard to put more people back to work, we must ensure that we continue to look after and improve the health and well-being of our Indianapolis community.

Retirement

I believe that it is essential to help everyone plan and prepare for retirement. That includes protecting earned benefits, like Social Security, from future cuts. 

All Americans should be able to retire with dignity and security. Our senior citizens have contributed to Social Security throughout their lives. As another generation continues to age, we must make sure these individuals get a return on their investments. I also know that cost-of-living adjustments are often not keeping up with seniors’ expenditures, and we need to ensure that these payments are adequate and fair. I have consistently voted against Republican Budget plans to fast-track the process to privatize Social Security and force other benefit cuts, and have cosponsored legislation to ensure that there is a Social Security cost of living formula that accounts for the typical expenses of older Americans and protects them from benefit cuts in hard economic times.

While I am very focused on the current issues impacting Social Security, I am also committed to advancing proposals to ensure long term solvency of the Social Security Trust Fund. With a ‘silver tsunami’ coming, we need to address the program’s future and protect the retirement security of current and future hard-working Americans. I have cosponsored legislation that would improve benefits with an across-the-board increase for all current and future beneficiaries, include a more accurate cost-of-living formula and a new special minimum benefit to ensure no one can retire into poverty-level benefits. It would also result in a tax cut for almost 12 million beneficiaries, while keeping the system solvent for the next 75 years. We can protect Social Security now, and for future generations.

Veterans

Across America, millions of brave men and women have served in our nation’s armed services.  They have left behind their families, friends and jobs to fight for our way of life around the world.  These veterans deserve the best we have to offer when they decide to take off their uniforms and return to civilian life.  I consider it one of my top priorities to work for our patriotic veterans to ensure they receive the health care, housing and educational benefits that they and their families deserve.

Tools for Veteran Job-Seekers

The Department of Veterans Affairs has developed a tool to help veterans access official information about their health records, military training and experience.  This tool allows veterans to manage their VA health care online and compile critical service records that can help them to job search or in their careers. For more information, please click here.

Helping Veterans Achieve Financial Stability  

Every year, thousands of troops return home from deployments overseas prepared to separate from military service and begin their civilian lives.  Many of these service members have spent their brief military service in the structured atmosphere of a military base and have never had an opportunity to find reasonably priced housing, manage day-to-day bills associated with living on a civilian income, or have yet to start saving for their futures.  This inexperience managing basic financial responsibilities puts both veterans and their families at a significant risk of foreclosure and unmanageable debt.

I authored the Military Families Financial Preparedness Act to help military families achieve long-term financial stability upon returning to civilian life. This bill added a financial counseling component to the Department of Defense’s successful pre-separation counseling program, which has helped veterans and their spouses become familiar with important VA programs and better prepared them to seek an education and start a civilian career.  Under this legislation, pre-separation counseling sessions include information on budgets, saving, credit, and mortgages and will help veterans and their spouses to create a long-term financial plan.

This legislation passed the House as an amendment to the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act and was signed into law by President Obama.

Improving Mental Health Treatment

Today, our Armed Services continue to struggle with the stigma associated with mental illness despite ongoing efforts at the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs to increase screening, counseling and awareness. Too often, service members resist treatment and hide warning signs, attributing underperformance in combat and difficulty readjusting to civilian life to less serious causes.  In many tragic cases, undiagnosed mental illness and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) have resulted in domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse and suicide.

In an effort to improve mental health screenings and treatment, I authored the Service Members Mental Health Screening Act and the Military Suicide Reduction Act.  Together these bills ensure that service members receive mandatory pre, mid, and post-deployment that holistically address past diagnoses and treatments and initiate treatment in combat, where many mental health challenges are likely to originate.  I also authored the Military Mental Health Improvement Act, which ensures that service members are aware of their privacy rights when pursuing mental health treatment.  This aims to avoid the common misperception that treatment will negatively impact career progression, dissuading service members from pursuing the help they need.

These bills passed the House and were signed into law by President Obama as amendments to the  FY 2012 and FY 2014 National Defense Authorization Acts.

Improving VA Services

Our veterans have sacrificed to protect this nation in times of great need and we have an obligation to provide them with the benefits they were promised. That is why the 2014 revelation that at least forty veterans died waiting for care at the Phoenix VA Medical Center was so disturbing.  Veterans deserve better than this and there is no reason that we cannot successfully provide it to them. 

Since initial details first emerged, I was strongly supportive of the investigation into inappropriate and dishonest scheduling practices at VA facilities across the country. I raised questions to the Secretary of the VA about the Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis, not out of suspicion but because I wanted to ensure that Hoosier veterans were receiving the care they need.  While I supported legislation to enable veterans to pursue care outside of the VA when faced with long wait times, I believe it warrants strong oversight to ensure that veterans receive the level of care they deserve.

Assisting Unemployed Veterans

Over the last several years, veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have been demonstrating the wide array of unique qualifications they bring to the workplace, resulting in a significant drop in unemployment.  Despite this progress, the veterans unemployment rate remains far too high. More needs to be done to help veterans translate the skills and leadership experience gained in the military to civilian jobs.

The Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Labor are working together with employers across the country to promote veterans hiring initiatives and job training.  To complement their efforts, I voted for legislation to establish job training programs for veterans.  Those who have served bravely in our nation’s military deserve our help retraining for the modern American workforce.

Improving G.I. Benefits

Immediately following WWII, over 7.8 million veterans were able to obtain college and post-secondary educations free of charge. Today, these benefits only cover 70% of public and 30% of private post-secondary educational expenses, making it difficult for many veterans to afford a college education.

To ensure that veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan receive full educational benefits, I proudly voted to pass the 21st Century G.I. Bill, which will provide full, four year scholarships to all who have served in our nation’s Armed Forces since September 11, 2001. This drastic and long overdue increase in educational benefits will help our newest generation of veterans receive the tools they need to build productive and successful lives for themselves and their families after leaving the military.

Providing Veterans with Adequate Housing

Disability and unemployment resulting from extended deployments have caused an unacceptably high number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to fall into foreclosure and homelessness. In order of support our veterans returning from combat, I voted for legislation that increases the number of homeownership loans available to veterans and boosts funding for counseling services and other resources to help our nation's homeless veterans.

Transportation

Indiana is known as the “Crossroads of America.” With hundreds of thousands of people from across the country passing through Indianapolis via road, rail and airplane, Congressman Carson knows that improving the transportation infrastructure of Indiana’s Seventh Congressional District is of paramount importance.

That’s why he fought for a seat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which is responsible for overseeing the nation’s transportation infrastructure—including highways, transit, aviation, rail and waterways.

His membership on the Transportation Committee allows him to help modernize transportation in Indianapolis and throughout the country, while also spurring job creation for working families.  Each year, the Committee considers legislation directing billions of dollars in transportation projects and dictating policy on everything from transportation safety to vehicle fuel economy to disaster relief. The Committee’s decisions result in jobs for hundreds of thousands of Americans and billions of dollars in commerce, both from construction and from transportation of goods by highway, rail, water and air. 

Read Our New Infrastructure Framework

MAINTAINING OUR ROADS, HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES

Maintaining our roads, highways and bridges is absolutely critical.  It not only creates jobs through construction and other related fields but also encourages professionals and entrepreneurs to locate in our city, allows lower cost shipping to and from local businesses, and reduces commute times for local workers. In short, a quality road system is one of our strongest economic drivers.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, nearly 65% of America's roads are rated as being in less than good condition and 25% of bridges need to be replaced.   In Marion County that percentage is even higher – 38%.  

Since the Congressman's election to Congress, he has repeatedly voted for critical funding to help the State of Indiana and the City of Indianapolis repair its aging roads, highways and bridges. Unfortunately, one of its best options for making true improvements to its transportation system has been blocked by partisan games. Congress needs to pass a long-term surface transportation reauthorization bill immediately so that cities like Indianapolis can begin making the improvements that will attract employers and put Hoosiers back to work.

Water Resources 

Congressman Carson was proud to support the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) in the Transportation Committee and on the House floor. This was one of the first major bipartisan bills passed by the House in some time.

WRRDA is important for Hoosiers because it reauthorizes programs that keep our waterways navigable, ensure that dams and levees are operating in a safe manner, and maintain and improve the ports that our companies rely on for international trade. While Carson was unsuccessful in his push to include stronger environmental protections during consideration in the Transportation Committee, he was pleased that the bill followed the traditional bipartisan process which allowed each member to provide input.  Following a conference committee to resolve differences with the Senate, President Obama signed the bill into law.

FEMA Reauthorization

As the former Ranking Member of the Emergency Management Subcommittee, Congressman Carson joined Full Committee Chairman Shuster, Full Committee Ranking Member Rahall and Subcommittee Chairman Barletta to introduce the first ever reauthorization of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the 114th Congress.  This critical bill improves our nation's emergency management capabilities, modernizes and strengthens critical components of our preparedness and response system, and supports emergency response personnel. 

PROMOTING TRANSIT MODERNIZATION, ACCESSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY

If all Americans used public transportation for only 10% of their daily travel needs, the United States could reduce its dependence on foreign oil by 40%, while cutting emissions and reducing congestion on our roads and highways.  Unfortunately, our ongoing economic downturn has forced many public transit providers around the country to make cutbacks and delay expansion just to maintain service. 

Congressman Carson believes that public transit is absolutely critical, both in Indianapolis and around the country, which is why he authored three pieces of legislation that will help transit providers continue service while pursuing long overdue growth.

• The Community Transit Promotion Act, H.R. 3019, helps non-profit community organizations qualify for the funding they need to provide transportation to seniors, those with limited means, and those with disabilities in areas IndyGo does not cover. 

• The Modernizing Public Transit Act, H.R. 3020, promotes transit investment, including expansion of bus routes and construction of passenger rail lines.  Under this bill, Indianapolis will no longer be at a disadvantage when applying for transit grants simply because our population is spread over a broad area. 

• And finally, the Protecting Transit Through Increased Flexibility Act, H.R. 3022, recognizes that even with a more robust system, transit providers may still face budget shortfalls in the future. This bill provides the flexibility to use federal funds to maintain service for riders and lessen their worry about cuts to the routes upon which they rely.

Indianapolis deserves to have a modern, affordable and reliable public transit system.  He will continue to advocate in Congress for legislation that will help us achieve that goal.

PROMOTING RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE

Geographically, Indianapolis lies roughly halfway between Chicago and Louisville. The close proximity of these major metropolitan areas led me to successfully work with the Transporation Secretary to have the Department of Transportation officially designate a high speed rail corridor—making it eligible for future federal funding. In addition to creating thousands of high paying jobs, such a high speed rail line would boost commerce and tourism and reduce congestion on Indiana highways. Going forward, Congressman Carson will continue to press DOT and his colleagues on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to make high speed rail a reality in Indiana.

While Carson is a strong support of high speed rail, he understands how critical it is to maintain and expand our conventional passenger rail capacity. He has always been a strong advocate for Amtrak and legislation that creates jobs at the Beech Grove facility.  This includs the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, through which Beech Grove was awarded over $32 million to continue servicing the Amtrak rail system. He was proud to join Vice President, Joe Biden in announcing this award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. This influx of funding created over 80 jobs and helped put Indy's Amtrak facility on track to service America's needs well into the future.

ENCOURAGING ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION

Across Indianapolis, a growing number of people are walking or biking to get around instead of driving. This not only reduces time spent sitting in traffic—it promotes fitness and reduces emissions. In recognition of the need to expand our system of urban paths and trails throughout Downtown Indianapolis, Congressman Carson worked with former Mayor Ballard to secure $20.5 million in federal funding for the completion of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. The connectivity provided by the Cultural Trail is expected to have a total economic benefit of more than $800 million and will create more than ten thousand jobs—all through direct construction, private sector investment and an expansion of tourism.

National Defense

Today, the United States faces a broad number of threats around the world.  From ISIL to al Qaeda to countless other groups around the world, terrorism remains a foremost threat to our interests at home and abroad.  China is rapidly growing its military and belligerently expanding its presence in the South China Sea.  Russia continues to occupy Crimea and remains a destabilizing force across Ukraine.  The flow of drugs from South America is relentless.  Piracy disrupts shipping lanes around the Horn of Africa.  Threats are widespread, diverse and persistent.

As a Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I know full well the need for a strong, well trained and well equipped military that is capable of addressing any crisis that arises. Yet, despite our military strength, we have a responsibility to avoid engaging our forces in conflicts unless it is absolutely necessary. As a Member of Congress, supporting the brave men and women serving in our Armed Forces and securing our national defense are some of my highest priorities.

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)

Recent events in Iraq and Syria are deeply concerning. With ISIL successfully capturing cities across both countries, exposing millions of people to brutal violence, and killing thousands, this is both a humanitarian disaster and a risk to regional stability. This type of volatility is clearly not in the interest of our national security.

As we grapple with how to respond, it is critical we keep in mind the 4,486 service members we lost in Iraq, including 94 from the state of Indiana. The war in Iraq was devastating for the American people both in terms of lives and financial costs, which is why I am opposed to the idea of once again putting a large-scale contingent of troops on the ground in Iraq. Alternatively, we should be looking at options that will minimize our commitment while still supporting our interests in the region, including air strikes, use of special operations forces, airborne surveillance support, and logistical support for the Iraqi military. 

I remain supportive of coalition airstrikes against ISIL and the deployment of advisers to Iraq to better ensure the Iraqi government is prepared to counter this threat. It is important that we take these steps to ensure that more significant involvement does not become necessary.

Engagement Abroad

For far too long, the United States has acted alone to address threats around the world.  This has overstretched our military and strained our relationships with many countries and people.  While we must always be willing to act when threatened, it is critical that we redouble our efforts to engage international partners to participate in and lead military efforts.  Whether through military aid and sales to allies or coalition building before entering a conflict, engagement with our partner nations only saves American lives and tax dollars but it adds international legitimacy to our actions.

Military Strength and Readiness

Over the past ten years, we have asked a tremendous amount of our men and women in uniform—many of whom have been deployed for five or more tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Such repeated deployments put terrible strain on service members and their families, which can require months or years to be fully overcome. While I understand the strategic need to redeploy troops with minimal time for rest and training, I believe that this should be reserved for only the most critical times when our national security is at imminent risk. We have the best trained, most powerful military in the world. However, these repeated deployments exhaust our troops, wear down equipment, and prevent our military from functioning at its peak capability. We need more focus on preparing for future conflicts through rest, training and analysis of lessons learned in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Financial Services

Whether purchasing a home, buying a car, starting a business or investing for retirement, all Americans rely on a stable financial system to pursue their hopes and dreams. Unfortunately, the impact of the recent financial crisis and subsequent recession was widespread and severe—particularly for low-income families.  During my previous service as  member of the House Committee on Financial Services, I had the opportunity to delve into many of financial issues that have been on the forefront throughout our economic downturn. From helping homeowners avoid foreclosure to holding the financial industry accountable for irresponsible and predatory conduct,  I continue to represent Hoosier interests as they relate to one of our nation’s most important sectors.

Reforming the Financial System – Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

In the fall of 2008, some of our nation’s largest financial institutions began to fail, and many others came dangerously close to collapse. Turmoil on Wall Street and elsewhere caused banks to stop lending, hurting businesses large and small on Main Street. Today, the American people are still dealing with the fallout from the financial crisis known as the Great Recession. In an effort to reduce catastrophic risk, protect depositors and taxpayers, and stabilize home prices, I proudly cosponsored the landmark Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, more commonly known as Dodd-Frank, which was signed into law by the President Obama. These reforms help to ensure that financial crises on the scale of the one we experienced recently will not happen again.

For more information on improvements made by Dodd-Frank to our financial system, click here.  

Protecting Consumers Rights

The Great Recession demonstrated quite clearly the need to protect consumers from predatory lending, deceptive credit card terms and other abusive practices. I strongly supported the establishment of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to enhance fair market operations by increasing transparency, simplicity, fairness, accountability and access in the market for consumer financial products and services. Going forward, the American people will have greater confidence when taking out a loan to buy home or car or signing up for a credit card. I am confident that financial practices deemed to be “unfair, deceptive or abusive” will be sharply curtailed once the CFPB is fully funded and adequately staffed.

The CFPB is an independent agency with the authority to:

• Require credit-card issuers to reduce interest rates and fees 
• Require mortgage lenders to give clear information to lenders
• Eliminate arbitration requirements often hidden in the fine print of consumer and investment contracts that create an unfair advantage for Wall Street firms and other lenders

To read more about my support of CFPB, click here.

Supporting Fair Credit Practices

CFPB is now responsible for administering the CARD Act, the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act, which I worked on in the Financial Services Committee and helped pass in the House.

Today, thanks to provisions of the CARD Act, industry practices have changed in four significant ways.

1. The long-standing practice of hiking interest rates on existing cardholder accounts has been dramatically curtailed.
2. The amount of late fees consumers are paying has been substantially reduced.
3. Over-limit fees have virtually disappeared in the credit card industry.
4. Consumers report that their credit card costs are clearer.

Improving Financial Literacy

The financial crisis that began in the fall of 2008 demonstrated quite clearly the need to improve consumers’ understanding the basic financial principals that affect their lives but all too often are not fully understood. Despite the dramatic impact of this most recent crisis on the pocketbooks of households across the country, financial literacy remains is all too often woefully deficient.

I introduced the Young Adults Financial Literacy Act to help young adults get off to the right start in managing their personal finances. Because early financial decisions can have such a huge impact on one’s financial future, my legislation will help young men and women to avoid the pitfalls that often lead to overwhelming debt, poor credit scores and overwhelming anxiety.

The Young Adults Financial Literacy Act calls upon the Departments of Treasury and Education to provide grants to community organizations, high schools and universities for purpose of improving financial literacy amongst young adults. By providing our young people with the knowledge and the tools they need to effectively manage their finances, they are far more likely to live comfortably, provide for their families, and feel secure in their retirement.

I encourage all my constituents to click here to test their financial literacy.

Energy

Tackling our nation’s energy crisis will require a broad and comprehensive strategy that includes pursuing all forms of energy including wind, solar, nuclear, biofuels and coal. I will continue to strongly support the development of renewable energy sources that reduce our dependence on foreign oil and create new, innovative green jobs for Hoosiers. Since coming to Congress, I have had an opportunity to vote on a wide range of progressive energy bills that seek to create jobs, increase domestic energy production and protect our environment.

Opposing Harmful Deregulation

Over the last several years, oil spills and mine collapses have demonstrated the dangers of deregulation.  These dangers become even clearer when considering the millions of Americans who are suffering from diseases ranging from cancer to asthma because of pollutants in our air and water.

We need to eliminate redundant and overly burdensome regulation. But reasonable, scientifically developed regulation is critical to protecting lives, the environment and the American economy.  Regulations ensure that unreasonable risks are not being taken and that energy is being produced as responsibly and cleanly as possible.  Unfortunately, many in Congress have decided to focus on eliminating many of the most important EPA and Clean Air Act regulations that protect the American public.  I have and will continue to oppose legislation that puts my constituents at risk.

Supporting Creation of Green Jobs

Today, companies around the world are finding ways to make everything from cars to power plants cleaner and more energy efficient.  The demand for green products is greater than ever before and recent trends seem to show that this will only increase over time.  This is why I proudly support annual efforts to increase funding for initiatives that provide job training to workers looking for employment in green industries.  I also look to provide assistance to local businesses that are looking to create jobs through the development and sale of green products.  Whether through support for grant application or promotion of critical legislation in Congress, I hope that my efforts will help put people to work in growing green industries. 

Promoting Cleaner, More Efficient Fuels

Today, over 80% of American energy comes from petroleum, coal and natural gas.  Clearly, these will remain our primary energy sources into the foreseeable future, so I believe it is critical for us to continue investing in technologies to make them cleaner, cheaper and more efficient.

I am also a strong supporter of an “all in” approach to American energy, which seeks to improve petroleum, coal and natural gas technologies while prioritizing research into renewable sources of energy like wind, solar, hydro, nuclear and geothermal.  These new technologies will ensure that our future is not tied to unstable oil producers abroad and our large, but limited, supply of coal and natural gas.

Increasing Domestic Energy Production

Over the past several years, domestic oil and gas production has increased dramatically, contributing to the low prices we see today.  Our domestic energy industry is playing a critical role in reducing our reliance on unstable foreign sources of energy.  Unfortunately, some argue that in order to support our domestic energy industry, we need to dismantle health, safety and environmental protections and divert funding from innovative new projects.

I believe this is shortsighted and not in our national interest.  Instead, we should be focusing on setting policies that maintain these critical protections and investments in innovation, without crippling the progress we have already made to increase domestic production. 

Weatherizing Homes

In a time of unpredictable energy costs, far too many Americans have trouble covering the cost of their heating and cooling bills. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has given critical assistance to many low income families, including thousands across Indianapolis, helping them to cover their bills during times of financial struggle.

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) works side by side with LIHEAP by helping low income families install energy efficient heaters, air conditioners, insulation and windows.  This program lowers energy bills and helps Hoosier families keep safe and healthy during hot summers and cold winters.

I believe that LIHEAP and WAP are absolutely critical and will continue to support expanded funding of both programs.

Education

BUILDING A FOUNDATION THROUGH EARLY CHILDHOOD, ELEMENTARY, AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

MAKING SURE OUR STUDENTS ARE PREPARED TO SUCCEED

Making sure that our children receive a good education is the most important thing we can do as a country. All students should have the opportunity to succeed, no matter their background. I am heartened by the continued increases in our nation’s graduation rates, including in Marion County. Unfortunately, too many students and neighborhoods remain behind, and not all schools showed such positive results. As a Member of Congress, I am committed to supporting efforts that provide assistance and supports so that all students have an equal chance to receive a quality education and are encouraged to stay in school.

These gaps are inexcusable. We have a responsibility to fight this achievement gap, and cannot continue to accept the huge disparities in educational attainment by race and socioeconomic status. In 2015, members of Congress in both parties came together to replace No Child Left Behind, which made important strides but ultimately did not work for students, teachers, schools, or parents. That replacement, the Every Student Succeeds Act, is a step forward, but I will be closing watching how Indiana and the federal government implement it. We have a responsibility to our children to hold schools and districts accountable so that all children—no matter what their background—have a real shot.

 I am encouraging my colleagues in Congress to support innovation in education by recognizing the value of early childhood education, encouraging schools to address the specialized learning needs of many students with creative teaching methods and innovative practices, and fully funding professional development for educators. In order to succeed in preparing young people for college and career, we need to promote collaboration between educators, parents and community leaders to close achievement gaps and prepare all students for a successful future. Above all, the students need to have a safe and healthy environment to learn. Rest assured, as Congress discusses these issues, I will continue to advocate for terminating unsuccessful policies and supporting those that benefit, and improve our public schools.

PROTECTING TEACHERS AND IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY

Teachers are one of our most valuable resources and are critical to the success of future generations of Americans. It is important that our public education system continue to attract good teachers by rewarding those teachers who have dedicated themselves to the successful preparation of their students.

Adjusted for inflation, Indiana has had the country’s largest drop in teacher-pay since 2000, a 16% drop. Indiana also has a significant teacher shortage: enrollment in teaching programs and those graduating with teaching degrees declined 37% from 2004 through 2014.  I strongly support additional funds to improve teacher quality and training, salaries that will enable us to address teacher shortages and programs to modernize the teaching workforce.  One of the barriers facing teachers is that it is often impossible to work in the state of their choosing due to licensure rules, which is why I have introduced the Interstate Teaching Mobility Act, which would create an interstate teacher licensure process, setting a high bar but giving teachers the flexibility they deserve. Supporting teachers is an important way we can raise student achievement.

INCREASED FUNDING FOR YOUTH MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS

The hours between 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., when children are out of school but parents are not yet home from work, can be the most important time of day. Mentoring and after-school programs can play an important role in filling this gap, but unfortunately, too few at-risk students have the opportunity to participate in these programs. Afterschool and mentoring programs have been shown to improve educational outcomes, reduced negative behavior, increase school attendance, and improve social and emotional development.  I have had the privilege of visiting many successful mentoring programs located throughout the Seventh Congressional District, and I have seen firsthand the positive impact it has had on the lives of young people. Congress must increase funding for these important programs. I have also introduced two bills, the Transition to Success Modernization Act and the Students Helping Students Act, to give students the access to mentors and afterschool programs—which have proven success at engaging students.

EXPANDING AFFORDABLE HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

Students, colleges, and universities today face new challenges and opportunities, but in our changing job market, a college degree is more valuable than ever. Higher education access and affordability are synonymous with educational opportunity.

The ever increasing cost of tuition is putting higher education out of reach for far too many Americans. The average college graduate owes over $37,000 in student loan debt. For young students graduating from high school and older Americans who are already in the workforce and looking to enhance their career skills, higher education is essential in preparing for jobs in an increasingly competitive global market. I have cosponsored measures to make college more affordable, like expanding Pell grants and extending the Perkins loan program, and there is much more to doto address the issues of college cost, general access, and quality.

In addition to addressing costs, maintaining and expanding protections for students and borrowers is also critical. Students deserve a meaningful degree. I also believe future students need the best possible information to make informed decisions about their futures, which is why I have introduced the Higher Education and Employment Transparency Act, which makes sure that students have access to that information, and support similar efforts to give students the tools to make informed choices.          

Here is a list of helpful resources for families seeking information about federal financial aid programs:

·         https://studentaid.ed.gov/

·          https://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

·         https://www.consumerfinance.gov/paying-for-college/

·         https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/

·          https://collegecost.ed.gov/

·          For students effected by school closures, including ITT Technical Institutes: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/closed-school

·          For GI Bill Beneficiaries https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/

Food and Nutrition

As a Member of Congress, I consider it one of my top priorities to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens do not go hungry. This means standing up for food and nutrition programs that assist millions of low- and middle-income families, which many in Congress continually attempt to cut. I will work to protect affordable food for low-income seniors, children, and families throughout the State of Indiana.

Protecting Children from Going Hungry 

Across the country, millions of children receive their only nutritious meals at school, through school breakfast and lunch programs. In an effort to help these children obtain the nutrition they need to be healthy, active and successful, I have supported several pieces of legislation that expand funding for these and other programs that provide healthier meals to low-income children. These investments in child nutrition are especially important given evidence that hunger can be an enormous barrier to learning. I will continue to support legislation that helps schools, non-profits and other entities to provide nutritious meals to children.  

Improving Access to Nutritious Foods

Access to nutritious food should be a necessity not a luxury. But today, too many people across Indianapolis and our country are struggling to find the healthy food they need. More and more supermarkets are closing their doors and public transportation is often located a mile or more away. That is why I introduced the Food Deserts Act in Congress. This bill creates new avenues to fund stores in underserved communities by facilitating low interest loans for new and existing grocery stores in food deserts. The bill ensures that recipients of these loans will use them to provide affordable, healthy food, like fresh produce, milk, bread, and meat.

Access to healthy food is something many of us take for granted. But, despite our own experiences, we must remember that millions of Americans are struggling every day to feed their families.

I hope to strengthen existing federal programs around this growing issue and create access to food for communities in need because I believe that all Americans deserve access to the nutritious food.

Encouraging Physical Fitness

Today, obesity rates are dangerously high and continue to rise, with over 30% of adults and 17% of children considered obese.  Studies have shown that obesity results in rising health care costs for many families, reduced productivity at work and less effective learning at school. Promotion of exercise and physical activity has never been a more important public policy.

I have been a strong supporter of fomer First Lady Obama’s Let’s Move campaign to encourage exercise among young people and continue to advocate in Congress for legislation that promotes scientifically based physical fitness guidelines for all Americans. Physical fitness and exercise are critical to the health and well-being of all Americans, making it among my top priorities in Congress.

Foreign Affairs

Iran Nuclear Deal

Since the P5+1 began negotiations with Iran, it has pursued the singular objective of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.  I support the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action because after decades of dangerous provocation, I believe it is clear that a nuclear Iran would pose a threat to the United States and its allies, destabilize the Middle East, and stoke armed conflict.  This agreement shuts down all pathways to a bomb and is a responsible way to ensure Iran never becomes a nuclear power.

This agreement is based on verification, not trust.  By establishing a robust framework for IAEA inspections, we will have a close view of every stage of Iran’s nuclear program and supply chain, from mining to enrichment to its nuclear reactors.  Continuous monitoring will ensure compliance with all aspects of the deal, including limiting uranium enrichment and reducing stockpiles, removing two-thirds of installed centrifuges, and modifying major reactors so it can no longer produce weapons-grade material.  While the agreement lifts sanctions for compliance, it ensures that sanctions are quickly reinstated if Iran violates its side of the deal.  It also keeps in place sanctions for the sponsorship of terrorism and development of ballistic missiles, which continue to destabilize the region.

The United States is not standing alone in the implementation of this agreement.  Together with five other world powers, the United Nations and the IAEA we will be working to ensure Iran’s compliance. While Iran may try to cheat, it is highly unlikely that their activities could go fully undetected by all of these international players.

Since this agreement was presented to Congress, I have heard from many Americans who believe Iran will never comply with this agreement.  I share these concerns. However, it is important for us to remember that it took years to get Iran to the negotiating table.  Without this deal, Iran sits within 2-3 months of securing a nuclear weapon, without any inspections or constraints.  It is unrealistic to think that we can back away, increase pressure on Iran to achieve greater Iranian concessions, and successfully restart talks before Iran reaches its goal. Despite this, I firmly believe that all options, including resumption of sanctions and the use of military force, must remain on the table in the event that Iran fails to comply.

This agreement is not perfect, but the fact is that we cannot know with 100% certainty that Iran will comply with any deal.  However, I believe it is likely that this is our one real shot at restraining Iran’s nuclear ambitions. 

Russia

In 2014, the Ukrainian people successfully removed their corrupt leader from power. Unfortunately, Russia took advantage of ensuing unrest by invading and annexing Crimea and supporting militant rebels against the Ukrainian government.   This violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty is unacceptable.  I strongly believe that it is in the interest of the United States to support a stable, democratic Ukraine, which is why I have supported efforts to provide aid to Ukraine so it can better support its citizens and oppose pressure from Russia, both of which help to avoid escalations of violence.

Since its incursion into Ukraine, Russia has become increasingly aggressive around the world. Today, we have evidence that it attempted to tamper with our 2016 election. It is militarily supporting the Assad regime in Syria, ruthlessly bombing civilians on the dictator’s request. Rhetoric from President Vladimir Putin and the installation of advanced weaponry along its border continues to threaten our European allies.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, combined with increased militarism and belligerence on the international stage, raises significant concerns about its intentions around the world.  While direct military engagement should be avoided at all costs, it is important that we do what we can to reassure our NATO allies, including by stationing military assets in Eastern Europe.  I also support the use of economic sanctions to dissuade Russian leaders from continued interference in Ukraine or other violations of international law.

Supporting Peace and Democracy

In 2011, people across the Middle East and North Africa rose up against their oppressive governments to call for them to be more open, accountable and democratic.  It was a turning point in the region as long-time dictators like Hosni Mubarak and Muammar Gaddafi were overthrown by popular uprising.  I strongly support the rights of all people to peacefully stand up for their basic human rights.

Sadly, as some have achieved democracy many others continue to struggle to secure basic rights and freedoms.  I believe that any government or ruler that orders attacks on its own people, just for speaking out against oppression, should be held accountable on the international stage.  I support the use of sanctions and the International Criminal Court to bring ruthless dictators to justice.

Encouraging International Diplomacy and Human Rights

The United States’ ability to successfully negotiate with our global neighbors has prevented military conflicts, expanded economic opportunities and helped to bring human rights to millions of oppressed people around the world.  Our humanitarian efforts have provided lifesaving assistance to people living without access to nutritious food, clean water, shelter or education.

Over the years, I have had an opportunity to vote on many critical bills that guide our diplomatic policy and fund the State Department, USAID and other agencies that promote peaceful diplomacy and humanitarian assistance around the world.  I will continue to do what I can to ensure that our diplomats have the tools they need to represent our interests abroad and bring the assistance of the United States to people in need.

Promoting Fair International Trade

On a level playing field, American companies can outperform and out produce those in any other country. Unfortunately, China continues to allow unfair practices, such as stealing intellectual property and making our goods more expensive by manipulating their currency. These actions have cost us hundreds of thousands of jobs and forced companies to shut their doors. In this fragile economy, protecting jobs is my top priority. I have and will continue to support legislation that condemns China’s damaging trade policies and better protects American workers.

Opposing Unfair Trade Agreements

From cars to planes to computers, America has always been a manufacturing leader. However, after a decade of jobs moving overseas, our manufacturing sector is nearing collapse.  One reason so many jobs have left our country is our approval of so called free trade agreements.  These agreements are intended to streamline trade between us and our allies.  However, they more often encourage American businesses to ship jobs out of the country in order to take advantage of cheaper labor costs and lax regulation.

I was proud to stand up for working Americans by opposing the Korea, Panama, Columbia, and Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreements.  I believed that these agreements will only hurt more American workers by making us less competitive and sending their jobs overseas.

Housing

Home ownership continues to be the cornerstone of the American Dream and an important step for families attempting to climb the economic ladder.  Fortunately, the overall housing market is nearing pre-recession levels, but there is still room for improvement. The most recent data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shows that the Indianapolis sales housing market has stabilized but remains far from the peak sales seen in the early 2000s. Rental housing availability and demand has increased across the region, but according to HUD still has room to improve.     

Wages

While it is encouraging to see the housing market conditions improve, a major factor in the ability to afford rent is wages. While recent statistics indicate that the average weekly wage in Marion County has increased steadily since 2010, hourly salaries still remain below the national average. That is why I supported legislation to raise the federal minimum wage to $12.00 an hour, ensuring that all Americans make a living wage and are able to afford the cost of housing.

Avoiding Foreclosure

The number of Hoosiers in Indianapolis in foreclosure has been declining since 2007.  One of the best ways to prevent foreclosure is to utilize the federal and other programs that are available to provide assistance, including loan modifications and refinancing.  If you need more information, please contact my office, or click here.

I am committed to doing everything in my power to keep Hoosiers in their homes and help hardworking, American families avoid losing their homes through default or foreclosures. This is why I continue to support the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) which provides help to struggling home owners facing foreclosure. Although the Program shutdown on December 31, 2016, 2.9 million applications have been processed to receive HAMP permanent mortgage modifications. Borrowers participating in the program have seen their mortgage payments reduced by 40 percent on average. In total, homeowners have reduced their mortgage burden by more than $5 billion through permanent HAMP modifications.

Moving forward, it is essential that we fully fund our nation's housing programs. If you are searching for information on housing, feel free to contact our office or visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury or Department of Housing and Urban Development’s website.

Affordable Housing

Hoosiers deserve to live in homes that meet their basic needs. Unfortunately, even as the housing market has improved, the availability of affordable housing for working families has become harder to find. This is expected to become even more difficult as the demand for affordable housing continues to grow and units are developed in higher average rent areas. I strongly support programs that provide housing assistance to Hoosiers in need.  I also support public-private partnerships and community development projects that expand affordable housing for more families.

Rehabilitating Vacant Homes

Despite the existence of federal, state and local programs, some families are unable to avoid foreclosure. While these families move on to other housing options, they often leave abandoned houses in their wake. This is a particularly significant problem in Indianapolis. All too often, as homeowners abandon their property or are forced out, surrounding property values begin to decline, crime escalates and neighborhoods deteriorate. This threat to the health and safety of our neighborhoods must be addressed.  To combat this problem, I supported legislation to provide grants and loans to enable states to purchase and rehabilitate vacant, foreclosed homes and convert them into affordable housing. I remain a strong supporter of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program which allows localities to reclaim abandoned homes in a way that can strengthen neighborhoods and communities.  This program has benefited Indianapolis, which received $37 million in assistance to rebuild dilapidated homes and revitalize our neighborhoods and fight blight. I am committed to ensuring that any remaining funds will be used to help hardest hit communities.

Homeland Security

As a former law enforcement officer and official at the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, I have served on the front lines in our struggle to keep our city, state and country safe.  In Congress, I look to carry on this work by ensuring that our brave first responders get the resources they need to respond to emergencies.

Supporting Police and Fire Departments

Over the last few years, Indianapolis has seen a significant spike in violence, leaving neighborhoods calling for help.  Whether resulting from drugs, gangs or any other cause, one thing is clear—our police need better resources to keep our streets safe. To rectify this problem, I have advocated for increased funding for programs like the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program and the COPS Hiring Program, which help to increase the number of well trained and well equipped officers on our streets.

Similarly, I understand the massive challenges faced by our fire departments, which are struggling to secure the basic equipment they need to respond to emergencies.  This is why I have pushed for increased funding for the Fire Assistance Grant Program. This important program awarded numerous competitive grants to Indianapolis, enabling our first responders to hire additional staff and purchase the equipment necessary to keep our city safe and secure.  While I believe it is important for us to reduce our deficit, I do not believe that it should accomplished by cutting any of these grants for first responders and the people they protect.

Preventing Drug Violence on Our Border

For the last several years, we have witnessed spikes in drug related violence along the United States-Mexico border. This violence, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives, has spilled over the border and resulted in the assault and murder of American citizens.  We are also seeing significant drug trafficking and drug use in Indiana, tragically taking many more lives.

I strongly support the Obama Administration’s efforts to quell violence along our border and protect innocent Americans against traffickers, who are flooding our streets with dangerous drugs and deadly gang violence. By equipping and deploying hundreds of additional border agents to the most vulnerable parts of our border, the President has sent a strong signal to gangs and drug cartels that the United States will not tolerate lawlessness and brutality. Going forward, I will continue to press my colleagues in the House to support Mexico's efforts to crack down on drug trafficking and gang violence.

Pursuing Comprehensive Immigration Reform

An estimated 12 million people are living in the United States without documentation of citizenship or residency status.  Like many Hoosiers, I believe the best and safest way for individuals to enter the United States is through the appropriate legal channels set up to distribute visas.  Unfortunately, this system is broken:  it does not reflect our workforce needs, many families are separated for decades due to backlogs and some individuals have no pathway to pursue legal immigration.

I have a long record of supporting bipartisan efforts for comprehensive immigration reform, and will continue to work toward national and local solutions to the problems in our current immigration system. Comprehensive reform would strengthen border security, improve our economy, and create a fair and rigorous path to citizenship for individuals living in the shadows. While effective border security is a key component of comprehensive reform, I do not support efforts to criminalize immigrant communities or to militarize the border. We should be focused on protecting our border without giving the inaccurate impression that our country believes all immigrants are dangerous.

Health Care

Ensuring that all Hoosiers have access to quality, affordable healthcare is one of my top priorities in Congress. I will continue to fight to improve our nation’s healthcare system by lowering costs, expanding access, and protecting Medicare and Medicaid.

The Affordable Care Act

In March of 2010, I voted to pass the Affordable Care Act, historic legislation overhauling our nation’s broken health-care system. Today, I am proud to say today that the Affordable Care Act is—and will remain—the law of the land.

I have seen the real impact the Affordable Care Act is having in the lives of Hoosiers. Since it took effect, the uninsured rate has been cut almost in half, and 20 million Americans have gained coverage. These reforms have brought quality, affordable coverage to millions of Americans, and put in place important consumer protections. For example, the ACA guarantees coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions, requires insurance plans to include essential health benefits and free preventative care, and prohibits lifetime and annual caps on benefits.

In Indiana, since the ACA was implemented:

• 245,000 Hoosiers have gained coverage
• The uninsured rate has declined from 15.3% in 2013 to 10.1% in 2017
• 168,884 Hoosiers received coverage through ACA Marketplace, 139,437 of whom received a subsidy
• 361,700 Hoosiers gained coverage through Medicaid expansion
• 50,000 young adults have been able to stay on their parents plans until 26
• 2.9 million Hoosiers now have private insurance that is required to cover preventive services  without any co-pays, coinsurance, or deductibles
• Roughly 1.2 million Hoosiers with pre-existing conditions could be at risk of losing coverage if the ACA is repealed
• 123,302 seniors have saved an average of $1,035 as a result of the donut hole closing

The Affordable Care Act was an important first step, but it was not perfect. I have supported a broad range of ideas to fix what does not work, and I encourage my colleagues and the Trump Administration to put politics aside and build on our progress. Going forward, I also believe we need to further expand upon the ACA’s gains in order to reach more Americans and further lower costs.

If you need help searching for plans on the health insurance marketplace, you can learn more by:

• Visiting the online website at www.healthcare.gov
• Finding an In-Person Assister, also called a Navigator, by visiting https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/.
• Calling the 24-Hour Affordable Care Act Call Center at 800-318-2596.

Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0 and Medicaid Expansion in Indiana

Our nation’s healthcare system has been broken for too long, with many Americans facing rising costs, inadequate protections, and unequal access to care. For example, in just a 12-mile stretch along the Monon Trail here in Central Indiana, the average life expectancy falls from 81—the same as Norway—to 67—that of Ghana. I have long been proud to support Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) 2.0, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, our safety-net hospitals and community health centers, and Medicaid, all critical elements of our healthcare safety net.

Medicaid is the bedrock of care we provide for the most needy in our society, including millions of poor, elderly, and disabled Americans. I proudly voted against the Republican bills to gut Medicaid last year, and proudly support Medicaid expansion in Indiana—made possible by the Affordable Care Act. Indiana’s Medicaid expansion, known as HIP 2.0, has expanded healthcare coverage to almost 400,000 Hoosiers, most of whom were previously uninsured. I would have always preferred a traditional Medicaid expansion, which would have put in place fewer barriers to Hoosiers in need of healthcare coverage, and am particularly concerned about changes that would scale back the program, like requirements that many individuals work in order to receive healthcare. These changes will result in too many of my constituents falling through the cracks and losing access to care.

I will continue to work with community leaders to educate all Hoosiers to ensure that they receive the best benefits and healthcare possible.

Medicare and Protecting The Health of Our Seniors

Medicare is a federal insurance program that pays for covered health care services of qualified beneficiaries, including individuals 65 and older. I have continuously fought to protect our seniors from the rising costs of healthcare. As my colleagues and I continue to look for ways to make Medicare more efficient, I am committed to maintaining a high quality of care. 

• Access to health services and prescription drugs through Medicare is only the first hurdle our seniors face as they deal with problems such as serious illnesses and living on fixed-incomes. The Affordable Care Act eased some of the burdens on seniors by expanding Medicare coverage and helping seniors close the gap between coverage and out of pocket expenses for prescription drugs. It also extended the solvency of the Medicare Trust Fund by nearly a decade, and I continue to believe that we should take responsible steps to shore up the program, without breaking our promises to seniors.

Lowering Drug Prices

With millions of Americans depending on lifesaving prescription drugs, ensuring that all Americans have access to the drugs they need is critical. Unfortunately, Congress and the Administration have largely failed to address the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs. With many Hoosiers employed by pharmaceutical companies, we should not paint the whole industry with a broad brush, and we need to consider their investments in lifesaving treatments. I also  strongly support efforts to increase medical research, especially at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). However, making sure all Hoosiers can afford their medicines should be one of Congress’ top priorities.

Drug Abuse

Too many Hoosiers suffer from the scourge of drug abuse, and too few receive the treatment they need. Hoosiers are now more likely to die from a drug overdose than a car accident, and 59,000 Hoosiers died in 2016. I have been proud to support efforts in Congress to address this crisis, but what we have done so far is not enough. We need to dedicate more funding towards prevention and treatment, to treat the full spectrum of drug and substance abuse, and to support Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, which provide critical protections and care to many impacted individuals.

Economy

Unemployment is high and the cost of health care, food, and energy are rising, making it difficult for American families to make ends meet.  As your Representative in Congress, I will continue to support initiatives that create jobs, stimulate our economy and provide assistance to those struggling to find work. We must get people back to work safely. 

Creating Jobs and Stimulating the National Economy

For years, Americans have suffered through layoffs and reduced hours as companies have scaled back, closed their doors or moved jobs overseas. The American people have made it very clear: our nation’s top priority needs to be job creation.  They want to get back to work and there is simply no better way to reduce our deficit and grow our economy than by creating jobs and strengthening the middle class.

Providing Job Training Opportunities

Over the last decade, our economic challenges have resulted in factories moving overseas and countless small businesses closing down, leaving fewer options for many hardworking Americans. Many have worked for years in their given field and are not prepared to transition into modern, growing industries.  These workers need training to give them the skills and experience to compete in the 21st century economy. In an effort to boost the economy in Central Indiana, I worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to secure millions of dollars in funding for job training programs at Ivy Tech, the John H. Boner Center and other organizations around the city. This funding provided job-training and workforce development services to Hoosiers who just want to get back to work.

Lowering Taxes, Helping Millions of Americans and Stimulating the Economy

For those still actively looking for work, lowering taxes and extending unemployment benefits are two of the best ways to stimulate the economy by putting more cash in the pockets of millions of Americans. While some in Congress seem beholden to millionaires and billionaires, I advocated for extending and expanding payroll tax cuts for nearly 160 million working and middle class Americans. This will save the vast majority of Americans $1,000 a year and will incentivize six million small business owners to expand and hire more workers.

Stopped American Jobs From Going Overseas

America has lost over 50,000 factories and millions of manufacturing jobs in the last decade. Yet, we give tax breaks to companies closing plants here only to import their products back to America from factories they open overseas. We should be providing tax advantages to companies that choose to remain in the United States, employing American workers. We can only strengthen our middle class and protect against further job loss by changing our incentive structure. I favor ending tax breaks for outsourcing, and I strongly support giving tax credits to companies who hire American workers and either build facilities in America or re-open closed factories here.

Helping Rebuild American Manufacturing

From cars to planes to computers, America has always been a manufacturing leader. However, after a decade of jobs moving overseas, our manufacturing sector is nearing collapse. We can reverse these recent setbacks, but Congress must start providing incentives for investing in closed factories. We must make it more profitable for businesses to open plants in America than in China, Mexico, or other developing countries. This means we must support comprehensive investment in training our workforce, so American workers have the skills needed to compete and create products in demand globally—specifically in high-tech industries. We also must ensure federal assistance is targeted to business owners who employ American workers. If both parties in Congress work together to put our neighbors first, we can rebuild American manufacturing.

Fighting China’s Unfair Trade Practices That Cost U.S. Jobs

On a level playing field, American companies can outperform and out produce those in any other country. Unfortunately, China continues to allow unfair practices, such as stealing intellectual property and making our goods more expensive by manipulating their currency. These actions have cost us hundreds of thousands of jobs and forced companies to shut their doors. In this fragile economy, protecting jobs is my top priority. I have and will continue to support legislation that condemns China’s damaging trade policies and better protects American workers.

Protecting American Workers in Trade Agreements

I support fair trade that will create jobs for Americans and that will ensure workers around the world are not treated unfairly.  This is why I opposed “Fast Track” legislation that would prevent me from making improvements to future trade legislation. Every trade bill that comes up for a vote warrants careful consideration to make sure that it will help Hoosiers.  If I am not convinced that it helps American workers and businesses, I will vote against it.

How Our Laws Are Made

This is a web-friendly presentation of the PDF "How Our Laws Are Made" (House Document 110-49); revised and updated by John V. Sullivan, Parliamentarian, United States House of Representatives, July 2007.

I. INTRODUCTION

This online resource provides a basic outline of the numerous steps of our federal law-making process from the source of an idea for a legislative proposal through its publication as a statute. The legislative process is a matter about which every person should be well informed in order to understand and appreciate the work of Congress. It is hoped that this guide will enable readers to gain a greater understanding of the federal legislative process and its role as one of the foundations of our representative system. One of the most practical safeguards of the American democratic way of life is this legislative process with its emphasis on the protection of the minority, allowing ample opportunity to all sides to be heard and make their views known. The fact that a proposal cannot become a law without consideration and approval by both Houses of Congress is an outstanding virtue of our bicameral legislative system. The open and full discussion provided under the Constitution often results in the notable improvement of a bill by amendment before it becomes law or in the eventual defeat of an inadvisable proposal. As the majority of laws originate in the House of Representatives, this discussion will focus principally on the procedure in that body. 

II. THE CONGRESS

Article I, Section 1, of the United States Constitution, provides that:

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

The Senate is composed of 100 Members—two from each state, regardless of population or area—elected by the people in accordance with the 17th Amendment to the Constitution. The 17th Amendment changed the former constitutional method under which Senators were chosen by the respective state legislatures. A Senator must be at least 30 years of age, have been a citizen of the United States for nine years, and, when elected, be an inhabitant of the state for which the Senator is chosen. The term of office is six years and one-third of the total membership of the Senate is elected every second year. The terms of both Senators from a particular state are arranged so that they do not terminate at the same time. Of the two Senators from a state serving at the same time the one who was elected first—or if both were elected at the same time, the one elected for a full term—is referred to as the ‘‘senior’’ Senator from that state. The other is referred to as the ‘‘junior’’ Senator. If a Senator dies or resigns during the term, the governor of the state must call a special election unless the state legislature has authorized the governor to appoint a successor until the next election, at which time a successor is elected for the balance of the term. Most of the state legislatures have granted their governors the power of appointment.

Each Senator has one vote.

As constituted in the 110th Congress, the House of Representatives is composed of 435 Members elected every two years from among the 50 states, apportioned to their total populations. The permanent number of 435 was established by federal law following the Thirteenth Decennial Census in 1910, in accordance with Article I, Section 2, of the Constitution. This number was increased temporarily to 437 for the 87th Congress to provide for one Representative each for Alaska and Hawaii. The Constitution limits the number of representatives to not more than one for every 30,000 of population. Under a former apportionment in one state, a particular Representative represented more than 900,000 constituents, while another in the same state was elected from a district having a population of only 175,000. The Supreme Court has since held unconstitutional a Missouri statute permitting a maximum population variance of 3.1 percent from mathematical equality. The Court ruled in Kirkpatrick v. Preisler, 394 U.S. 526 (1969), that the variances among the districts were not unavoidable and, therefore, were invalid. That decision was an interpretation of the Court’s earlier ruling in Wesberry v. Sanders, 376 U.S. 1 (1964), that the Constitution requires that ‘‘as nearly as is practicable one man’s vote in a congressional election is to be worth as much as another’s.’

A law enacted in 1967 abolished all ‘‘at-large’’ elections except in those less populous states entitled to only one Representative. An ‘‘at-large’’ election is one in which a Representative is elected by the voters of the entire state rather than by the voters in a congressional district within the state.

A Representative must be at least 25 years of age, have been a citizen of the United States for seven years, and, when elected, be an inhabitant of the state in which the Representative is chosen. Unlike the Senate where a successor may be appointed by a governor when a vacancy occurs during a term, if a Representative dies or resigns during the term, the executive authority of the state must call a special election pursuant to state law for the choosing of a successor to serve for the unexpired portion of the term.

Each Representative has one vote.

In addition to the Representatives from each of the States, a Resident Commissioner from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Delegates from the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands are elected pursuant to federal law. The Resident Commissioner, elected for a four-year term, and the Delegates, elected for two-year terms, have most of the prerogatives of Representatives including the right to vote in committee to which they are elected, the right to vote in the Committee of the Whole (subject to an automatic revote in the House whenever a recorded vote has been decided by a margin within which the votes cast by the Delegates and the Resident Commissioner have been decisive), and the right to preside over the Committee of the Whole. However, the Resident Commissioner and the Delegates do not have the right to vote on matters before the House. Under the provisions of Section 2 of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, Congress must assemble at least once every year, at noon on the third day of January, unless by law they appoint a different day.

A Congress lasts for two years, commencing in January of the year following the biennial election of Members. A Congress is divided into two regular sessions.

The Constitution authorizes each House to determine the rules of its proceedings. Pursuant to that authority, the House of Representatives adopts its rules anew each Congress, ordinarily on the opening day of the first session. The Senate considers itself a continuing body and operates under continuous standing rules that it amends from time to time. Unlike some other parliamentary bodies, both the Senate and the House of Representatives have equal legislative functions and powers with certain exceptions. For example, the Constitution provides that only the House of Representatives may originate revenue bills. By tradition, the House also originates appropriation bills. As both bodies have equal legislative powers, the designation of one as the ‘‘upper’’ House and the other as the ‘‘lower’’ House is not applicable.

The chief function of Congress is the making of laws. In addition, the Senate has the function of advising and consenting to treaties and to certain nominations by the President. Under the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, a vote in each House is required to confirm the President’s nomination for Vice-President when there is a vacancy in that office. In the matter of impeachments, the House of Representatives presents the charges—a function similar to that of a grand jury—and the Senate sits as a court to try the impeachment. No impeached person may be removed without a two-thirds vote of those Senators voting, a quorum being present. The Congress under the Constitution and by statute also plays a role in presidential elections. Both Houses meet in joint session on the sixth day of January following a presidential election, unless by law they appoint a different day, to count the electoral votes. If no candidate receives a majority of the total electoral votes, the House of Representatives, each state delegation having one vote, chooses the President from among the three candidates having the largest number of electoral votes. The Senate, each Senator having one vote, chooses the Vice President from the two candidates having the largest number of votes for that office.

III. SOURCES OF LEGISLATION

Sources of ideas for legislation are unlimited and proposed drafts of bills originate in many diverse quarters. Primary among these is the idea and draft conceived by a Member. This may emanate from the election campaign during which the Member had promised, if elected, to introduce legislation on a particular subject. The Member may have also become aware after taking office of the need for amendment to or repeal of an existing law or the enactment of a statute in an entirely new field.

In addition, the Member’s constituents, either as individuals or through citizen groups, may avail themselves of the right to petition and transmit their proposals to the Member. The right to petition is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution. Similarly, state legislatures may ‘‘memorialize’’ Congress to enact specified federal laws by passing resolutions to be transmitted to the House and Senate as memorials. If favorably impressed by the idea, a Member may introduce the proposal in the form in which it has been submitted or may redraft it. In any event, a Member may consult with the Legislative Counsel of the House or the Senate to frame the ideas in suitable legislative language and form.

In modern times, the ‘‘executive communication’’ has become a prolific source of legislative proposals. The communication is usually in the form of a message or letter from a member of the President’s Cabinet, the head of an independent agency, or the President himself, transmitting a draft of a proposed bill to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate.

Despite the structure of separation of powers, Article II, Section 3, of the Constitution imposes an obligation on the President to report to Congress from time to time on the ‘‘State of the Union’’ and to recommend for consideration such measures as the President considers necessary and expedient. Many of these executive communications follow on the President’s message to Congress on the state of the Union. The communication is then referred to the standing committee or committees having jurisdiction of the subject matter of the proposal. The chairman or the ranking minority member of the relevant committee often introduces the bill, either in the form in which it was received or with desired changes. This practice is usually followed even when the majority of the House and the President are not of the same political party, although there is no constitutional or statutory requirement that a bill be introduced to effectuate the recommendations.

The most important of the regular executive communications is the annual message from the President transmitting the proposed budget to Congress. The President’s budget proposal, together with testimony by officials of the various branches of the government before the Appropriations Committees of the House and Senate, is the basis of the several appropriation bills that are drafted by the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate.

The drafting of statutes is an art that requires great skill, knowledge, and experience. In some instances, a draft is the result of a study covering a period of a year or more by a commission or committee designated by the President or a member of the Cabinet. The Administrative Procedure Act and the Uniform Code of Military Justice are two examples of enactments resulting from such studies. In addition, congressional committees sometimes draft bills after studies and hearings covering periods of a year or more.

IV. FORMS OF CONGRESSIONAL ACTION

The work of Congress is initiated by the introduction of a proposal in one of four forms: the bill, the joint resolution, the concurrent resolution, and the simple resolution. The most customary form used in both Houses is the bill. During the 109th Congress (2005–2006), 10,558 bills and 143 joint resolutions were introduced in both Houses. Of the total number introduced, 6,436 bills and 102 joint resolutions originated in the House of Representatives.

For the purpose of simplicity, this discussion will be confined generally to the procedure on a measure of the House of Representatives, with brief comment on each of the forms.

Impeachment

Impeachment is one of the most serious and most important tools that Congress has to hold elected officials accountable. In December of 2019, President Trump became only the fourth President in history to be impeached by the House of Representatives. This serious action stems from President Trump's withholding nearly $400 million in U.S. aid to Ukraine until its government agreed to investigate one of his politial rivals. These actions threatened our national security and betrayed the American people. 

After news of these actions broke, the House opened up an impeachment inquiry. As a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, one of the congressional committees leading this investigation, Congressman Carson has played a large role in this vital mission to hold the President accountable to the American people.

Rep. Carson joined the majority of his House colleagues in voting for the Articles of Impeachment against the President -- Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress. Now, the U.S. Senate is tasked with holding a trial to determine whether the President should be removed from office. Rep. Carson continues to urge his colleagues there to hold a fair and thorough trial. 

COVID-19 (coronavirus)

COVID-19 coronavirus presents an unprecedented global public health challenge. The loss of life, strain on our health care system, and severe economic impact will continue to test the resolve of Hoosiers, and people across the globe.

Thankfully, there are many resources available to people in need here in the Seventh Congressional District. Below is a list of many of them. Continue visiting this page for updates. For additional questions or concerns, please call my Indianapolis office at 317-283-6516 or my Washington, D.C. office at 202-225-4011.

Census 2020

Census 2020 is here! This once-a-decade count of our communities is vital. It not only provides a clearer picture of where Americans live, but also helps determine federal funding levels and provides the basis for the redrawing of legislative districts, which helps ensure everyone’s voices are heard at every level of government. That’s why it’s so important for all of us to participate in this nationwide effort by filling out and submitting a Census form for ourselves and our families. In the last Census, Indianapolis had one of the highest participation rates among major cities. This year, I’m challenging our community to once again aim for a complete count. When we all choose to stand and be counted, we are making an investment in ourselves, our families, and our communities. Visit this page throughout the year for helpful updates and information on the 2020 Census.

Will There be a Citizenship Question on the Census?

At this time, the 2020 Census will not include a question asking if you are a citizen of the United States. The aim of the Census is to ensure a complete count of our nation, to better determine the unique needs of our individual communities. Including this question could discourage many residents who are not citizens from participating. That’s why I have opposed this effort from the beginning, and will continue working to block this misguided move.