Mike Thompson represents California's 5th Congressional District. The district includes all of Napa and parts of Contra Costa, Lake, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He was first elected in 1998. Prior to serving in Congress, Thompson represented California's 2nd District in the California State Senate, where he chaired the powerful Budget Committee.
Thompson is a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means and serves as Chairman of the Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee and as a senior member of the Health Subcommittee.
The United States was founded on the principle of liberty and justice for all. However, our nation has not always lived up to this high ideal. Congress must act to ensure this most American value is made a reality.
Workplace Equality
Job opportunities should be equally available to workers of equal ability, regardless of gender. That’s why I voted for and was an original cosponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act. This bill would prohibit employers from screening applicants based on salary history, make wage nondisclosure agreements illegal and strengthen penalties for employer retaliation against workers who assert their rights. The Paycheck Fairness Act passed the House of Representatives in April 2021, but Republicans voted against it in the Senate and it failed to cross the 60 vote threshold.
In addition, I’ve fought to extend universal, gender-neutral family and medical leave as a supporter and cosponsor of the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act. This bill would provide eligible individuals with up to 12 weeks of paid leave for a pregnancy, the birth or adoption of a child, recovery from a serious illness or the care of a seriously ill family member.
Criminal Justice
Racial and other minorities face several disparities in our criminal justice system and Congress must work to level the playing field. In the 115th Congress, I voted to pass the FIRST STEP Act. This legislation, which became law in 2018, expands judicial discretion in sentencing non-violent, first-time drug offenders and eases the federal “three strikes” rule. It also allows inmates to receive “earned time credits” for participation in rehabilitative and vocational programs. These credits will allow participating inmates to earn early release to a halfway house or home confinement.
In the 116th Congress, I cosponsored the Fair Chance Act of 2019, which prohibits federal agencies and federal contractors from requesting a job applicant’s criminal history before extending a conditional offer of employment. This moderate step enables people with a criminal record to get their foot in the door while allowing federal agencies and contractors to rescind offers if it’s later discovered a prospective employee was convicted of a disqualifying crime.
LGBTQ+ Rights
Though America has made great strides toward equality for LGBTQ+ people, much work remains to ensure their rights are respected. That’s why I was proud to vote for and be an original cosponsor of the Equality Act. This bill would extend civil rights protections against discrimination in credit, education, employment, federal funding, housing, jury service and public accommodations to LGBTQ+ Americans. Though the House passed the Equality Act in February 2021, now it waits for a vote in the Senate.
I also supported and voted for the PRIDE Act of 2019, which amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for equal treatment of same sex married couples and waives the statute of limitations to allow these couples to amend past filings to married filing jointly.
In addition, I’ve cosponsored the John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act. This bill would prohibit the exclusion of LGBTQ+ youth from child welfare programs authorized under the Social Security Act.
Voting
Voting rights are civil rights, plain and simple. Last year, I cosponsored and voted to pass the For the People Act. Among other key reforms, this bill would require states to make voting more accessible to disabled voters, restore voting rights to felons upon completion of their sentence and prohibit sudden, last-minute purges of voter rolls. The For the People Act passed the House in March 2021, now it waits for a vote in the Senate.
Please know I’ll never stop fighting to protect the civil rights of everyone in America—no matter who they are, what they look like or whom they love.
As a former member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and a Vietnam combat veteran, I’m well aware of the threats America faces. I’m committed to providing our Armed Forces and Intelligence Community everything they need to defend our nation. However, military action should always be our last resort. The President must exhaust all diplomatic options before entering the United States into any conflict. And we must all be mindful of the sacrifices our men and women in uniform, and their families, make in service of this country.
Authorization for Use of Military Force
The President must obtain congressional approval for the use of military force before putting our troops in harm’s way—as our Constitution expressly requires. I’m troubled Democratic and Republican Administrations have ignored this vital, constitutional provision in recent times. And I’m especially concerned by how presidents of both parties have stretched the legal bounds of the 2001 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF) to order our Armed Forces into combat the world over. These laws, which sanctioned the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, were never intended to give the President unilateral military authority.
I’ve long-supported repealing the outdated 2001 and 2002 AUMF, the latter of which I voted against in the first place. I’m proud to be a cosponsor of H.R. 256, which would repeal the 2001 AUMF. Congress must pass a new authorization that clearly specifies the limitations under which the President can employ military force.
Yemen
American involvement in Yemen is the perfect example of executive overreach. President Barack Obama committed U.S. forces to support the Saudi-led coalition there in 2015, claiming authority granted under the 2001 AUMF. The previous Administration has expanded our role in Yemen using the same authority. In my view, these actions are highly suspect. Yemen’s civil war hadn’t even begun when Congress voted to pass the 2001 AUMF and Presidents cannot use old authorities to send troops into new conflicts.
Please know I will continue to strongly assert Congress’s constitutional role in defense and military policy and I will thoroughly evaluate all information whenever our nation considers putting our men and women in uniform at risk. While it’s always best to resolve our conflicts peacefully through diplomatic means, I will keep supporting necessary resources for our Armed Forces so they are ready and able to defend us.
Education is the foundation of a strong middle class and vital to our nation’s long-term success. Congress must invest in early childhood, special, technical and higher education programs to ensure everyone benefits from our 21st century economy.
Head Start
Education begins before kids ever set foot inside a classroom. Since the 1960s, Head Start has promoted elementary school readiness by providing targeted services to disadvantaged children and families. These services can have a lifelong impact on a child’s educational achievement. That’s why I support funding to increase enrollment in Head Start programs, including $1 billion in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 for Head Start programs.
IDEA
Congress must honor promised investments under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). When IDEA passed in 1975, the federal government committed to spending 40 percent of the average per student cost of special education. However, that level has never been achieved and current funding stands at just 14.7 percent. I’m proud to support H.R. 5984 to require regular increases in IDEA spending until we finally hit the 40 percent target.
Technical Education
Technical education is essential to preparing our workforce for the high-wage, high-skill and in-demand jobs of the future. Hundreds of thousands of positions in growing fields like the skilled trades and information technology remain unfilled every year. But with federal help, more people in America can gain the skills necessary to do these jobs and unlock better career paths with higher earning potential. As a member of the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus, I support robust funding for career and technical education programs. I’m also working to advance legislation to incentivize employers to invest in training their workforce.
Making College Affordable
In the last decade, tuition at four-year colleges and universities has risen more than 32 percent, even adjusting for inflation. As the cost of college goes up, more and more families are priced out of higher education. Students who do attend are too often forced to choose between tuition, books, housing and food—and saddled with impossible levels of debt. As a member of the California Public Higher Education Caucus, I’m a strong supporter of debt-free college financing through the Pell Grant program. I also support legislation to allow borrowers to refinance their student loans at historically low market rates.
America succeeds when education is accessible to everyone. I will continue fighting for investments in key educational priorities that boost our middle class and keep America on the cutting edge of discovery and innovation.
As Co-Chair of the Land Conservation Caucus, Co-Chair of the Wildlife Refuge Caucus and a lifelong outdoorsman, preserving America’s natural heritage has always been a priority of mine. That’s why I strongly support investing in land conservation, acting to prevent climate change and transitioning to a clean energy economy.
Land Conservation
Land conservation is an investment in our future and I’ve fought long and hard to preserve our green spaces for younger generations. For example, in 2015, President Obama created Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument by executive order based on legislation I introduced in Congress. This monument permanently protects wildlife habitat, rare plants and precious water resources on more than 330,780 acres of incredible public lands.
In addition, in February 2019, I voted to pass the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. This package of more than 100 bills strengthens and expands federal conservation efforts. Three of my bills were included: (1) a permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, (2) legislation to provide greater access to hunting, fishing and other recreational activities on public lands and (3) legislation to establish a program for innovative approaches to conservation, invasive species control and issues related to poaching and wildlife trafficking. I was pleased the bill became law in March 2019.
Please know I’m working hard to advance additional natural resource bills I introduced this Congress. These pieces of legislation would restore critical wetland habitats, protect our National Wildlife Refuge System and give outdoorsmen and women more access to public lands.
Climate Change
Climate change is the gravest threat we face today. That's why I wrote the GREEN Act which would make the largest investment in climate action that our country has ever seen. From wildfires to drought to floods and other extreme weather events, we need to take action — we simply cannot afford any delays.
Clean Energy
Clean, renewable energy—such as solar or wind—is good for our district, our country and our world. Clean energy sources generate power without emitting the greenhouse gases that lead to climate change, help make our grid more resilient to disruption and provide millions of people with well-paying, middle class jobs. As costs continue to plummet, clean energy will become a major driver of our 21st century economy.
In April 2021, I signed on as an original cosponsor of the Green New Deal. This resolution is a bold and aspirational statement about the urgency of transitioning to a clean energy economy. As a start to making good on this commitment, I’ve authored legislation to green our tax code by providing a 5-year extension of the Business Energy Investment Tax Credit and the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit. These incentives will help speed up development and deployment of cost competitive renewable energy alternatives.
Please know I will continue fighting to protect our natural resources so that we leave our children and grandchildren a clean environment and sustainable economy.
For far too long, Washington has avoided making the tough choices necessary to get our fiscal house in order. The Congressional Budget Office projects our annual deficit, the difference between federal tax revenue and spending in a given year, will exceed $1 trillion and continue increasing indefinitely. As Chair of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, which has jurisdiction over tax policy, I’m committed to laying the groundwork for a fiscally responsible future. I support a balanced approach that asks everyone to pay their fair share in taxes, cuts spending and grows our economy.
The 2017 Republican tax law is expected to add over $2 trillion in new deficits over the next decade and the projected costs keep increasing as we get more information about how the law is working in practice. The tax law provided a windfall for corporations and the richest one percent but has left working people behind. I support a tax code that broadens our tax base, encourages investment in America’s workers, and helps folks meet the rising costs of housing, health care and education—as well as save for retirement.
Congress must get a handle on our deficit spending. That’s why I voted to reinstate PAYGO rules for the 116th Congress. These provisions require tax cuts and spending increases to be offset with new revenues or spending cuts. Congress must also reassess our funding priorities across all categories of the federal budget. Defense spending must be included in this process. A strong national defense doesn’t have to be the most expensive national defense and responsible cuts can be made in this area. At the same, we must do our utmost to preserve vital safety net programs that seniors and lower income Americans depend upon.
America cannot continue borrowing to pay our bills. By refusing to pay for our choices now, we are taking choices away from our children and grandchildren. I will not stand idle while our younger generation’s future is stolen from them.
As a lifelong hunter and gun owner, I believe in a law-abiding individual’s right to own a firearm. I also know we have a responsibility to help keep our schools, streets and communities safe. The gun debate isn’t a choice between reducing violence and protecting the Second Amendment. It’s about the willingness of a responsible majority to do both.
In 2012, then-Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi appointed me Chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. This group, consisting of more than 170 Members of Congress, is devoted to finding commonsense solutions to our nation’s ongoing gun violence epidemic.
Following my appointment as Chairman, I held a series of open town halls on some of the actions Congress could take to address gun violence. Hundreds attended these meetings. I heard views from law enforcement officials, mental health experts, school officials, NRA leadership and gun violence prevention advocates. Many feared their Second Amendment rights would come under attack. Others wanted to cast these rights aside. I believe both views are too extreme. I’ll never give up my guns and I’ll never ask law-abiding Americans who have no history of mental illness to give up theirs. Not only am I personally against this, but the Constitution forbids it.
The Supreme Court affirmed in District of Columbia v. Heller that Americans have a right to keep and bear arms. However, just as the First Amendment protects free speech while prohibiting incitements to violence, the Second Amendment also has limits. In Heller, the Court upheld laws against firearms in places like schools and laws against felons or the mentally ill carrying guns. This ruling provides folks on both sides an opportunity to pass gun violence prevention legislation while working inside the confines of the Second Amendment.
As a gun owner, I take seriously my obligation to ensure firearms are owned and used responsibly. That’s why I introduced H.R. 8, my bipartisan bill to expand background checks to cover all sales and most transfers. Our background check system works. Every year, background checks stop 88,000 gun sales to criminals, domestic abusers, individuals with dangerous mental illnesses or other prohibited purchasers. However, in some states, those same individuals can buy identical guns at a gun show, over the internet or through a newspaper ad without any questions asked. H.R. 8 would close this loophole, greatly reducing the number of places criminals and the dangerously mentally ill can acquire a firearm.
Tens of thousands of lives have been lost in more than 1,600 mass shootings since Sandy Hook and 90 people die every day in occurrences of gun violence across our country. Please know I’m committed to offering the victims and survivors of this violence more than thoughts and prayers. I was immensely proud when H.R. 8 passed the House of Representatives on March 11, 2021 with a strong bipartisan vote. I look forward to my legislation’s full and fair consideration in the Senate and I’ll continue working with my Senate colleagues to enact H.R. 8 into law.
While we’ve made great strides in recent years, too many people in our country still can’t get the health care they need. Health care is a right. Congress must ensure everyone in America has access to quality, affordable health care.
Affordable Care Act
Our health care system has undergone a dramatic transformation since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) became law in 2010. Both state-based Health Insurance Marketplaces—like Covered California—and the Federal Marketplace under healthcare.gov have brought much-needed price transparency and competition to private insurance. The Medicaid expansion and premium tax credit have helped millions of low-income Americans and middle-class families obtain quality, affordable coverage. And most important, insurance companies can no longer refuse coverage to or discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions.
I was proud to vote for the ACA and I’m working hard to improve and extend it.
Reducing Out-of-Pocket Costs
As health costs continue rising, more Americans are being forced to pay for necessary medical care out-of-pocket. The high price of prescription drugs is especially hard on patients, forcing many to ration their medication or forego care altogether. This is unacceptable. Please know I support legislation to end predatory practices that artificially inflate prescription drug costs.
In addition, the complicated, opaque nature of medical billing means families are too often hit with unexpected health care bills. That’s why I’m working to bring more transparency to billing practices and end surprise medical bills for good.
Telehealth
New health care technologies promise to lower costs and improve health outcomes, especially for people in underserved or rural areas. I’m a strong supporter of expanding access to telehealth and I’m doing everything I can to ensure this technology is rolled out quickly and efficiently.
I’m fully committed to expanding access and lowering costs for everyone in America and I won’t rest until universal health coverage is a reality.
Lack of affordable housing is devastating California families. Even with help, too many people in our district face housing insecurity. Sadly, the 2017 fires have only exacerbated this crisis.
As Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, which has jurisdiction over tax policy, I’m working to address housing affordability and homelessness using federal tax incentives, such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, the Rehabilitation Tax Credit and tax-exempt bonds that encourage housing investment. I’ve also written the House Appropriations Committee to urge funding for important programs like the Community Development Block Grant, Section 8 Tenant-Based Rental Assistance and McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants.
Through these and other programs, I’ve worked to get our district millions of dollars in federal grants for homeless veterans and their children, for permanent and transitional housing and for service programs at shelters.
Please know I’m committed to making housing affordable for more Californians. I’ll continue working in the Ways and Means Committee, with the House Appropriation Committee and with federal agencies to provide whatever assistance I can.
Immigrants are an integral part of our nation’s history, culture, and economy. They strengthen America and contribute greatly to its success. However, our current immigration system is broken and needs to be fixed. Comprehensive reform that secures our borders while honoring our immigrant heritage is long overdue.
Cruel immigration policies hurt America. They undermine the trust and relationships local law enforcement rely on to effectively police our immigrant communities—making us all less safe. They damage our ability to attract top talent and valuable investment to our companies and universities. And they subject countless vulnerable people to unnecessary pain and hardship.
Congress must act to end this unprecedented assault against our immigrant community. Immigrants are our neighbors and colleagues, soldiers and first responders, doctors, lawyers, farmers and entrepreneurs. They deserve the opportunity to earn their American Dream. That’s why I’m proud to be an original cosponsor of several immigration reform bills, including:
Farm Workforce Modernization Act
H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, contains provisions related to farmworkers, including provisions establishing a certified agricultural worker (CAW) status and changing the H-2A temporary worker program.
As a nation of immigrants, we have a responsibility to foster dignity and respect for all newcomers to America. I will continue working with members of both parties, in the House and in the Senate, to enact comprehensive immigration reform that secures our borders and provides an earned pathway to lawful status for the millions of immigrants who work hard and play by the rules.
Too many folks have been left behind in this economy. More than 6 million Americans who want a job don’t have one. Another 4.3 million are involuntarily working a part-time job instead of a well-paying, full-time job. Congress must do more to ensure everyone in our country shares in the benefits of growth.
Tax Policy
In 2017, Republicans rammed a tax bill through Congress without holding a single hearing or listening to expert witnesses. Their law raises taxes on the middle class to pay for tax breaks for corporations and the wealthiest 1 percent. While the corporate tax cuts are permanent, tax cuts for middle-class families disappear over time. By 2027, fully 83 percent of the law’s benefits go to the top 1 percent of income earners.
As Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee’s subcommittee that handles tax policy, I’m committed to enacting real tax reform that will boost the middle class. For example, I’ve authored legislation to make the Work Opportunity Tax Credit permanent so people who consistently face barriers to employment can find good, middle class jobs. I will continue working to create a tax code that benefits everyone in America.
Growing the Middle Class
Middle income wages have not kept pace with the rising cost of living. Making up these lost income gains must be a priority. That’s why I’m a cosponsor of the Raise the Wage Act, which would increase the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour by 2025 and end the minimum wage disparity between tipped and non-tipped workers.
Small Business
Small businesses are a key driver of our economy and reinvest directly in our communities. 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 and waterways is one of the best ways to create jobs and put Californians to work. It would also lower hidden taxes on our businesses and communities caused by traffic congestion, vehicle collisions and increased auto maintenance. In May 2019, the American Society of Civil Engineers found the poor condition of California’s roads cost drivers $61 billion a year. That’s why I support smart federal investments in infrastructure.
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 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.
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.
My grandmother worked her entire adult life to provide for her family. She owned and operated a small business with my grandfather, sewed gloves at the Napa glove factory and labeled wine bottles at Inglenook Winery. When she retired, she had only a small pension of $53 per month.
Social Security and Medicare gave my grandmother comfort and security. She would always talk about how she earned those benefits, how she paid into them. She was proud of it. That's exactly what Medicare and Social Security are—they’re earned benefits. And they are so critically important to both current and future generations of retirees.
As a senior member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, which has jurisdiction over Medicare and Social Security, I’m fighting to strengthen our social safety net. For example, I’m working through the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security to pass the Social Security 2100 Act. This bill, of which I’m a proud cosponsor, would increase benefits and ensure Social Security is funded for the long-term. I’m also fighting to stop Republicans in Congress from privatizing Social Security and ending the Medicare guarantee.
Please know I strongly support protecting Medicare and Social Security. Congress must not take away benefits earned over a lifetime of hard work, nor balance our budget on the backs of seniors who can least afford it.
As a Vietnam combat veteran and Co-Chair of the Military Veterans Caucus, I understand our nation’s responsibility to our men and women in uniform. No person who served honorably in our Armed Forces should have to fight for a paycheck, proper health care or a roof over their head.
Employment and Homelessness
Veterans are among our country’s most skilled workers and getting these individuals into civilian employment is a top priority of mine. For example, I’ve long-supported making the Work Opportunity Tax Credit permanent. This credit is available to businesses that hire workers from nine target groups, including veterans. I’ve also worked to ensure veterans can obtain civilian certification for skills they acquire in the military.
In addition, I’m a strong supporter of Department of Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program vouchers for our district and I cosponsored legislation to ensure the children of homeless veterans are included in benefit calculations for these grants. Veterans pay a heavy price in service to our country and they should never be forced to live on the streets.
VA Health Care
In 2018, Congress passed the VA MISSION Act, a major reform of our veterans’ health system. The law establishes a new, permanent community care program; expands comprehensive assistance for family caregivers; helps the VA recruit and retain specialists; and establishes a review commission to make recommendations on modernizing VA medical facilities.
While I was proud to vote for this important legislation, much work remains to ensure these reforms are put into practice. The Veterans Health Administration is currently in the process of implementing regulations. Congress must exercise appropriate oversight to ensure the VA MISSION Act functions as intended. Please know I’m committed to ensuring our veterans receive the superior care they deserve.
Survivor Benefits
Surviving family members of a veteran killed in the line of duty, or as a result of a service-connected injury or illness, are entitled to survivor benefits under the Department of Veterans Affairs Dependency and Indemnity (DIC) program. Retired veterans may also purchase life insurance through the Department of Defense Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). However, under current law, the Defense Department is required to deduct DIC payments from SBP annuities. This means surviving family members who receive DIC and SBP concurrently have their benefits reduced.
The DIC is an earned benefit that should have no impact whatsoever on SBP annuities that veterans pay premiums for out of pocket. That’s why I’ve cosponsored legislation to eliminate the offsets veterans or their spouses incur under concurrent receipt.
Our country owes veterans a great debt. Please know I’m committed to ensuring former servicemembers and their families receive the care and benefits they earned as they transition from active duty to civilian life.
California’s Fifth Congressional District is a world-renowned food and wine destination because of our vibrant agricultural and viticultural heritage. As an organic grower myself, I’m fully committed to protecting and strengthening our farming and grapegrowing communities.
Upon arriving in Washington, I immediately set about creating an organization focused on the wine community—co-founding the Congressional Wine Caucus with former Congressman George Radanovich in 1999. The Caucus is a coalition of 117 bipartisan, bicameral Members of Congress dedicated to educating our colleagues about issues affecting our nation’s wine community and advancing legislation to address these priorities. I serve as Co-Chair with Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA-4). Issues we’ve tackled include:
I’m also working hard to ensure our varied farming and ranching communities continue to thrive. That’s why I’ve voted for legislation to help farmers cope with uncertainty, help families put quality food on the table and help maintain our rural landscapes for generations to come by:
Please know nothing will deter me from working to address the issues that affect growers in our community from farm to table.
As a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and a military combat veteran, I am committed to providing our Armed Forces and Intelligence Community with the resources they need to provide a strong national defense. To effectively advance our nation’s security goals, we must be able to objectively assess our security challenges and adapt accordingly. I will continue working to make sure all branches of the Armed Forces have the tools and resources they need to keep our nation safe, and that Congress continues to play its role in overseeing Executive Branch agencies.
Afghanistan
The Afghanistan war is now the longest running war in United States history. Since 2001, we have lost more than 2,300 men and women in Afghanistan, nearly 20,000 have been wounded, and our national treasury has been reduced by close to $557 billion.
In the wake of the September 11th attacks, the United States went into Afghanistan to eliminate a glaring threat to our national security: the safe haven and protection provided to Osama Bin Laden and al Qaeda by the ruling Taliban. However, instead of finishing the job in Afghanistan, the United States invaded Iraq in 2003. Unfortunately, this diversion allowed the Taliban to refortify in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and al Qaeda and affiliated groups relocated to the border region of Pakistan and to other countries around the world. Since the height of the “surge” in 2011, the U.S. has begun to redeploy our forces in Afghanistan, and is on track to end our combat role there by the end of 2014.
I support bringing our troops home from Afghanistan as quickly and safely as possible and changing our policy to a counterterrorism strategy that focuses on the threat posed by al Qaeda and its affiliates around the world, including here in the United States. Last Congress, I cosponsored a bill which would require the president to submit a plan to Congress for the safe, orderly, and expeditious redeployment of United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan.
I have voted in favor of requiring President Obama to submit a plan to Congress outlining the withdrawal of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and have voted to invoke the War Powers Act requiring the President to withdraw our troops from Afghanistan within 30 days. Though these efforts have not yet passed the House of Representatives, I will continue to monitor the redeployment from Afghanistan, to ensure that it is significant and sizeable; and will strongly consider other legislation that may come for a vote requiring our withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Iran
I strongly believe that the current regime in Iran is a profound threat to U.S. national security interests – not only because of their nuclear ambitions, but because of the military assistance they provide armed groups in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as Hamas and Hezbollah. Iran continues to ignore the international community on the issue of nuclear proliferation and has pledged to build new nuclear facilities, which may indicate the desire to enrich uranium for potential weapons development.
In an effort to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions and strengthen security in the region, I have supported several efforts to enforce international sanctions against the Iranian government. Specifically, in the 112th Congress, I cosponsored and voted in favor of H.R. 1905, The Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act, which strengthened sanctions against Iran to prevent them from further developing any nuclear weapons programs. In the 113th Congress, I also coauthored H.R. 850, the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act, which will place the most restrictive sanctions on Iran to date, targeting individuals and companies that do business with Iranian financial institutions.
Iraq
I voted against authorizing the war in Iraq in 2002 and have been a vocal opponent of the war since before it began. Our country sacrificed enormously in this conflict, spending over $729 billion and suffering the loss of 4,409 brave American servicemembers. After the failed policies of the last administration, I am proud to see President Obama implementing policies that have removed all U.S. forces from Iraq. Our troops did what we sent them to do – now it is time for the Iraqis to take full control of their country’s defenses.
Syria
As a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), I have been continuously briefed on the situation on the ground in Syria since major unrest began in March 2011 between forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and opposition groups. I continue to closely monitor day-to-day developments.
Over the course of this now two year civil war, the situation in Syria deteriorated, culminating in the use of chemical weapons on innocent civilians.
The use of chemical weapons is deplorable no matter who uses them or why. And if these weapons are ever used, there should be a robust, global response to deter these types of atrocities from ever happening again. However, any such response, either militarily or otherwise, must be undertaken by the world community working in concert.
I sent a letter to President Obama, urging him to immediately reconvene Congress so that we can have a full and vigorous debate on these developments. It is essential that Congress be consulted before the United States commits itself to any response to these attacks. Congress must have the opportunity to thoroughly review the evidence assembled by the U. S. intelligence community, fully debate what, if any, U.S. action is appropriate, and ensure that an international coalition leads the resulting effort, if that is the course of action our nation decides to take.
The United States has made remarkable strides in the last several decades in breaking down barriers for women. Despite this progress, there is more work that needs to be done to honor women and expand their opportunities.
As a first step to recognize women’s achievements, I have introduced bipartisan legislation to institute the month of March as National Women’s History Month (H.RES. 525). I have also co-authored the bipartisan Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Women’s History Museum Act (H.R. 863), which passed the House this year. H.R. 863 increases awareness and knowledge of women’s involvement in history. Both bills also seek to acknowledge the women and organizations in the United States that have fought for and continue to promote the teaching of women’s history.
This Congress, we have worked on improving workplace policies that specifically address women and their families’ needs. Women nationwide are still only earning 77 cents, on average, for every dollar earned by men. This is a yearly wage differential of $11,084 between full-time working men and women. In an effort to address this disparity, I am a proud co-author of the Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 377) that provides more effective remedies to women who face blatant wage discrimination.
In addition, I am a co-author of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (H.R. 1975) and the Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act (H.R. 3712), that strengthens workplace protections so women do not have to choose between their workplace security and having a child.
I have also made a commitment for women to have reproductive choice and consistently voted against efforts that would limit this freedom. I have co-authored the Women’s Health Protection Act (H.R. 3471) and the Stop Deceptive Advertising for Women’s Services Act (H.R. 2030), which would prohibit the imposition of unnecessary or misleading restrictions to access abortion services.
Finally, every woman should feel safe in her home, workplace, and community. I was a co-author of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (P.L. 113-4), which became law early last year. I am now working to make sure women on a global level have the same protections and have co-authored the International Violence Against Women Act (H.R. 3571).
All couples – gay or straight – should have the right to marry who they love. And, every couple should have the right to receive the benefits that come along with marriage.
Laws that deny marriage equality are immoral, unjust and unfair. That is why I was pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court overruled the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which denied federal benefits to same sex couples, and issued a decision on California’s Proposition 8 that cleared the way for same sex marriage to resume in California.
I have coauthored the Respect for Marriage Act (H.R. 2523), legislation to overturn DOMA, have cosigned multiple legal briefs in cases across the country urging courts to strike down DOMA, including the Supreme Court case that overturned portions of DOMA, and have coauthored the Uniting American Families Act 2013 (H.R. 519), legislation to provide immigration benefits to same-sex couples.
In addition, all individuals should feel safe in their workplace and school environments. I have coauthored the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 1755) and the Student Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 1652), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
As a combat veteran, I am also proud to have worked to send the discriminatory policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to the history books. The repeal of this policy strengthens and enhances America’s Armed Forces.
I have supported and will continue to support legislation that gives state and local law enforcement the tools to prosecute hate crimes based on sexual orientation.
While we have come a long way in securing equal rights for same-sex couples, we still have a long way to go. I will not stop working until every American is truly treated with equal justice under the law.