ECONOMY AND LABOR

A booming, equitable economy is critical to reduce poverty and improve quality of lives. Congresswoman Garcia stands with workers to ensure all workers, regardless of industry, earn a fair and living wage. She supports workers’ rights to organize, collectively bargain, and safely work free from hazards or harassment. The Congresswoman has spoken out against proposals by President Trump’s administration to change SNAP eligibility requirements, and rollback federal civil rights and workers’ rights protections.

Additionally, the Congresswoman supports expanding upon tax policies that benefit working families, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC), which benefit a significant of constituents in her district.

• HR 5114, the Stop EITC and CTC Seizures Act, introduced by the Congresswoman, would protect working families, and their children, who received Earned Income Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits from predatory seizures because of outstanding student loan debts.
• Additionally, the Congresswoman proudly cosponsored HR 3219, the Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Act to discourage companies from sending jobs overseas through practical accountability measures.

Congresswoman Garcia is also a strong advocate for working families, fighting to ensure that they get their fair share and that government works for them.

• The Congresswoman voted in favor of the Raise the Wage Act in July 2019, which would increase the federal minimum wage up to $15 per hour. This would represent the first increase to the federal minimum wage in more than a decade, and would improve the lives of nearly 182,000 workers in her district.
• She voted for the PRO Act in February 2020, which would: 1) Introduce meaningful, enforceable penalties for companies and executives that violate workers’ rights; 2) Expand workers’ collective bargaining rights and close loopholes that corporations use to exploit workers; and 3) Strengthen workers’ access to fair union elections and require corporations to respect the results.

EDUCATION

Early Childhood Education and K-12 Education

Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia is passionate about expanding access to early childhood education programs and improving K-12 public schools in her district.

As a State Senator, she fought for the state legislature to sufficiently invest in Texas public schools, including teacher and staff salaries. She also adamantly stood with retired teachers to reform the retired teacher pension system and she continues these goals in Congress. Then and now, the Congresswoman has supported implementing trauma-informed methods of school discipline and improving upon existing school discipline measures, specifically those that disproportionately target students of color, students with disabilities, and English-language learners. Finally, the Congresswoman seeks to increase college-readiness for prospective students, including clearer information and guidance regarding FAFSA assistance, Career and Technical Education (CTE), apprenticeship and internship programs, and STEAM careers.

• She cosponsored HR 727, the Ending Corporal Punishment in Schools Act of 2019, which seeks to ban the practice of corporal punishment in schools in states that still allow the practice, like Texas.
• HR 865, the Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2019, also cosponsored by the Congresswoman, would significantly fund infrastructure in public school facilities across the nation.

Higher Education

Congresswoman Garcia deeply cares about improving affordability and increasing accessibility for all students seeking to attend institutions of higher education. She supports increasing federal and state funding for institutions of higher education, particularly community college systems and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). The Congresswoman believes that clarifying student financial aid applications, simplifying grant letters to potential grantees and borrowers, and allowing more flexibility and eligibility to receive a federal Pell Grant will assist prospective college students seeking affordable college options.

To help tackle the student loan crisis for college graduates, the Congresswoman sought to hold for-profit colleges accountable to ensure students receive a return on their educational investment and prohibit predatory practices of student loan debt collection by private and public lenders. She also fought to strengthen and expand existing student debt forgiveness programs, such as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

• The Congresswoman was an original cosponsor on HR 4680, the Equitable Student Aid Access Act, intended to make the FAFSA application and financial aid notification letters clearer for prospective college students. 
• HR 4206, the Student and Taxpayer Protection Act, also cosponsored by the Congresswoman would ensure that for-profit institutions prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation. 
• The Congresswoman proudly cosponsored the College Affordability Act, a landmark piece of legislation intended to transform higher education by expanding Pell Grant eligibility, incentivizing states to invest in higher education institutions, as well as providing free community college tuition.
• Lastly, as an alumna of Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law, the Congresswoman supported the reauthorization of H.R. 2486, the Future Act, which permanently funds historically black colleges and universities and other minority serving institutions.

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Throughout her career in public service, Congresswoman Garcia has been fighting for clean air and clean water in Houston. When a local Texas elected official, she helped make progress on cleaning up Superfund sites and the San Jacinto River. She advocated for funding to improve pollution monitoring in the city and fought for the removal of lead pipes that delivered contaminated drinking water to the children in Texas schools. She also led the fight to halt construction of Trump’s environmentally destructive border wall by introducing a bill to prevent state contracts with companies hired to complete the construction. Most recently as a U.S. Congresswoman, she has strongly supported remaining in the Paris Climate Agreement. Below are some of the major bills she has supported:

• The Congresswoman supported the Climate Change Now Act, which directs the President to develop a plan for the U.S. to meet nationally determined goals under the Paris Agreement to combat climate change.
• She voted for the PFAS Action Act, which revises several environmental laws and requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as forever chemicals or PFAS.
• She voted for the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, which reauthorizes through FY2024 a diesel emissions reduction program under which the EPA provides grants, rebates, or loans for replacing diesel engines or retrofitting the engines with pollution control technologies.
• She joined the entire House of Representatives in unanimously passing the Responsible Disposal Reauthorization Act, which extends through FY2031 authorization for the Department of Energy to operate the Cheney disposal cell in Mesa County, Colorado. The disposal cell serves as a repository for mill tailings, which is sandy waste that results from the process of turning natural uranium into fuel.
• The USMCA also included several important environmental provisions:
  • Prohibitions on some of the most harmful fisheries subsidies
  • New protections for marine species like whales and sea turtles, including a prohibition on shark-finning and a commitment to working together to protect marine habitat.
  • First-ever articles to improve air quality, prevent and reduce marine litter, support sustainable forest management, and ensure appropriate procedures for environmental impact assessments.
  • Robust and modernized mechanisms for public participation and environmental cooperation.
  • Bolster US-Mexico efforts to combat trade in illegally taken wildlife, fish and timber.

Today, we must embrace the challenge of combating climate change and saving our planet for future generations, while also meeting current energy demands and ensuring a stable economy. Everyone, whether individuals or businesses, has a stake in the environment and our national economy, and she rejects any false argument that dictates a choice between the two. Rather, we must demand both a healthy, safe environment and sound, good paying jobs.

We must recognize the reality that maintaining long-term economic growth, protecting the jobs our children will hold, and remaining competitive on the global stage, requires making investments today in the clean energy technology of tomorrow. In Congress, she is continuing to work with her colleagues to get us on a path toward both resolving the climate crisis and safeguarding economic growth now and in the future.

HEALTHCARE

Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia understands that improving and expanding access to care is a top priority for the 29th District of Texas. As a County Commissioner, she worked to expand local community clinics and as a State Senator appealed to state leaders to expand Medicaid in the State. Now, she's working with her colleagues in the House of Representatives to implement a thoughtful and comprehensive healthcare plan for the country. In Congress, she has repeatedly voted to protect the Affordable Care Act and to fight against efforts to undermine this landmark legislation.

• She supported H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which was passed in the House in December 2019 and will significantly reduce the costs of prescription drugs across the country.
• She supported the Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act, which passed in the House in May 2019.
• She cosponsored the Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions and Making Health Care More Affordable Act of 2019. This bill would protect people with pre-existing conditions, lower health care costs for consumers, and reverse the Trump Administration’s harmful actions to sabotage the Affordable Care Act.
• The CREATES Act, which she also cosponsored, would prohibit pharmaceutical companies from engaging in conduct that blocks lower-cost generic drugs from entering the market.
• She was also an original cosponsor of the HEAL for Immigrant Women and Families Act, which expands access to health care and maternal health services for immigrants by removing legal and policy barriers to health insurance coverage. It’s important that all people have access to quality healthcare, regardless of citizenship status.

Prescription drug pricing is a critical concern that affects everyone. No one should have to choose between their health and their ability to make ends meet. That is why Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia voted in favor of important bills such as HR 3, The Lower Drug Costs Now Act, and supported other bipartisan bills in the House aimed at reducing the cost of prescription drugs.

Insulin is a particular concern for the Texas 29th District. HR 3 would require the Secretary of HHS to negotiate the price of insulin within the first year of implementation. Congresswoman has hosted two Tele Townhalls on the topic, where local experts spoke to constituents about where to find assistance to manage their diagnosis.

VETERANS

Our nations heroes should be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve after making brave sacrifices for our country. In Washington, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia has repeatedly voted to support the veterans of the Texas 29th Congressional District and across our great country. During the last year, Congress held more than 50 hearings and passed 36 bills in support of our veterans. Below are some of the major bills that Congresswoman Garcia supported.

• Congresswoman Garcia supported legislation to support our heroes like the FIGHT Veteran Suicides Act, which passed the House in March 2019. It would require the VA to send guidance to deter the sensationalism of suicide and identify warning signs exhibited by veterans at risk of suicide.
• She voted in favor of the Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting Preference Consistency Act, the Identifying Barriers and Best Practices Act, and the Improving Confidence in Veterans’ Care Act, which support access to disability, pension benefits, and protect patients at VA facilities. These bills were all passed in the House in December 2019.
• She has also hosted several town halls around the district to hear firsthand what she can do in Washington to better support veterans.
• She proudly voted to provide $217.5 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs for Fiscal Year 2020, an increase of $20.3 billion from Fiscal Year 2019. These funds will provide better and increased access to care for our veterans.
• She was a cosponsor of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, which was signed into law in June 2019. This bill extends disability benefits covering medical conditions associated with Agent Orange exposure.

Congresswoman Garcia will continue working to support and honor the men and women that have fought for our freedoms. We must ensure our veterans and their families have access to healthcare, educational and professional opportunities, and other benefits they deserve.

GUN CONTROL

Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia has heard her constituents’ calls for gun safety and is committed to fighting the gun violence epidemic that plagues our nation. She is a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.

Congresswoman Garcia supports a gun safety legislation and has voted in favor of several measures seeking to make Americans safer from gun violence including:

• H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, a bill that establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties (i.e., unlicensed individuals). Specifically, it prohibits a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check. The prohibition does not apply to certain firearm transfers, such as a gift between spouses in good faith.
• H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019, a bill that revises background check requirements applicable to proposed firearm transfers from a federal firearms licensee (e.g., a licensed gun dealer) to an unlicensed person.
• H.R. 1186, the Keep Americans Safe Act; a bill that establishes a new criminal offense for the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device.
• H.R. 1236, the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019, a bill to support State, Tribal, and local efforts to remove access to firearms from individuals who are a danger to themselves or others pursuant to court orders for this purpose.
• H.R. 2708, the Disarm Hate Act, a bill that expands the categories of persons who are prohibited from receiving or possessing a firearm by adding those persons who have been convicted of a hate crime.

She has delivered two floor speeches condemning gun violence and advocating for common sense gun safety reform. House Democrats will continue to take steps toward ending the epidemic of gun deaths in America. Almost a year has passed since the House passed bipartisan legislation to strengthen background checks. Unfortunately, the Senate, under Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has refused to act. Enough is enough! The Senate must act now.

We’ve had enough thoughts and prayers to end gun violence. Now is the time for action.

IMMIGRATION REFORM

Congresswoman Garcia is a strong supporter of fair immigration laws and believes that Congress should work towards immigration reform that provides a path to citizenship and keeping families together. As a member of the Judiciary Committee and Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship, she is fighting for migrant families, asylum seekers, and the American people.

Texas’ 29th district consists of a vibrant immigrant community, with 77% of the district’s population identifying as Hispanic. The Congresswoman is working for immigrants within the community and at the border by supporting legislation that protects their rights and privileges.

• Congresswoman Garcia introduced H.R. 4718, the Polling Access Safety Act of 2019 (PASA), which restricts ICE enforcement at polling locations to ensure eligible voters are not intimidated on election day.
• She introduced H.R. 2763, the Keeping Families Together Act of 2019, which prohibits the eviction of mixed-status families in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing.
• She also introduced H.R. 3563, the Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act, which prohibits the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from shackling pregnant women in its custody and set new standards of care and transparency for the treatment of pregnant women.
• She voted for H.R. 6, the Dream and Promised Act, which passed the House in June 2019. This bill would protect Dreamers, as well as TPS and DED recipients, providing them with a legal pathway towards citizenship.
• Lastly, she also supported the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which creates a reliable farm workforce and provides undocumented farmworkers with a pathway to citizenship.

WOMEN'S & LGBTQ EQUALITY

As one of the first Latina women to represent Texas in Congress, Representative Sylvia R. Garcia is committed to fighting for equality for everyone - no matter their race, sexuality, immigration status, or gender identity. She has fought for the Equal Rights Amendment since she was a student, is a champion for reproductive justice, and will continue the fight to secure the rights for our most marginalized communities. In Congress, she has worked to make sure that women, immigrants, the LGBT community, and the trans community have strong voices in D.C. and at home.

• Passed a resolution out of the Judiciary Committee to remove the deadline to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, which subsequently passed in the House of Representatives in February 2020.
• Voted in favor of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and introduced the VAWA Protections for Rural Women Act in February 2019 alongside Representatives Vincente Gonzalez, Hollingsworth, Wagner and Axne to protect victims of domestic violence from homelessness regardless of where they live.
• Cosponsored the BE HEARD in the Workplace Act to stop sexual harassment in the workplace, the EACH Woman Act to ensure abortion care through health insurance, the Global HER Act to permanently end the gag-rule on health care providers who offer abortion services, and other key legislation to protect women at work, at home, and abroad.
• The Congresswoman is a member of the Equality Caucus, the Pro-Choice Caucus, and the Taskforce Against Sexual Violence.

Congresswoman Garcia has worked diligently to ensure that the law protects every person. She will be persistent in her work to defend reproductive freedom and access to safe, legal abortion services.

INFRASTRUCTURE & TRADE

Trade is a major driver of the Texas economy and that is why Congresswoman Garcia supported the USMCA. Mexico and Canada are two of Texas' biggest trading partners, accounting last year for nearly $230 million in total trade. Trade with Mexico and Canada also supports about 1 million jobs in Texas, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The renegoatiated USMCA:

• Removes “Sustained or Recurring” Requirement so that acts of anti-worker violence can be more easily confronted and violations enforced.
• Creates a new presumption that a labor violation affects trade and investment and will require the other government to prove otherwise.
• Establishes Labor Attachés that will be based in Mexico and will provide on-the-ground information about Mexico’s labor practices.
• Establishes key benchmarks for Mexico’s labor reform implementation process. Failure to comply with these benchmarks will lead to enforcement action under the agreement.
• Leads to penalties on goods and services that are not produced in compliance with the freedom of association and collective bargaining obligations.
• Creates a presumption that an environmental violation affects trade and investment and will require the other government to prove otherwise.
• Establishes Environment-Focused Attachés in Mexico City that will regularly monitor Mexico’s environment laws, regulations, and practices.

The Congresswoman also fought to ensure that the USMCA included reauthorization of the North American Development Bank, which funds environmental projects along the U.S.-Mexico border. She also supported the reauthorization of the Export Import Bank, which supports U.S. companies exporting overseas.

Congresswoman Garcia is also supportive of the House Democrats' bold Moving Forward Infrastructure proposal. As part of this new proposal, she will fight to ensure that it includes language on the Port of Houston that will allow it to: 

• Widen and deepen the Ship Channel.
• Streamline a public private partnership for dredging operations along the Ship Channel.

COVID-19

With more than 56.65 million cases worldwide and 11.62 million cases in the United States, Congresswoman Garcia continues to work closely with federal, state, county, and city government officials to make sure the Houston region has the resources it needs to reduce the spread of coronavirus in the community and help people who have been affected by this virus. For daily updates on the number of cases in Harris Couty, please use the tracker below that is being updated by both Harris County and the City of Houston.