In 1992, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard became the first Mexican-American woman elected to Congress. She has distinguished herself throughout her 30-year congressional career as a dedicated advocate for the dignity and well-being of all Americans. The congresswoman is the first Latina to serve on the Appropriations Committee in the House of Representatives as well as the first Latina to serve as one of the 12 “Cardinals,” or Chairs, of a House Appropriations Subcommittee. She is the first woman to chair the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the first woman to chair the California Democratic congressional delegation. She is a founding co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Maternity Care, founder of the Women’s Working Group on Immigration Reform and a co-founder of the Congressional Public Health Caucus.
As the Chairwoman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I am fighting to ensure our homeland security personnel have the resources and guidance they need to keep our country safe against all threats, manmade and natural, and to treat immigrants humanely and with dignity and respect. Through this position, I have worked to ensure that the Department of Homeland Security’s diverse agencies are properly funded, and that this funding helps to meet the needs of state and local first responders.
I also continue to fight for greater federal resources to address Los Angeles’ unique vulnerabilities. The city faces the constant threat of natural disasters from deadly earthquakes to destructive wild fires. In addition, LA is home to America’s largest port complex and one of its busiest international airports. I will keep pushing for funds that will help LA and California build their capabilities to mitigate, respond to, and recover from disasters.
In addition, I am advocating for fair and just bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform which focuses on deporting those who threaten national security, and better secures our borders. I strongly believe we can effectively defend the homeland while respecting the civil liberties of all individuals. Mitigating terrorist threats doesn’t require measures that are inconsistent with our oldest democratic traditions. I remain convinced that we can protect our country without violating people’s rights or compromising our ideals.
I am also fighting for investments in the Coast Guard’s air and marine fleets, including much-needed funding for its first heavy icebreaker in 40 years.