Rep. Cárdenas was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2013 for the 113th Congress (2013-2014) and has represented California’s 29th district since. Now in the 117th Congress (2021-2022), Rep. Cárdenas sits on the prestigious House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where he is fighting for hard-working American families. He has worked on and authored legislation to lower prescription drug prices, protect American consumers, combat climate change, and ensure that everyone has access to affordable, quality health care. The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest of the "authorizing" committees in the House.
Tony believes that everyone should have access to affordable, quality healthcare – no American should be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition or economic status.
As the wealthiest nation in the world, it is wrong that any citizens should be forced to choose between putting food on the table or going to the doctor. Throughout his time in Congress, Tony has been a leader in the fight to protect the Affordable Care Act (ACA), beating down efforts to take healthcare away from millions of Americans – including Valley families. Tony has championed proposals to improve the ACA, expand and increase access to care, and lower costs. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, Tony has advanced efforts to increase access to mental health and addiction treatment, lower prescription drug prices, and fight for a more just and equitable health care system.