Education and Labor

As a teacher for more than 20 years, I bring practical knowledge to Congress about which educational reforms will impact classroom performance positively, and I am committed to working with my colleagues to implement them. As a Senior Member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, I know that future economic prosperity requires a strong investment in public education and workforce training today.

32-Hour Workweek

Workers across the nation are collectively reimagining their relationship to labor – and our laws need to follow suit. I am committed to implementing common sense changes to work standards passed down from a different era. I was proud to introduce the 32-Hour Workweek Act to improve the quality of life for workers, meeting the demand from the public for a more truncated workweek that allows for a better work life balance. This legislation would reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours by amending the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 and lowering the maximum hours threshold for overtime compensation for non-exempt employees.

Click here to learn more about my 32 Hour Workweek Act

Restoring Overtime Pay Act

For years, workers have experienced stagnate wages despite working more hours. Furthermore, millions of workers have missed out on qualifying for overtime pay due to outdated policies. My Restoring Overtime Pay Act strengthens overtime protections by increasing the overtime threshold to the 55th percentile of earnings of full-timed salaried workers nationally. The salary threshold could increase to roughly $82,700 by 2027.

Click here to learn more about my Resorting Overtime Pay Act.

Investing in Education

Early Childhood Education

We know the fastest brain development occurs between birth and age five, and early childhood education programs, like Head Start, accelerate emotional and academic development. I firmly believe an investment in our children is an investment in our future, and we must strengthen and increase access to early childhood education programs. I strongly support legislation to provide funds for affordable childcare and early learning programs regardless of income, disability, or immigration status.

K-12 Education

I have witnessed firsthand the challenges our K-12 education system faces and am committed to addressing those inequities in Congress. In wake of the failed policies of “No Child Left Behind” we witnessed firsthand as a nation that a prescribed “one-size-fits-all” approach requirement on schools, posed the greatest challenges for students from low-income backgrounds Instead, I am a strong supporter of policies that adequately prepare students\ through an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education, partnerships with community colleges and industry, and engaging teaching methods.

Higher Education

Access to quality higher education is a hallmark of American society. Unfortunately, the rising cost of college has become a serious impediment for many students. In addition to addressing the underlying causes of the rising cost, I will continue to support initiatives such as doubling Pell Grants, fighting to keep the interest rates on federal student loans low, and working to protect students against for-profit colleges that leave students with unsustainable debt and no fruitful job prospects I have led multiple efforts to encourage the Department of Education to issue gainful employment regulations that would require for-profit colleges to provide students with sufficient earnings from career training programs. I am also a strong advocate for college-based job training and workforce development programs that help ensure our students are ready to join the workforce upon graduation.

I worked to secure provisions in the American Rescue Plan that closed the “90-10 loophole” which allowed predatory for-profit educational institutions to exploit veterans and waste the GI Bill benefits. For-profit colleges are no longer able to take advantage of this loophole to cheat veterans and servicemembers out of their education benefits.

Supporting Small Businesses

To grow our economy, we must ensure that small businesses have the resources they need to continue growing, innovating, and creating jobs. I support cutting red tape and making it easier for small businesses to get micro-loans to help them grow and compete.  Small businesses are the foundation of the American economy, and we must make it easier for them to compete for and win federal contracts.

Promoting Research and Innovation

With resources like UC Riverside in our own backyard, the Inland Empire can be a leader in research and innovation to create green jobs. UCR is conducting advanced biomedical research, and I am proud to have secured funding that would move UCR towards their goal of developing the OASIS Clean Technology Park. This facility will be a nexus for climate change and air quality research and innovation.  I support research and development tax credits to help foster a business climate that encourages innovation, and I will work with community leaders both local and national to continue to build partnerships between researchers, businesses, and local manufacturers.

Job-Training 

As an educator and former member of the Riverside Community College Board, I’ve seen first-hand how job-training and vocational programs give students the skills they need to find employment and retain it. I support partnerships between community colleges, local businesses, experts, non- profits, and community leaders that give students hands on experience that will prepare them to succeed in the 21st century workforce.

It’s time to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). This crucial law, which supports workforce development activities, like job search assistance and job training, is ten years overdue for reauthorization. This program provided the funding to help programs like the Riverside County Workforce Investment Board’s One Stop Center. Funding programs that support job training contribute to the long-term economic success of our district.

Green Jobs / Civilian Climate Corps

Growth in the green job sector has the potential to create quality, well-paid jobs that help improve the environment. Studies show that green jobs tend to be better paid on average and are more likely to be union jobs. Investments in green retrofits will improve energy efficiency and put people to work in communities across the country. We must prepare our students and workers to meet the demands of this emerging field. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest in green jobs that will revitalize the US economy.

I am cosponsor of the Green New Deal resolution, which envisions a 10-year national mobilization akin to FDR's New Deal that would put millions to work in good-paying, union jobs repairing the nation's infrastructure, reducing air and water pollution, and fighting the intertwined economic, social, racial and climate crises crippling the country. Read more about the Green New Deal here.

I have advocated for the reintroduction of the Civilian Climate Corps, a workforce training and service initiative that will ensure more young people have access to the skills-based training necessary for good-paying careers in the clean energy and climate resilience economy. In 2023, the Biden Administration launched the American Climate Corps program.  Read more about this executive action here.

Equality in the Workplace

As a Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, I reintroduced the Equality Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in hiring and employment practices. This is a critical piece of legislation to further protect LGBTQI+ Americans and ensure that no one in this country is denied employment based on who they are.  

Women are an essential part of America's workforce. From entrepreneurs to business leaders, to elected officials, women have provided valuable skills that help make our nation one of the world's most competitive. Unfortunately, for far too long, pay discrimination has affected working women, leaving them with less to bring home than their male counterparts. This is why I am a strong supporter of the Paycheck Fairness Act, to require employers who pay men more than women for the same job to prove that the pay disparity is not based on sex, is related to the job, and is necessary for business. Beyond ending existing discrimination, the Paycheck Fairness Act would create training programs for women and girls to learn how to successfully negotiate their salaries and would provide assistance to businesses to promote equal pay practices.

Veteran Job-Training

As the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I am constantly working with my colleagues to guarantee that all veterans have the tools and support they need to excel in the workforce. Riverside County has the 8th largest veteran population of any county in the United States. As a result, I am committed to ensuring that our veterans and transitioning service members are workforce-ready and able to find well-paying jobs.

Education and Labor Community Project Funding Secured

Under revised guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request funding for projects in their community each fiscal year – although only a handful may actually be funded. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding.

Early Care and Education Workforce Advancement Project, $1 million (FY2023)

Funding would be used to provide Early Childhood Education professionals with advising to set professional goals, award stipends for educational and professional development attainment, pay fees to obtain, renew or upgrade Child Development Permits, and offer professional development (PD) trainings.

Inland Empire Education and Jobs Initiative, $3.5 million (FY 2023)

Funding would be used to support the expansion of RCCD’s Regional Registered Apprenticeship Hub, which increases access for students and job seekers pursuing apprenticeships in critical industry sectors.

Homeless to Work Program, $1.3 million (FY 2023)

Funding would be used to expand the current Homeless to Work program and pay for one dedicated Community Behavioral Assessment Team in Moreno Valley. Specifically, funds would be used to support staff costs, benefits, outreach, materials, transitional services and resources, and funding to pay participants while in temporary employment. Funds would be allocated for support of a CBAT vehicle and equipment needed for outreach.

Community Program Enhancement Project, $3 million (FY 2023)

Funding would be used to construct and renovate community facilities that consist of: a new community recreation room extension at the Bob Glass Gymnasium located on Perris City Hall campus; renovation of the Bob Glass Gymnasium community stage with new flooring, audio and visual equipment, wall paint, draping and lighting; and a new educational space designed for an early childcare classroom to include new flooring, interior wall paint, plumbing, lighting and electrical improvements, new restrooms and new wall installation, fixtures and furnishings designed for early childhood development program.

Inland SoCal Works: An Employment Emergency Early Warning System, $1 million (FY 2022)

The funding would be used for dashboard development, staffing additions, equipment and capital expenditures, and marketing and administrative costs to support a pilot of the Inland SoCal Works Employment Emergency Early Warning System. Using proprietary 2-1-1 data sets, Inland Southern California 211+ will be able to predict demographic groups, industries, and areas in cities and districts where residents are most at-risk of unemployment disaster.

Downtown Perris Skills Training and Job Placement Center, $1 million (FY 2022)

The Downtown Perris Skills Training and Job Placement Center is an ongoing project that will develop the workforce needed to support a robust economy in the region. By providing local manufacturing companies immediate access to local skilled workforce, these manufacturing companies will be less dependent on distant neighboring workforce.  Project funds will be used for furniture, equipment, and the administrative cost for program development, oversight, and facilitation of Skills Center operations.

Inland Empire Technical Trade Center, $1.5 million (FY 2022)

The Riverside Community College District (RCCD) plans to establish the Inland Empire Technical Trade Center (IETTC). IETTC is a response to the urgent need for good jobs for the region’s residents, diversification of the regional economy, and for a locally available educated and skilled workforce for the region’s current and future employers. Project funding would be used to develop comprehensive educational and facilities master plans and to develop the project’s infrastructure plan.

Path of Life Ministries (POLM) Employment Pipeline, $250,000 (FY 2022)

The funding would be used to provide wrap-around services to support the homeless and nearly homeless through pre-employment training, job training opportunities, group life skills workshops, referrals to partner employers, and direct job placements. POLM will use this funding to establish new community partnerships, recruit new mentors to provide employment support, implement program evaluation, and place ten individuals into permanent housing.

Riverside County Early Learning and Literacy Project (R-CELLP), $1 million (FY 2022)

Funding would be used to build early language, close gaps in cognitive, emotional, and social development, and improve school readiness by building the capacity of preschool teachers and early learning providers.

Child Care Expansion Project, $175,000 (FY 2022)

The funding would be used to help cover the costs associated with licensing requirements, purchase of materials necessary, and increase the capacity of 14 existing family child care homes.

University of California, Riverside (UCR) - Opportunities to Advance Sustainability, Innovation, and Social inclusion (OASIS) Clean Technology Park, $1.5 million (FY 2022)

The funding would be used for site planning and workforce development training for the development of the OASIS Clean Technology Park. The OASIS Clean Technology Park will be a nexus for climate change and air quality research and innovation. The Clean Technology Park will include an atmospheric chamber facility, motor vehicle testing facilities, communications and data systems facilities, material science engineering laboratories, and smart city energy and infrastructure testing facilities.