My Legislation

Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education (STEM) Act: Ensuring American competitiveness in an increasingly global economy requires significant improvements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.I sponsored the initial Enhancing STEM Act to improve STEM education coordination among Federal and state governments. The Enhancing STEM Act provides Federal Agencies and states with the infrastructure required to work collaboratively, establish national STEM education goals, and to coordinate STEM education initiatives.

Strengthening Communities through Education and Integration: Throughout America's history, immigrants have built our infrastructure, fueled our economy through entrepreneurship, and made social and cultural contributions that enable us to better understand the rest of the world. To honor those contributions, I have introduced the Strengthen and Unite Communities through Civics Education and English Development (SUCCEED) Act

The Reuniting Families Act: Imagine being separated from your spouse, minor children, sisters and brothers for years, even decades, due to bureaucratic delays from massive backlogs, insufficient staffing, and visa quotas. In the 111th Congress, I introduced H.R. 2709 to protect our families. I am proud to reintroduce the Reuniting Families Act in the 112th Congress to ensure that our efforts on immigration reform are truly comprehensive and support the core value of keeping families together – all families.

Education Equity Commission: Education is the great equalizer, the means to enable any child to realize the American dream. Children in America today, however, receive vastly unequal educational experiences and opportunities due to substantial differences in the education students receive depending on where they live. This barrier prevents too many children from realizing their potential, leading to ever more economic inequality in our society.

One America, Many Voices Act: The population of the United States is increasing in its diversity. This fact is reflected in the rich tapestry of languages that many immigrants have brought to their new home in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 19% of our population (55 million people) speaks a language other than English at home, and the native-born population with Limited English Proficiency nearly doubled between 2000 and 2005, increasing at a higher rate than the immigrant population.

Smart Electronics Act: How many electronic devices do you have in your home? How many televisions, computers, iPods, video games, and telephones do you use on a daily basis? Electronic gadgets already account for about 15 percent of household electric consumption, and as these gadgets proliferate, their energy use continues to grow.