Economy and Jobs

My top priority is to create new jobs, opportunities, and prosperity for all in California’s Fifteenth Congressional District and expand the middle class through a focus on innovation and technology. For America to create jobs and succeed in the global economy of the 21st century, the federal government must have policies that support economic growth. That means we must change our federal tax code to reward companies that create jobs in this country and not encourage any to ship jobs overseas.

We also must transform our education system so that all of our kids are prepared for the high technology jobs of the future and companies have a properly educated workforce. And, we must support research into new, clean energy sources as a way to support domestic industry and protect our environment.

It is also imperative that we not let partisan and ideological differences stand in the way of our coming together for the common good. I will always support any good idea, whether it is proposed by a Democrat or a Republican, a liberal or a conservative, if it will mean more jobs, higher incomes, and a better quality of life for the American people.

What I am Doing for You

In the 114th Congress:

I introduced H.R. 2409, the Main Street Revival Act. This bipartisan bill would let small businesses located in struggling areas elect to defer paying payroll taxes for their first year, helping them get off of the ground. (This was H.R. 952 in the 113th Congress.)

I introduced H.R. 2687, the Securing Energy Critical Elements and American Jobs Act, to promote collaboration and research in the fields of energy critical elements and to ensure a reliable supply of rare earth elements. These elements are critical for numerous advanced technologies from hybrid vehicles and solar panels to military electronics. (This was H.R.1022 in the 113th Congress.)

I introduced H.R. 3280, the Widening Internet Readiness for Employment Development (WIRED) Act. This bipartisan bill would direct the Department of Labor to create guidelines for One-Stop Career Center websites to dramatically improve their design and offer virtual job-seeking services. (This was H.R. 4823 in the 113th Congress.)

I introduced H.R. 3990, the Start-up America's Students Act, with members of the Future Forum. This bill would establish a competitive grant program at the Small Business Administration to provide universities with the start-up and operational funds for university business incubators, which provide students with the invaluable resources and support needed for starting and growing businesses.

I cosponsored H.R. 2150, the Raise the Wage Act, to raise the minimum wage to $12/hour by 2020.

Rep. Eric Swalwell holding July 2016 town hall meeting with workers from three cutting-edge energy companies – Siluria Technologies, Alphabet Energy, and Primus Power - all of Hayward.

In the 113th Congress:

I introduced H.R. 3518, the Restarting Local Economies Act. This bill would list specifically local communities injured by the closure of a redevelopment agency, such as in California, as eligible for federal Economic Adjustment Assistance grants awarded by the Economic Development Administration.

I voted for and cosponsored H.R. 4438, the American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2014, to modernize and make permanent the research and development tax credit.

I cosponsored H.R. 1010, the Fair Minimum Wage Act, to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25/hour to $10.10/hour.

I sent two letters to Speaker of the House John Boehner urging him to allow the House to consider an extension of emergency federal unemployment insurance.

Rep. Eric Swalwell announcing the Main Street Revival Act in March 2013 in Hayward.