2015 Key Legislative Accomplishments
Transportation
- Successfully enacted a measure in the Highway Bill to protect the public from faulty guardrails on roads and highways
- Authored legislation to strengthen accountability and oversight for so-called “megaprojects,” like the Bay Bridge, by creating a system that manages costs, foresees risks, and holds decision-makers accountable
- Spearheaded bipartisan legislation to rebuild public trust by increasing transparency during the project selection process to ensure that investments are based on merit as opposed to politics or connections
Oversight & Accountability
- Worked to safeguard the public from harmful emissions by calling on the Department of Justice to conduct a criminal investigation into allegations that Volkswagen AG purposefully evaded California air quality standards
- Pursued investigations of ExxonMobil’s alleged fraud related to climate change by the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Committee on Oversight & Government Reform
Education
- Authored legislation to make college more affordable by decreasing interest rates on federal student loans
- Successfully amended current law to allow Head Start programs to run more efficiently
- Passed a measure into law to encourage schools to keep student athletes safe by developing a set of standards for responding to concussions
Environment
- Passed bipartisan legislation in the House of Representatives to expand the John Muir National Historic Site and improve access to the park and its scenic trails
- Promoted legislation to prevent against another BP oil spill by strengthening protections for whistleblowers on offshore oil and gas facilities