Local Priorities That Don’t Draw National Headlines

The national headlines are filled with stories about the impeachment proceedings in the House and the President’s efforts to coerce an ally into investigating a political opponent. I have been given an important role in exposing the depth of this misconduct but this is only one of my key responsibilities. Let me tell you about some of my other work that draws fewer press stories, but is every bit as important to the people I represent.

Every single day, my staff in Burbank responds to and assists constituents with a variety of issues from the simple to the complex. Over the years, we’ve helped local veterans, families, students and small businesses with a range of constituent services. These include the adoption of children overseas, getting prescription drugs and other healthcare from the VA, assisting with visas so families can be reunited, seeking review of IRS penalties, obtaining medals awarded for meritorious military service but never received, helping secure loans from the Small Business Administration and much, much more.

In addition to constituent services, my staff and I work at the federal level to address quality-of-life issues in our district and the broader Los Angeles area through legislation. Los Angeles families have been hit hard by the lack of affordable housing options and far too many of our neighbors experience homelessness. While there is no silver bullet to ensure that everyone has a safe and dignified space to call home, there are ways Congress can work with local governments to address this issue. One way is by addressing the root issue of lack of supply: in cities like Los Angeles, there simply aren’t enough affordable housing options for those who need them. That is why I introduced the Affordable Housing Incentive Act that would create tax incentives for property owners who sell to public housing agencies, thereby increasing the stock of affordable housing options.

I have also introduced legislation to address food insecurity on community college campuses, an issue that affects nearly half of California’s 2.1 million community college students. The Food for Thought Act would create grants for community colleges so they can provide free meals to food-insecure students. I firmly believe that hunger should never be a barrier to success and I am proud to have the support of LA City College, Pasadena City College, Glendale Community College and others on this bill.

Since the early 2000s, I have also worked hard to help create and preserve green space for our community throughout the greater Los Angeles area. My Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act would add more than 191,000 acres of the Rim of the Valley Corridor to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, protecting this precious open space and the wildlife that calls it home.

In addition to representing the interests of California’s 28th District, I also work to advance legislation that helps all American families thrive.

Since January, my House colleagues and I have passed legislation to raise wages, modernize and secure our election systems, strengthen campaign finance reforms, protect Americans with pre-existing conditions, lower prescription drug costs, preserve our natural resources and more. Each of these bills has passed the House and now languishes in the Senate, where Senator McConnell has held them without a vote.

Finally, with respect to the impeachment inquiry, the House of Representatives has been moving methodically but with a sense of urgency. Our witness interviews thus far have been thorough, productive and fair, and we will continue to work to ensure the American people learn the full truth.

This is a momentous and somber occasion for our nation. As we forge ahead in these unprecedented times know that I am grateful for the solemn responsibility of representing our community in Congress – with all of the duties that responsibility entails.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) represents California’s 28th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives