Actions
• On the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act (H.R. 1728), I secured language in the legislation establishing a federal database to track foreclosures across the country. The amendment will create an official measure in determining the extent to which the housing crisis has affected areas like the Central Valley. It will also provide a powerful monitoring tool to identify and prevent housing crises in the future. I also attached two other amendments that will ensure adequate distribution of housing counseling funds for rural areas, and enhance the disclosure requirements for lending.
See the press release on H.R. 1728
See Cardoza amendment to H.R. 1728
See H.R. 1728 as passed by the House
• On the National Water Research and Development Initiative Act (H.R. 1145), I secured language in the legislation to provide guidance and outreach to institutions of higher education that are located in areas affected by drought. This is aimed at providing assistance to UC Merced in obtaining funding for water research. I also attached an amendment calling on the National Academy of Sciences to study the Sierra Nevada snowpack and its relation to water quality in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
See the press release on H.R. 1145
See Cardoza amendment to H.R. 1145
See H.R. 1145 as passed by the House
• On the Water Quality Investment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1262), I secured language in the legislation ensuring cash-strapped areas with high unemployment rates such as the Valley would receive priority status for receiving additional state assistance to help undertake their water infrastructure projects.
See the press release on H.R. 1262
See H.R. 1262 as passed by the House
• On the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act (H.R. 1388), which became law, I secured language in the legislation ensuring that economically distressed areas, such as those with severe declines in home prices and high unemployment rates, will be among the areas in demand for volunteer assistance, and that the local matching-fund requirements would be waived in these areas, making it easier to establish volunteer programs in the Valley.
See the press release on H.R. 1388
See H.R. 1388 as signed into law
• During debate on a bill curtailing excessive executive compensation (H.R. 1664), I attached an amendment that protected community banks from burdensome federal regulations while maintaining their incentives to participate in federal loan programs and help with our economic recovery.
See the press release on H.R. 1664
See Cardoza amendment to H.R. 1664
See H.R. 1664 as passed by the House
• During debate on the Department of Homeland Security Reauthorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (H.R. 1684), I included an amendment that addresses interoperability problems among emergency personnel. This will help fire fighters and police in the Central Valley communicate during an emergency situation.
See Cardoza amendment to H.R. 1684
See H.R. 1684 as passed by the House
• On the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007 (H.R. 3121), I attached an amendment that provided for a five-year, 50% discount of flood insurance premiums for homeowners that will be mandated to purchase flood insurance as a result of the new flood maps.
See the press release on H.R. 3121
See Cardoza amendment to H.R. 3121
See H.R. 3121 as passed by the House
• On the Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2007 (H.R. 1852), I included an amendment that makes FHA loan insurance available in moderately-priced home markets, which provided relief to distressed borrowers across the country, including here in the Valley. My amendment was included as part of the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (H.R. 5140) that passed in February 2008.
See press release on H.R. 1852
See Cardoza amendment to H.R. 1852
See H.R. 1852 as passed by the House
See press release on H.R. 5140
See H.R. 5140 as signed into law |
The most important work on the Rules Committee happens behind the scenes, before the Committee hearings take place. During these sessions I act to rein in elements of the agenda that would be harmful to my district and are objectionable to moderate Democrats, many of whom are members of the Blue Dog Coalition. This seat at the table gives me a direct line to inform House leadership when I and my moderate colleagues have objections to provisions within a specific bill that are not in line with our values and beliefs. This level of access to House leadership is something that the Blue Dogs never enjoyed before I joined the Rules Committee. Through my role, I am often able to help broker compromises on legislation headed to the floor that are favorable to moderate Democrats.