Issues
George has a number of priorities this year in Congress. But the top priority that guides all of his efforts is to strengthen America’s middle class, promote economic growth, and create good jobs here at home.
George was chair of the Education and Labor Committee between 2007 and 2010 and he helped accomplish a great deal. He co-authored the historic health care reform law that will give every American access to affordable, quality health care. He co-wrote several laws that make college more affordable by reducing student loan interest rates and increasing Pell grants to qualified students. And he wrote the first law signed by President Obama, to strengthen the rights of women in the workplace.
Now that he is the senior Democrat on the committee, he continues to fight to defend workers' right to a safe and democratic workplace and is pushing to keep k-12 public school reforms moving forward.
George also is continuing his long-time leadership role in building a comprehensive, sustainable state-wide water policy for the California's Bay-Delta estuary.
Education
George continues his work to make college more affordable and to overhaul the No Child Left Behind Act so that every child access to a world-class education.
Labor and Jobs
George’s top priority is strengthening the middle class and supporting people who work for a living. He believes that America’s economy is only as strong as its middle class is strong and greater efforts are need to “Make it in America” and rebuild middle class families.
Healthcare
George co-wrote the historic health care reform law that will give every American access to affordable, quality health care. He helped strengthen Medicare by reducing fraud and he strongly opposes the Ryan Republican Budget turn Medicare into a private voucher system.
District Matters
George returns to his district nearly every weekend to meet with constituents. He supports local economic development efforts, like bringing the federal Berkeley Lab campus to Richmond, bringing good jobs to the 7th District.
Energy and Environment
George is the former chair of the House Natural Resources committee and is a recognized champion on behalf of California’s fresh water resources, a clean environment, and strong protections for our national parks and forests.
Federal Budget and the Economy
George supports a balanced approach to reducing the budget deficit that asks the wealthiest to pay their fair share, cuts spending, and makes critical investments to strengthen our economy. He voted against the Republican Ryan Budget to end the guarantee of Medicare and slash critical services in order to fund more tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires.
Foreign Affairs
George supports fundamental human rights, including improving access to education for people around the globe. He strongly supports Israel’s right to exist and a two-state solution in the Middle East. He voted against going to war in Iraq and has been calling for U.S. troops to come home from Afganistan.
Small Business
George has voted for 16 tax cuts this Congress for small businesses and strongly supports ensuring small businesses have the tools they need to get started and grow.
Veterans and Troops
George is committed to ensuring that all our service members, veterans and their families who sacrifice for our country receive the benefits that they have earned and deserve.
Hot Topics
George's views on issues important to you.
Appropriations Requests
George made federal appropriations requests on behalf of projects and organizations in his district in FY2010 and FY2011.