During her time in Congress, Doris has accomplished much for the Sacramento region, for Sacramento families, and for the nation as a whole. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, she crafts and considers legislation to address critical issues facing our nation today, including policies that would expand access to affordable health insurance and mental health services, promote clean air, mitigate climate change, strengthen technology and communications, enhance consumer protection, improve environmental quality and support American manufacturing. Through her committee work, and through legislation, Doris has been able to support local clean-tech businesses and health care organizations, helping create good jobs for Sacramentans.
The geography of Sacramento and its surrounding areas results in the region having one of the highest risks of flooding in the country. Doris has worked to improve our levees, increase flood protection, and make it affordable for residents to have flood protection insurance. She has been a fierce champion for the region’s flood protection priorities, securing more than $3 billion in federal funding for our region. She has also championed new projects and changes to policies that will help protect Sacramento for years to come.
Doris has always worked to make health care affordable and accessible to all. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, she helped craft the Affordable Care Act and legislation that lowers the price of prescription drugs. She is also a long-time supporter and advocate for mental health. She authored bipartisan legislation, the Excellence in Mental Health Act, which established a pilot program of community-based behavioral health centers in 2014. She has since championed legislation to expand the community-based behavioral health program nationwide. In 2022, her nationwide expansion legislation was signed into law as part of the gun violence prevention package, giving every state the opportunity to increase access to a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use services using the community-based model.
Doris recognizes that the technology policies that are enacted today, will shape our economy and our world tomorrow. She is at the forefront of the fight in Congress to expand access to affordable high-speed Internet services, and led legislation to address the global semiconductor shortage that was increasing the cost of consumer goods and threatening American national security.