Sánchez sworn in as part of the 118th Congress

WASHINGTON – Early this morning, Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA) was sworn in as the representative for California's 38^th Congressional District in the 118^th Congress. This marks her eleventh term serving the people of Los Angeles and Orange Counties in Southern California.

The swearing-in was delayed following several chaotic days when the Republican majority was unable to elect a speaker.

"Representing the people of California's 38th District is an incredible privilege, and I am thankful to be headed back to Washington to continue this work," said Congresswoman Sánchez. "I have dedicated my career to helping working families in Southern California get ahead, and in the 117^th Congress we made strides to bring down costs and bring good-paying jobs back home. As we enter a new year and a new Congress, I am more committed than ever to keeping up that fight."

After the redistricting of congressional districts in 2021-2022, the 38th Congressional District of California (CA38) now comprises cities and unincorporated communities in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, including Diamond Bar, La Habra, La Habra Heights, Hacienda Heights, La Mirada, Los Nietos, Norwalk, Montebello, Pico Rivera, Rowland Heights, Santa Fe Springs, South Whittier, Walnut, Whittier, and parts of Downey and Industry.

Congresswoman Linda Sánchez continued: "The 38^th District is an incredible place to live, work, and raise a family. With redistricting, I am proud to welcome new cities, communities, and families into our resilient and diverse community of working-class Californians. I look forward to serving all of you in Congress and encourage you to contact my office if there is anything we can do to help you and your family."

Achievements from the 117^th Congress

Over the last two years, Congresswoman Linda Sánchez successfully fought for several major pieces of legislation aimed at lowering costs for working families, protecting our environment, funding local community projects, defending marriage equality, and more, including:

• Nearly $40 million in funding for community projects in CA-38 – On December 23, 2022, Congresswoman Sánchez delivered $28,428,707 in federal funding for 15 different projects requested by cities, non-profits, and organizations in her district. Funding for these projects was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023,and specific information on funding for each project will be announced in the new year. Previously, on March 10, 2022, Congresswoman Sánchez secured funding for 9 other community projects, totaling nearly $40 million in federal funds for her community.
  
• The Inflation Reduction Act – This historic legislation marks the single largest climate investment in American history and brings down energy and medical costs for working families in Southern California. Congresswoman Sánchez was proud to support this legislation that will help rebuild our economy from the middle out, not the top down.
  
• Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – This legislation is already at work in our communities creating good-paying, union jobs – many of which are in clean energy, taking critical next steps in our fight against climate change. It also allocates millions of dollars to making sure streets are safe for all commuters and ensures American families – no matter where they live – have access to reliable internet and clean drinking water.
  
• The Respect for Marriage Act – As Vice Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, Congresswoman Sánchez was proud to advance the Respect for Marriage Act, which finally repeals the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act and ensures all marriages are respected and recognized under federal law.
  
• Jose G. Ramos Post Office – Sergeant Jose Ramos, a Purple Heart recipient, was a tireless advocate for Vietnam veterans. After his passing in 2017, Congresswoman Sánchez introduced legislation to rename the Whittier post office in his honor. The bill was signed into law by the President in 2019 and on April 20, 2022, Congresswoman Sánchez hosted a ceremony to formally rename the post office.
  
• The Starter K Act – Congresswoman Sánchez's bill to improve access to retirement savings for small business owners was signed into law in December 2022 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. All too often, hard-working Americans who keep small businesses running are left with few options to save for retirement. Congresswoman Sánchez introduced this legislation to help small business owners in California and across the country provide their employees with streamlined, cost-effective retirement plans.

Goals for the 118^th Congress

Congresswoman Sánchez was tapped by incoming Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) to serve as a Chief Deputy Whip in the 118^th Congress.

"It is an honor that Whip Katherine Clark has asked me to serve as her Chief Deputy Whip," said Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez. "Whip Clark is a trusted voice and a unifier within our caucus. I look forward to working with her and serving as a bridge for every corner of our Democratic Caucus, especially the Congressional Hispanic Caucus."

Congresswoman Sánchez continued: "House Democrats made incredible progress in the 117^th Congress to revitalize our economy, support working families, and deliver a brighter and better future for our children. As we head into the 118th Congress, I look forward to working with Leader Jeffries, Whip Clark, and Caucus Chair Aguilar to build on the work we have accomplished and foster a new generation of robust leadership."

In the 118^th Congress, Sánchez will prioritize working families and small businesses in her district. She will continue efforts to put people over politics, lower costs for families, create better paying jobs, combat climate change, and make our communities safer.

Additionally, Congresswoman Sánchez will remain focused on using every legislative tool at her disposal to pass meaningful immigration reform. Specifically, she will continue to advocate for permanent protections for Dreamers and push back on Republican efforts to stall a pathway to citizenship.

She will also concentrate efforts on improving our nation's tax code so that it is fair for all, not just the powerful and wealthy.

The Congresswoman will continue to serve as a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. She will also continue to serve in leadership positions, including in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Labor Caucus, and the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, and as a member of the Democratic Women's Caucus.

Above all, constituent services remain the cornerstone of Congresswoman Sánchez's work. The Congresswoman's staff in Washington, D.C. and Whittier, CA remain committed to supporting the needs of constituents and our community.

Constituents who need help with federal issues – such as Social Security, Medicare, and Veterans Affairs – as well as other constituent services should contact the District Office at (562) 860-5050 or online here.

More on Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez

Congresswoman Sánchez won her bid for re-election in November 2022. She was first elected to the United States Congress in 2002. A former labor lawyer and a working mother, she has been consistently recognized as a champion of working families.

During her tenure in Congress, Sánchez became the first Latina to serve on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Ways & Means Committee, and the first Latina to serve in leadership.

A native of Orange, California, Congresswoman Sánchez holds a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a law degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.

For more information, please visit here.

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