Linda Sánchez

Template:Short description Template:Infobox officeholder Linda Teresa Sánchez (born January 28, 1969) is an American politician and former labor lawyer serving as the U.S. representative for Template:Ushr since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, she was first elected to Congress in 2002 in Template:Ushr. Sánchez serves on the Ways and Means Committee; she was the ranking member on the House Ethics Committee until 2017. In the 114th Congress, she chaired the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2016, Sánchez's colleagues elected her vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus for the 115th Congress, the fifth-ranking position in House Democratic leadership, thus becoming the first woman of color elected to a leadership position in the history of the U.S. Congress.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She is the younger sister of former U.S. Representative Loretta Sanchez; to date, they are the only pair of sisters to have served in Congress.

Early life, education and career

Sánchez was born on January 28, 1969, in Orange, California.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> She grew up with six siblings, raised by Mexican immigrant parents in Anaheim, where she attended Valencia High School.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish literature with an emphasis in bilingual education at the University of California, Berkeley,<ref name="govinfo-bio">Template:Cite web</ref> and her Juris Doctor degree in 1995 at the UCLA School of Law,<ref name=":0" /> where she was an editor of the Chicano-Latino Law Review.<ref name="DreamInColor"/>

Before her public service career, Sánchez was an attorney specializing in labor law. In 1998, she joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 441 and became a compliance officer.<ref name="IBEW2003">Template:Cite web</ref> From 2000 to 2002, she was executive secretary and treasurer of the Orange County branch of the AFL-CIO.<ref name=":0" />

Political campaigns

39th congressional district (2003–2013)

Sánchez started her political career in what was then the 39th district. That district had previously been the 38th, represented by five-term Republican Steve Horn. It already had a modest Democratic lean, but redistricting following the 2000 U.S. census made it even more Democratic, prompting Horn to retire.

Sánchez finished first in a six-person primary for the Democratic nomination in March 2002. She won the primaries with 33.5% of the vote; the second-place candidate, Hector de la Torre, received 29.3%.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> She went on to win the general election against Republican Tim Escobar, 54.9% to 40.8%. This made Sánchez the first woman IBEW member to be elected to Congress.<ref name="IBEW2003"/>

She ran unopposed in the Democratic primaries in 2004. She faced Escobar again in the general election, defeating him 60.7% to 39.3%. In the 2006 election, she defeated two primary challengers with 77.8% of the vote and attorney James L. Andion in the general election.

Linda and her sister Loretta became the first pair of sisters to serve together in the U.S. House of Representatives.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Loretta represented an Orange County district from 1997 until 2017, after she announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> She finished second in California's "top two" primary, before she was defeated by fellow Democrat, then-California Attorney Genera Kamala Harris in the 2016 general election.

38th congressional district (2013–present)

After the 2010 U.S. census, Sánchez's district was renumbered the 38th district. In the upcoming election she faced Republican Ryan Downing.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

U.S. House of Representatives

Congresswoman Sánchez participates in Long Beach's Veterans Day celebration.

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

• Committee on Ways and Means
  • Subcommittee on Social Security
  • Subcommittee on Tax
  • Subcommittee on Trade

Party leadership and caucus memberships

• House Democratic Party Steering and Policy Committee
• Co-founder of the Labor and Working Families Caucus
• International Conservation Caucus
• Congressional Arts Caucus<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Congressional Hispanic Caucus<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Congressional Progressive Caucus<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Congressional Coalition on Adoption<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Congressional Taiwan Caucus<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• United States–China Working Group<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Sánchez has two committee assignments in the House: the Committee on Ethics and the United States House Committee on Ways and Means. In 2005, she was appointed Assistant Minority Whip. She is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and co-chairs the Congressional Labor and Working Families Caucus, which she co-founded. She is also a vice chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Political positions

Sanchez voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time in the 117th Congress, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Abortion

Sánchez is pro-choice and has voted against repealing federal funding for abortions. She opposed legislation to bar transporting minors between states for abortions and making it a crime to harm a fetus in another crime.<ref name=issues/> According to research by Project Vote Smart:<ref name="votesmart.org">Template:Cite web</ref>

• Sánchez "supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 0 percent in 2010."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• On October 13, 2011, Sánchez "strongly opposed" the Protect Life Act (H.R. 358).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Sánchez supported the interests of NARAL Pro-Choice America.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Sánchez has voted against many anti-abortion bills, such as the Abortion Pain Bill, prohibiting federally funded abortion services, prohibiting taxpayer funding of abortion, and the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act.<ref name="votesmart.org" />

She opposed the overturning of Roe v. Wade.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref>

Budget and economy

Sánchez voted against spending prioritizing in the event the debt limit is reached. In 2009, she supported a $192 billion anti-recession stimulus package, an $825 billion bailout fund,<ref name=issues/> a $15 billion bailout for GM and Chrysler, and a $60 billion stimulus package. She voted in 2011 to raise the debt limit to $16.7 trillion.<ref name=issues/> She opposes any move to privatize Social Security.<ref name="issues" /> As of 2014, she supported reducing defense spending to balance the budget.<ref name="votesmart.org"/>

Civil rights

Sánchez received a 100% rating from the NAACP, indicating a pro–affirmative action position.<ref name="issues" /> She supports gay rights and opposes discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender.<ref name=issues/> On October 4, 2011, Sánchez made a statement on LGBT History Month, saying: "We must continue to strive to end discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation and fight so that all Americans have the right to marry and start families with those they love. I remain committed to supporting marriage equality, investments in HIV/AIDS care, treatment and research, and campaigns that take action against bullying in schools."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In a February 9, 2010, letter to President Barack Obama, then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and Senator Charles Schumer, Sánchez wrote: "Currently, U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents may sponsor their spouses (and other immediate family members) for immigration purposes. But same-sex partners committed to spending their lives together are not recognized as 'families' under U.S. immigration law and thus do not have this same right. [...] This is unacceptable, and we believe comprehensive immigration reform legislation must include a strong family reunification component inclusive of LGBT families."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Drug policy

Sánchez supports drug reform and allowing people with drug-related convictions to receive student loans if they are deemed to be rehabilitated.<ref name=issues/> She also seeks to expunge records of first-time drug offenders after probation.<ref name=issues/>

Energy & oil

Sánchez opposes new exploration for oil drilling and would remove tax benefits for oil and gas exploration. She has also opposed permits and construction for new oil refineries.<ref name=issues/> She supports tax credits and incentives for investments in renewable energy.<ref name="issues" />

Environment

Sánchez opposes legislation that would bar the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating emissions. She supports higher emission standards and tradable allowances.<ref name="issues" /> She supports the cash-for-clunkers program and seeks to increase public transportation and trains through federally funded projects.<ref name=issues/>

Sánchez supports the addition of several species to the IUCN Red List and promotes more extensive nature conservation.<ref name=issues/>

Government reform

Sánchez supports lobbyist disclosures for campaign finances as well as requiring full disclosure of campaign finances. She seeks to guarantee free and fair elections.<ref name=issues/>

After Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, President George W. Bush suspended the Davis-Bacon Act, a 1931 law that requires government contractors to pay prevailing wages. Sánchez was a very vocal critic of the suspension, and led the fight to reverse it.<ref>Congresswoman Linda T. Sanchez - News Template:Webarchive</ref> Bush reversed the suspension on October 26, 2005.<ref>lindasanchez.house.gov Template:Webarchive</ref>

Gun control

Sánchez supports gun control and believes in background checks, no fly-no buy, and gun violence research.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> She seeks to close the gun show loophole for firearm sales. She believes gun manufacturers and sellers are accountable and ought to be liable for misuse cases by users.<ref name=issues/>

Health care

Sánchez opposes the privatization of Medicare in any form, and opposes spending cuts to Medicare. She supports expanding healthcare coverage by a number of programs through federal funding.<ref name=issues/> She has said that she believes health care is a basic right.<ref name=issues/> She declined to vote for Representative John Conyers's universal health care bill HR 676,Template:Vague citing the need to support the Affordable Care Act.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref>Template:Better source needed

Immigration

After the Arizona state legislature passed State Senate Bill 1070 and Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed it into law, Sánchez claimed that the law, and similar laws throughout the country, were the product of white supremacists: "There's a concerted effort behind promoting these kinds of laws on a state-by-state basis by people who have ties to white supremacy groups. It's been documented. It's not mainstream politics."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Representative Gary Miller called Sánchez's comments "an outrageous accusation."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Steve Poizner also condemned them.<ref name="CON">Template:Cite web</ref>

Technology

Twice in 2009, Sánchez introduced the "Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act," H.R. 1966, a bill that would criminalize the use of electronic communications if "the intent is to coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to a person." The bill is a response to the suicide of Megan Meier, a 13-year-old girl whose 2006 suicide was attributed to cyberbullying on the social networking site MySpace. The bill has drawn criticism from members of the online community, legal scholars, and others who contend that it would infringe on the constitutional right to freedom of speech.<ref>John Cox, "Bill would turn Internet flamers into felons", Template:Webarchive Network World, May 8, 2009, retrieved May 9, 2009.</ref><ref>Eugene Volokh, "Rep Linda Sanchez defends outlawing of using blogs, the Web, etc to cause distress", Huffington Post, May 7, 2009, retrieved October 6, 2009.</ref>

Tax reform

Sánchez supports a progressive tax system and voted against maintaining reduced tax rates for capital gains and dividends.<ref name=issues>Template:Cite web</ref> She was rated a "Big Spender" by NTU, indicating she generally supports higher tax rates.<ref name=issues/>

War

In 2014, Sánchez opposed combat operations in during the War in Afghanistan.<ref name="votesmart.org"/>

Personal life

Linda and her sister Loretta Sanchez are the first pair of sisters to serve simultaneously in the United States Congress.

Sánchez married Jim Sullivan on April 13, 2009, in the district office of Congressman John B. Larson, who introduced the two about two years before the wedding.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The marriage is Sánchez's second, and Sullivan has three sons from a previous marriage.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On May 13, 2009, she became the eighth woman to give birth while serving in Congress.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Sánchez's father, Ignacio, died in 2018 after years of battling Alzheimer's disease. Sánchez has cited this experience as her motivation for finding a cure for the disease.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Sánchez is the younger sister of former Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. They are the first and to date only sister pair to serve in Congress.Template:Citation needed

Sánchez delivered the Spanish version of the Democratic Radio Address on May 6, 2006.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Works

• Linda Sánchez, Loretta Sánchez and Richard Buskin, Dream in Color: How the Sánchez Sisters Are Making History in Congress, Grand Central Publishing (September 2, 2008) Template:ISBN, foreword by Nancy Pelosi

In 2008, Loretta and Linda Sánchez published the joint memoir Dream in Color: How the Sánchez Sisters Are Making History in Congress.<ref name="DreamInColor">Template:Cite book</ref> Publishers Weekly reviewed the book and wrote: "Linda and Loretta Sánchez present their compelling story—noteworthy not only for their history-making achievements (including first sisters or women of any relation to serve together in Congress, first woman and person of color to represent a district in Orange County, first Latina on the House Judiciary Committee and first Head Start child to be elected to Congress) but also for its 'American Dream' aspect—their parents immigrated from Mexico and despite lacking a formal education managed to send their seven children to college. Interweaving childhood vignettes with accounts of serving in Congress, both from California, this refreshing book evades many of the tropes of the typical political memoir—perhaps because these two women are not typical politicians."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

• List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress
• Women in the United States House of Representatives

External links

• Congresswoman Linda Sanchez official U.S. House website
• Linda Sanchez for Congress campaign website
• Template:C-SPAN

Template:S-start Template:S-par Template:S-bef Template:S-ttl Template:S-aft |- Template:S-bef Template:S-ttl Template:S-inc |- Template:S-bef Template:S-ttl Template:S-aft |- Template:S-bef Template:S-ttl Template:S-aft |- Template:S-ppo Template:S-bef Template:S-ttl Template:S-aft |- Template:S-prec Template:S-bef Template:S-ttl Template:S-aft Template:S-end