Representative Pete Aguilar announced his co-sponsorship of five bills being considered by Congress. These are the first bills Representative Aguilar has co-sponsored and highlight his commitment to working with Democrats and Republicans to achieve common sense results.

 

In announcing his formal support for the bills, Representative Aguilar made the following statement:

 

“I am proud to co-sponsor legislation that aims to strengthen the middle class and create a more fair and just society. These bills will help alleviate burdensome taxes on local businesses, spur economic growth and job creation, provide support to our students and veterans, and end legalized discrimination against same-sex couples.

 

“These are all common sense bills that will help move the Inland Empire and our country forward. I look forward to working with my colleagues of both parties to get these bills to the President’s desk to be signed into law.”

 

The five bills co-sponsored by Representative Aguilar, their authors and summaries of the legislation are as follows:  

 

H.R. 160, Protect Medical Innovation Act (Rep. Erik Paulsen R-MN)

 

This bill repeals the medical device tax that was included as part of the Affordable Care Act.  This excise tax has forced medical device manufacturers to slow investments in research and development and cut domestic jobs.  The industry is one of the largest sources of American advanced manufacturing jobs and the U.S. leads the world in device companies. The Inland Empire is home to several medical device manufacturers.

 

H.R. 344, Manufacturing Jobs for Veterans Act (Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-WA)

 

The bill sets up a pilot State Manufacturing Employment Programs to support on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and certification classes for eligible veterans through employers and labor-management organizations. It invests $50 million in grants over the next five years to support veteran job training. 

 

H.R. 242, All-Year ACCESS Act (Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-CA)

 

This bill restores access to full-year Pell Grants, allowing full time and part time students to use Pell Grants to help cover the costs of summer classes and winter break classes.

 

H.R. 232, Small BREW Act (Rep. Erik Paulsen R-MN)

 

The bill reduced the federal excise tax for beer on small brewers, leveling the playing field and increasing competition with large beer producers. The Inland Empire is home to a number of small brewers.

 

H.R. 197, Respect for Marriage Act (Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-NY)

 

This bill officially repeals the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which permits states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages granted in another state. This bill would end this legalized form of discrimination against same-sex couples.