On Wednesday, July 21, WITA co-hosted a webinar with the American Leadership Initiative (ALI) with Congressman Jimmy Gomez (D-CA). Congressman Gomez serves on the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee and as Vice Chair on the House Oversight and Reform Committee. First elected in 2017, Congressman Gomez has quickly become a leading voice on trade and played a key role in negotiating the labor language for USMCA. Mr. Gomez discussed the trade agenda, considering the expiration of TPA, TAA and GSP. He is looking at how to reframe the trade agenda to address labor, sustainability and other domestic and global concerns.
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY:
Representative Jimmy Gomez proudly represents California’s 34th Congressional District, one of the most diverse and culturally rich districts in the country. In the 117th Congress, he serves as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, sits on the powerful House Committee on Ways and Means, and serves as an Assistant Whip for the House Democratic Caucus. Congressman Gomez is also a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), and Future Forum.
Prior to his election to Congress in June of 2017, Congressman Gomez served four and a half years in the California State Assembly where he served as Chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee. In the Assembly, Congressman Gomez distinguished himself as a proven national champion of paid family leave and combatting climate change. He became a key figure in authoring landmark legislation to address public health, environmental justice, water conservation, access to education, civic engagement, campaign finance disclosure, LGBTQ rights, and affordable housing.
Congressman Gomez attended Riverside Community College before receiving a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and a M.A. in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. He lives in Eagle Rock with his wife, Mary, and dog, Austin. He is a lifelong fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers.