Photo: Drew Angerer / Getty Images
By: Senator Alex Padilla Updated 10 Oct 2022, 10: 00 am EDT
As the first Latino to represent California in the U.S. Senate, I am grateful to Latino leaders who paved the way for my generation.
Leaders and pioneers like Edward Roybal, who in 1962 became the first Latino to represent California in Congress in 80 years, carrying the hopes of Latino families in Los Angeles with him into the halls of Congress.
And as a mechanical engineer, I am inspired by people like Ellen Ochoa, the first Latina astronaut to go into space who also broke barriers in STEM.
This month we honor the legacy of these leaders but we also think about the mission that remains for us to fulfill: to continue the struggle of pioneering leaders and elevate theLatinos across the country.
During my time in the Senate, I am proud of the legislative victories of Democrats who have made progress for Latino communities.
When I entered the Senate in early 2021, Democrats passed a COVID-Pandemic Relief Act 19 that provided vaccines and economic support to the most affected communities like my hometown of Pacoima, California.
In the most critical moments during the pandemic, we managed to prioritize communities of color in our efforts through the largest and most impactful investment in the history of our nation that will help combat the climate crisis and promote environmental justice, through the Inflation Reduction Act.
This law includes funds for projects that fight against climate pollution and helps our working families save money by limiting prescription drug costs.
And by pressuring President Biden to forgive a substantial amount of the student debt, qualified students will now have student loan relief up to $19,04. That means forgiveness of all student debt for about half of Latino borrowers.
However, there is still a lot of work to guarantee a country more inclusive and compassionate.
Unfortunately, we have seen increasing hostility when trying to face the most important problems of our democracy.
Republicans have blocked all our efforts to pass meaningful immigration reform.
After the Republicans appointed a radical majority and conservative to the Supreme Court, the Court reversed Roe v. Wade and took away the fundamental right of millions of Americans to make their own decisions about their own bodies.
And while the Democrats try to protect a democracy where we all count equally, Republicans in state chambers across the country are attacking the right to vote.
But we cannot allow the challenges distract us from the opportunities that lie ahead.
This month we honor the legacy of pioneering Latinos like Roybal and Ochoa, our family members and loved ones who supported us to get where we are today, but the fight does not end here.
We must continue working to create a fairer and more inclusive future and country for our children.