| Growing up in what now is California's Fourteenth Congressional District taught Eric Swalwell a lot about hard work, strong principles, and planning for a brighter future.
The oldest of four boys and son to Eric Sr., a retired police officer, and Vicky, who works as an administrative assistant, Swalwell was raised and attended public schools in the East Bay. A Division I soccer scholarship was his ticket to becoming the first person in his family to go to college. During college, he worked as an unpaid intern in the office of his representative, Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher, and was on Capitol Hill on September 11, 2001. This inspired his first legislative achievement- using his Student Government Association position to create a public-private college scholarship program for students who lost parents in the attacks.
After earning undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Maryland, he returned to the East Bay to serve as a prosecutor in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office for seven years. He also served as chairman of the Dublin Heritage & Cultural Arts Commission, on the Dublin Planning Commission, and was elected to the Dublin City Council.
In 2012, Eric Swalwell was first elected to represent the East Bay in Congress. Now in his sixth term, he's working hard to bring new energy, ideas, and a problem-solving spirit to Congress, with a focus on advancing policies that support equality, opportunity, and security for California's 14th Congressional District.
Congressman Swalwell serves on the House Judiciary Committee where his experience as a prosecutor and as a son and brother of law enforcement officers informs his perspective on criminal justice reform while he also addresses issues including voting rights, LGBT equality, comprehensive immigration reform, and protecting a woman's right to make her own health care decisions.
Congressman Swalwell also serves on the House Homeland Security Committee and is the top Democrat on the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, working to protect America against attacks on our networks and critical infrastructure.
A leader in the House, he is chairman emeritus of Future Forum, a group of almost 50 young Democratic Members of Congress focused on issues and opportunities for millennial Americans including student loan debt and home ownership.
In the 117th Congress, Congressman Swalwell has worked to bring down costs for working families, invest in our future through infrastructure and research and development, and advocate for common sense gun violence prevention measures. Congressman Swalwell voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and helped secure millions in grant funding for the State of California, including $13 billion for road safety, $2.8 billion for bridge repair, $1.5 billion for infrastructure at airports, and $384 million for EV charging stations.
He also championed the Inflation Reduction Act, which will lower energy costs, make the largest-ever investment in clean energy, reduce the cost of prescription drugs, and extend Affordable Care Act premium subsidies. Furthermore, Congressman Swalwell voted for the CHIPS and Science Act, which will address our supply chain vulnerabilities as well as invest in our federal science agencies and national labs that are working to find solutions to our most pressing challenges.
Congressman Swalwell also voted for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which will help address the growing rate of gun violence nationwide by implementing and improving Extreme Risk Protection Order laws, funding community-based violence intervention, and expanding background checks for young gun buyers, while advocating for additional reforms through the House Judiciary Committee.
Even while addressing national and international issues, Congressman Swalwell remains rooted in the region he represents. Between the 116th Congress and 117th Congress, Congressman Swalwell secured over $23 million in Community Project Funding to support 24 local projects across the district. From updating a local water treatment plant to creating a new youth emergency housing facility, investments in these projects will help address some of the most pressing challenges facing individuals and families.
In addition, Congressman Swalwell continues to champion transit investments throughout the East Bay. He advocated for Valley Link's approval by the Department of Transportation, which has now begun the process of designing and operating a critical link between BART and the Altamont Corridor Express. Approval of this project could translate to a drastic reduction in car trips on the I-80. By reducing congestion and improving air quality, this could be the biggest climate rescue project ever in the Tri-Valley. |