Mr. President, I rise today in support of the Congressional Review Act resolution to overturn the Department of Labor's recent rule that cuts wages for farmworkers across this country. We are very fortunate here in the United States because many of us are used to grocery stores stocked with fresh food. But far too little thought gets paid to where that food comes from or to the millions of farmworkers whose grueling labor gets it there. Every day, millions of women and men wake up before dawn and head to the fields to feed this Nation.
2026 MidtermsSafe SeatD+18$1.2M raised
Alex Padilla
Senator · California · Democrat
Alex Padilla
Senate Floor
Recent comments in the Senate
Mr. President, as everybody knows, this last Sunday night, the world watched the people of Hungary achieve something very, very powerful. They voted an autocratic leader out of office. After 16 years of "illiberal" democracy, after 16 years of centralized power— crony capitalism, dismantling freedom of the press, and shredding the rule of law—Hungarian voters overwhelmingly showed up to make their voices heard with nearly 80 percent of voters casting a ballot. Meanwhile, here we are in the United States of America—in the U.S.
Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the bipartisan Support Our Firefighters Act. This bill would ensure that our Federal wildland firefighters are given the rest, recuperation, and compensation they deserve after working around the clock when disaster strikes. We have all seen the devastation, destruction, and loss that has occurred in communities across the country as wildfires grow in frequency and intensity. Last year, we saw the Eaton and Palisades fires destroy thousands of structures and take 31 lives, making them 2 of the worst fires in history.
Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the bipartisan Support Our Firefighters Act. This bill would ensure that our Federal wildland firefighters are given the rest, recuperation, and compensation they deserve after working around the clock when disaster strikes. We have all seen the devastation, destruction, and loss that has occurred in communities across the country as wildfires grow in frequency and intensity. Last year, we saw the Eaton and Palisades fires destroy thousands of structures and take 31 lives, making them 2 of the worst fires in history.
Mr. President, I rise in opposition to the amendment that we are going to be voting on shortly, but I want to begin by sharing that I am a little confused—not to the substance of the amendment—but to the process. I think we just heard a few minutes ago that the majority leader suggested that it was going to be a clean vote on a voter ID measure, when as I see it, it is a stand-alone amendment with language that is already in the underlying bill. It is also language that is in a substitute amendment as well.
Biography
Alex Padilla, the son of Mexican immigrants and a former city engineer, brings a problem-solving approach to the U.S. Senate for California, where he was appointed in 2021. He champions immigration reform, voting rights, and climate action, reflecting both his personal story and the priorities of his diverse state. Padilla authored the FIRE Act to support wildfire response and serves on the Judiciary and Environment and Public Works Committees. Through pragmatic leadership, he advocates for policies that protect California’s communities and expand opportunity for all residents.
Education
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA1994
Professional History
U.S. Senator
2021–PresentSenator from California. 3 terms.
Secretary of State of California
2015–2021Served as California's 30th secretary of state after winning statewide elections in 2014 and 2018.
California State Senator
2006–2014Represented a Los Angeles–area district in the California State Senate, including service on multiple committees.
President, Los Angeles City Council
2001–2005Elected by his colleagues as the first Latino and youngest president of the Los Angeles City Council.
Member, Los Angeles City Council
1999–2006Represented a Los Angeles district on the City Council after being sworn in at age 26.
Software Engineer, Hughes Aircraft
1994–1995Worked as an engineer writing software for satellite systems after graduating from MIT.
Policy Focus
Public Lands and Natural Resources7%
Agriculture and Food4%
Immigration3%
Native Americans3%
Notable Legislation
Key legislative actions from Alex Padilla's record in Congress.
Voting Rights Advocacy
Introduced the Freedom to Vote Act to expand access to the ballot and protect election integrity nationwide.
Wildfire Response Funding
Secured federal funding for wildfire prevention and recovery efforts across California.
Water Infrastructure Investment
Helped pass legislation providing billions for California's drought resilience and water infrastructure upgrades.
Immigrant Relief Efforts
Championed expanded protections and resources for undocumented essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Committee Assignments
View details →- Senate Committee on Rules and AdministrationRanking Member
- Joint Committee on Printing
- Joint Committee of Congress on the Library
- Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
- Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
- Senate Committee on the Judiciary
- Senate Committee on the Budget
Sen. Alex Padilla FAQ
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