YouSaid · the spoken record
Alex Padilla
We hold 57 passages that may be Alex Padilla’s. We do not publish them until we can confirm who spoke. See the correction.
On the record 2022–2026
congress · podcast
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“When the richest President in history decides on his own, unlawfully, to haphazardly apply an across-the-board tax on goods--because that is what these tariffs are--the goods-moving industry is going to take a hit. It will mean fewer jobs for port workers, for truckers, and for communities across the country. It will mean more Americans out of work. While the western port communities may be the first to feel the pain, it won't be long before the effects of these tariffs reach the east coast and the gulf coast. As I mentioned, this isn't just bad news for American consumers who rely on imports. It is also bad news for U.S. farmers and businesses that rely on the export of goods to other countries. Trump's tariffs are already damaging important supply chains in ways that will be difficult and very expensive to reverse.”
Senate30 April 2025Source ↗
“The Port of Los Angeles, which is the largest port in the United States, expects imports to drop by 35 percent in just 2 weeks' time, as Trump's tariffs and his manufactured chaos bring global trade to a halt. The Port of Long Beach is expecting similar declines. Take a minute to think about the magnitude of that drop in cargo volume. That decline, at the end of the day, will mean empty shelves and higher prices. The over $300 billion in cargo coming through what we know as the San Pedro Bay port complex is tied to nearly 1 million jobs in the region alone and 2.7 million jobs across the country. That is nearly one job for every four containers.”
Senate30 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, as the American people can clearly see, President Trump's new tariffs have become a massive tax hike on consumers--a tax on the food we eat, a tax on the clothes we wear, the cars we drive, every cup of coffee we have in the morning. These rising costs are not just hurting consumers, actually; they are hurting American businesses and our workforce too. We are already seeing the impact. It is not a hypothetical. I call your attention to my home State, the great State of California, home to two of the largest ports in the Nation in southern California alone, the neighboring Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, that truly power our Nation's economy. It is not an exaggeration.”
Senate30 April 2025Source ↗
“So I thank my colleague for his response, but I take issue with some items that I do believe need to be addressed and clarified. He makes the claim that the tax reforms from about a decade ago, I believe it was 2017 to be more precise, was good for the economy. It begs the question: Good for whose economy? Good for whose pocketbook? The breaks were disproportionately for the most wealthy in America, and average working families didn't benefit nearly, nearly as much. That is where we should be focusing relief, No. 1. No. 2, he argues that the math has been settled because when tariffs are imposed, those are revenues going into the U.S. Treasury. I repeat: When the costs go up by American companies importing products, they are going to pass along that increased cost to American consumers. So it is a tax by another name.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Tell the American people what you really stand for, because when Americans wonder why their grocery bills and their energy bills and all their other bills go up, they deserve to know why, and they deserve to know who caused it. And then we will see who is really on the side of the working class. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of my concurrent resolution, which is at the desk; that the concurrent resolution be agreed to; and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“They want to bleed the working class to benefit the rich, and they are going to lie to our faces as they try to do it. It is unacceptable. Now, we know Republicans are already also considering any and every accounting trick they can think of to fudge the numbers and hide the real cost of the bill. So my resolution would simply require that they be transparent with the American people. It would require that any tariff used to offset the tax cuts for the wealthy must be explicitly written into the text of the Republican reconciliation bill. If Republicans want to increase prices on hard-working Americans to give handouts to billionaires, then own it. You should not be allowed to hide behind President Trump as you do it. Be transparent. Be honest. Put these price increases into the bill.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“The latest number, as the proposals continue to evolve, is $5.3 trillion in tax breaks for the wealthy. It is clearly the No. 1 priority for Republicans. Well, to do that, to pay for that, working families are just going to have to work harder? These same Republicans who want to give the tax breaks to the wealthy are also the ones supposedly concerned about our Nation's growing deficit. They are trying to tell us that, well, we have to make cuts to Medicaid or other important programs in the Federal Government. They say we have to make cuts to nutrition assistance programs. They say we have to make cuts to public education. They will go one further: They are trying to eliminate the Department of Education. I grant them this: If nothing else, the Republican Party's economic plan has been consistent.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Just this past weekend, he was asked about the effects that his tariffs will have on the price of cars, as one example. He said: ``I couldn't care less if they raise prices.'' He followed it up by saying: ``I hope they raise prices.'' Again, those aren't my words; those are words from President Trump. Well, colleagues, maybe the richest President in history doesn't care when the cost of a new car or the cost of a new home or the cost of groceries go up, but for the people that I represent in my home State of California and the working-class neighborhoods like the one I grew up in, this is not a game. Here is what is most concerning to me: It seems like Republicans in Congress simply want to double down on this agenda of making the working class pay more in order to pass even more tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“In fact, his top trade adviser has gone on record promising Americans that we all must just be confused and that the tariffs are really actually tax cuts. This administration thinks so little of the American people that they think that somehow we won't know the difference between whether our personal wealth is growing or shrinking. So let's be clear. A tariff is a tax on the American people--plain and simple. Trump's tariffs equate to the biggest tax hike on Americans in decades, because the way tariffs work is this: American companies will have to pay more to import goods, and in turn, the American people will have to pay more to buy those products. Donald Trump knows this. It is not that he doesn't know; it is that he doesn't care. And those aren't my words; they are his.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise today to reintroduce the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park Act. This bill would establish the Cesar E.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Scarper Ridge Golden Gate National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Act, a straightforward, uncontroversial bill to adjust the boundary of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This bill would modify the boundary of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, GGNRA, to include the approximately 896-acre Scarper Ridge property.”
Senate26 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Smoke Exposure Research Act of 2025. This legislation will bolster research at land- grant universities to better understand the impacts of wildfire smoke on wine grapes.”
Senate13 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise to introduce the bipartisan Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act. This legislation would ensure all farmers can access critical U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster relief programs.”
Senate12 March 2025Source ↗
“It is the fundamental principle that men and women dedicated to themselves nearly 250 years ago in the founding of our Nation, that we shall be ruled of, by, and for the people; not of, by, and for a King or dictator. To our Republican colleagues, all we ask is this: Stand up. Stand up for the rule of law. Stand up for the Constitution. And stand up for our country. I yield the floor.”
Senate5 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise to introduce the bipartisan Early Action and Responsiveness Lifts Youth Minds Act.”
Senate27 February 2025Source ↗
“I urge all of my colleagues to reject President Trump's attempts to abolish the Department of Education and to reject Linda McMahon's nomination or any nominee who is willing to carry out his wishes. I yield the floor.”
Senate27 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Empowering and Enforcing Environmental Justice Act of 2025.”
Senate25 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, earlier this month, Joel Flatow celebrated his 30th anniversary working with the Recording Industry Association of America, RIAA. I rise today to recognize his three decades of dedication to the music industry, fighting to protect the rights of musicians across the country. The son of naturally gifted singers Meyer and Elinor Flatow, Joel was raised to love music. Growing up on Long Island alongside his brother Edward and sister Paula, he was immersed in the world of music from an early age.”
Senate20 February 2025Source ↗
“But more important than that, today, consider this: Someday in the future, possibly the near future, when a loyalist FBI Director abuses the position and fails to protect the American people, it won't just be Kash Patel that will be held accountable, it won't just be President Trump we will try to hold accountable, it will be every Member of this body who supported his nomination that will also be held accountable. So I invite you, I encourage you to have the courage to say no to Trump because lives are on the line. Have the courage to stand up and protect your constituents, protect the American people. Stand up, do the right thing, and vote no on this nominee. I yield the floor.”
Senate20 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise to introduce the bipartisan Wildfire Resilience Through Grazing Research Act.”
Senate13 February 2025Source ↗
“Today, we are left wondering who will speak up to protect the health of millions of Americans? Unfortunately, Mr. Kennedy has already shown he is not up to the task. So, colleagues, I urge you to join me in fighting to protect the health of our constituents and oppose the confirmation of Mr. Kennedy. I yield the floor.”
Senate12 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Wildfire Intelligence Collaboration and Coordination Act of 2025.”
Senate5 February 2025Source ↗
“I may sound crazy when I suggest this, but I don't believe it is any political risk at all to stand up for your constituents. Even if you hesitate to speak out publicly against Trump's unprecedented power grab, at least join me in voting against Russell Vought and his dangerous world view. Don't let Trump's allegiance to billionaires crush your hard-working constituents because I won't stand for it as he attempts to crush mine. I invite you, I encourage you, I implore you to do the right thing. I yield the floor.”
Senate5 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Access to Counsel Act.”
Senate4 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Access to Counsel Act.”
Senate4 February 2025Source ↗
“Bondi is up to the task, and for that reason, I will oppose her nomination, and I urge all of you to join me. I yield the floor.”
Senate4 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, on rollcall vote 26, I voted nay. It was my intention to vote aye. I ask unanimous consent that I be permitted to change my vote since it will not affect the outcome.”
Senate4 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate4 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act, which I introduced today.”
Senate3 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise to introduce the bipartisan Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act. This bill would require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish a new program to improve prediction of these important storm systems.”
Senate29 January 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act of 2025, which would allow the Bureau of Reclamation's Lower Colorado River Multispecies Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) account to collect interest.”
Senate29 January 2025Source ↗
“Are you just going to stand down silently while he tramples all over your independent constitutional authority and then race to either Mar-a-Lago or to the White House for a picture and for him to thank you? Your silence over the last 48 hours is deafening. I yield the floor.”
Senate29 January 2025Source ↗
“So from national security to immigration to disaster response to election security, we face serious challenges, colleagues. Not one of those challenges will be solved by prioritizing loyalty to one man over loyalty to our country and to our Constitution. So given her clear, unwavering allegiance to one man over country, for her willingness to push falsehoods over facts, I will oppose her confirmation and encourage my colleagues to do the same. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.”
Senate24 January 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Camille Calimlim Touton as she concludes her distinguished public service as the 24th Commissioner of the United States Bureau of Reclamation. Born in Quezon City, Philippines, as the daughter of a U.S. Air Force airman, Camille Calimlim Touton and her family eventually settled down in Nevada. There, she would go on to earn her bachelor of arts and her bachelor of science from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, before moving east to earn her master's in public policy from George Mason University.”
Senate17 January 2025Source ↗
“I suggest the absence of a quorum.”
Senate16 January 2025Source ↗
“And there will be more challenges to overcome as we continue the search and rescue phase of this, as we go into the environmental remediation and debris removal, and eventually the rebuilding of homes and businesses. It is a long road, and there will be challenges to overcome indeed. But I promise you this: There will be a day when the fires are put out, when the homes and entire communities are rebuilt better and more resilient than they have been before and the Sun will shine and the kids will smile. Together--together--we are going to get through this.”
Senate16 January 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate16 January 2025Source ↗