ambition and wanted to do a little more than the state representative. she was very supportive of me when we got married to be in politics, and she's been the perfect spouse. i couldn't do any better. she is a mother to our children. she's always there for me and she's a great public speaker. she travels with me when she can in the campaigns, and action is a bigger hit on the campaign dress that i am. she does a great job and she is all in with his congressional opportunity. >> tell us about what you were doing before you run for office. >> i was serving on this the council where i lived in her most of each. -- hermosa beach. law?y did you go into >> when i was a kid, my parents

were poor. my mom said, you are a doctor or lawyer. when i see blood, i pass out. >> why do you think they have that outlook? my mom had a third grade education. i do not really know -- >> your parents immigrated from mexico? what was that like for them? >> they came here for a better life for their children. you hear stories about how they struggled when they got here. they were working hard to make sure we can go to college. seeing their struggle,

that was own service, his form of service. it has always been about paying back. impact. had a huge what can i do to help create opportunities for others? and expand opportunities. of 11?were one >> yes. >> what was that like growing up? >> it was a very packed house all the time, and it was very loud. when i graduated from high

school, it made me want to go away. i went to davis for my first year of undergrad. i came back after a year. .y father was ill at the time >> was your family able to join you for the swearing-in? >> yes. it was my mother's first time in washington. >> what was the reaction when she found out that you won? emotional totty have my mom come. she cries a lot, and then i cry. scheduled to have hip surgery and put that off so she could be here for the

swearing-in. >> what was the immigration process like for your parents? shape your outlook on immigration policy? >> i remember as a kid when my mom was studying for the exam. my father never became a citizen. id remember as a kid, studying -- i do remember as a kid, studying with her. how many stars are on the flat? -- are on the flag? i did not understand it until i got a little older. she is a huge voter, always

believes in making sure she votes. it really impacted me in my ability to not only vote but to understand the importance of what it is like to have the privilege to be a citizen here. i have seen people being deported. have been through the process. immigration -- it makes it very personal. it gives a perspective, which is important. siblings, or you all born here? >> i have two brothers who were born in mexico.

>> i do not remember what the remember what the process was like to them. i just remember my mother. >> this is something you plan to work on out here? >> absolutely. iran on the fact that we need -- i ran on the fact that we needed immigration reform. how do we protect folks? we will continue to focus on comprehensive immigration reform. it is going to take a little longer. >> talk a little bit more about your district.

francisco toom san the port of los angeles and a goes through some very working-class neighborhoods. it is 70% latino and it is very diverse. area.ants across the >> who and what groups supported your race? >> we had a lot of diversity. had women's groups, emily's list, we had environmental club, mm we had people who believed on sending

someone to washington who would fight for them. on my story.aign i'm the daughter of immigrants from mexico. storyrted with a personal and then we went to some of the issues and the differences between my opponent and i. it is a story of hope. people wanted hope. it is something that wins, right? >> how will you put those words into action legislatively? >> part of it is protecting immigrants and families. they have lost hope and that is what we are hearing right now. we will fight for those families and try to find efforts to

protect those families. that is a cycle of poverty and and has different themes. the children in my district, the asthma rates are high. graduating.e 10% making sure we try to invest in early childhood education is free -- is key. areas, trying to invest in these groups.

>> is that where most of the jobs are in the district? >> a huge amount, absolutely, got the port. -- down at the port. for me, it starts with education and health. if they are too sick to go to school, you have a cycle that will not work. >> congresswoman, thank you for your time. zinkeuesday, ryan dink testifies on his nomination.

wednesday, epa administrator nominee takes questions at 10:00 on c-span 3. perry, therom rick nominee for energy secretary. that is live thursday at 10:00 on c-span 3. ♪ >> the presidential inauguration of donald trump is friday. c-span will have live coverage of all the days events and ceremonies. watch live on c-span and c-span.org.

>> mike pompeo is donald trump spake to head -- donald trump's pick to head the cia. under two hours. f power. from capitol hill, this is about two hours.