The coronavirus pandemic has dominated the past year. Now, other issues are creating challenges for our country, such as a rise in new voting restrictions in dozens of states and the situation at the border with the growing number of migrants arriving there.

In an interview for LA Times Today, U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, joined Spectrum News 1 anchor Lisa McRee to talk about solving those issues, as well as legislation he championed to preserve nature's beauty here in Southern California. 

Recently, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed measures into law that would limit people of color's ability to vote. Now, the House has passed the For the People Act, or H.R.1, which will expand Americans' access to the ballot box.

"It will do several things to protect our democracy. It will, I think, force the repeal of these state laws that seek to disenfranchise people — particularly people of color. This effort to go back to Jim Crow is absolutely shameful, and I think the most serious anti-democratic actions since Donald Trump left office. The Republican response in Georgia to losing the election is not to change their policy, is not to come up with new ideas, not to try to broaden their appeal, but instead to try to stop people of color from voting. It is a disgrace. And, H.R.1 would have the effect of stopping those efforts. They made it a crime to give people water who are waiting in lines, while at the same time closing voting stations in urban areas, so people have to wait in line. The intent to disenfranchise could not be more clear," said Schiff.

Along with H.R.1, there is also the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

"The second bill would reinstate some of the protections that we used to have that were struck down. So the combination of these two bills will protect voting rights, but they could end up in the Supreme Court. This legislation is written in such a way that it should survive even this conservative 6-3 court in the Supreme Court," added Schiff.

Concerning immigration, Rep. Schiff believes congress and the Biden administration should address conditions in the migrants' home countries.

"We can allow them to apply for refugee or asylum status in their home counties. We can work with Mexico to try to make sure that there is the ability for people migrating through Mexico to avail themselves of immigration processes there. We can make sure that when people reach our border, we treat them humanely and do not treat them as criminals. These are people who are desperate to flee violence in their home countries. We should greet that with sympathy, not with anger or inhumanity," said Schiff.

When it comes to the country's infrastructure, Rep. Schiff says there needs to be an infrastructure bill because it will boost the economy.

"The nation's infrastructure has deteriorated so greatly over the last several decades. That is nowhere more true than California. I think we should invest in high-speed rail; frankly, it kills me that the United States seems to be the only developed country that cannot seem to build high-speed rail. I will tell you that there has been mismanagement, both in terms of cost overruns and lack of communication with communities. We need to make sure that the roots are fair and equitable," Schiff added. 

For the past two decades, Rep. Schiff has supported the Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act, which was passed last year. The bill would enable the National Park Service and the local community to better protect natural resources and habitats and provide area residents with improved access to nature for recreational and educational purposes.

"It will more than double the size of the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area. I do care deeply about it. These are wonderful and beautiful wilderness areas. They allow us to enjoy mountain lions in our community and bears coming into our garages. They allow this beautiful nature around us, which I think we have had a renewed appreciation for during the pandemic. It has been so important to get out and breathe some fresh air and enjoy nature. But I think it is important for the health of our community and region. We are among the most park-poor in the nation, and I would like to see congress show the foresight it did 30 years ago when it established the park, to begin with.”