Positive Changes for the Coming Year
Change is on the way. In November,
I was re-elected to serve another
term in Congress. Now in my
fifteenth year, words can not
express my gratitude for the
opportunity to serve you in
Congress. I am thankful to all those
who supported me with their vote. As
we move forward to a new year, I
pledge to work hard to maintain that
support.
Just recently, Democrats in Congress selected me as Chairman
of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs for the 110th
Congress that convened in January.
I am both proud and humbled by the confidence in me shown by
my colleagues to appoint me as the next chairman. I look
forward to working with Republican and Democratic Members,
the Administration, and the veterans community to address
the challenges facing our veterans and their families.
This Committees work is critically important to our
servicemembers, veterans and military families, and it is my
goal to help make certain that Congress is responsive to
their needs. I want to develop a strong and bi-partisan
working relationship with all of my colleagues on the
Committee to carry out this important responsibility.
A number of
issues need to be addressed on the Committee this year such
as ensuring timely and adequate funding for the VA,
effectively addressing the mental health and transition
concerns of our troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan,
improving Department of Defense and VA collaboration, and
updating the Montgomery GI Bill. These issues will be a
priority.
On a
national level, Americans overwhelmingly voted for a
Democratic majority in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S.
House of Representatives. The message was loud and
clearits time for change, time to take America in a new
direction. Frustrated and discouraged by the previous
administrations handling of critical issues such as the War
in Iraq, the proposal to privatize Social Security,
Hurricane Katrina, immigration reform, the economy, rising
costs of health care, housing, gas and energy along with
scandals involving Republican leaders in Congress, citizens
voted in favor of change.
The
election results have changed the leadership in Congress and
have made history. Nancy Pelosi has become the first woman
Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. She has
pledged bi-partisanship with Republicans and the President
in order to move our country forward. Her leadership, along
with the commitment of all Democrats, promise to bring
renewed focus on issues that matter the most to our
country. Issues around education, affordable health care,
social security, Medicare, homeland security, veterans,
energy and the environment will be amongst the priorities
for this year.
There are
many challenges ahead. Democrats are ready to lead and
prepared to governand I remain committed to serving you in
Congress and fighting to assure that we all have the
opportunity to achieve our fullest potential and live the
American dream.
On an
international level, Felipe Caldern is the new President of
Mexico. As Californias border Congressman, I look forward
to working with the new administration to address the issues
that impact both countries. Next year should be a year where
we address immigration, border security, and doing all for a
safe and efficient border region.
As we
approach the holiday season, many of us are looking forward
to spending this special time with family and friends and
celebrating all that this time means to us. As we reflect on
the many blessings in our lives, it is also a time to open
our hearts to make the holidays a little brighter for those
in need. I encourage you to look for ways to give back to
our communities in whatever way you can.
Happy
Holidays to all and my best wishes for a prosperous New
Year!
Opposing Toll Road Through San
Onofre State Beach
I oppose the Orange County
Transportation Corridor Agencys
proposal to route a toll road
through the San Onofre State Beach.
This toll
road would eliminate over 400 acres of habitat, pollute the
pristine waters of San Mateo Creek, threaten protected
species, and severely impact the level of tourism at one of
Californias most visited parks.
Citizens throughout the State should have a chance to
express their views as we are all impacted and other viable
alternatives should be considered before going forward with
one option, said Congressman Filner.
Several diverse groups, including the San Diego Sierra Club,
San Diego Audubon, San Diego Democratic Club, League of
Conversation Voters, the City of Imperial Beach, the State
Parks Foundation, the Pacific Beach Democratic Club, the
Surfrider Foundation, the San Diego Democratic County
Central Committee and the Mountain Lion Foundation oppose
the proposed freeway.
I recently contacted Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger urging
his support to seek other alternatives to reducing traffic
before approving the toll road.
View my letter to
Governor Schwarzenegger
Pushing for Shorter Wait Times at
the Calexico Port of Entry
I recently asked Department of
Homeland Security Secretary Michael
Chertoff to aggressively
strive for maximum 15 minute wait times at
the Calexico Port of Entry (POE).
Long delays in crossing the
international border have had a
severe impact on local businesses
and the quality of life for the
residents of Calexico, and I want to
ensure that we are doing everything
we can to promote a safe and timely
crossing. Just as important as
aiming for 15-minute wait times at
the Calexico West POE is moving the
Calexico East POE to a 24-hour
operation. I believe this would
decrease wait times for everyone and
improve our homeland security.
Currently, the Customs and Border
Patrol is working to
ensure that all privately owned
vehicle and pedestrian lanes are
operational when wait times reach or
exceed 60 minutes at the Calexico
West POE, but I do not
believe that this is acceptable.
I have contacted numerous Customs
and Border Patrol
officials and asked that they come
up with a wish list to reach their
goals. I look forward to
coordinating their efforts to
decrease entry time and increase
security, and I believe that new
technology like smart cards with
retina identifiers can help.
View My
Letter to Secretary Chertoff
Constituent Mail Bag
From National
City
Dear
Representative Filner:
It's been
nearly a decade since the minimum wage was
last
increased. The current minimum wage, $5.15
an hour, isn't much
to begin with--and thanks to a decade's
worth of inflation, it buys about 20 percent
less than it did when it was set.
Do something about this injustice. Support a
clean vote on a
fair increase in the minimum wage. We
strongly support the Fair
Minimum Wage Act, which would raise the
federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an
hour. We oppose any attempts to add
additional provisions of any kind to this
important bill. These
pointless political games just hurt the
American people.
The American people have made their views
clear on the minimum wage. With strong
victories on all six state minimum wage
ballot initiatives and strong support for
candidates campaigning on raising the
minimum wage, the American people sent a
powerful message that hard-working people
have waited long enough for a higher minimum
wage.
You will have the opportunity to demonstrate
that the days of
business as usual are over. Please pass a
clean minimum wage
bill without tax breaks for business, the
wealthy, or any other
unrelated proposals to benefit special
interests.
I urge you to vote "yes" on this measure
that is so important to
millions of American families.
Congressman
Filner replies:
Thank you for
contacting me about increasing the minimum
wage.
I
wholeheartedly agree! It is a
travesty that our minimum wage has
not increased since 1997. $7.25 an
hour is not too much to ask. This
increase will benefit all concerned
by strengthening consumer purchasing
power. You will be happy to learn
that I voted to increase the
minimum wage, as you requested.
This bill has passed the House of
Representatives and is waiting for
Senate approval.
By
working together, we can make
a difference!