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Let me begin by wishing everyone a Happy New Year!
This New Year has brought momentous change to the Congress and with it the promise of a new direction for America. The start of the 110th Congress was historic on many levels, as we swore-in the first woman and the first Californian Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. I was truly honored to be a part of this historic occasion and proud of my friend, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, for finally shattering “the marble ceiling” that had blocked women from assuming the highest positions of leadership in the Congress.
On November 7th voters on the Central Coast, and across the country, sent a strong message that they were tired of business as usual in Washington and wanted a new direction for America. This yearning for change helped elect Democratic officials at the local, state, and federal level. Democrats in Congress heard that message loud and clear and with our first votes passed meaningful reforms to benefit the American people and restore their confidence in Congress’ integrity and ability to govern.
In our first hundred legislative hours the House passed legislation to raise the minimum wage, promote life-saving stem cell research, implement the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations, repeal recently enacted subsidies to Big Oil and increase investment in renewable fuels, cut interest rates on student loans, and require Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices.
During this period we also enacted tough new rules governing procedures in the House to restore fiscal discipline and balance the budget. Additionally, we placed a moratorium on “earmarks” until we put in place a reformed process to ensure the integrity of every earmark. Under these more responsible rules we began the process of cleaning up the huge fiscal mess left behind by Republicans. The House has passed a continuing resolution to complete the fiscal year 2007 funding bills left unfinished by the Republicans last year.
At the same time, we are now beginning the budget process for fiscal year 2008. The President released his budget proposal on Feb 5th and it was a major disappointment. While we must make hard choices to live within our means, the President’s budget makes the wrong choices. His budget lacks adequate funding for vital programs dealing with Homeland Security, education, veterans and military retirees, and health care. Yet he continues to call for tax cuts for the wealthiest among us.
Ultimately, the federal budget is more than just a financial blueprint for federal funding; rather, it is a moral document that clearly states the priorities of our country. As a nation we must find funding for the programs that reflect our values. At the very least this means providing for the security of our citizens and improving the health and well being of the most vulnerable in our society. Meeting these responsibilities is no easy task, especially when confronted by the need to deal with the huge deficits run up during the six years of the Bush Administration and Republican controlled Congress.
Finally, and most importantly, we must meet our key domestic challenges as we continue to fight an expensive and unnecessary war in Iraq. For so many reasons, I believe it is time to end the war in Iraq and bring our brave troops home. These heroic young men and women, and their families, have made so many sacrifices and we must never forget that. They deserve our thanks and gratitude for their selfless service to our country. But the President’s plan to escalate the war in Iraq is more of the same failed policies that got us to this point and will needlessly endanger more American lives. We need to bring our troops home.
In the coming weeks and months I will continue my work in Congress to ensure that the Central Coast’s values and priorities are heard here in Washington, D.C. That includes fighting to end the war in Iraq and get the federal budget back on track.
Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.
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