San Diegans Continue to Ask, “Where are the Jobs?”

When the stimulus legislation was proposed as the solution to the ongoing economic downturn, its proponents made the case that unemployment would not exceed 7.9 percent under the plan and substantive job growth would take hold.  Here we are today, nearly two years and $1 trillion later, and unemployment remains at or above 9.5 percent for the 14th straight month.  Overall, 2.5 million jobs have been lost since the stimulus was signed into law – a clear indicator that the stimulus, for all that was promised, is still falling short in the area of job creation and recovery.

San Diegans are right to be frustrated and to keep asking, where are the jobs?  In our region, unemployment continues to stagnate above 10 percent while small businesses – the backbone of the local and national economy – face an uncertain future due to newly imposed regulations and impending tax increases.  In fact, the Tax Policy Center reports that almost one million small businesses nationwide will experience a tax increase in 2010 unless Congress acts to keep current rates in place.

The quickest and most direct way to get the economy on track is to get small businesses hiring again.  Without substantive job growth, the economy will continue to stay right where it is, overshadowed by uncertainty, and fail to achieve the level of recovery that San Diegans are demanding and expect.  

House Republicans continue offering solutions to get local job creators hiring again and to restore confidence among employers and entrepreneurs.  Find these solutions and more in the GOP Pledge to America – available here.

New Figures Show $3 Trillion Debt Increase

This week, the Department of Treasury reported that the national debt has increased more than $3 trillion since the start of 2009.  By 2012, estimates put the national debt at $16.5 trillion while, by 2019, debt levels are projected to exceed $19 trillion.  Spending at this rate is unsustainable, putting both current and future budget priorities at serious risk. 

There are steps Congress can take right away, starting with a reduction in federal spending to levels predating the stimulus, bailouts and takeovers.  Another course of action includes an across-the-board audit of the federal government, targeting every agency for inefficient and duplicative programs.  This must also include significant reforms to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, repealing the onerous 1099 reporting requirement created in the new health care law, and ending bailouts once and for all. 

Savings add up quickly, making responsible cuts that reduce our debt obligations for the future all the more important.

Center for Security Policy Names Hunter among “Champions of National Security,” National Association of Manufacturers Present Award for Excellence

When it comes to the issues of national security and the economy, Congressman Hunter is leading efforts in Congress to protect American security interests worldwide and create jobs for American workers.  Just recently, these efforts were acknowledged by both the Center for National Security Policy and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM).  
 
The Center for National Security Policy, which released its annual scorecard evaluating performance “on matters of great importance to the national security interests of the United States,” named Congressman Duncan Hunter a “Champion of National Security.” Click here to read more.

In the area of restoring jobs and American manufacturing, Congressman Hunter received the NAM award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence, presented to legislators who consistently support a pro-growth, pro-job agenda on key manufacturing issues.  Additional information is now available at www.nam.org.    

Miramar Gun Range Back in Spotlight

Last year, Congressman Hunter included in amendment in the FY2010 Defense Authorization Act requiring the Marine Corps to review and report to Congress on options to reopen the Miramar Gun Range.  The Marines have since decided to close the range indefinitely, at a cost of as much as $20 million.

Congressman Hunter is now working to implement a solution that benefits the Marine Corps by saving it millions of dollars in environmental clean-up costs, benefits the community by reopening the range and benefits the Association currently holding the gun range lease, which has proposed undertaking responsibility for clean up and managing the property.  An article featured in the San Diego Union Tribune, available here, provides further detail.   

System for Military Survivor Benefit Shows Flaws

Recent reports uncovered problematic flaws in the military’s survivor benefit system.  According to these reports, the Department of Veterans Affairs, through an agreement with Prudential Financial, permitted the insurance company to withhold lump-sum payments owed to survivors and earn investment income on the money itself.  Read the story that appeared in the Washington Post here.

Soon after this arrangement was reported, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it will amend the contract, to ensure survivors receive lump-sum payments if elected.  While this is a necessary course of action, Congressman Hunter, as a combat veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, expressed both concern and frustration. 

In addition to ensuring the Department of Veterans Affairs follows through on its commitment, Congressman Hunter is in the process of drafting legislation to ensure survivor death benefits are fully protected – another issue raised in reports.  The total compensation is $400,000, but state insurance guarantees vary from state-to-state in the event a company that contracts with the Department of Veterans Affairs becomes insolvent.  In California, state insurance guarantees only protect $250,000.  In other words, survivors stand to lose a significant portion of their benefits.  

Congressman Hunter’s legislation will require that a holding account, funded by the insurance company contracting with the Department of Veterans Affairs, be created to ensure full payment of obligated funds in the event that any issues arise preventing survivors from receiving the compensation they are owed.