ON THE GROUND IN AFGHANiSTAN
REDUCING WASTE IN DEFENSE CONTRACTING
A DYNAMIC DUO: EDUCATION BILLS TO PROMOTE TEACHER DIVERSITY AND SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
OIL SPILL IN THE GULF OF MEXICO
BLOCKING A CONGRESSIONAL MEMBER PAY RAISE
IMPROVING ACCESS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
CREATING JOBS, CUTTING ENERGY COSTS, PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
ELECTION REFORM UPDATE
FIGHTING ANIMAL CRUELTY
PRACTICAL HEALTH CARE PROVISIONS
DISTRICT WORK PERIOD

I. ON THE GROUND IN AFGHANISTAN

This Mother’s Day, I once again helped lead a delegation of Congresswomen to Afghanistan. (Click here to read about my previous trip.) The dominant theme of our trip was security - security for Afghan women and the rest of the country, as well as a focus on how United States presence there contributes to our own national security.

On the eve of President Karzai's visit to the U.S., and with Congress set to debate supplemental funding for Afghanistan, we met with him and key Afghan decision-makers in Kabul to make it clear that Congress and the American people expect results. We impressed upon them our desire to see accountability in the upcoming Peace Jirga and parliamentary elections, which are key to improving security and governance inside Afghanistan. We also stressed the important role women must play in Afghanistan’s future. There is a direct connection between the social, economic, and political empowerment of Afghan women and our success in that country, which is why I continue to highlight this issue.

Our group then spent time with Afghan women in Zabul Province north of Kandahar, some of whom we had met with last year. This “shura,” or a council, ranged from women who essentially beg on the streets, to teachers, to a midwife. I was encouraged that one of the women we met with last year has decided to run for parliament. No matter their background, their message to us was clear: they need security. Without security, girls and young women cannot go to school and it’s often too unsafe for women to see their doctor. Without security, Afghan women cannot have their voices heard in the local and national decision-making process. We were truly inspired that these women believe, like we do, that they have a role to play in solving the problems of their country. They want and need a government they can trust and participate in. They are powerful women, but they still need the help of the international community to provide security from the Taliban and put pressure on the Karzai government to improve governance and reduce corruption.

Visiting over Mother's Day also heightened the reality that for the mothers serving in Afghanistan, uniformed and civilian, there were no Sunday brunches or hugs from their children on their special day. Still, these brave women, including members of the Female Engagement Teams trained at Camp Pendleton, told us that they believe their presence in Afghanistan is in our national security interest. They fight for our collective security while thinking about their children, who are the true reason why they do what they do. They shared with us family pictures, and we all shared tears. I was humbled by their service and dedication to their country.

As I have before, I concluded the trip with a visit to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany to visit with our recently injured service members. It is always a moving experience to talk to our wounded warriors and convey our profound thanks for their service and sacrifice. They are also the clearest reminder of why we need to empower the Afghan government and people to take responsibility for their own security so that our men and women can return home to their families and a grateful nation.

II. REDUCING WASTE IN DEFENSE CONTRACTING

I was proud to vote for the IMPROVE Act (H.R. 5013). This bipartisan legislation reduces waste, increases efficiency, and encourages innovation in the defense marketplace. It will transform the defense acquisition process into one the American people can trust by creating a better accountability system, improving the management of the acquisition workforce, and expanding and strengthening the industrial base.

An amendment I offered to reduce contract bundling and increase opportunities for small businesses was included in this bill. Contract bundling is when multiple requirements are combined into a single contract, which can lead to waste in the award process. In addition, I continually meet with small businesses in San Diego that have so much to offer the defense world in the form of quality products and efficient services. Yet it has been frustrating to hear from these capable and resourceful companies that they too often run into barriers, like the negative impact contract bundling has on our industrial base. Especially now - at the brink of economic recovery - our government needs to help bring more businesses into the DOD procurement system, not push them out.

III. A DYNAMIC DUO: EDUCATION BILLS TO PROMOTE TEACHER DIVERSITY AND SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

Improving and investing in our education system is a must. I believe we need to better support our teachers and school leaders, so I introduced two bills to focus on this aspect of our school system.

The Diverse Teachers Recruitment Act (H.R. 5096) will increase diversity in the classroom by bringing underrepresented groups into the teaching profession. The goal is to bring more male and minority teachers into the classroom – groups traditionally underrepresented in the teaching force. So many kids don’t have role models with whom they identify because only 24% of teachers are men and 17% are from a minority background.
The School Principal Recruitment and Training Act (H.R. 4354) will help recruit, support, and train principals for service in high-need schools.

Also, as a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, I had the opportunity to discuss a variety of education issues with a panel of experts during a hearing on “Supporting America’s Educators: The Importance of Quality Teachers and Leaders.” I was particularly interested in their insight on how we can craft fair and constructive teacher evaluations that will help improve classroom performance. The goal must be an education system that encourages both our students’ vibrant minds and our teachers’ creativity and hard work. You can watch the hearing by clicking here.

IV. OIL SPILL IN THE GULF OF MEXICO

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is devastating in so many senses of the word - from the loss of life, to the harm to the environment and marine ecosystem, to the effects on the marine industry and the economy. This disaster underscores why I do not believe that offshore oil drilling is the answer to our nation’s energy challenges, and why I remain seriously concerned about the effects it can have on our precious coastal waters and marine life. It also highlights the need to diversify our energy sources to make us less dependable on oil. You can weigh in on this issue in the Quick Poll on my website by clicking here.

I have repeatedly voted against opening our waters to drilling and recently joined my colleagues in cosponsoring the West Coast Ocean Protection Act (H.R. 5213), which would place a permanent moratorium on oil drilling off the West Coast. In addition, my colleagues on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce are holding hearings and asking tough questions of oil executives.

V. BLOCKING A CONGRESSIONAL MEMBER PAY RAISE

Recently, I led the floor debate on and voted to block a pay raise for members of the House of Representatives for the 2011 fiscal year. This was an easy decision - with many San Diegans still struggling to make ends meet and with federal deficits to deal with, this is certainly no time to give raises to Members of Congress. Since coming to Congress, I have consistently opposed similar congressional pay increases.

VI. IMPROVING ACCESS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

I have watched with great concern as our local media has recently reported that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as the “food stamp” program, is being underutilized in San Diego County. These reports and subsequent meetings I have had with hunger advocates have troubled me.

I sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and requested a review of the program in San Diego County to look into how SNAP in our area could be strengthened. The USDA responded in the form of a report, the Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program Access Review, which recommended changes that would streamline the application process, improve communication, and establish clear standards for employees. This review is a great resource to help our community by improving its services.

VII. CREATING JOBS, CUTTING ENERGY COSTS, PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

The recently passed Home Star Energy Retrofit Act (H.R. 5019) will boost the economy while providing a cost-benefit for our families and our environment.
I voted for this bill because it is the kind of nuts and bolts legislation we need; it saves homeowners money, puts Americans back to work, and cuts energy consumption by retrofitting the nuts and bolts of our appliances and our homes! The bill will provide rebates to homeowners who install energy-saving products and reduce energy use in their homes.

Nearly 170,000 jobs in construction and manufacturing industries will be created by the demand for smart home renovations. While we’ve been calling this retrofitting, I think “future-fitting” is a more appropriate name because we are investing in the future of our country’s economy by creating jobs and helping the future of our environment by lowering energy consumption.

VIII. ELECTION REFORM UPDATE

Earlier this month I had the honor of testifying before the Senate Rules Committee along with Senator Ron Wyden and experienced elections officials about improving our election system and allowing voters to request an absentee ballot without an excuse for Federal elections. My legislation, the Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act (H.R. 1604) would spread the popular no-excuse absentee system used in California and 28 other states to make sure hardworking Americans who might not be able to vote in person can vote by mail instead. I’m pleased this effort is moving forward and received its deserved attention in the Senate!

During the hearing, I was also glad to hear senators on both sides of the aisle express interest in my bipartisan legislation to help voters track their absentee ballots with the Absentee Ballot Track, Receive, and Confirm Act (H.R. 2510). You can read my full testimony or watch the hearing by visiting the Senate Rules Committee website.

Both of these measures would make commonsense improvements to our voting systems and I’m hopeful we can achieve them in 2010.

IX. FIGHTING ANIMAL CRUELTY

As you may know, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that struck down a federal law aimed at preventing the distribution of videos that depict dog fighting and other forms of violence against animals, citing that the law violates free speech guarantees. While I firmly believe free speech must be protected, the videos in questions are of a particularly cruel and disturbing nature. As a result, I joined a group of my colleagues in cosponsoring H.R. 5092, a bill that clarifies the language in the existing law and addresses the Supreme Court’s concerns that the law is too restrictive and overreaches constitutional bounds.

I am hopeful that a balance can be found, because brutality against animals can often lead to even more violence in our communities. In fact, earlier in this Congress I introduced a resolution (H. Res. 191) to focus on the link between violence toward animals and other violent tendencies. As a member of the Animal Protection Caucus, I am committed to supporting legislation that ensures animals are treated humanely and respectfully.

X. PRACTICAL HEALTH CARE PROVISIONS

The new health reform law puts in place broad consumer protections that are long overdue for patients across our country. It also includes more specific provisions, some of which built on original legislation I have been working on in the House of Representatives. These include:

Getting Women Direct Access to their OB/GYN
(H.R. 2940, Women's Obstetrician and Gynecologist Medical Access Now Act)
Women will no longer need a referral note to see their OB/GYN, as some states still required. After all, I think women know when it’s appropriate to see their OB/GYN! I passed similar legislation into law in the California State Assembly before introducing it on the federal level.

Helping to Prevent Diabetes
(H.R. 4124, Diabetes Prevention Act)
New cases of diabetes are growing at an alarming rate, especially in children, and action is necessary to reverse that trend. Based on a successful NIH pilot program, this provision provides grants for a community-based approach to preventing new cases of type 2 diabetes.

Maintaining Viability of Birth Centers
(H.R. 2358, Medicaid Birth Center Reimbursement Act)
Birth centers are part of an essential safety net for Medicaid mothers across the country. However, over the past few years, CMS has begun disallowing federal matching funds for state Medicaid payments for freestanding birth center facility fees. This language preserves crucial maternal health care by providing that authority and ensuring Medicaid birth center facility fee payments to states. This will save the federal government millions of dollars in the long run.

XI. DISTRICT WORK PERIOD

Here are a few San Diego community events I recently participated in:

San Diego small business owners joined me at a roundtable to discuss the effects of the economy and how to get banks lending again.
Jobs, recovery efforts for businesses, and water supply issues were just some of the issues my colleagues and I talked about as part of the Congressional Panel at the annual San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Congressional Luncheon.
Local students were inspiring at the second annual Science Festival at Petco Park where I spoke on the subject of encouraging them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.
The ceremony to dedicate the Southeastern Post Office to Cesar Chavez was an exciting event to participate in after years of working to rename the post office in his honor.

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