Congresswoman Susan Davis's E-News Report
Dear Friend,
We’ve done a lot in Congress these last few months, but there is still plenty more to do. We are working to get the economy moving again, and my number one priority is helping those who work hard and play by the rules. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you in San Diego this district work period - I want to hear your concerns and what is on your mind. Please call, email, or come out to one of my events in San Diego!
Warm Regards,
Susan A. Davis
Member of Congress
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- REINING IN WALL STREET
- EXCITING NEWS FOR SAN DIEGO
- OIL SPILL DISASTER
- KEEPING OUR KIDS HEALTHY - CHILD NUTRITION REAUTHORIZATION
- IRAN SANCTIONS
- TRANSPARENCY IN CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING
- LISTENING TO OUR MILITARY FAMILIES
- THE DEFENSE BILL
- UPCOMING PUBLIC EVENTS IN SAN DIEGO
I. REINING IN WALL STREET
I know many San Diegans are still feeling the effects of the Wall Street recklessness that caused the current recession. To help prevent this from happening again, Congress is incorporating what was learned from the financial crisis into a law that will put an end to the idea of “too big to fail.” This overhaul will increase financial oversight, focus on consumer protections, and create a process to wind down failing large financial institutions without hurting our economy or using taxpayer dollars to bail them out. I strongly supported the financial regulations conference report, which has been sent to the Senate for a final vote. You can read a summary of the conference report by clicking here.
II. EXCITING NEWS FOR SAN DIEGO
For years I’ve seen the passport backlog make it hard for constituents to get passports they need, so I’m thrilled the State Department announced the opening of a new passport office in our district. This will help ensure San Diegans won’t feel the effects of a backlog like we did three years ago – and they won’t have to drive all the way to Los Angeles! My office has helped hundreds of constituents with passport problems, and the new passport office right in our city will help us do that even better. And it will help businesses and employees cut through bureaucratic red tape in order to get the passports they need quickly to keep local and international business moving.
The office is made possible by stimulus funds and will be located on the 10th floor of the Columbia Center at 401 West A Street. It’s set to open in the spring of 2011.
III. OIL SPILL DISASTER
The scenes of the oil spill in the Gulf Coast have been all over our TVs, our computers, and definitely on our minds. It’s infuriating that BP has betrayed the public's trust by failing to anticipate this disaster and failing to stop it once it began. Congress passed a bill to give the Coast Guard and other response agencies the funding they need to help get the job done, and BP has agreed to pay billions for this spill and its effects. While I’m not on the Committees that have been looking into this disaster, I’m glad my colleagues who are have been asking tough questions of BP executives. We need to keep the pressure on them, hold them accountable, and do what is necessary to prevent this from ever happening again.
On June 26, I joined concerned San Diegans at Pacific Beach to participate in an event to promote beach protection. As a coastal community, we can relate on a personal level with what the Gulf Coast region is going through because we can imagine how awful it would be if our beaches and our marine life were affected by an oil spill. 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.
IV. KEEPING OUR KIDS HEALTHY - CHILD NUTRITION REAUTHORIZATION
As a mother, grandmother, and former head of the San Diego School Board, I know how important it is for students to get healthy meals that sustain their bodies and their minds. I have heard from many of you about this issue in particular, and experts have presented clear evidence to the House Education and Labor Committee of how junk food leads to childhood obesity and poor school performance. I am looking forward to working on the upcoming reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act and incorporating your ideas. After all, healthy food leads to a healthy mind!
V. IRAN SANCTIONS
Recently, I voted to strengthen sanctions against Iran in an effort to persuade them to abandon their nuclear ambitions and support of terrorism. H.R. 2194, the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, would impose an array of tough new economic penalties aimed at convincing Iran to change its conduct. It’s in the national security interests of our country and our allies to compel Iran’s leaders to halt their nuclear program, and sanctions, combined with unified international diplomatic pressure, are our best hope for peacefully achieving this goal.
VI. TRANSPARENCY IN CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING
In response to the unpopular Citizens United Supreme Court ruling overturning decades of campaign finance reform law and policy, I supported the Democracy is Strengthened by Casting a Light on Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act (H.R 5175), which passed the House in June. The DISCLOSE Act is at heart a consumer protection bill. Voters want to know: ‘Who’s behind that ad?’ ‘Who stands to gain from it?’ ‘Why isn’t an actual person, corporation, or union taking responsibility for it?’ ‘Are special interests involved?’ The DISCLOSE Act will answer those questions, and I’m pleased an amendment I offered to give people that information faster was included in the bill. I can think of no time I’ve regretted giving my constituents more information so they can make wise and informed decisions.
VII. LISTENING TO OUR MILITARY FAMILIES
On June 13, I had the honor of joining First Lady Michelle Obama at Camp Pendleton to raise awareness and pay tribute to the importance of military families in our community and our country. Military families and the service members they support are essential to our national security, and we need to continue to be mindful of the sacrifices they make on our behalf. Though military families have been referred to as “quiet heroes,” we encouraged them to speak out about what support they need and they gave us insightful and moving feedback.
VIII. THE DEFENSE BILL
As Chairwoman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, I worked to support our service members, their families, and San Diego in the FY11 National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the House May 28.
The bill includes:
- A 1.9% military pay raise
- Provisions to help address sexual assault in the military
- A provision to repeal the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy
- A new benefit allowing beneficiaries up to age 26 to stay on TRICARE health coverage
- $380 million for a new ship to be built in San Diego
- $287 million in military construction for the 53rd district
- Language to push the Navy to work with Coronado and Imperial Beach on traffic and noise concerns
IX. UPCOMING PUBLIC EVENTS IN SAN DIEGO
Hearing from and interacting with San Diegans is the most important part of my job - please join me at one of my upcoming events!
CORONADO NEIGHBORHOOD DAY
When: Saturday, July 3
Time: 1:30-2:30 PM
Location: Spreckels Park (Near 7th St., between Orange and C St.)
What: Sit across a table and share your thoughts, ideas and concerns with me one-on-one.
GOLDEN TRIANGLE NEIGHBORHOOD DAY
When: Wednesday, July 7
Time: 7:00-8:00 PM
Where: “Forum Hall” Community Room at UTC mall (above the Wells Fargo and behind Nordstrom, 4545 La Jolla Village Drive.)
What: Discuss federal issues, ask questions, and tell me what’s on your mind.
SMALL BUSINESS FORUM
When: Friday, July 9
Time: 1:00-2:30 PM
Where: Mission Valley Library, 2123 Fenton Parkway, San Diego, CA 92108 (Near IKEA)
What: Learn how your small business can make the most of the small business tax breaks passed into law over the last two years to help create jobs.
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DISCLAIMER: I cannot guarantee the integrity of the text of this letter unless it was sent to you directly from my Congressional e-mail account: Susan.Davis@mail.house.gov. Please note that this account is unattended. If you would like to be removed from my e-mail update list, please click here. If you would like to subscribe to the update list or send me a message for any other purpose, please do so through my website, www.house.gov/susandavis. Thank you.
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