|
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
I. 112TH CONGRESS BEGINS
II. CONTINUING RESOLUTION AND BUDGETING FOR THE FUTURE
III. EGYPT OUTLOOK
IV. U.S. MARINE ON STAFF
V. HEALTH CARE UPDATE
VI. ENVIRONMENTAL SCORECARD
VII. NAVAL AVIATION CENTENNIAL
VIII. WE'VE MOVED!
I. 112TH CONGRESS BEGINS
The 112th Congress is underway, and there are currently 241 Republicans and 193 Democrats serving in the House of Representatives. I'm honored to continue to represent the 53rd Congressional District of California.
Given our country's great challenges and limited resources, we can expect more heated debate on the budget, debt limits and other economic issues on the horizon. It's important for us to listen to each other and respect our differences but, at the end of the day, we need to come together and solve the problems facing our nation.
|
My Committee Assignments in the 112th Congress
My committee assignments are a reflection of some of San Diego's top priorities. They focus on improving our education system for the next generation so we can remain globally competitive and supporting our dedicated service members and their families.
EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE
Committee Website
Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education
Improving Our Schools - Special Education - Homeless and Migrant Education - School Safety -
School Lunch and Child Nutrition
Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training
Education/Training Beyond High School - Career and Technical Education - Apprenticeship Programs -
Job Training - Postsecondary Student Assistance
ARMED SERVICES
Committee Website
Subcommittee on Military Personnel (Ranking Member)
Military Personnel Policy - Health Care Benefits - Military Education - POW/MIA Issues - Reserve Integration and Employment
Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces
Navy and Marine Corps Programs - Shipbuilding - Naval Aviation - Marine Corps Equipment
Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
Counter-terrorism Programs - Counterproliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction - Oversight of U.S. Special Operations Forces/Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
Unfortunately, I'm no longer on the House Administration Committee and its Elections Subcommittee because the change in Congressional leadership meant fewer Democratic seats on that small committee. Still, I'm very committed to improving our elections process, and I recently was invited to join the committee at a hearing on military and overseas voting.
|
II. CONTINUING RESOLUTION
After marathon voting that lasted until 4:30 AM, the funding bill for the rest of Fiscal Year 2011 (H.R. 1) passed the House on February 18. I didn't support H.R. 1 (like the majority of constituents who called and wrote me during debate) because it makes irresponsible cuts to very important programs. Simply put, it's over the line.
I agree that we have to reduce government spending, but this plan goes about it in the wrong way. It overreaches by cutting jobs and important programs in our communities. Cuts to education funding would kick children out of Head Start, put teachers out of work, and eliminate job training programs like the summer youth employment program that has been so meaningful to San Diego’s disadvantaged youth. Cuts to public safety would mean fewer police officers and firefighters protecting San Diego families. And cuts to science, health care, and energy research programs like the National Institutes of Health and the National Science foundation, would mean fewer research jobs in San Diego.
With a March 4 budget deadline looming, it’s more important than ever to work together to find commonsense, bipartisan solutions and avoid a government shutdown. The reality is the last thing we can afford right now is to go back on our promises of helping create good jobs in our country. And with encouraging economic trends in San Diego - like the uptick of private sector job growth, the stabilized housing market, the increased value of the stock market - I want to move forward, not back.
Click here and search for H.R.1 to see full the bill and amendment details.
III. EGYPT OUTLOOK
The recent uprising in Egypt captured the world’s attention. Like so many, I’m hopeful President Mubarak’s departure will lead to a new era of democracy and freedom there, one that maintains a strong strategic relationship with the United States, Israel, and mutual partners in the region. Read my full statement on the situation in Egypt here.
IV. U.S. MARINE ON STAFF
Marine Corps Major Amy McGrath has joined my Washington, D.C. staff and will spend the year as a Marine Corps Fellow working on a range of defense issues.
"My lifelong fascination with flying has been rivaled only by my continued interest in government. I hope to bring to Congresswoman Davis’ office my insight from my military and combat experiences as I learn more about how Capitol Hill operates and then apply this unique fellowship experience as a United States Marine," said Major McGrath.
Amy graduated from the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned in 1997 as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. After completing flight school, she reported to MCAS Miramar. In September 2001, Major McGrath deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Bright Star. Since that time, she has accrued over 1,700 flight hours in the F/A-18, has flown 85+ combat missions in both Afghanistan and Iraq, and has flown in multiple exercises in Australia, Korea and Japan. She is the recipient of 8 Strike Flight Air Medals, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and Iraqi and Afghan Campaign medals.
Amy is married to Lieutenant Commander Erik Henderson and has a very loyal 12 year-old dog named Monk. My staff and I are thrilled to have Amy join Team Davis!
IV. HEALTH CARE UPDATE
On January 19, the House of Representatives voted to repeal the health care reform law that was enacted last year. I voted against the repeal, which passed the House on a vote of 245-189, because I’ve always believed every American should have access to the care they need to be healthy. The new law has already given people many basic health care protections they deserve and taking those improvements away just doesn’t make sense to me.
Through the health care reform process I’ve continually reached out to my constituents. Before the repeal vote I held a telephone town hall meeting to discuss how the current health care reform law is addressing many of the problems in our system, and when I surveyed constituents, the majority said they opposed repealing the health care law.
On January 19, the House of Representatives voted to repeal the health care reform law that was enacted last year. I voted against the repeal, which passed the House on a vote of 245-189, because I’ve always believed every American should have access to the care they need to be healthy. The new law has already given people basic health care protections they deserve and taking those away just doesn’t make sense to me. Through the health care reform process I’ve continually reached out to my constituents. Before the repeal vote I held a telephone town hall meeting to discuss how the current health care reform law is addressing many of the problems in our system, and when I surveyed constituents, the majority said they opposed repealing the health care law.
There will be many opportunities to improve on a number of provisions in the law, and I continue to remain open to doing so. For more information on the health care reform law, please visit click here.
VI. ENVIRONMENTAL SCORECARD
The League of Conservation Voters just released their 2010 National Environmental Scorecard, and I'm proud to report my 100% grade! San Diego is known for its exceptional landscape and environment and protecting and preserving our community's natural resources has always been extremely important to me - I'll continue to work hard on this issue at the national level.
VII. NAVAL AVIATION CENTENNIAL
Huge crowds turned out on February 12 in Coronado and across San Diego to celebrate the Centennial of Naval Aviation, a century of flight that began on North Island in 1911. I watched the “Parade of Flight” from the flight deck of the USS John C. Stennis, and was amazed and proud as our men and women in uniform showed us why they are the best in the world at what they do! The spirit of innovation that fueled the first 100 years of naval aviation is stronger than ever, and our community continues to play an important role.
VIII. WE'VE MOVED!
Your San Diego Community Office has a new location! We’ve moved to 2700 Adams Avenue, Suite 102, San Diego, CA 92116. Get directions by clicking here.
Thank you to everyone who came out to give the new office a very warm welcome at our grand opening on February 5. It was wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces, and to talk to people about what’s on their mind and how my office and I can better serve the San Diego community. Check out some of the photos from the grand opening on my Facebook page by clicking here!
Remember, this is YOUR community office, so please stop by if you ever want to share a policy idea or need help navigating federal agencies! |
