September 29, 2014

Dear Friend,

San Diego's collaborative, problem-solving attitude is sorely needed in Washington, D.C., and I have promoted our region's signature style at every turn. This was evident most recently when numerous local business, community, and political leaders from San Diego came to Washington. You can read more about that -- and a resource workshop I held for women and working families, the VA Secretary's visit to San Diego, and my fight to force Congress to address important legislation -- below.

Providing Resources for Women and Working Families

I have heard from women across San Diego County about the unique challenges of working full-time while caring for children or aging parents, or finding affordable, accessible, high-quality child care. Recently I joined Speaker of the California State Assembly Toni G. Atkins to host a workshop for women and working families that provided information and resources on these pressing issues.

We also discussed pay equity and the fight to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work, workforce and skills training, and access to information resources.

Welcoming the VA Secretary to San Diego

Scott meeting Secretary McDonald and Medal of Honor recipient Jay Vargas

I joined with numerous local veterans' community leaders to welcome the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald to the La Jolla VA Hospital during his recent visit to San Diego. We spoke about continuing to reform the broken culture of complacency at the VA, and I continued my advocacy for the Military Transition Support Project (MTSP) that was started here in San Diego. MTSP will provide a central portal of information on benefits, employment, and housing to servicemembers as they transition to civilian life.

Fighting Against 'Early Dismissal'

Congress needs to act on our country's most pressing challenges, but Speaker John Boehner recently gave the House of Representatives 'early dismissal' and sent Congress home for 7 weeks of campaigning. I led 42 of my colleagues in demanding that Speaker Boehner not send us home but instead let us vote on numerous pieces of legislation that would keep our country competitive, protect our communities and our environment, and ensure that we serve our veterans and our seniors.

To see the full list of legislation I wanted to vote on instead of being dismissed early, click HERE.

Promoting #SDinDC

During the annual San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce trip to Washington, D.C., I was honored to host five events as part of my work to infuse San Diego's collaborative style into DC's broken system. The policy discussions included a briefing on the Military Transition Support Project; Telehealth and Wireless Medicine, a field where San Diego is already a leader; San Diego's Water Future that featured Congresswoman Susan Davis and Mayor Kevin Faulconer; Ending Veterans' Homelessness; and finding bipartisanship through NoLabels. More information on these great discussions can be seen HERE.

Staying in Contact

I hope you'll stay connected with what I am working on and tell me what is important to you: like my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, add my Google+ page to your circles, or visit my website for more information.

One of the most important jobs I have in Congress is providing a number of constituent services. As always, if you have any questions, are having trouble with a federal agency, or want to weigh in on a particular issues, feel free to email me or call me offices at 202-225-0508 or 858-455-5550.

Sincerely,

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