Defending San Diego’s Jobs and Critical Government Funding

Since January 20, Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Republicans have attacked hardworking federal employees and critical programs, with seemingly no regard for what they’re cutting and the harm to government function and our communities that will follow. Please read below for regular updates on the work that House Democrats and I are doing to respond to these harmful actions. 

If you have been fired from your federal job, have stopped receiving federal funds to your organization or business, or have otherwise been affected by changes the Trump Administration has implemented, please share your story here. By sharing your voice, you can help me best represent San Diego in Congress.   

  • Protested with my Democratic colleagues outside the HHS to oppose the Trump Administration’s funding freeze hurting states and providers receiving funding from Medicaid, HRSA, and other federal agencies. 

  • Led my colleagues in demanding that the Trump Administration reverse a disastrous decision that would cut over $800 million in NIH funding for California universities who are leading the world in groundbreaking biomedical research, like finding the cures to cancer and Alzheimer's.  

  • Offered an amendment to House Republicans’ budget that would have increased funding levels for NIH, instead of slashing funding for one of America’s best investments. 

  • Led my colleagues in highlighting the grave consequences of the Departments of Agriculture, Interior, and Homeland Security pausing federal wildfire mitigation efforts and demanding that the Trump Administration unfreeze federal firefighter hiring. 

  • Joined Rep Casten (IL-06) to demand that Energy Secretary Wright end the illegal firing of Department of Energy employees who manage nuclear weapons, ensure reliable and affordable energy, and help us compete with China in the global market for next-generation energy technology. 

  • Worked with Reps. Lofgren (CA-18), Chu (CA-28), and Sherman (CA-32) to express concern about EPA's termination of Region 9 employees, particularly given their role in the LA wildfire recovery and supporting San Diego. (link to letter on website) 

  • Joined Rep. Bonamici (OR-01) in opposing mass layoffs at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and requesting answers to a series of oversight questions, including plans to avoid critical service disruptions. 

  • Worked with Rep. Foushee’s (NC-04) to demand Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Zeldin outline the EPA’s proposed budget and drastic workforce reduction plans. (link to letter on website) 

  • Supported Rep. Fletcher (TX-07) in urging Department of the Interior Secretary Burgum to properly disburse funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for orphaned well remediation to protect against environmental and public health risks.  

  • Members of my staff spoke at a UCSD event against NIH funding cuts and attacks on medical research from the Trump Administration. 

  • Worked with Rep. Strickland (WA-10) to request clarification from the Department of Education on how Impact Aid, which reimburses schools for everything from textbooks and other equipment to special enrichment programs, will be affected by President Trump’s Executive Order that dismantles the Department of Education.  

  • Collaborated with Rep. Chu (CA-28) and 150 House Democrats to demand that Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. restore all appropriated funding for Title X providers. This effort followed the freeze on millions of dollars allocated by Congress for family planning services.