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Dear friend,
This week was another busy week in Washington, D.C. We voted to keep the government running and to end forced arbitration for sexual harassment and assault survivors.
Back in San Diego, I want to thank all those who mailed and dropped off cards for the Valentines for Vets program. Next Monday, my staff and I will distribute them in a San Diego housing complex that supports our local veteran population. We appreciate your special cards for our veterans!
Below is another update on some of the work my staff and I have done recently to serve you.
Spreading the Word About the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Port Improvements Could Help Ease Supply Chain Challenges and Reduce Pollution
Earlier today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) and I joined Chairman Dan Malcolm, San Diego Board of Port Commissioners and National City Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis to share how Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds will help our port reduce pollution and bolster its ability to move goods. As a former port commission chairman, I understand how critical the port is to our regional economy as well as the necessary measures to improve air quality for nearby communities. We discussed the port's intention to apply for funds to build new shore power plugs to allow ships to turn off diesel generators and instead use clean electricity to power their operations when they are docked at the Port's marine terminals. I'm thrilled to see how local, state, and federal partners continue working hard to deliver for San Diego's infrastructure. Learn more about our event here.
My Work in Washington, D.C.
Hearing on Algae as an Alternative Fuel
On Tuesday, I led a briefing for the Congressional Algae Caucus to discuss algae as an alternative fuel. Algae can be a feedstock for many different products and algae-based fuels could reduce carbon emissions in sectors such as aviation, marine shipping, and commercial trucking.
I co-founded the Congressional Algae Caucus in 2013 to provide a forum for Members of Congress and their staff to learn about and interact with the growing algae industry. During this hearing, Reps. LaHood, Kilmer, and Biggs and I spoke with Oliver Fetzer, the CEO of San Diego-based Viridos. We discussed the company's efforts to scale low-carbon intensity biofuels using algae and whether the U.S. has a competitive advantage in this field, among other topics.
Moving Forward With Efforts to Clean Up the Tijuana River Valley
On Wednesday, I met with María Elena Giner, Commissioner of the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). We discussed IBWC's preparations to implement the Environmental Protection Agency's plan to address the decades-old transboundary water pollution in the Tijuana River Valley which was announced in November. We also spoke about the Mexican government's agreements to coordinate infrastructure investments and recent wastewater flows in a canyon collector near the Tijuana River known as Stewart's Drain. This was the second time I have had the pleasure of meeting with Maria and thank her for her dedication to help solve this crisis once and for all.
Discussing Postal Service Reform
Last Friday, I met with members of the California State and National Association of Letter Carriers. We discussed the importance of the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 and how it will help ensure the long-term health of the Postal Service and its workforce. We depend so much on our letter carriers around the country for our mail, and it was great to hear from the members directly about their needs.
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or need assistance with a federal agency, reach out to us through our website or by calling the district office at 858-455-5550.
To stay updated on my work throughout the week, you can also follow my social media accounts by clicking on the icons below.
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