|
Dear friend,
With the Senate passage of a continuing resolution to fund the government last night, we averted a government shutdown. A government shutdown has catastrophic results for Americans, and although I am relieved we did not reach that point, we need debt limit reform to avoid unnecessary fiscal uncertainty in the future. Read below for more details on a bipartisan proposal that could help fix this recurring problem.
Below is another update on some of the work my staff and I have done this week to serve you.
Legislative Work
Biden Administration Implements USEIT Act to Boost U.S. Clean Manufacturing
On Tuesday, the Biden-Harris Administration announced new actions across agencies to support American leadership on clean manufacturing. As part of the Administration's announcement, the Council on Environmental Quality issued guidance to implement a bipartisan bill I introduced in 2019, the Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies (USEIT) Act. The USEIT Act became law through a 2020 funding package to incentivize the research and development of carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) technologies.
The new guidance provides federal agencies with a framework to guide CCUS deployment in a manner that is environmentally sound and cuts cumulative pollution in nearby communities. CCUS technologies remove and store carbon pollution already released into the atmosphere.
Weighing Whether Congress Should Abolish the Debt Limit
On Wednesday, I participated in a House Budget Committee hearing on the debt limit. I shared my thoughts on the need to eliminate or at least reform the debt limit, and spoke about my bill with Rep. Jodey Arrington (TX-19), the Responsible Budgeting Act. This bipartisan bill proposes two options for Congress to address the debt limit. I asked the witnesses whether this policy proposal would lead to a more productive conversation about controlling federal debt and if it would help end uncertainty.
My Work in San Diego
YMCA San Diego's Role in Providing Child Care and Housing
On Thursday, I visited the T. Claude and Gladys B. Ryan Family YMCA as part of the organization's advocacy days. I met CEO Todd Tibbits along with other YMCA staff and discussed the YMCA's priorities for 2022. We also spoke about the organization's work in providing childcare and how the Housing Our Youth program helps unsheltered communities.
Valentines for Vets
I enjoyed spending Valentine's Day with a group of local veterans in Downtown San Diego on Monday! Thank you to everyone who mailed or dropped off a special letter for our Valentines for Vets initiative. I had a chance to read a few of them out loud and share the love we have for our veterans!
Otay Mesa East Development Summit
Photo courtesy: Ambassador Ken Salazar
Also on Monday, I attended a summit to discuss the development of a new port of entry in our region: Otay Mesa East. Over 50 local, state and federal representatives from Mexico and the U.S. attended, including U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar, CA Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, and Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila, among others.
The State Route 11/Otay Mesa East Port of Entry Project is a joint venture between SANDAG and Caltrans, in collaboration with state and federal partners on both sides of the border, to create a modern border crossing for our region that will fuel economic growth and binational trade. Supporting the investments for this project in Congress will help deliver a new border wait time detection system and other technologies to reduce congestion and strengthen our security. This is just another chapter in our thriving binational region!
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.
|