by Shannon Michael

July 21, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) has issued a press release blasting an energy spending bill that seeks to gut funding for clean energy, including biomass and solar programs. The bill would hit San Diego hard, since it has a large concentration of clean technology companies, Davis indicated. 

“San Diego has 767 clean technology companies and has become an innovation hub, especially in solar power, energy storage, and advanced biofuels,” said Davis. “If we’re going to remain competitive in the global economy, we must invest in clean energy innovation.” According to the San Diego Association of Governments, the algae energy section alone provides the region with 410 direct jobs and $108 million in economic activity each year.

 July 15, 2011 (East County) -- The Alpine and Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce invites you to join your elected representatives for a lively evening discussing important hot topics on Monday, July 18. Bring your questions, enjoy appetizers and the opportunity  to meet  your friends and neighbors at this informative event, which is cosponsored by Viejas and San Diego Gas & Electric Company.

Poll shows strong public support for plan; Rep. Hunter visits Afghanistan to meet with military officers

By Miriam Raftery

June 29, 2011 (San Diego) – A Gallup Poll shows 72% of Americans support President Barack Obama’s plan announced last week to withdraw thousands of U.S. troops from Afghanistan this year. Just 23% opposed the troop drawdown plan, and some want to see an even faster troop withdrawal.

Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon), a veteran of the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars and member of the House Armed Services Committee, visited Afghanistan this week and met with General David Petraeus. He has voiced support for troop withdrawals, citing erosion of public support. But he called for a shift in focus toward counter-terrorism utilizing special operations forces, intelligence gathering capability and air assets.

 By Miriam Raftery

By Jeremy Los

“This bill is an unprecedented assault on women’s health care. For the first time, restrictions would be placed on how women with private insurance can spend their own dollars in purchasing health insurance.” – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego)

May 31, 2011- Women’s rights are under siege as Republicans in control of the House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 3. The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act would sharply restrict access to abortion.

Championed by Rep. Christopher Smith (R- NJ), the bill passed  the House with 251 "aye" votes, of which 235 were Republicans--including San Diego Republicans Duncan Hunter and Darrell Issa. (Brian Bilbray (R-San Diego) abstained from voting, while local Democratic representatives Susan Davis and Bob Filner voted "no.")

May 21, 2011 —Recently, U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) personally viewed photographs of Osama Bin Laden after he was killed by U.S. Special Forces in Pakistan.  As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Hunter was provided the opportunity to view the photographs along with other selected House members at the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, Virginia. 

“The series of photographs clearly show Osama Bin Laden from the time after the raid to his burial at sea,” said Congressman Hunter.  “Our nation’s Special Forces did an exceptional job and deserve great credit for their work.”  

By Mike Thaller

May 15, 2011 (San Diego) --I read today that Rep Duncan Hunter is out bashing gays again. Now he wants to revive Don't Ask Don't Tell: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0511/54644.html. 

May 5, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon) testified yesterday before the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands on H.R. 290, the War Memorial Protection Act. Hunter introduced the legislation—which allows for the inclusion of religious symbols on war memorials—in response to a recent ruling by the Ninth Circuit declaring the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial unconstitutional.

March 30, 2011 (Washington D.C.) Earlier this month, Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-El Cajon) introduced bipartisan legislation, the Unlawful Border Entry Prevention Act, which includes San Diego Congressman Brian Bilbray among its cosponsors. The measure would provide the Secretary of Homeland Security with full discretionary authority to build up to 350 miles of additional infrastructure on the Southwest border.

By Mason Herron
 

March 7, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon) recently introduced legislation aimed at curtailing what he views as frivolous lawsuits against small businesses that are allegedly in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The bill, entitled the ADA Notification Act, would provide businesses accused of an ADA violation with a 90-day grace period to make necessary modifications.

February 19, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – San Diego’s Congressional delegation is speaking out on spending and budget-cutting priorities –with widely divergent views. While Republicans have slammed President Barack Obama’s proposed budget, Democrats are blasting the rival Republican House appropriations bill.

As with any omnibus proposal, the devil is in the details. Issues at stake include funds for local border projects,  birth control access, water supplies for Southern California, job training, and more.  Here’s what our five local House representatives and both California U.S. Senators have to say about the spending proposals that Congress is weighing.

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2011 (Alpine) -- Elected officials, tribal leaders, community members and veterans turned out this morning at a “Labor of Love” event to break ground for Alpine’s Wall of Honor.

Viejas tribal chairman Anthony Pico spoke movingly about his own military service in the Army and his memories of visiting the Viet Nam memorial in Washington D.C., where 13 of his friends’ names are inscribed. “For every friend who has fallen, there is someone who will remember them,” he said, expressing sorrow that his fallen comrades could not live into the autumn of their lives but instead, sacrificed their futures for our country. “They stayed forever young in my mind,” he said.

Senate leaders vow to block repeal--but a Virginia judge declares mandate to buy health insurance unconstitutional

By: Jeremy Los

January 20, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- House Republicans have stuck to their campaign promises and passed a measure to repeal the newly established health care bill. In what was a strictly symbolic vote, since the repeal will most likely die in the Democrat-controlled Senate and would not be signed by President Obama, the House Republicans have sent a strong message to the nation that they mean business.

Local Republican representatives Brian Bilbray, Darrell Issa, and Duncan D. Hunter fell in line with conservative cohorts, as every House Republican voted to pass the repeal. On the other side of the aisle local Democratic representatives Bob Filner and Susan Davis voted against the repeal.

By Jeremy Los and Miriam Raftery

January 6, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – The red Republican wave that swept through the nation in November has officially begun its reign in the United States House of Representatives yesterday as the 112th Congress commenced. The change elevates the positions and influence of local Republican representatives, while reducing the power of San Diego’s Democratic delegation in Congress.

Highlighted by the election of Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, as Speaker of the House, yesterday today marked the beginning of what House Republicans see as a chance to move the conservative agenda forward. The Republican leadership has announced its intent to repeal President Obama’s health care bill and begin to cut government spending in their first three weeks. Democrats in Congress now are on the defensive as they are now hoping to impede the destruction of what they pushed for since 2006.